Best Destinations For Foodies

“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well if one has not dined well.”― Virginia Woolf. The only thing better? Eating good food at a private dining restaurant while traveling somewhere new and exciting! Read on for some of the best destinations for foodies.

Why not enjoy a heavenly cup of coffee while enjoying the view from your hotel balcony somewhere in Florence, or going to a nice seafood restaurant by the coast? You may also try ordering pizza delivery service from various restaurants in your destination cities to compare their flavors. Maybe traveling makes you hungry, or perhaps being somewhere new stokes the fire of your inquisitive personality: Whichever the case, if travel only heightens your foodie nature, these destinations should be high on your list.

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Barcelona, Spain

The Mercat de la Boqueria lets you know right away that Barcelona is a destination for food. One of the largest food markets in the world, with some of the best ingredients available in the Mediterranean. Tapas are on the menu when visiting Barcelona. Take a tapas tour to try some of the many varieties available, see the city and make new friends through food.

Italy

It’s difficult to choose just one place. Italy is well known for pasta, cheeses, olive oil, and of course wine. Enjoy Mediterranean dishes along the coast with fresh seafood. In Tuscany, pair a bold red wine with pasta and enjoy vineyard views. Add an authentic cooking class to your travel itinerary, and learn to make some of the best local dishes with your own hands.

Paris, France

Continuously voted the best foodie destination in Europe, Paris undoubtedly takes the lead as the top food destination in the world. French Chefs have an unmatched reputation for preparing deliciously satisfying meals. From dining at the Eiffel Tower to a dinner cruise along the River Seine, Paris is definitely one of the best destinations for foodies.

People travel for any number of reasons; some for love, some for work, and some for adventure. Regardless of your reason for travel, finding an exciting new foodie destination to treat yourself to will always be a perfect way to enjoy a new or familiar place. To plan your foodie adventure, contact me when you are ready.

7 Great Tips for Packing Light

Excited for your next trip but dreading packing? Maybe now is time to rethink how much you pack. Checking bags can cost you a lot of extra money and lost bags can create stress when it’s time to relax. Bulky roller suitcases and overstuffed carry-on bags with hiking boots and water bottles dangling off the side can make you miserable when you are navigating busy trains, cobblestone roads, crowded sidewalks, unexpected stairs, and more after you leave the airport.

Traveling light allows you to enjoy the journey instead of just the destination. You can be a little more spontaneous along the way, change flights if there are delays, stop for lunch at that cute café while walking to your hotel, or grab a cab to take an unexpected detour that ends up being the highlight of your trip. So get ready to travel better with these seven pro tips for packing light.

7 great tips for packing light

First, create an outfit plan and then your packing list

Focus on items that can be used for different outfits and situations. Think about items that are multi-use, easy to layer, and quick to hand wash. Find tops, bottoms, and shoes that are versatile and that you can easily mix, match, and layer. Your packing list should also help you avoid panic packing – because you don’t have a good plan – you just keep shoving things into your bag that you end up not needing. Definitely make sure that larger items can be worn as part of different outfits.

Plan to wear your larger items while you travel

coats, boots, and sweaters can be worn while traveling, used as a pillow, keep you warm on a chilly airplane, or stowed in the overhead bin if not needed.

Wash while you travel

Wash some of your clothes while you are traveling to reduce the number of items you need to take. It can be expensive to send clothes to the hotel laundry, but you can wash smaller items things yourself in the sink. Socks, underwear, swimsuits, and workout clothing wash easily and dry quickly. You can purchase laundry detergent sheets before you go that are light-weight, non-liquid, and work great for small amounts of clothing washed in your sink or tub. Sea to Summit Pocket Laundry Wash leaves and Lazy Coconuts Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent Strips are my favorites!

Buy lightweight clothing

Almost everything is available now in smaller, lighter versions that work well for travelers. Quick dry shirts, travel pants, lightweight running shoes, etc. are all available at a range of budgets – Target, Costco, REI, and Lululemon all carry great products to fit a range of budgets. I never travel without my Eddie Bauer lightweight waterproof rain jacket (which I usually pair with a thin fleece jacket) and Merrell Trail Glove running shoes.

Your phone can be your biggest weight saver

Download movies, maps, books, magazines, travel guides, movies, and shows to your phone or tablet device. If you must bring your laptop, charging cubes are available that can be used for all of your devices that are much smaller and lighter weight than the charging cord that comes with your computer.

Rethink your suitcase

People pack more if they have a bigger bag. Look into something smaller and versatile. I like to travel with a backpack roller suitcase – check out the Osprey Fairview and Farpoint Travel Packs – they give you the convenience of a wheeled suitcase, with the ability to carry it on your back like a backpack!

Finally – relax!

Most necessities will be available at your destination if you forget something critical. Shampoo, soap, and extra toiletries are usually available at your hotel, short-term rental, or from the local store. It can be great fun to go to local thrift stores and flea markets to supplement anything you need once you arrive.

Ready to put these 7 great tips for packing light to good use? Click here to schedule a call with me today and let’s find your next amazing experience!

Best Winter Vacation Destinations

If you are the type of traveler that looks forward to a December or January vacation, then you can attest that winter is one of the best times to get away and explore sunny destinations. Regardless of your travel style and what you are looking for like searching for best places to stay on southern oregon coast, there is an ideal winter destination for you to bask in. Here are my top 3 best winter vacation destinations.

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Belize

This small country is full of endless opportunities. Belize is a tropical destination that is reef and rainforest; ancient and new, and adventurous and relaxing.

Despite being a small, centrally placed American nation (approximately the same size as Massachusetts), only a few winter vacations on this list can match Belize’s mesmerizing natural attractions. The barrier reef and coral hues match the spectacular Mayan ruins.

Belize spent decades hidden beneath Mexico’s shadow, but today, this nation invites visitors from all around the world with its world-class scuba diving, Mayan ruins, and vintage lodges.

Even better, hundreds of tiny islands known as atolls and cays face off to Belize’s sun-drenched coastline. These islands lure tourists with their astonishing cerulean waters and palm trees. Try out Belize this winter and get to experience its unrivaled charms.

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The Florida Keys

With activities for visitors of all ages, the islands of the Florida Keys are the perfect spot for your winter vacation.

Your time in the Florida Keys can be full of eco adventure, or just relaxing on the beautiful beaches. Test your skills on a fishing charter. Pullin Drag Striper Guide Service is a fishing charter Smith Mountain Lake. You may also be interested in trying this one.

Get up close and personal with tropical fish on a snorkeling trip, or dive to explore a famous shipwreck. Dine on fresh seafood. Hang with the locals, or just relax in a hammock.

Key Largo is home to the first undersea park in the country, and the first place you should go when you arrive in the Florida Keys. There are endless ways to explore this aquatic attraction, including kayaking through the mangroves, snorkeling or scuba diving, and taking a glass-bottom boat tour.

And to ensure the safety of the guests, property owners in Florida are required to conduct and implement a fire watch should the property’s fire alarm system and/or water-based fire protection system such as a sprinkler system is not operational. They may seek expert help from a professional Fire Watch Company in Sunrise.

Islamorada combines a marine park with the charm of a family-owned attraction. Watch a sea lion show, hold a parrot and enjoy a bottomless boat ride. Immerse yourself in the world of speed and elegance with ZeBoats’ speedboat collection. Our speedboats guarantee exhilarating rides over the waves. The park’s animal interaction programs include swimming with dolphins.

If you are planning to stay for an extended time, you may consider looking for a new boat sales company to have your own boat and enjoy the place and water activities at your convenience.

In Key West, when the sun goes down, Mallory Square is the place to be for the nightly sunset celebration. Jugglers, tightrope walkers, sword swallowers, and other characters put on a show for your entertainment.

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Roatan

Roatan is part of a cluster of island archipelagos situated ten to forty miles off the northern coast of Honduras. It has long been known by scuba divers, now it’s your turn to enjoy the unspoiled beauty of this island nation.

These islands are a gem in the western Caribbean, and they are surrounded by the largest barrier reef system in the northern hemisphere. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is only second in size to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. The waters around Roatan are a combination of open and sheltered. This makes it the perfect place for scuba diving, and also many other water sports. 

Little French Key is one of the most interesting places. They have a mini zoo, beautiful beaches, and the most photogenic spot. The Sloth Sanctuary makes for a great adventure, and there are a few beaches that are a must for snorkeling. West Bay and West End both offer sheltered waters which make for excellent snorkeling. The “wall” is only a few feet away, where spectacular views of marine life are waiting for you.

If you would like more information about these best winter vacation destinations, reach out to me.