TravelSpark - Travel and Style Resources for Women

TravelSpark is moving! Visit JourneyChic.com!

2008-07-30T18:19:00.000-07:00

TravelSpark is retiring! Don't fret - we're just moving to a bigger and better site: JourneyChic.com. Sadly, the TravelSpark domain name has already been claimed, but we think this name change gives us a great opportunity to reinvent the blog.

Being chic is about being smart, stylish, and effortless. JourneyChic is a blog with big ambitions to bring you the ideas and tools you need to dream up your next vacation, get prepared for your journey, and be on your way. When what you need is all in one spot, it’s easy to maintain your chicness.

We hope you’ll let us in to your inner circle of girlfriends, offering you practical and fun advice based on our own and our friends’ experiences as well as reliable web and media resources.

Take a look, join the Facebook group, and let us know what you think! The new site is a work in progress and we hope you'll stay with us while we grow.

JourneyChic: Get inspired. Get prepared. Get going!

Stretching your dollar

2008-07-24T15:13:00.000-07:00

These days, as Ms. TravelSpark can attest, I am wracking my brain about where to go on my honeymoon next June. I love Europe so it would have been a no-brainer. But with the weak dollar and some airlines dropping like flies, the decision has not been an easy one. At the moment, it looks like we’re going to fly into Venice and sail over to Croatia (cheaper actually than flying to Croatia ). With the latter country not on the Euro, it hopefully will give us more bang for our buck. If you’re contemplating a trip to a Euro-operating country, it can still be done without burning a huge whole in your wallet. Yes, flights will be pricey but with so many accommodation options, you can make it work with your budget. One way to save money is to go the bed and breakfast route. Paris apparently has so many tourists that the mayor has asked residents to open up extra space in their houses as B&B’s and this recent article in Budget Travel provides you with a lowdown on 5 in the city. Personally, I think this is a great option. Not only is breakfast included in the charge, but you have one of the best travel resources at your fingertips – a French native who knows the ins and outs of the city!

International Recipes at epicurious.com

2008-07-23T14:19:00.000-07:00

I received an email today from www.epicurious.com promoting their international recipe collection and wanted to pass it on to the foodies among you:
http://www.epicurious.com/recipesmenus/global/recipes?mbid=RF

I'll have more to share when I return from Athens...

A Little Taste of France

2008-07-20T18:30:00.000-07:00

Petit Robert Bistro in Boston's South End is a little taste of France in a city that offers very little authentic French cuisine. On a hot summer night, we skipped the outdoor seating for the air conditioned bar area, decorated with granite cafe tables, creamy yellow walls, and red banquettes. The French staff sang along to the French that was music playing, and offered friendly, timely service.

The vegetable pâte was an adventurous selection since I typically think it's a texture violation. It still is for me, but others may enjoy it. Our dinner selections of pan seared scallops and pan seared cod were delicious and were followed with dessert of crepes suzette and peach cake. Unfortunately my husband's Irish coffee was lukewarm.

Petit Robert falls somewhere between fine and fabulous. The food was quite tasty, but the less than hot coffee and view of Columbus Ave's roadwork wasn't very welcoming. Despite that, it's worth trying again.

480 Columbus Avenue

Boston MA 02118

617 867 0600

Reservations recommended.

$$ (all dinner entrees less than $20)

Foodie Fridays: Thai Lettuce Wraps

2008-07-18T05:00:00.000-07:00

Try this tasty dish that's one of Voyageuse's favorites!

Many jaws drop when I profess my dislike for peanut butter and peanut-y foods. Yes – no PB& J’s for me when I was growing up…and no snickers or Reese’s, but oddly, I do enjoy a few Peanut M&M’s every so often. Although I don’t mind peanuts alone, I don’t like them as additives to food and I used to be hesitant about Thai food, since some foods are based on a peanut sauce. So if possible, I order Pad Thai without peanuts and I love Thai Lettuce Wraps. But because the latter is usually too spicy for my taste (blame it on the bland Polish food I’m used to), I decided to make them at home. This recipe is the second I’ve tried and it works for me because it’s easy and I can take out what I don’t like. Note that these make for a great appetizer, but can be potentially messy.

Ingredients:

1 head fresh iceburg lettuce (this type works best for this recipe)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 thumb-size piece galangal (or ginger), grated
1 red chilli, de-seeded and finely sliced (omit altogether if you prefer very mild wraps)
2 shallots, sliced finely
1/2 cup firm tofu, cut into "matchsticks"; (OR 1/2 cup cooked chicken or pork, shredded, OR 1/2 cup cooked baby shrimp)
1 carrot, grated or cut into thin strips
4-5 shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 egg (optional if vegan)
1/2 cup shredded cabbage (red is very good, but any type will work)
3 spring onions, sliced lengthwise into matchstick-like pieces
approx. 2 cups brean sprouts
2 Tbsp. lime juice
2 Tbsp. regular soy sauce
2 Tbsp. fish sauce (if vegetarian, use vegetarian fish sauce)
1 Tbsp. oyster sauce (if vegetarian, use vegetarian oyster sauce)

TOPPING:
1 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped if leaves are large
1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts, roughly chopped

OTHER:
2 Tbsp. oil for stir-frying

Preparation:
1. Place oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add garlic, galangal (or ginger), chilli, and shallots. Stir-fry one minute, or until fragrant. Stir-frying tip: add a Tbsp. water whenever the wok/pan gets too dry instead of more oil.
2. Add tofu (or meat/shrimp), carrot, shiitake mushrooms, cabbage, and spring onions. As you stir-fry, add the lime juice, soy sauce, fish sauce, and oyster sauce. Stir-fry about 1 minute.
3. Push ingredients to the side of the wok or pan, and crack in the egg. Stir-fry the egg quickly, breaking the yolk. Mix in with the other ingredients.
4. Add the bean sprouts and stir-fry briefly (to mix). Remove from heat and do a taste test for salt, adding 1 Tbsp more fish sauce if not salty enough.
5. Cut off the stem part of the iceburg lettuce so it's easier to separate the leaves. Now place the lettuce, the sir-fried filling, and the toppings on your table, allowing family or guests to make their own wraps.
6. To assemble wraps, take a whole lettuce leaf and place 1-2 heaping tablespoons of filling in the center. Top with a sprinkling of fresh basil and peanuts. Then wrap it up and eat. (For those who like it extra spicy, Thai chilli sauce can be added as another topping.)

Yield: Depends on how much you want to stuff your piece of lettuce
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes

Recipe courtesy of www.eatingwell.com.

Girls Weekend on Nantucket

2008-07-15T18:32:00.000-07:00

On a warm summer weekend in June, I joined three of my book club friends for a girls-only weekend on Nantucket, where we stayed at my friend M.Y.’s husband’s family’s property. We did a whole lot of….nothing. It was fabulous. Walks through the ritzy neighborhoods were followed by lounging on the beach, followed by wine and cheese back at the house.

To get to Nantucket fast, take the Hy-line high-speed ferry from Hyannis. For a large group, purchase a pack of commuter discount tickets – we saved about ten dollars per person.

Where to Eat
Breakfast:
Nantucket Bake Shop
79 Orange Street
(508) 228-2797 / +1 (800) 440-2253
Get there early for super-fresh homemade donuts. The powder-coated jelly donuts are to die for!

Brunch:
Black-Eyed Susan’s
10 India St
(508) 325-0308
Their sourdough French toast with Jack Daniels orange butter is melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Lunch & Dinner:
Brotherhood of Thieves
23 Broad Street
(508) 228-2551
Try the grilled chicken sandwich on focaccia with pesto, artichokes, and mozzarella.

Late-Night Snack:
The Juice Bar
(508) 228-5799
Yummy homemade ice cream in buttery waffle cones.

Where to Shop
Nantucket Bookworks
25 Broad Street
Tel: (508) 228-4000
This adorable bookstore next to Brotherhood of Thieves is open late and has a cozy, cottage feel, with both new and used books as well as cards and gifts.

Manor House Antique Co-op
31 ½ Centre Street
(508) 228-4335
Nantucket is filled with antique shops and we didn’t pop in to many, but my friend M.Y. has this shop on her list of favorites (and she loves antiques so I trust her judgment). The store is jam packed with one person’s trash and another’s treasure. Don’t even think about walking in there with a large handbag or backpack unless you’re prepared to pay for what you break.

Parchment
11 Washington St.
(508) 228-4110
For adorable and quirky invitations, cards, and gifts don’t miss this little shop where items are arranged by color.

Skirtin’ Around
42 Straight Wharf
(508) 325-0022
You can’t miss this women’s boutique since it’s the first you’ll pass on the right as you get off the high-speed ferry. Though the clothes and accessories are sold in other boutiques around the country, the Nantucket shop is exclusively Skirtin’ Around. I couldn’t help but be attracted to the bright, bold colors in the window that are reminiscent of Lily Pulitzer but definitely more modern.

Foodie Fridays: Chicken Shawarma

2008-07-11T09:17:00.001-07:00

If I can only find a smaller jar of tahini sauce, I plan to cook up this recipe for Chicken Shawarma from the July issue of Cooking Light. The Middle Eastern flavors seem like they will be delicious, and a good way to use the left over pita pockets that have been pushed to the back of the fridge (but still good!). Note that tahini sauce is like peanut butter, but made of sesame seeds. I found it in the international food aisle of the grocery store in my suburban Boston hometown (in the Greek foods section), but suspect I could find more size options at a store in a more culturally diverse neighborhood - or even at Trader Joe's.

Ingredients
Chicken:
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon curry powder
2 teaspoons extravirgin olive oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 16 (3-inch) strips

Sauce:
1/2 cup plain 2% reduced-fat Greek yogurt (such as Fage)
2 tablespoons tahini
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 garlic clove, minced

Remaining ingredients:
Cooking spray
4 (6-inch) pitas
1 cup chopped romaine lettuce
8 (1/4-inch-thick) tomato slices

Preparation
1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
2. To prepare chicken, combine first 6 ingredients in a medium bowl. Add chicken to bowl; toss well to coat. Let stand at room temperature 20 minutes.
3. To prepare sauce, combine yogurt and next 4 ingredients (through 1 garlic clove), stirring with a whisk.
4. Thread 2 chicken strips onto each of 8 (12-inch) skewers. Place kebabs on a grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 4 minutes on each side or until done.
5. Place pitas on grill rack; grill 1 minute on each side or until lightly toasted. Place 1 pita on each of 4 plates; top each serving with 1/4 cup lettuce and 2 tomato slices. Top each serving with 4 chicken pieces; drizzle each serving with 2 tablespoons sauce.

Yield: 4 servings

Time: 45 minutes

Strip House NYC Restaurant Review AMAZING

2008-07-10T11:50:00.001-07:00

Mr. Wandering Albatross took me to New York City for a suprise trip to celebrate our anniversary. He planned it out very carefully as always and we went to see Avenue Q on Broadway which was excellent and ate at Strip House - New York which was phenomenal!!!

The restaurant is located near Union Square which is just a short trip from Times Square. The outside is relatively unassuming but the food is so unbelievably good. The ambiance is interesting as it is decorated with old pin up girl pictures, nothing too risque by today's standards but I'm sure they caused a stir back in the early 1900's when they were taken.

Photo by Shanna Ravindra - http://nymag.com

We started with their Lobster Bisque - out of this world. And for our main course we ordered one of the specials for the day, Bone In Rib Eye for Two, which is the second best beef I've ever eaten and that's saying a lot. (The best is in Argentina) For sides we had their famous black truffle creamed spinach which I could have made a whole meal out of and goose fat potatoes which were great!

Photo by Shanna Ravindra - http://nymag.com

We had to change our reservation twice because we were stuck in traffic and they were very accommodating. And then we were still late and they still held a table for us. Then we only had an hour to eat before the show and they got it all in with such remarkable service that we never felt rushed but we were never waiting either.

All in all the food was great, the ambiance was great, the service was outstanding, and the price was not bad considering, less than what we expected. If you like steak and are in NYC and don't eat here then you're seriously missing out.

Dining at Hotel Stary, Krakow

2008-07-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

After a day of meetings in Krakow, my local colleagues treated me to dinner at Hotel Stary, right near the main market square. "Stary" means "old" in Polish, and the hotel is housed in a building likely erected in the 15th century. The hotel opened in 2006 and the interior blends modern style with the building's ancient architecture.

We took the glass elevator up to the roof to begin our visit with wine on the highest terrace (I counted three terraces in total), with a lovely view of the square (see photo on left). We then headed down to the restaurant for a formal dinner. The bread basket was one of the best I've experienced, with a great variety of breads and breadsticks to sample while we waited. Complimentary polenta with what I think was chicken livers (or some other tiny organ, surprisingly tasty) was delivered before the main course. The three of us all ordered the veal in marjoram sauce with pureed vegetables, which was extremely tender and delicious. Prior to dessert, complimentary chocolates were served. My dessert was an amazing chocolate creation with honey sauce and cumin ice cream. Yes, cumin ice cream - sounds weird but tasted very good.

What little I saw of the hotel (mainly the lobby) was a good sign that the rooms and other amenities are probably pretty cool. The hotel boasts two indoor swimming pools, sauna & steam room, gym with classes like Pilates yoga, and more. Not to mention, the location is a great starting point for wandering Krakow's quaint streets and seeing the historic sites.

My overall rating of the Hotel Stary for food, restaurant service, and view: fabulous!

More photos of the hotel, and the very cool rooms, can be found on Expedia. Rates start at 195EUR per night for a single room.

Hotel Stary

Szczepanska 5
Krakow, 31-011

http://www.stary.hotel.com.pl/

Foodie Fridays: Greek Lamb Pilaf

2008-07-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

When I travel for business, the best parts of the trips are always the meals. I've become a more adventurous eater over the past few years, and have tried such interesting dishes as roasted springbok in South Africa, salted fish in Russia, and some fried animal part in Mexico that my friend refused to give me details on (smart - I probably wouldn't have eaten it, otherwise!).

Going forward, Fridays will be dedicated to recipes from around the world that I (or Wandering Albatross and Voyageuse) have either tried or want to try. For those of us lacking in culinary skills, it will be a chance to put something other than pizza on the table on a Friday night, and serve as a reminder of a tasty meal had on vacation or as inspiration for our next trip.

I subscribe to Cooking Light magazine, and tried this yummy recipe for Greek lamb pilaf from the June issue. I'm not much of a cook, but it's a very easy one-pot dish that tasted nearly as good as leftovers the next day. My local grocery store was all out of ground lamb, so I substituted lean ground beef instead.

2 1/2 cups chopped onion (about 1 large onion)

3/4 cup chopped carrot (about 1 carrot)

3 garlic cloves, minced

3/4 pound lean ground lamb

1 cup uncooked long-grain rice

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth

1 cup chopped plum tomato (about 1 tomato)

1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, divided

2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

3/4 teaspoon salt

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add first 4 ingredients to pan; cook 5 minutes, stirring to crumble lamb. Stir in rice and cinnamon; sauté 2 minutes. Stir in chicken broth; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat; stir in chopped tomato, 3 tablespoons parsley, mint, lemon juice, and salt. Cover and let stand 5 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon parsley.

Enjoy!

Tuesday's Tips: The Container Store's Sale!

2008-07-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

Tuesdays are for travel tips!

Ever since The Container Store opened near my office, I've become quite a fan. They have some great products for traveling, and many are on sale now. If there isn't a store near you, they're offering free shipping on select travel items, but I think the offer ends very soon, so hurry up!

Tip #1: Compress your clothes to create more space. Right before last week's business trip, I picked up their carry-on size Travel Space Bags to aid in my never-ending quest to rely on carry-on luggage alone. While I decided to check my bag anyway, these bags were a much better alternative to the large ziplock bags that I've been using because they allow you to squeeze all the air out and then zip it shut, compressing the bag's contents. While my button-down shirts ended up a bit wrinkled, overall I was quite pleased with the compact result and headed back to The Container Store today to pick up the large version to use with my bigger luggage. They're reusable and cheaper than other packing solutions, but not exactly cute.

Tip #2: Put all your travel accessories in one spot for quick access. I love The Container Store's clear plastic shoe boxes to store my favorite heels, but I realized they could serve a higher purpose: coralling all my little travel accessories. So I picked up an extra box and have used it to stash my passport, luggage locks, sleep mask, converter, adapters, alarm clock, and frequent flyer cards. When I travel again next month I won't have to search frantically for all my necessities.

Have a tip? Send it to travelspark@gmail.com and it will be featured in an upcoming edition of Tuesday's Tips!

Krakow - A Tale of Two Novotels

2008-06-29T14:33:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday and Thursday of last week, I stayed at two Novotel hotels in Krakow, Poland. I'm pre-disposed to dislike Novotels. I think it's the neon-colored accessories so reminiscent of hideous scrunchies that I wore in the early 1990s combined with the ultra-modern George Jetson-esque bathrooms.

Two years ago I stayed at the Novotel Centrum in Krakow and was so horrified by the dingy rug and quilt that I inspected the whole bed for critters (there weren't any). I vowed to never stay there again and the following year spent the night at the very nice Sheraton down the street. But given the economic times, my company suggested I give the Novotel Centrum another go on this trip.

After many flight delays I finally showed up at the hotel around 2am. I had a confirmation number and my room was "guaranteed" for late arrival. What happened next was frighteningly similar to my all-time favorite scene from "Seinfeld". Bottom line: the hotel deleted my reservation and gave it to a tour group's late arriving guest, and the hotel was fully booked. The night clerk, who I consent wasn't really in a position to do much for me, offered to book me in a room at the Novotel Bronowice, about a fifteen-minute's drive away, and pay for a taxi (which I didn't need, since my kind co-worker had picked me up at the airport). At my request, he made an appointment with the manager with me for the next day so I could air my complaints.

The Novotel Bronowice is cheaper than the Centrum, mostly because it's in an industrial area as opposed the Centrum's location right near Wawel Hill. My room was, fortunately, recently renovated in Novotel's new ultra-modern style. This picture isn't of this particular Novotel, but you get the idea. Note the neon throw-pillows on the bed. I was impressed that there was a terry cloth robe hanging in the bathroom and chocolates on the pillow. The bed was reasonably comfortable, but the sheets' thread count was probably something around 150 (scratchy!). The breakfast room was in sore need of updating, but more importantly no one ever offered me a much-needed cup of coffee and the glasses by the self-serve juice took about 15 minutes to appear.

I then headed back to the Novotel Centrum to check in and have it out with the manager. There was no way I was going to pay for my night at the hotel. The manager on duty was pleasant and of course didn't offer the free night up front - first, it was a room on the executive floor with a river view, and free breakfast. Given that I'd be in meetings all day and would check out before breakfast was even served, I suggested a free night instead. After conferring with her manager, she agreed.

My room ended up being on the executive floor after all, and was renovated since the last time I stayed there. No neon pillows, better linens, bathrobe and slippers, but no chocolates. The bathroom wasn't the nice updated version as in the other Novotel. If Novotel combined the best features of both hotels, the result would be a decent economical room.

Rating: Both were "Forgettable". Spend a few extra dollars and stay at the Sheraton down the street for a more comfortable room, better food, and better service.

Confessions of a Solo Traveler

2008-06-22T09:51:00.001-07:00

It's nearly 7pm in Prague and I'm sitting in my room at the Hilton, and I have a confession to make: My name is TravelSpark, and I hate traveling by myself.

Okay, perhaps "hate" is a rather strong term, but solo travel is not something I would do if it wasn't a job requirement. After arriving in Prague around lunchtime, I settled in for a nap. When the alarm went off, I seriously considered not leaving my hotel room. Fortunately I came to my senses and went for a stroll in the late afternoon sunshine, because frankly there is no excuse for camping out in your hotel room on a beautiful European summer day.

I'm a social being who much prefers to be with people than not, and I don't have a lot of faith in my internal GPS. It's so much better to have a friend or colleague to watch your bags while you pee, chat with while you wait for flight, and people-watch to see who's wearing the most ridiculous traveling clothes. At Heathrow today I saw a woman wearing wedge heels that seemed to be two sizes too small, and I had no one to share it with! And after a stop at H&M and MNG I quite missed my boss, who used to be my shopping buddy until she cut the apron strings and sent me off to Europe on my own.

More importantly, I need someone to push me to get out and do things. This reason is one of many that I love my husband for - he'll do anything and go anywhere and isn't afraid to get lost, and I'm the opposite. My sense of adventure takes some coaxing to come out.

I suspect I'm not the only one out there who feels this way, so if solo travel isn't your thing (yet) here are some tips to make it more comfortable (which I have either tried, or should):

1. If you don't like to navigate airports and feel stressed trying to make your way from terminal to terminal, look up the airport's map in advance. I just found this cool feature on MapQuest.

2. Read up on other women who've learned to love traveling by themselves:
Wanderlust and Lipstick: The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo by Beth Whitman
Fly Solo: The 50 Best Places On Earth For a Girl to Travel Alone by Teresa Rodriguez Williamson
Go Your Own Way: Women Travel the World Solo by Faith Conlon, Ingrid Emerick, and Christina Henry de Tessan

Just search Amazon for "solo travel" to find more.

3. Bring a small guidebook. I like the Frommer's Portable Guides and the Top 10 guidebook series because they fit nicely in a small purse and provide just enough information to get you around without being overwhelming.

4. Ask the concierge for help. Prague's streets are more confusing than Boston's, so even with my guidebook's map I needed advice on the best route to take. The concierge printed out a map and highlighted the best route.

5. Bring a book or magazine to dinner, or if there's a bar at the restaurant playing a local game on tv, park yourself there. This is my husband's trick for eating out by himself - the tv is a good excuse to occupy your eyes and ears, and most people sitting there are also by themselves. Note: in some countries, a single female sitting at a bar may bring on some unwanted attention.

6. Seek out a fellow solo traveler (but be smart about it). While waiting in line for the concierge today, there was a woman about my age in front of me doing the same thing and I could hear her American accent. I bumped into her outside at a crosswalk and worked up the courage to start a conversation. Turns out we were headed in the same direction. After not saying anything more than "I'll have the chicken" and "That's a non-smoking room, right?" today it was a relief to talk to someone else. She invited me to have a beer with her and her colleagues, but I passed in favor of strolling.

My European colleagues are typically very nice about taking me out to dinner after my meetings, so tonight is likely the only night I'll have to eat dinner by myself. I'll bring "Eat, Pray, Love" and get inspired by the author's year of traveling solo.

Splurge-worthy souvenirs

2008-06-19T15:52:00.000-07:00

Like many women, I love to shop. And like many women, I love deals! There are times however, when you get the urge to splurge. And what better occasion than to bring home a splurge-worthy souvenir from a fabulous trip. When I studied abroad for 6 months, a friend convinced me that the perfect splurge was a pair of sunglasses. After a bit of hemming and hawing (being a poor college student) I bought myself a gorgeous pair of Roberto Cavalli sunglasses in Milan, Italy. Not too ostentatious but they sure made me feel like a rock star!

About a year later, while vacationing in the Dominican Republic, my fiancé convinced me to go kayaking in the ocean. Although it was very sunny and I needed my one only pair of sunglasses that I had on me (yep the Cavallis), we should not have been cleared to go because the waters were rough. One huge wave and we went flying. “Hold on to your sunglasses!” was the last thing Mr. Voyageuse yelled. Yeah, sure – while I hang on to the silly paddle, try not to get killed by the kayak that almost hit me, and hope my contacts don't fall out or I may blindly head out to sea instead of back to the shore. We searched and searched but needless to say, my sunglasses are now swimming with the fishies.

It’s hard to justify expensive purchases, especially in times like these, but I once read an article where the author examined several women and their wardrobes. She took several pieces and divided each by the number of times worn. What she found was that the woman who purchased a lot of items at very low prices was more prone to “mindless” purchases because she couldn’t resist a deal, even if she didn’t end up wearing the item. Another woman had a few pricey pieces (such as a Chanel jacket!) but these were investments because they were classic and timeless and she had worn them for years. Obviously, these profiles don’t fit all women, and I sure love my TJ Maxx and Marshalls stores, but this could be something to think about if you’re debating a large purchase.

Splurging on an accessory is a great way to compliment an outfit. Mrs. TravelSpark bought a Furla bag in Italy – brown in color, not like the eggplant one in the picture below. Classic, stylish, and she’ll have it for years.

I love jewelry and usually buy it on sale because I like to have a lot of pieces. But whenever I visit Poland, I always purchase a piece of amber jewelry, because it’s my favorite stone. On a future trip, I’d love to buy a jade bracelet in Asia.

If you’re not much of a shopper, splurge on your accommodations for a night or two during your trip. When I travel, I'm happy as a clam as long as the place is clean and in a convenient location. But a quick search of five star accommodations in Paris made my mouth drop to the floor. I didn’t even check the prices so that I can pretend it’s in my travel budget. Check these out:

Hotel Pont Royal: What a view!

Pavillon de la Reine: Way to make an entrance.

La Tremoille

And now, having whetted an appetite for expensive tastes, I’m off to write a post on deals and steals while traveling.

World's Most Unique Hotel

2008-06-17T06:36:00.000-07:00

Granted this is just my humble opinion but I think that Woodlyn Park near the Waitomo Caves on the North Island of New Zealand has to qualify for the World's Most Unique Hotel. Woodlyn Park has recently added a BOAT to the choices of accommodation locations you can choose from when staying at their lovely facility.

When Mr. Albatross and I were planning our trip to New Zealand we definitely wanted to go explore the Waitomo Caves on the North Island. They are famous for their Black Water Rafting tours and glowworm caves. I was just popping around the internet looking for a place to stay when we found Woodlyn Park and right then I decided that I had to stay there.

We were able to book the front part of the Bristol Freighter plane that they offer as an option. And it was super cool. We slept in the cockpit of the plane and all the gadgets and gizmos were still there to admire and play with.

Other sleeping options on the property include a train, a Hobbit motel, and now a boat. The whole place was very clean if more than a little unusual. We woke up in the morning to explore some and got to see all the animals they have on the property. We went on an off time of the year so only the tail unit on the plane was occupied and we got a peek at the hobbit motel and train unit, very cool.

This is not for someone looking for a luxury hotel but if you want a nice clean bed in an unusual place then this is the place for you!

Hotel Review: Katikies in Santorini - Fabulous!

2008-06-16T17:46:00.000-07:00

The Katikies Hotel in Oia, Santorini has the appearance of marshmallow fluff dripping down the side of the volcano's cliff, painted all in white and reflecting the sun's rays almost blindingly. When we arrived, I got out of the car and looked around for the hotel. Instead, I found a tall, tan, attractive guy dressed in white linen who deftly swung my huge suitcase over his shoulder, grabbed my husband's bag in his free hand, and disappeared down a white staircase seemingly into the caldera's depths.

The Katikies, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, is carved into the cliffside below street level. We came to figure out that the reason all the staff was young and tan was not that they had some age or looks discrimination policy, but that you simply must be extremely fit to hike the stairs all day in the bright sun.

We were served champagne upon arrival, greeted by the general manager, and given a guided tour of the property before being dropped off at our junior suite, with an amazing view of the caldera from our terrace. The spacious room decorated in cool blues and antiques was split into an eating and sitting area and bedroom, with an arched wall separating a small table and antique bench from the bed and bathroom. Although the bathroom was significantly smaller than the one we experienced at the Elounda Mare, it was equipped with a jacuzzi tub (this time with a shower curtain and shower hose at normal height) and luxurious Bvlgari bath products. The closet was a good size, but only had a small set of drawers in it that wouldn't be enough for a longer stay. The tv was super-tiny, but there was a CD player equipped with a disc of relaxing music. Breakfast was room-service, served daily on our private terrace.

Some of the Katikies' celebrity-style perks that aren't mentioned on the web site:

- Greek new-age music not your bag? There are more CD's for the in-room player, at your request.

- Forgot your iPOD? Not a problem, they'll loan you one.

- Finished your book already? Leave it in their library and swap it for another one to read during your stay.

- Can't stay away from your e-mail but don't have your laptop? There's one in the library with free wireless internet (and there's free wireless throughout the hotel if you're silly enough to bring your computer on vacation).

The property boasts three pools, and we spent our time at the main infinity pool which clings to the cliffside. Below it is a jacuzzi with a large canopy bed for lounging (ahem). Another smaller infinity pool and a freezing cold one cut into a cave were only seen on our tour. We were also told about a semi-private indoor jacuzzi with a DND sign you could hang on the door. Something about that just wasn't very appealing to us...

While I appreciate a door being held open for me, I can pull my chair up to the table and open up my own napkin, thanks. So I was a bit thrown off by the extremely attentive service at the Katikies. I felt they had our eyes on us and the second our lunch was finished, it was wisked away. At the pool, we simply headed towards a chair and a towel was fluffed and umbrella put up. No sooner did my husband have a quizzical look on his face as he tried to lower the lounge chair than a pool staff member was on hand to do it for him. If you're not used to this amount of attention, it takes getting used to.

As we expected, dinner at the hotel was extremely expensive, but we splurged one night and ate at the formal, outdoor Katikies Restaurant. The food was delicious but we had to eat fast because it was so cold outside. Walk up and out of the hotel and you'll find many less expensive meal options.

Overall, our four nights at the Katikies were fabulous! It was definitely a celeb-style experience very appropriate for a honeymoon or super-special vacation.

Vacationing in the great outdoors

2008-06-09T18:20:00.000-07:00

With gas prices rising and the airline crisis underway, it’s no wonder more Americans are choosing to vacation closer to home. New England has many great options for day or weekend trips and I personally love to go camping. My parents never thought I’d survive a week on a farm in Poland when I was 15 and were surprised when I became a fan of sleeping outdoors. The way I see it, I don’t mind bugs and other critters in their natural habitat but I’m not so keen when they visit my habitat.

For the past few years, my guy and I make an annual trip to Wellfleet to Paine’s Campground on Cape Cod, MA. We usually stay for 3 days and love it here. It’s only $40 bucks per night, and the campground offers family sites as well as a quiet couples section. Restrooms/showers are very clean and each time we’ve stayed here, our site is less than a minute’s walk from these facilities.

Before you hit one of the beaches in Wellfleet (Newcomb Hollow, Cahoon Hollow, White Crest, Maguire’s Landing and Marconi), stop by the fruit stand in the library parking lot in Wellfleet Center for some really good fruit and other produce and treats.

My guy used to work at The Beachcomber on Cahoon Hollow Beach, a very popular place that I’ve also become a huge fan of. You pay $10 to park and go to the beach but you're reimbursed by the restaurant if you eat there, which I highly recommend. During the summer, The Beachcomber has many live shows in the evenings and some great acts have performed there, like Ween! If you plan to visit during the day, it’s best to get here early because the parking spots fill up fast.

Where else but the Cape to grab some seafood if you get bored of your hot dogs and burgers? We enjoy the Bookstore and Restaurant, with indoor and outdoor dining options. Located by the water, it has a bookstore next door to the restaurant, and there is a bar underneath the restaurant, called The Bombshelter, where many locals hang out.

Wellfleet is also well known for its art galleries so if you’re up for checking these out, but your guy is not, send him to Chequessett Yacht & Country Club, a semi-private golf course for a round of golf. Apparently, there’s a gorgeous view of the Cape from the 6th hole.

Don’t forget the s’mores!

Martha's Travel Theme Party Ideas

2008-06-04T20:00:00.000-07:00

I've been a blogging slacker and promise that my review of our hotel on Santorini is on it's way. I'm sure you've been waiting with baited breath! ;-)

To tide you over, here are some ideas from Martha Stewart for planning a travel-theme wedding, shower, or other party that served as inspiration when planning my own wedding. I found it very difficult to find travel-theme ideas that were not related to tropical destination weddings, so I was thrilled when I stumbled upon these few ideas.

The first, a UK-inspired party, is classy and modern with striking white paper popped with Union Jack blue & red. Invitations are passports, (templates are provided on the site) and a map of London serves as a table runner. I love the idea of using maps as table decorations, and spotted some large squares of wrapping paper printed with an antique map of Paris at Papyrus, but unfortunately they don't sell it online. Scrapbook paper would also work.

I love these place cards, and they inspired a much simpler design for my own wedding:

I adore this luggage-tag program:

Ah, I already miss wedding planning!

TravelSpark is now a Facebook Group!

2008-06-01T15:17:00.001-07:00

I decided to set up a Facebook group for blog readers to ask fellow group members for travel advice and post trip photos, useful or fun travel links, opinions on hotels, restaurants, and destinations.

Search groups for "travel" or click here. For now, if I haven't already invited you to join I will have to approve your membership request. We'll see how it goes. I hope you find it a fun, useful way to network with your fellow stylish travelers!

Hotel Review: Elounda Mare, Crete - Fabulous!

2008-06-01T13:36:00.001-07:00

After a brief two-night pitstop in Athens, my new hubby and I headed to Crete to really begin our honeymoon at the lovely Elounda Mare in Elounda, Crete. Set on a calm bay in the Cretan sea, Elounda is in north-eastern Crete near the small city of Agios Nikolaos. The Mare is part of the Relais & Chateaux hotel network, and is connected to its sister properties, the Elounda Beach and Porto Elounda.

We lost four hours of our time on Crete thanks to a transportation strike in Athens that delayed our flight, so the glasses of champagne we received at reception were quite welcomed. I was thoroughly annoyed to learn that our travel agent neglected to inform the hotel that we were on our honeymoon, but the very observant desk clerk noticed how clean and shiny my ring was and in twenty minutes a staff member gave us a tour of the immaculately landscaped property and explained the restaurants as we walked to our room. We were booked in the main hotel, but thanks to the very kind and clever desk clerk we were upgraded to a bungalow with private pool and sea view, where a rose-petal covered bed, candles, wine, and fruit awaited us. Score!

The room featured a couch, coffee table, and small tv (which seemed to be a theme in Greece, even at luxury properties), good-sized armoire, slippers (they even noticed that I'm a foot shorter than my husband and provided a pair of small-size slippers!), and robes. The bathroom was huge, with side-by-side sinks, separate toilet room with a sink, and very large jacuzzi bathtub. Deluxe toiletries were replenished daily.

All of this was wonderful, but the main drawback was that the room appeared to be designed for Hobbits. My 6' husband was always dangerously close to hitting his head on the ceiling and door frames. Also, there wasn't a separate shower stall and the shower hose was too short to properly stand up in the tob - attempting to do so would spray water all over the bathroom. Rather awkward.

Compared to the large beach of its neighbor, the Elounda Beach, the Mare has quite a small beach in a private little cove with crystal clear waters and hot sand dotted with white umbrellas and yellow chairs. There is a beach bar where overpriced cocktails can be ordered but won't arrive for another twenty minutes (I'm convinced the bartender was actually out in the field picking the strawberries for my daquiri). Jet skis, snorkeling and scuba equipment and paddle boats can be rented at the beach. We rented a paddle boat for an hour, and it was a great way to explore the area and take in the amazing view of Crete's mountains surouding us on every side - the water is incredibly calm and there was no boat traffic.

The Mare has very helpful staff who seem to get to knoew their customers. At breakfast on our third morning, I wasn't even asked for our room number since the same matre d' seated us every day.

During our four-night stay we discovered two downsides. First, we seemed to be the youngest people there by a long shot. There were bridge games happening every night, and only once at breakfast did I notice another couple that appeared to be around our age (late twenties, early thirties). The rest of the clientele were clearly eligible for AARP or the French/German/British equivalent (there were very few Americans).

Second, eating at the Mare was extremely expensive and often required "elegant" dress at the resort's three restaurants. Walk a mile down the road into the village of Elounda to find many restaurants at significantly cheaper prices. Case in point: my seafood risotto for dinner at the Mare was around 26EUR. At Zorba's Place in the village, we ate spanikopita, pizza, soda, beer, and chocolate-banana crepes (amazing!) for 22EUR. Although the quality wasn't nearly as good as the Mare's, if your jet-setting doesn't include a celebrity-sized meal budget the village offers plenty of options.

While at the Mare we visited its sister property, the Porto Elounda, for golf and a massage. Mr. TravelSpark wasn't impressed with the 9-hole course (he rated it only "fair"). Our massage at the new, award-winning Six-Senses Spa, was great and the spa itself is quite impressive. If you pay for a service, you can stay and use the other spa facilities such as the hammam, sauna, and indoor/outdoor pool. Note that on the Mare's website it seems that the spa is at the Mare, but it's not. The spa is indeed at the Porto Elounda and is a ten-minute walk away.

In May, Greece - particularly the islands - are still in the off-season, so the village as well as the resort were incredibly peaceful and quiet. Many restaurants were empty or nearly so each night and waiters were begging us to come and eat. The weather was sunny and warm (but not hot), but the ocean was still cool.

Overall rating: Fabulous!

All photos were taken by TravelSpark. Please credit accordingly.

Reviews: The Ratings

2008-06-01T13:13:00.000-07:00

As I am about to write my hotel reviews from my honeymoon, I'd like to let you know about the rating system. Going forward, this rating system will be applied to hotels, restaurants, activities, and potentially product reviews.

Fabulous: Excellent service, great products, outstanding views, great location, etc. Whatever makes this place, thing or activity stand out from the crowd. Must do/see/stay/eat/buy.

Fine: Comfortable, good service and quality. Would stay there, eat there, shop there, or buy it - but wouldn't be a must.

Forgettable: Merely acceptable - whatever it is won't kill you or make you miserable, but it won't make any great memories, either.

Foul: Beware! Terrible service, poor quality, unsafe, disgusting - you get the idea.

Articles with reviews will be labeled as fabulous, fine, forgettable or foul so that you can quickly find what you're looking for in each category.

Dining out in the Woo

2008-05-28T17:03:00.000-07:00

I’ve lived in Worcester, MA (aka the Woo!) for almost six years now, and for the first four, I was kind of an in-between resident since I attended college here but went home during breaks. So it’s really been in the last few years, when I got a car and then moved out of my college apt (if you know where Clark is, you know what I’m talking about!) that I’ve discovered Worcester is pretty cool. It has its bad parts but also good ones – you could say it’s a diamond in the rough, well almost.

There are lots of things to do and see in this city: Watch the Eastern Sprints - one of the US premier rowing events on Lake Quinsigamond; go to a Tornadoes, Sharks, or Surge game; visit the Ecotarium or Higgins Armory Museum (really cool!); check out one of the city’s 11 colleges and universities – they have great campus greens and there are always events going on open to the public.

But what I love most about this city is the diversity of food choices. Here are some of my favorite places to catch a bite in Worcester:

Chinese
Nancy Chang: This is my go-to place for Chinese takeout. They specialize in a healthier version of Asian food, with no MSG so you don’t get that weird empty feeling shortly after you eat.

Italian
As mentioned, there are tons of places to eat on Shrewsbury Street, but I really like Porto Bello…no web site but you’ll have to take my word for it. They’re a family owned place and I enjoy going there for a nice quiet dinner.

Caffe Espresso Trattoria: I would label this a hole in the wall joint. I went there with friends who have been going for years and I would have never thought to go in if I drove by it. Food is really good, prices also – $15-$20 a plate but a good deal because it’s BYOB. There’s a waitress there that makes the desserts from scratch that are the yummiest I’ve had in a long time.

Mexican
Tortilla Sam’s: Big hit with WPI students, as it’s right there on Highland Street. Also a BYOB and I’ve had good meals here.

Moe’s Southwest Grill: This is my pick for Mexican, hands down. I technically go to the one in Shrewsbury on Route 9 but they opened a location in Worcester last year. Love the names for the burritos (I always get the Joey Bag of Donuts!) and the portions are huge.

Japanese
Haiku: there are a couple of new and very classy sushi joints popping up in Worcester and my favorite is on Park Avenue. I love the décor in here and sushi is what I always get, but my guy has quite enjoyed some of their non-sushi entrees.

Vietnamese (I heart Asian food!)
Pho Dakao: Another kind of hole in the wall place but very clean and very good. In fact, when we eat here, we often see other Vietnamese locals dining here also. Now that’s a good sign! Warning: people have complained about the service (I’ve never experienced this myself) but at the same time they admit the food is good.

Middle Eastern
El Basha: My favorite lunch on a Saturday when I don’t feel like making anything is going to pick up two falafel sandwiches for $10.50. Very tasty and their pita bread is some of the best I’ve had.

Variety/Eclectic
Flying Rhino Cafe: on Shrewsbury Street, I label this restaurant as eclectic because their menu is so diverse and unique. For an appetizer, try the tequila shrimp and for an entree, the pumpkin ravioli with pesto cream sauce, asparagus, and sun dried tomatoes.

Dessert
Caffe Dolce: Right next to Porto Bello on Shrewsbury Street, it’s got a European café feel to it, where you can pop in for a variety of coffee drinks and – lots of tasty options here.

Bean Counter: For a while, I had an extreme addiction to this place in college. They have an assortment of coffees and great looking desserts. I say great-looking because I can only vouch for one – the vegan cupcake. My roommates and I used to come here too often sometimes. I’m not vegan (they do offer regular cupcakes) but I preferred these for some reason, especially when they were fresh. I so want one right now!

Eurovision: a positively craptastic tradition

2008-05-26T10:44:00.000-07:00

Before I dive into honeymoon hotel reviews this week, I must spend some time on an entertaining TV show we stumbled upon while in Greece.

Long before there was "American Idol", there was the Eurovision Song Contest. I've been to Europe many times, but never in May - so until now I didn't have the pleasure of catching one of the premier European television events. The Eurovision Song Contest was created by the European Broadcasting Union and has broadcasted every year since 1956. The purpose was to create unity in post-war Europe, and to test out some new technology to see if it would be possible to simultaneously broadcast in multiple countries. ABBA won back in 1974 with "Waterloo", and according to the Eurovision site, they've been the most successful winner to date. This year Russia beat out 42 other participating countries, with Dima Bilan's little ditty, "Believe". Similar to "American Idol", each performance is assigned a phone number for fans to call and vote for their favorite.

Based on the few songs I watched performed live, many countries take this competition very seriously and it is a source of national pride. Others, not so much. Take Ireland, for example. The so-called performer was "Dustin the Turkey" - a puppet so ugly it would make Jim Henson roll over in his grave. Dustin was accompanied by several drag queens (or ladies dressed to resemble drag queens) wearing Turkey feathers and bopping around the stage to "Irelande Douze Pointe".

Another entry getting some press on the international news channels was Rodolfo Chikilicuatre for his song, "Baila El Chiki Chiki" (wait about 40 seconds for the intro to finish). I forget if it was CNN or BBC, but an interviewer spoke to a Spanish government official to get his take on his country's entry. The official essentially said, "yes, it's a national embarrassment, but really, it could worse." Oh, how I wish I spoke Spanish - I can only imagine what he's singing about as he plays his toy guitar....

On a related note, I am super-psyched that David Cook won American Idol! Can't wait to hear his first real, non-Idol song.

A new cure for jet lag?

2008-05-24T07:50:00.001-07:00

Thought i'd share this very interesting article i read about a potential way to prevent jag lag. A new study (only proven thus far with mice) says that fasting for about 16 hours helps the body's clock to adjust to a new time zone. Wonder if they'll try it with humans and if it will work. I for one would need some convincing...i can get quite grouchy on an empty stomach!

Where to Travel to Next?

2008-05-23T12:25:00.001-07:00

With so many places to travel to how do you pick where you want to go? If you're traveling for work you have to go where you get sent but if your travel is for pleasure the options are almost limitless. The Traveler's Century Club designates 314 countries in the world so how do you choose?

I could live quite happily out of my suitcase for the rest of my life traveling from place to place around the world. So where to travel to next has always been a very serious consideration. My childhood goal was to travel to all seven continents but now that I have accomplished that goal my next is to join the Traveler's Century Club for which you have to have visited 100 countries. 100 countries opens up the possibilities immensely. I want to see Morocco, Egypt, India, Japan, Thailand, Norway, Italy, Croatia, Australia, Chile, the North Pole, to name a few. And I want to go on a multi -country tour of Europe and a multi-country safari along the western side of Africa. No big deal huh?

Whether you want to travel in luxury or you're more comfortable with just your backpack you can start finding the next place to travel to by asking yourself these questions...

1. When do you want to go? (Antarctica can only be visited in it's summer for instance)
2. What is your budget for the trip?
3. How long can you go for?
4. How are you going to travel? Car, plane, boat, train? Space shuttle?
5. Hot or cold?
6. City or country?
7. Large resort or small private location?
8. What do you want to see? What do you want to do?
9. Relaxation or adventure?

I really like to just bring out the map and start picking places but the questions above should help you start to narrow it down a little. And remember that these questions can lead you to some fabulous places right here in the good old USA as well, you don't have to have a passport to have a great vacation!

Health and Safety Tips

2008-05-22T11:58:00.000-07:00

I know that I may be a worry wart because I'm a mom now but I thought that it might be useful to have a quick blog about the things you should consider to protect your health and safety when traveling. It is worth the little bit of research time before you go because really now who wants to get the avian flu, malaria, or be kidnapped. OK that sounds a bit dramatic if you're headed to New York City or London but you get my point.

Health

For health recommendations you should take a quick peek at the CDC's Destination List. This website lists for each country the current travel notices, safety and security tips, vaccinations needed, general health information for that region of the world, general tips on staying healthy, and what to do if you get sick when you're on your way home.

The World Health Organization has a down-loadable book on the main health risks for travelers and posts updates of disease outbreaks like yellow fever and malaria.

Safety

Europe's Foreign & Commonwealth Office has a great website that provides you with safety information including terrorism risks, local laws and customs, and crime. Just remember that this is printed with British entry requirements so be sure to look up the US entry requirements when traveling.

A similar website is provided by the US Department of State. This website provides information on the location of the U.S. embassy or consulate in the subject country, unusual immigration practices, health conditions, minor political disturbances, unusual currency and entry regulations, crime and security information, and drug penalties

General Travel Information

The US Department of State 's Tips for Traveling Abroad is useful for preparing for your trip and how to make it back home safely. I once got caught trying to "smuggle" a wooden duck into New Zealand. The duck was a present for a friend that lives there but New Zealand doesn't allow the import of wooden objects so my bags were searched. A happy ending, they let me keep the duck since the wood was processed and coated. USA.gov also has a website with some great links.

And if you ever need to know a little about the country you can't beat the CIA for gathering information, right? The CIA World Factbook is a great website for general knowledge about the country from geography to economy to military and politics.

Traveling Green

2008-05-21T15:37:00.000-07:00

These days, there is a lot of talk about being eco-conscious, earth-friendly, or simply being "green." This awareness about our Earth and its precious but limited resources has led us to be more conscious about travel. We have left our carbon footprint (determine it here) all over the world and there are numerous ways that you can be eco-friendly when you travel that don’t require you to make big changes.

Just as you would do in your own home, implement some of these when traveling:

- Take the stairs instead of an elevator
- Turn off appliances when you are not using them
- Use public transportation or walk – best way to explore a city!
- Re-use your travels
- Take trains instead of planes - this works especially well in Europe if you are visiting several countries. Invest in a multi-destination train pass before you leave
- Use electronic tickets, not paper, when booking travel
- Avoid using disposable cameras since they can only be used once and take a lot of energy to make

The Independent Traveler has tons of additional tips as well as other resources on traveling green, including top green hotels, green cruising and green deals!

Check out if your national or worldwide destination is a green hotel (click on Travel Destinations in top right-hand corner) and book flights with airlines that recycle the waste created when serving food and beverages to passengers (BA has a strong environmental agenda and SouthWest recycles all cabin waste).

In another section on the same site, you can find a lot of information about carbon offset companies, which offset your carbon emissions for flights, car travel or household energy use. They list a number of projects with explanations, but always make sure that your money and efforts are going to a legit cause.

A few small changes go a long way!

Travelspark Wedding

2008-05-11T16:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was pleased to be a part of one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever been to. The rain that was supposed to drench us all disappeared as Travelspark hoped it might and the sun shone down on a glorious bride and groom. Congratulations Travelspark and Mr. Travelspark! Here are a few pictures to wet your appetite, I have to pare down and edit over 400 so I will try post a few more later.

Travelspark getting ready! What a stunning bride!!

The Ladies!

Travelspark in profile, one of my personal favorites!

Mr. Travelspark at the altar patiently waiting! (and looking a tiny bit nervous)

The Kiss!

Travelspark and the guys!

First Dance as Husband and Wife!

Cake Cutting!

Cutting a rug and entertaining the crowd!

A Gentle, Loving Touch!

It's honeymoon time!

2008-05-07T22:00:00.000-07:00

I'm getting married this weekend, and after tying the knot with Mr. TravelSpark, seeing how my colorful yet sophisticated vision plays out at the reception, and dancing the night away while wearing what is in my opinion the most gorgeous gown ever, we'll be off on our honeymoon in Greece. We'll spend two nights in Athens, four nights on Crete in Elounda, and four nights on Santorini in Oia.

Usually, I plan out every aspect of our vacations and dig through the depths of the internet to find great deals. This time, though, I'm taking a cue from my hubby-to-be and just letting it ride. We have a guidebook which we'll likely read on the plane, and only a general idea of what we want to see and do. For the first time, that's actually ok with me.

Honeymoon planning carries a great deal of pressure. For many people, it's the most significnant vacation of their lives - so it had better be good. Here are some tips to make it a bit less stressful.

1) Figure out your budget. I don't believe in going into debt for any reason, let alone your vacation. As soon as you get engaged, start saving a bit of your paycheck every month, preferably by automatically deducting it from your check and putting it in a savings account, or automatically transferring it from your checking to savings account. No matter how you do it, save - in the end it'll save you a lot of stress. You can even register for a honeymoon at sites such as TheHoneymoon and Honeyfund and have your guests help you pay for it. However, be sure to check the fine print to avoid unexpected fees. Please don't specifically ask for cash to fund the honeymoon though - that's just tacky.

If, even after your diligence, you still don't have enough to go to your dream destination, don't fret! There are lots of amazing places to go, and you have a lifetime to visit them. Go where you can afford to go so you don't start off your marriage fighting about finances.

2) Decide where to go. Make a list with your SO. Where does he or she dream of going? Which destinations have you read about or seen on TV?Do you want to go back to a favorite destination, or check out a new one? Write everything down and see which locations you both have in common. I keep a list of all the places I want to go in my lifetime, and used this as a starting point.

3) Determine what the theme will be. In addition to agreeing on where to go, you'll also need to determine what you want to do. Do you want to sit on a beach all day, every day in the Caribbean? Do you want to spend your time going from museum to museum trying to find your favorite impressionist painting in Europe? Does the idea of zooming down a zip-line through the jungles of Belize sound like your ideal trip? Whatever you choose as your overall theme, be ready to compromise. If he wants to golf for a day, make an appointment at the spa or camp out by the pool, or go to that museum that would bore him to tears.

4) Do the research. Whether you use a travel agent, like we did (Liberty Travel), or book on your own, you'll still need to decide how you'll get there and where to stay. For me, how to get there seemed easy: I'd been saving Delta miles for ages and had amassed over 100k. Surprise! Even booking the tickets as soon as they were available, we still spent my 100k miles on only one ticket. And, it leaves from JFK, but we live in BOS. Argh. There are so many fare-finders out there for airfare and hotels, so check out TravelSpark's "How to Go" and "Where to Stay" section for links to many of the popular search tools. If you stumble upon a great link, let me know and I will add it to the list.

5) Organize your house. When it's time to go, ask the post office to stop your mail, bribe a friend to water your plants, ensure your pets will be looked after, set timers on your lamps to trick would-be thieves into thinking someone's home. Oh, and please don't leave any food on the counters for our little rodent friends to snack on in your absence. When I was little, my family would watch our neighbor's house and go in to feed their cat. I still remember being shocked at the state in which they left their home: open containers of food, cereal and milk in a bowl on the kitchen table, and loads of dirty dishes in the sink. It was almost like they had to evacuate or something.

Remember to relax! Wedding planning is so stressful, don't let planning the honeymoon, be, either.

Luxurious Color

2008-05-05T22:00:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to TravelSpark reader Sharon for pointing out some super-colorful travel accessories from one of her favorite stores, Neiman Marcus. These items are on the pricey side, but would liven up any classic black or navy luggage:

Left: Armand Diradourian cashmere travel blanket zips into a convenient pouch and retails for a cool $485. Right: This monogrammed umbrella is much more affordable at $28.

Left: These passport holders, luggage tags, and document holders would be easy to spot at the bottom of your Longchamp bag (from $30-$125). Right: Pretty and bold makeup case with jewelry roll, on sale for $45.

Left: Manicure set for $70. Right: MP3 player case & speakers for $80.

Speed-dating in Paris

2008-05-04T14:29:00.000-07:00

Paris may be the city for lovers, but if you prefer quickies to long-term commitment, it's possible to speed date your way through the city's sights in one day.

During my recent business trip, I had one day to see Paris with my colleagues. It was my fourth time in the city but it was the first for one of them, so we tried to fit in as much as possible. Our hotel was in a suburb called Issy les Moulineau, which is connected to Paris by the RER (commuter train).

We left our hotel around 10am for the 15 minute ride to the Musee d'Orsay. There was a line, but it moved quickly. I was pleasantly surprised that I still qualified for discount admission for those age 18-30 (free for those under 18). The museum opens at 9:30am and is closed on Mondays. This is one of my favorite museums for its beauty (it was built in an old train station) and the ease with which you can see everything in a short amount of time. It's also home to a fabulous colleciton of impressionist paintings.

After a little over an hour, we were ready to walk across the Seine to the middle of the Jardin des Tuileries, up to the Louvre to take photos of the impressive and controversial I.M. Pei designed pyramid and the museum behind it. If you only have one day to see Paris, don't even bother going inside. Unline the Orsay, the Louvre requires at least a full day to see all it has to offer.

Hunger took over and we went in search of lunch, so we took a left at the Louvre and headed down side streets until we found ourselves at the Royal Opera Cafe, near the Opera of course and right at the Pyramides metro stop. After some very tasty croques messieurs sandwiches, our group separated. Three of us took the metro from Pyramides to Poissoniere, and set out for a walk through the neighborhoods to Montmartre and Sacre Coeur basicila, where we climbed to the top to take in the view of the city and tour the basilica.

Next, we took the metro the Champs Elysees and l'Arc de Triomphe for a photo op, before we set out along the George V Boulevard towards the Eiffel Tower. Our RER station was nearby, and we made it back to our hotel by 6:30pm.

France is worth a long-term visit, but if you just want to say you've been there and done that, it's definitely possible to hit up the major sights in one day. If we'd left our hotel a bit earlier we would have been able to squeeze in a visit to Notre Dame. I guess we'll just have to save it for another day!

There's No Excuse for a Fanny Pack!

2008-05-01T17:36:00.000-07:00

When I arrived in London for my semester abroad, the study-away program organized a talk with a local policeman to explain the UK's basic laws and offer tips to stay safe. He asked the group, "What is the safest kind of bag to carry?" and an enthusiastic girl in the front offered "A fanny pack?"

His reaction was not what we expected - he collapsed on the floor, laughing hysterically. The words 'fanny pack' had reduced a very serious London cop to a mess of tearful giggles. It turns out that in England the word 'fanny' is the equivalent to the derogatory four-letter word for the va-jay-jay. So why in the world would you want to wear a va-jay-jay pack around your waist? Uhh.... ok that just sounds wrong.

Designers may try to dress it up, but even a skinny supermodel looks ridiculous with a fanny pack around her waist. There are so many other, better options out there that there is no reason to add another ten pounds to your hips and be the butt of jokes during your travels. So, what's the solution? The fabulous Longchamp tote. I saw so many of these at the airports during my recent European jaunt, so they're not exactly unique. They're not trendy either - they're just incredibly practical. The tote has a nylon exterior, zip top, sturdy leather handle and ability to fold into itself - so it's small when you need to stow it in your luggage for the journey to your destination, and large when you need to carry home souvenirs.

I spent quite a while looking for a Longchamp tote at a good price (the one above retails for $135 at Saks). When Mr. TravelSpark had some spare wampum points for Foxwoods and couldn't find any golf gear he wanted, he donated them to my handbag cause and I came home with a Bric's X-Bag:

It's waterproof, has a smaller bag inside it that snaps into the large bag to act as an inner pocket, and is so deep that it would make Mary Poppins proud.

So hunt around for a cute, functional bag. Unless you're riding a bike, walking in an a-thon, or climbing a mountain, you have absolutely no business wearing a fanny pack!

One 22" Bag for 8 Nights? - The Conclusion

2008-04-28T17:38:00.000-07:00

I'm back from my eight-night trip to Tel Aviv, Moscow, and Paris with all my luggage and plenty of ideas for future articles. Many thanks to the lovely Wandering Albatross and Voyageuse for keeping the blog alive in my absence.

After my somewhat frantic and jet-lagged post from the BA lounge in Heathrow at 5am London time, I am pleased to say that despite my fears my luggage followed me all the way through the week and back through Heathrow again, even through a transfer from Terminal 5 to 4 with only a two-hour layover. Yay!

British Airways ultimately did not allow my 22" bag on board because it was just a teensy bit overstuffed, but I am happy to say that I still managed to pack everything I needed for my trip without even using the bag's expansion zipper. If I'd used some compression bags for my clothes, I'm sure I would have gotten the luggage on board.

So how does a girly-girl like myself fit eight nights' worth of stuff into such a "small" bag?

Step 1: Pick the right luggage. My Pathfinder bag comfortably fit two pairs of shoes and includes a snap-in/snap-out 1-quart clear zipper bag for toiletries (which I didn't use as my primary toiletry bag, but could have). It also comes with a very slim, lightweight garment bag (not used on this trip, but handy) two inner zipper pockets and two very large ones on the outside. Yes, putting things in those outside pockets may have led to my bag's BA denial, but other airlines may be a bit less restrictive. Do the research with your airline beforehand and err on the conservative side.

Step 2: Do you really need all those shoes? The answer is likely "no". And this is coming from a girl who owns many, many pairs. Shoes take up a lot of space. You may try to justify that extra pair by telling yourself that you can pack your socks in them - but honey, shoes take up way more space than socks. For this trip, I actually started the packing process with my shoes, and I packed just two pairs and wore one. Yes, that makes only three pairs for a week+ trip. It can be done! I wore my slip-on Pumas (on the left) while in transit because they're both comfy and practical: no shoe laces or metal bits to deal with when going through security. For my four days of business I packed a black pair of comfortable Clarks heels (from a previous trip through Heathrow - Clarks has much better designs in their UK stores!), and cute Kenneth Cole Reaction red flats. For more tips on stylish but practical traveling shoes, see Voyageuse's post.

Step 3: Check the forecast. For an eight-night trip, I usually pack six pairs of pants twelve tops, and countless pieces of undergarments to account for any weather scenario and social situation. Hey, you never know when it'll be a hot, steamy day or freezing cold night! Actually, yes, you will. It's called weather.com and it works for international as well as US cities. If it's not going to be below freezing, you don't need a thick wool sweater and down coat. Layer thinner pieces instead.

Step 4: Coordinate! I'm sure I'm not the first person to suggest packing coordinating outfits, but I'll be the next person to reiterate that point. Stick to common colors (like black and gray, as I did) and pop them with color. Lay out all of your choices on the bed and assemble them by outfit. This allows you to quickly identify an item if it doesn't fit with all of the others. I managed on four pairs of pants (dark rinse jeans that I wore on the plane, khakis, gray dress pants and black dress pants (lightweight wool, fully lined and virtually wrinkle-free), eight blouses/shirts and two over-sweaters. Everything was light-weight, able to be layered, and in fabrics that don't wrinkle easily. Cotton and linen wrinkle - avoid them when possible. Use jumbo-size zip-lock bags to keep your clothes organized and less likely to wrinkle, and pack a travel-size bottle of Febreeze to keep clothes fresh so you can get more use from them.

Step 5: Don't pack your whole vanity. Usually there's no need for a hairdryer, as they're in most hotel rooms. Same with an iron. You don't need full-size bottles of shampoo, either. Remember, you're packing a carry-on bag and are limited to the TSA's 3-1-1- policy. Check the travel-size aisle at your local Target for minis of your favorite store brands, or ask your salon for a bunch of samples. There's also no need for a gazillion make-up products. Choose items that are multipurpose or pack several products in a small package, like this lips & eyes set from Two Faced, or these cute gloss dots from Cargo, both at Sephora.

Step 6: Weed it out. Take one last look through everything. Do you need that extra pair of trouser socks, bra, or panties? Or, like I did, can you use a little hotel shampoo to wash them in the sink? Do you need that extra "going out top" or will some inexpensive and small jewelry be enough to dress up your day shirt for evening? And remember, unless you're going somewhere third-world, there are stores and pharmacies that the concierge can direct you to if you forget something. Think of it as a good excuse to shop! In the end, you'll have a small, more manageable bag to wheel through the airport and the satisfaction that you've only packed what you need, and saved some space to bring home souvenirs.

I'd love to hear your packing tips. Leave a comment or drop me a line - travelspark@gmail.com. Happy packing!

Violet.com - cute travel gifts!

2008-04-26T18:18:00.000-07:00

A co-worker recently mentioned a cool gift site called Violet, where you can search by occasion ("29 Again" for her birthday), recipient ("Owns Everything" for him), and category ("Rapid Transit" and "Portable Nest" in Travel).

Needless to say, I headed right for travel and found some very unique and useful gifts for your favorite wanderer.

This set of "Little Cream" A-Z guides includes three books on travel destinations around the world in for romance, architecture, or simply cool places. The books can also be purchased separately.

I love these classy luggage tags and metallic leather passport wallets.

All your travel needs come in (and fit in) their "No Regrets Travel Kit" so you'll never be without those all important ear-plugs and reflexology socks during a long flight:

Ah, so many cute things....makes me wish I had a birthday coming up!

A bike-friendly city

2008-04-26T12:14:00.000-07:00

Never have I been in more fear of my life than in Amsterdam, when I was almost run over…by a bike. You may laugh, but as one of the most bike-friendly cities (very eco-friendly!) in the world, they’re everywhere, and you better get out of the way when you hear the “ring, ring” of their little bike horns! An amazing sight was walking by the bike racks, because there were hundreds of bikes stored in one place while people were at work. This led me to wonder: How does one find their bike? Is there a mad dash at the end of the day?

I had always thought Amsterdam was smaller but walking around, my travel companion and I covered a lot of ground. And yes, here and there you do get a whiff of “that unmistakable smell” but it’s not quite as out in the open as one might think. There are “Internet Cafes” and special “Bars” all over the city but the drug is not legal, only tolerated.

There is a lot to do and see in Amsterdam. As in every city, I love exploring the small, out of the way streets. I often find these to have some of the best places to catch a bite to eat, because they’re away from the crowds. The city is also full of museums and although I couldn’t visit them all, I would recommend going to the Rijksmuseum and the Anne Frank House. Being an avid Van Gogh fan, I stopped at the Van Gogh Museum, which houses the largest collections of his paintings and drawings in the world.

At night, the area to take a stroll down is the Red Light District – a network of alleys containing many “entertainment” services and some unique museums! If you prefer to avoid the height of the activity here, you can walk around here in the daylight and at dusk. But because it is a unique part of the culture and such a popular tourist destination, it is worth checking it out. A few months ago, I watched a documentary which mentioned the Red Light District – how it came about and what rules and regulations have been put into place to make this a controlled environment. There's more to it than meets the eye!

As for where to stay in Amsterdam, there are many places to choose from, and my experience was certainly unique. We stayed on the outskirts of the city. Still a college student on a budget, we found this place through one of the hostel web sites. When we arrived, we found out our “room” was actually a mini camper. The entire “hostel” was a series of mini-campers formed in a circle. In the middle, there was an almost life-sized colorful statue of an elephant and next to it, a large tent which served as a lounge. The campers were very clean and the price was cheap. The only drawback was that the bathrooms were separate stalls on the grounds. Being the lucky person I am, we were there in June, but the city was suffering a rare cold spell when I needed to get up in the middle of the cold night – go figure!

My favorite thing about Amsterdam: the canals…and the canals. They are beautiful and I enjoyed just sitting on a bench and gazing at them and how the city was built around them.

Least favorite thing: Figuring out how to use the metro! We bought this strip of tickets and even after we asked a policewoman to explain it to us, I’m pretty sure we used the metro incorrectly the entire time. If I recall correctly, depending on where you came from, each block on the strip was worth a certain number of stops. Not understanding Dutch definitely added to the confusion. Oh well, something to master if I ever go back.

Discovering Dijon…the city, not the mustard

2008-04-18T16:45:00.000-07:00

Paris is Paris and can’t be compared to any other city. But if you’re visiting France and want to explore outside the capital, take a trip to Dijon, France. I studied abroad here for 6 months and loved it. It’s easily accessible from Paris, especially if you take the high-speed train Le TGV, only about an hour and forty minute trip. If you’re looking for a deal, check out if they still offer the round-trip deal on Saturdays. It’s a slower train (so the trip takes about 3 hours) but it leaves at 6am so you can sleep and then you take the train back in the evening.

Dijon is obviously known for its mustard but because it is the capital of the Burgundy region, it is also surrounded by some of the best wine regions. If you’re in Dijon for even one to two days, I would suggest going on a wine tour, which you can get more information about from the Office of Tourism. There are two locations but the easiest one to get to is on Avenue Marechal Foch, next to Jardin Darcy. It's on the way from the train station and before Place Darcy.

I went with my classmates on a bus tour of several vineyards and we stopped for a few hours in Beaune, a small village. A few of us visited the Marché aux Vins, where for €16 (then), you could take a tour of the “caves.” There were many stations, so we tried MANY different wines, drinking from this small pretty silver “thingie” we could keep as a souvenir but which could hold only several sips. Its size was deceiving though because after stopping at each station, everyone on the way home knew where the group singing in the back of the bus had been☺

During your stay, you can buy a packet of bus tickets but the city is very walkable. When I lived in Place Wilson, which was a little past Centre Ville (downtown), I would walk all the way to the train station, which is closer to Centre Ville, and it didn’t take very long at all.

Some of my personal favorites in Dijon and must-sees:

Place Wilson – I lived in an apartment in the building behind the gazebo. Amazing views but there is a lot of traffic going through this area so it took a while to get used to. If you approach Place Wilson from Centre Ville and keep walking down the main road with the wide sidewalks, you’ll reach Parc de la Colombière, a very large and pretty park.

Centre Ville: Dijon has some amazing architecture, definitely look up and check out some of the roofs. The main road is Rue de la Liberté, pretty much a straight shot from the train station.

Rue de la Liberté

I really recommend just walking and getting lost in the side streets around Centre Ville. There are numerous cafes, bakeries, restaurants, and stores. Being a student on a budget, I couldn’t afford to spend too much but I would love to go back now and try some new places. The best baguette supposedly is at Paul’s on Rue de Musette. I’ve tried it and it indeed is yummy!

On Rue de la Préfecture, you’ll find the church of Notre Dame, this also being in the center of Dijon. On the church, you’ll also find a carving of a little owl, called La Chouette. Supposedly this little owl is a good luck charm if you touch it or rub it with your left hand and make a wish. If you look closely, it’s actually been worn quite smooth. This carving is a copy and not the original, which was destroyed by vandals several years ago.

Place Darcy – can’t miss it as it has its own Arc de Triomphe! In Place Darcy, you’ll find the BEST kebab in my opinion. I hope it’s still there or I’ll be really sad if I go back and can’t have one. If I recall correctly, it’s called Darcy Kebab. Looking at this picture of the Arc, it’s to the left, pretty much right next to the little café with the red awning.

Where to stay:

Small budget
Le Jacquemart: Jacquemart (32, rue Verrerie 03 80 60 09 60). Located in a 17th century building in the antique district of Dijon. We used to always recommend this place to visiting family and friends. Great prices (starting at €30 for one person) and but it’s quiet and you’re literally in the center of Dijon.

Bigger budget
Hotel due Nord, Place Darcy 03 80 50 80 50. 68-105 Euros. Very accessible from the train station and to Centre Ville (I’m pretty sure you can even see it from the train station).

We’re talking lavish here:
Hostellerie du Chapeau Rouge: 5, rue Michelet, 03 80 30 28 10. 122-250 Euros.

Terrific Trenches

2008-04-16T16:41:00.000-07:00

Please forgive me for my sins; I am not a shoe person. Yes, I am still a red-blooded woman; I just hate to shoe shop. Fortunately I have my mom and friends that help me so my feet don’t look like disasters. TravelSpark in particular is one of my most fashion forward shoe lovers so she is great when I’m just not sure which pair is right.

That being said, I love coats and bags, both of which are essential to have when traveling. Coats can be tricky, especially if you are traveling to multiple locations with different temperatures or if you have many different occasions you will need a coat for. So it is vital to have a couple (at least) of really great coats that will work and can be worn with layers and still look fabulous.

There are so many divine coats for this spring, I could really buy 100 but have settled for 3. The new colors make you want to get out and enjoy the nice weather and the fabrics are soft. The trench is definitely “in” this spring with so many different styles of trench that there is the perfect one for everyone.

This coat from Ann Taylor Loft is quite cute in the new grass green. It is also really comfy and doesn’t wrinkle too badly when packed. I have it myself in Navy with green stitching and am totally in love.Another marvelous coat from Loft is this metallic silver bit of heaven. It’s got a little sheen to it so you can dress it up or down depending on where you need to wear it. This is a good basic and it is long enough to wear with a skirt or pants.
White is the new black this spring and there are some very cute choices for your new spring coat. These two from Ann Taylor are both great for under $100 apiece.

And this awesome green coat from Banana Republic also comes in white.

For those that covet coats as much as I do there is Nordstrom’s Coat Shop online, which is a great stop to see those coats that we all want but so few can afford; like these two from Burberry.
I hope that if you are traveling soon that you don’t just dig out your old basic black trench from your closet but instead go out and splurge a little (or a lot) on one of these marvelous new creations.

Comfy shoes for those cobblestoned streets

2008-04-16T15:15:00.000-07:00

Voyageuse here:)

I don’t know about you, but I sure can’t last too long in a pair of cute shoes. 99% of the time, i end up with a limp or plastered with band-aids! And then I wonder how those European women do it? Last time I visited Paris, I gawked in amazement at the majority of women strutting down the street in their fabulous shoes, cleverly maneuvering those cobblestoned streets. Must be that French “Je ne sais quoi.”

If you’re planning for travel or just want some cute shoes that will leave you pain-free, here are three pairs I swear by:

Sneakers, in particular those comfy white ones you may work out in, scream “I’m a tourist” in Europe. If you just love 'em, go for it, but for the sneaker-loving girl, I highly recommend Pumas. I became a devoted Puma fan when I brought along a pair of navy plain Pumas with the velcro straps (oh the convenience!) while studying abroad for 6 months. I walked for hours at times and always felt great. There are tons of Pumas out there, and the ones I’ve had are very light and easy to pack. These are cute in any color:

I’ll also let you in on a two secrets: 1) I’ve scored two deals now on Pumas in the Sale section in DSW - $40 each! 2) My hairdresser told me that the Puma Warehouse in Westford, MA is having their tent sale the last weekend of May – tons of stuff, shoes included, for low prices – like $20! Be prepared for mass chaos though, I’ve heard when they initially unload the trucks, it’s a scene à la Running of the Brides in Boston.

If you’re looking for something a little less casual but don’t want to deal with a heel, try ballet flats. They were all the rage when I visited Paris last year so I rushed out to buy a pair but it took a while to break them in. I came home and scored a great deal once again in the Sale section at DSW: this bronze pair of ballet flats that are so comfy. And can you believe they’re Dr. Scholls?

Finally, if you’re really looking for a pair of shoes to really dress up an outfit, I recommend these:

Coincidentally, TravelSpark has these shoes in ivory for her upcoming wedding and a wedding is exactly where I first tried my pair out. I danced the whole night away in them. This is the second pair of Nina shoes I have owned. With both of them, the material of the shoes is what has made them comfortable to wear, because no hard straps were digging into any part of my foot.

Happy Trails! And if you have any particular shoes that you swear by, please share…a girl can never have enough shoes☺

One 22" Bag for 8 nights? Part 2

2008-04-14T23:12:00.000-07:00

When I told friends and co-workers that I planned to travel for eight nights with a 22" carry-on, I was met with snickers and incredulous stares. One colleague who I travel with for two weeks at a time laughed hard, saying "Are you serious? I see what you travel with!" Fair enough. He's seen me struggle plenty of times with a bag so large I could practically stow away in it. The skepticism made me feel quite competitive, and I braced myself for the challenge.

So, can a girly-girl like me who typically travels with enough shoes for every possible situation pack all her stuff in a carry-on? The answer is.... kind of. Sure, everything fit into the bag, and when I get home I'll load up some pictures of how I did it and provide some tips. The problem was that British Airways wouldn't let it come on board with me. BA has very strict rules about carry-ons, which I knew. The measurements of my suitcase are within their limits. However, the measurements of my suitcase crammed with eight nights worth of stuff are not. While the BA rep agreed to let me on the plane with it, she couldn't guarantee that it wouldn't be taken away from me at the gate. Rather than risk the bag not getting on my plane at all, I checked it.

The good news is that this first leg of the trip, at least, is not through Terminal 5 as I first thought. So, there is a slightly higher probability that my luggage will arrive in Israel when I do. In the meantime, I sit in the BA lounge in the wee hours of the morning praying that my bag arrives on time and, just as imporantly, intact (no lock on it since silly me thought I could bring it with me). Since I planned to carry everything on, I have no extra underwear and t-shirt that I typically carry on, and no power cord for my laptop. This could present a problem at my meeting tomorrow...

Despite having to check the luggage after all, the experience was a good one. I was very mindful to pack just enough for the trip and nothing more. When I'm finally reunited with my bag, it will be much easier for me to lug around than my larger bag. At least these are the things I'm telling myself to remain calm and positive!

Lesson learned: pack even lighter so your bag doesn't bulge.

The Driest Continent

2008-04-14T10:25:00.000-07:00

The Wandering Albatross here, I know that TravelSpark's blog is all about classy traveling but I am more of an adventure traveler so I hope you will enjoy a little change of pace while I share one of my experiences with you. Please note that this trip is not for the faint of heart.

My whole life I have had a goal to visit all seven continents. The hardest one to get to is also the driest, despite all the ice, Antarctica! Only about 10,000 people actually get to step onto the continent of Antarctica each year, less than the number of people who visit a theme park in one day, so I feel very fortunate to have gotten to be one of the few. My husband and I traveled with a company out of Connecticut, Quark Expeditions, and I would highly recommend them to anyone wanting to travel to Antarctica.

It took two days to cross the Drake Passage from Ushuaia, Argentina (the southernmost city in the world). The Drake Passage has the roughest seas in the world, a good 80% or more of our fellow passengers got seasick although neither my husband nor I did. We got to listen to several talks given by our expedition staff, a group of scientists leading the group. After about 1.5 days we saw our first iceberg and the estimate is that it was about 1 mile across.

We arrived at Aitcho Island in the evening of the second day and got to see a colony of chinstrap penguins as well as a herd of elephant seals lazing on the beach. The next morning we took our first step onto the actual continent at Brown Bluff where we saw the other two types of penguins that live in the region, gentoo and adelie.

Luckily we went late in the summer and there were many baby penguins like this one who is about 10 days old!

For 6 days we visited sites all up and down the Antarctic Peninsula. We visited two Argentinian research stations and a British Research station. We took cruises in the zodiac boats and saw a 300 foot glacier calve off into the water. (click on the link to see the video taken by our South African friend, Manie). We got to see seals and whales and all kinds of birds. We even got to swim in the Southern Ocean; yes, it was @#$$% cold!

We were in the zodiac boat in the Lemaire Channel that made it furthest south on our trip, 65 degrees. Then we had to head back to civilization via two more days across the Drake Passage.

The continent of Antarctica is highly protected by the Antarctic Treaty and is one of the last great wildernesses in the world. If you are an adventure traveler like I am I highly recommend adding this trip to your list of must do’s.

To travel = to be grateful

2008-04-12T13:42:00.000-07:00

If you read my post about trying to cram all my stuff in a carry-on bag for an eight-night trip, then you know I'm off to Tel Aviv, Moscow, and Paris on a business trip. I leave on Monday, and could not be more thrilled to get out of the office. I haven't been on a plane since October, and while I actually don't care very much for flying, I do love what flying promises: a chance to discover a new place or revisit a favorite one, eat amazing food (most of the time), buy clothes that no one will have back home, and interact with my overseas colleagues who I've learned so much from.

During each trip, whether for business or fun, there is always a very distinct moment when I feel how very far away from home I am. It comes over me in a wave, and puts a huge grin on my face. I felt this way for the first time when I was on my first overseas trip at age sixteen. I was at a mall in Strasbourg, France with my host family. The store we were in was something like the Discovery Channel store, and there was a world map tacked to the wall. I paused to look at it and was suddenly struck by the distance between Strasbourg and Massachusetts.

The last time I felt that way was on a tour of the Soweto Township outside of Johannesburg, South Africa, in October 2007. The tour starts by driving through the most affluent suburbs of Johannesburg, with massive mansions hidden behind high walls and security guards on streets lined with beautiful jacarandas and bougainvilleas. These neighborhoods are a far cry from downtown Johannesburg, where I've never been so keenly aware of my race and affluence. Streets teemed with people selling anything and everything, from fruits and vegetables to fake handbags. Abandoned hotels and high-rise buildings have been taken over by the poor in need of a roof over their heads. Downtown Johannesburg is stuck in a terrible cycle: businesses don't want to return to the area because of the violence and poverty, but the violence and poverty will continue until businesses return to bring revenue and jobs back to the area.

On our drive out to Soweto while we were still definitely in the city, our guide drove us through a marketplace where medicinal roots and herbs were sold. Next to it was the witch doctor market, where python skins hung to dry over the fence and animal carcases hung in bundles from the market's rafters.

When we enter Soweto, I'm struck by how closely the middle-class neighborhoods are to extreme poverty; they're separated by a grassy area about as wide as a football field. Across the field are rows of buildings made of concrete blocks with tin roofs. The field between middle-class and poverty seems to serve as a reminder of how close and yet how far away we are from losing everything.

Part of the tour included walking through an impoverished neighborhood, with dirt streets and one pipe coming out of the ground to provide water to the whole area. During this part of the tour, our guide was a resident of the neighborhood and made his living off of the tips from tourists. He seemed proud of his home, and the fact they just had a public toilet installed. He enouraged us to take photos, but I felt odd about it. It seemed strange to treat their homes as a tourist attraction, but at the same time I suppose it's the only way the rest of the world will be reminded that there are really few of us who can afford a digital camera and an $80 tour.

A group of children spotted us and followed us down the street, smiling and wanting me to take their picture. Ultimately I did, my discomfort outweighed by the need to remember the experience.

On a Saturday in the middle of a two-week business tour of eastern Europe, Israel, and South Africa was when I felt truly grateful to have the life that I have. I don't have to wonder where my next meal will come from, whether I will have shoes to wear to work or if I will have a job to go to at all. My concerns now, almost embarrassingly, are which restaurant I will go to tonight, which of my 30 pairs of shoes I'll wear to work, and whether or not I'll get a raise.

While on business trips, I've climbed the pyramids at Teotihuacan in Mexico, rode roller-coasters at Disneyland Paris, looked in awe at the mosaics in a mosque in Istanbul, and stared amazed at Michelangelo's work in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. These excursions were fun; the Soweto tour was not. It was, however, by far the most meaningful. I'm forever thankful to be in a position where travel can introduce me to what is truly happening in the world today, to put me in a place where I can feel how far away from home I am and yet how connected we are to each other.

TravelSpark's New Contributors

2008-04-12T10:38:00.000-07:00

My trips over the next several months will provide plenty for me to write about, but while I'm gone things would get pretty boring over here at TravelSpark if there was nothing new to read. During next week's trip, as well as the others that are on my schedule, The Wandering Albatross and Voyageuse will keep you informed and entertained with their travel tips and stories.

The Wandering Albatross is a dear friend with an MBA in International Marketing, four years experience in International Sales, and passport stamps from all seven continents. She's also a creative event coordinator and mom to one of the cutest little boys I know.

Voyageuse is a friend and co-worker in international marketing who speaks several languages, studied abroad in Dijon, France, and got engaged in Paris. Her last trip was to sunny St. Martin.

Keep your eye on the blog for new articles from them this week!

Turkish Delights, Part 3: Tasty Treats to Make

2008-04-09T17:13:00.001-07:00

Growing up, my grandmother's unspoken cooking philosphy seemed to be "Why mess with food's natural flavors?" Between Nanny and Mom, my dining experiences were hearty, healthy, and nearly devoid of spices. Adding oregano to a dish was about as crazy as they would get. As a result, my poor tongue tingles in pain at the mere thought of chili peppers, and my eyes water with only a slight whiff of buffalo chicken.

As I've traveled more throughout my adult life, my palate has gradually become more sophisticated, and my kitchen spice rack's selection has grown.

The Egyptian Spice Bazaar in Istanbul is an amazing place to see, smell, and buy spices as well as local crafts and foods. The building is much smaller and more manageable than the city's more famous Grand Bazaar. It's located in the Eminönü District, so after shopping you can head over to Hamdi Restaurant (mentioned in the previous post) for lunch. During my first trip to Istanbul, I visited the bazaar and was amazed by the beautiful colors and incredibly low prices of the spices from around the world. Shopkeepers invited us in and treated us to tea while we pondered their goods. The photo to the right is framed and hanging in my kitchen to remind me to put a little kick into my cooking.

I've come to love Turkish food for how flavorful the spices are without burning my tastebuds. There aren't many restaurants in Boston with Turkish food on the menu, and my cooking skills are rather limited. However, I am (and you are too!) quite capable of making this yummy recipe for "Turkish Pizza" that I found on The Nest from the book Nibbled: 200 Fabulous Finger Food Ideas by Katy Holder. My friends loved it!

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil, plus extra for brushing

7 ounces ground lamb

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 tablespoons pine nuts

1 small tomato, peeled, seeded, and chopped

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pinch of allspice

1 1/2 teaspoons chopped cilantro leaves

1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice

Pizza dough

3 tablespoons plain yogurt

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 450˚F. Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat and cook the lamb for 3 minutes or until it browns. Add the onions and cook over low heat for 6-8 minutes or until soft. Add the pine nuts, tomato, spices, 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, and some salt. Cook for 8 minutes or until dry. Stir in the cilantro and lemon juice. Divide the pizza dough into eighteen portions and roll into oval shapes. Spoon some of the filling onto the center of each pizza base. Draw up and pinch together the two short sides to form a boat shape, then brush with oil. Put the pizzas on a lightly greased cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes. Spoon 1/2 teaspoon yogurt on each pizza and serve hot.

For dinner-size pizza, I'd like to make this recipe from Cooking Light:

Enjoy! Please pass along your favorite (and preferably easy) recipes for tasty Turkish cuisine!

Turkish Delights, Part 2: Eating Out in Istanbul

2008-04-07T17:54:00.000-07:00

My first experience with food in Turkey was rather unusual. I arrived at Ataturk Airport and climbed into a cab headed to my hotel. The driver was an attractive young guy who spoke zero English, but understood enough to know where I needed to go. He also understood how to make an impression on a young woman such myself.

As a woman traveling alone, my senses were on high alert for anything somewhat astray. So when the taxi came to a halt along the side of the road, I was very confused and borderline concerned. My driver rolled down the window and bought a large wand of fluffy pink cotton candy from a street vendor. In the time it took me to wonder how the heck he was going to drive while eating cotton candy, he turned around and handed it to me. Now, I don't really like cotton candy, and my mother always taught me not to take food from strangers. But what's a girl to do? For the rest of the ride I occupied myself with the driver's sticky souvenir, and at the end he got a good tip.

I've had better but more mundane experiences with Turkish food since then. My stays at the Swissotel The Bosphorus have been replete with tasty treats. The hotel has especially delicious sweets at the Cafe Suisse, including yummy Turkish baklava and a most unusual dessert called tavuk göğsü, which is a pudding made with chicken. People love it, but it's a major texture violation for me. Of course, the inspiration for the title of this article (Turkish Delight), is abundant throughout the city.

An excellent restaurant I've been fortunate to visit twice is 360, in Taksim Square, which boasts 360 degree views of the city from a terrace with funky patio furniture. The clientele is mostly trendy Turks despite the restaurants reviews in western travel magazines. It's not an easy place to find, as you must enter a non-descript building and take the tiny elevator to the top floor, where you're met by sexy lighting and a metal detector. Be sure to make a reservation.

For a more touristy experience with more traditional food and an equally spectacular view, Hamdi Restaurant in the Eminönü district fits the bill.

An excellent neighborhood for wining, dining, and shopping is Ortaköy. Located right on the Bosphorus, it's a popular local and tourist hangout, with lots of winding streets waiting to be explored. If I can ever go to Istanbul purely for pleasure, I will be sure to spend more time there.

Now that I'm writing this blog, I'll be keeping much better track of where and what I eat!

One 22" bag for 8 nights? Part 1

2008-04-05T16:04:00.000-07:00

My first overseas business trip of 2008 is coming up quickly, and I will spend eight nights trekking between Tel Aviv, Moscow, and Paris. My journey begins with a leg through the ridiculousness that is the new Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport. The brand new, state of the art baggage handling system has been an utter failure, leading to missing or delayed bags, cancelled flights and an apology by British Airways chief executive, Willie Walsh.

Missing or delayed luggage is extra stress that I simply do not need, so I've decided to travel with only carry-on luggage. This decision resulted in about $225 spent in "packing essentials" in the past two days.

So what did I buy, and what should you consider before attepting to travel only with carry on luggage?

My first stop was the Container Store, where I picked up a laundry bag for $5 that compacts into a very tiny bag. So much for the cutesy ones from my previous post - I'm aiming for super-practical now. Since my old luggage tag got ripped off my bag during my last trip, I bought a new pink "privacy tag". I also bought two small Nalgene flip-top bottles, which will be used on a future voyage involving checked luggage since they're 4oz each.

Next stop: Brett's Luggage & Gifts. Brett's is online at http://www.suitcase.com/. My old carry-on doesn't have the space needed for cramming all my essentials for eight days, and technically it belongs to my parents. The saleswoman hooked me up with a Pathfinder 22" expandable Avenger XLite in a cool shade of spruce (not the color below), which I'll be able to spot on the conveyor belt. While I was there, I picked up a new inflatable neck pillow from Eagle Creek, fleece-covered and hopefully less likely to deflate than previous pillows I've owned.

The next problem I had to solve was what to do with my laptop. I have a laptop backpack I use daily that fits my computer as well as my gym clothes, but makes me look less like an international businesswoman and more like a college kid. My rolling laptop bag is too big to put under the seat on the plane, so it wouldn't be allowed. At my local TJ Maxx, I found this Wenger "Rhea" computer tote that seems like it will hold all my stuff. I may look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame by the end of my trip, but at least I'll still be stylish.

Now the challenge is packing for eight nights in a 22" carry-on bag and small-ish laptop tote. Is it possible? I'll find out and will let you know! If you want to carry-on, consider the following:

1) Follow the TSA's 3-1-1- rules: Liquid must be in 3oz containers, fit in a 1 quart bag, and each passenger is only allowed one 1 quart bag.

2) Check your airline's hand-baggage allowance for not only the number of bags, but the size and/or weight as well. Each airline is different. Some examples:
- British Airways now allows one carry-on piece of luggage plus one handbag, briefcase, or laptop bag.
- On this trip, I'm also flying El Al Airlines in economy class, and I'm only allowed one piece of hand-luggage with a weight limit of 17lbs. Therefore, my Pathfinder Avenger above will have to be checked in.
- Virgin Atlantic has even stricter regulations, with one carry-on not weighing more than 13lbs, and a purse that is "appropriate to normal travelling dress and is not being used as a container for the transportation of articles which could otherwise be regarded as baggage." I had no idea Richard Branson was such a particular fellow...

3) In addition to the liquid requirements, remember that items such as metal nail files, manicure scissors, and tweezers are not permitted. Buy them after you arrive, get a mani and wax before you leave, or just deal with your unibrow and hangnails for a few days.

The risk of lost luggage at Heathrow is just too high, and it gives me a good excuse to improve my packing skills. We'll see if I can do it, or if I end up saying "The hell with it all!" as I roll out my 26" piece and just throw everything in.

Wedding Style: Paris

2008-04-03T17:48:00.000-07:00

After nearly a year and a half planning my own wedding, I've become a bit of a consultant to others in the marital way. My friend experienced one of the most romantic events imaginable - a proposal in Paris - and is planning her own June 2009 nuptials with a bit of a Parisian theme. We've been brainstorming ways that she can incorporate France into the wedding in a classy way that won't conjure images of mimes in berets or "freedom fries".

If you're thinking of a Paris or French-theme wedding, there are many places to look for inspiration: obvious landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur, or I.M. Pei's pyramid at the Louvre; the sunflowers of the French countryside, or the blue seas of the Mediterranean along the French Riviera. Consider serving French cheeses and breads during cocktail hour, French wines with dinner, and pastries for dessert.

Set the tone of the event with invitations reminiscent of Paris's old winding streets, like these from The White Aisle:

Place cards would look cute in mini Eiffel Towers like these from Wedding Things

Ebay has loads of vintange postcards from France that could be used as table numbers. If the cards are blank, write the table numbers on the back. Or, attach them to a tent card or put in a stand to add a decorative element to the table.

Rather than rent table linens, sheets of wrapping paper printed with a map of Paris would be both inexpensive and unique. I spotted them at Papyrus stores, and online at Artwise Amazing Paper:

This is an interesting cake topper as seen at FavorIdeas.com:

While these favors aren't especially unique, they are quite cute. From Beau-coup Wedding Favors:

For more inspiration, check out these articles:

Modern Parisian Bridal Shower

A Fete to Remember: Your Paris-Theme Wedding

Wedding Style: A French Fete

Turkish Delights, Part 1: Decor Inspiration

2008-03-28T18:50:00.000-07:00

Istanbul is one of the most colorful cities I've been to in my travels. Turks have a long, proud history of creating gorgeous crafts, and Istanbul presents many opportunities to find detailed ceramics, rugs, and textiles.

The city that spans two continents is full of inspiring decor. During my first trip there I toured Topkapi Palace, home to sultans of the Ottoman Empire and their many, many wives (the Harem sometimes held up to 500 people, including 300 women, kids, and eunuchs). While it sounds pretty awful to me (living with two other women was challenging enough!), at least their surroundings were gorgeous! Sections of the palace are covered with ornate Iznik tiles, and I dream of using them to create a backsplash in a kitchen or bathroom one day.

Here I am with my backsplash inspiration!

Domino magazine recently featured the Paris apartment of decorative artists Mehmet and Dimonah Iksel, who have taken the backsplash idea a little too far IMHO:

Purchasing tiles for your home can be done from the comfort of your home - no flight required. Prices can be very expensive depending on size, intricacy of the design, and materials used. Pricier examples are the ones below from Yurdan:

Yurdan also carries less expensive versions, as does Blue Hudson for Tribal Home. The one on the left from Yurdan is $8.50 for a tiny 2" square tile, but the version on the right from Tribal Home is a better value, on sale for $9 for a 8" square tile.

Istanbul has become one of my favorite cities to visit, so this is just the first of what I'm sure will be many posts about this inspirational place!

Don't Mention It: Stylishly Stashing Your Unmentionables

2008-03-23T15:07:00.001-07:00

When I was about eleven years old, I had my first embarrassing encounter with airport security. I stood behind my parents anxiously awaiting my bag's arrival through the scanner, praying nothing would encourage the guard to open my purple tote with neon-pink hearts (yes, it's nearly two decades later and like any self-respecting girly-girl, I remember which bag I was carrying). As I reached to grab my tote from the conveyor belt, the guard got to it first and began to unzip it - and I ran.

Ignoring my parents' panicked faces, I tried to get as far away from the embarrassing contents of my bag as possible. I was at an age that Britney Spears may describe as being "not a girl, not yet a woman," and it was not the prospect of airport security finding my teddy bear, but rather a stash of unused maxi pads that I had not so cleverly wrapped in toilet paper, that made me run for the hills. Plain maxi pads in my bag would have been bad enough, but the fact that they were wrapped in toilet paper made the situation appear far, far worse.

Fortunately, such a situation has not happened again. But as airport security worldwide gets tighter, the the odds are higher that your bag will get searched. Every time I go through the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, my bags and I are given the third degree - often leaving the contents on display for travelers all around me. As I have another trip to Israel coming up in a few weeks, I'm on the lookout for a cute and functional way of hiding bras and panties from prying eyes.

But let's start with the other kind of unmentionables that humiliated me all those years ago. Pads are easy to stash in a small cosmetic bag, but tampons are a bit trickier. Here are some stylish options:

These cute cases are from Hippy Chix Shop.

These stewardess, cowgirl, and beach babe cases from Uncommon Goods will hide your femme products.

Customize your own case at http://www.kyledesigns.com/

To hide away your silky (or cottony) little (or big) things, here are the best that I've found.

I love this set from Pack Happy, which includes three bags for lingerie, shoes, and dirty laundry. I've found the best price at Traveling Chic, and am waiting for this color scheme to be restocked (there are other colors available now).

I am VERY happy to have stumbled upon Lapin Vilardi. The two friends who created this line of travel accessories have great taste, and their bags and cases would liven up any set of luggage. Each pattern has several pieces including lingerie, shoe, and laundry bags. Here are my favorites:

I'm a fan of Belle-Hop's feminine travel accessories, including this lingerie wrapper:

Good to Be You has both sexy and sweet bags:

Please don't make the mistake I did at age eleven - seek out something cute to hide your unmentionables and spare yourself embarrassment in the security line!

May I have your card?

2008-03-17T18:31:00.000-07:00

My scanner's acting up, so my St. Patrick's Day Special will have to wait. In the meantime, let's talk about one of the most basic and important elements of a business interaction: the humble business card.

In many Asian cultures, there is a special protocol for exchanging business cards. Fortunately I was told of this before meeting my Japanese colleagues for the first time. In Japan, business cards are not carelessly tossed across the conference room table, shoved into your wallet or purse, or jammed in between papers in your briefcase; all of this would be considered quite rude. Instead, business cards are treated with a great deal of respect. Hold the card with both hands, and face your name outward so that your colleague may read it right away. When accepting a card, take it from your colleague with both hands, take a moment to look at it, then put it in a special place right away. Bowing slightly when you do so will help.

So, where to put those cards? I have a black fabric signature "C" Coach business card holder which they don't appear to make anymore. But there are several fun options, and here are a few:

Fun and pink for the girly-girl from Miego:

For the geeky tree-hugger from Eco-Artware:

For the retro-cool, who work in a field where something so tongue-in-cheek would be acceptable, from Anne Taintor:

I love that it says, "Why yes, I am overqualified"!

For the preppy girls, from See Jane Work:

And finally, for the sophisticate, this Luis Vuitton from eLuxury:

Don't stash business cards in your pocket - get a cute case to match your handbag or briefcase.

Can you spare a square?

2008-03-12T18:03:00.000-07:00

I must confess: there has been more than one occasion in my life when I could have used an extra square. Few things are more awkward and frustrating than having dropped trou and done your business, only to realize there is either one square, a scrap of a square, or simply no square at all. Perhaps you're too embarrassed to ask your neighbor for a spare, perhaps she rudely declined (as happened to our friend Elaine), or perhaps you're in an airport bathroom in eastern Europe, and your neighbor does not understand a word you're saying.

After several hand gestures under the stall, you manage to acquire a precious square. But in a cruel twist of fate, you realize all too late that the square is nothing like the Quilted Northern, Cottonelle, or even Scott Tissue that you're used to. Oh no - this foreign object rubs like sandpaper on your cheeks. You've just encountered an unfortunate product that Communism left behind.

The rumors are true: I've been to Russia, Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. The businesses, restaurants, and airports I've spent time in all stock the same brand of t.s. (toilet sandpaper). Oh, it's ever so slightly better than Istanbul where there's often no toilet paper at all in public bathrooms. So said my guidebook, and it was correct.

After running from bathroom to bathroom at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport last summer looking for a stall with at least three squares, I never travel without this ingenious product from the thoughtful developers at Charmin:

I get mine at Target (which has a huge selection of travel-size products), where you can also find Charmin's seat cover to-go pack, which could potentially save you several squares of Charmin t.p.

Be sure to put these in your carry-on, and you'll always have a square - whether you choose to spare one or not.

"The Bachelor" is a bloke!

2008-03-10T17:55:00.000-07:00

First real post: Only loosely related to travel. I am off to a great start, huh?

I am a sucker for trashy tv. While I haven't watched every single season of "The Bachelor", I've seen most of them. Including the "Where are they now?" episode that's on at this very moment. The main lure of this new bachelor is that he's British. In fact, in the promo he actually uses the phrase "You make me horny," sounding like a slightly more authentic Austin Powers. As with most past bachelors, he's successful. As with most past bachelors, he's also not that good-looking. But, oh! The accent! Now, when I was 21 and living in England for a semester, I, too, was a sucker for an English accent right off the bat. Most of us American ladies are. My male British friends were quite surprised when I opened my mouth and didn't talk like Cher from "Clueless".

Bottom line: Accents may be sexy at first, but this bachelor is likely just as much of a cad as all of his predecessors. Get past the lilt, and see if there's anything to back it up!

Welcome! Bienvenue! Willkommen! добро пожаловать!

2008-03-10T17:29:00.000-07:00

Starting in April, I'll embark on an international trip every month for four months straight, and frankly I need something to do during long layovers. There's only so much work a girl can do in between work, too many sticky magazines on the plane, and one too many lame nights eating at a hotel restaurant by myself. It's time I got a hobby. Well, it's time I got back to doing something I used to enjoy - writing. I'm a bit rusty, so bear with me. It may take a few posts for me to find my "voice" again.

I plan to post weekly reviews of hotels I stay in, airlines I fly, airports I spend hours in, sites I see (when there's time!), travel-themed fashion, home decor, and anything else I can think of. I hope this site becomes part of your daily procrastination!