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Last year I posted a blog about a hidden gem right outside of Saratoga Springs called Brookledge. Brookledge is a property with a rich history that was purchased a couple of years ago by my new friend Helen Christopher and her husband. My previous blog post features the beautiful cabins on the property that are available to book for a rustic getaway just a short drive from Saratoga. My original blog also highlights the historic Camp Chapel site used for outdoor weddings and the Fireside Pavilion and Raymond's Roost that can be used for wedding receptions or other events. Click here to read my original blog about the origins of Brookledge and the initial renovations the Christophers did to rejuvenate the property using most of the original buildings from the Campfire Girls Camp that used to occupy the location. The Christophers have been hard at work over the last year making even more improvements and renovations to Brookledge. I figured it was time for me to go check it out and see what they have been up to. I was blown away by all they have accomplished. Here is a peek into the new things you can find at Brookledge: Camp Chapel: In my first blog, I highlighted the Camp Chapel, an area at Brookledge that is used to hold outdoor weddings. The bride and groom typically stand in front of an old stone fireplace that appears to be left over from when the property was used as a country getaway for rich German families who lived in NYC. I first saw the fireplace in late fall when most leaves had fallen from the trees and winter was definitely on its way. This time, I saw the fireplace in its full glory covered with rich green moss highlighting the full forest behind it. It is a stunning place to hold a wedding. There have been several upgrades to the Camp Chapel area including steps down from the newly renovated Treehouse Lodge (where brides typically get ready) and nice wooden benches for wedding guests. If you are looking for a beautiful place to have a rustic, nature-inspired ceremony, you should definitely check out Brookledge! Click here for more information on wedding packages and contact information for Helen Christopher who can help you plan your perfect wedding day! Treehouse Lodge: When I visited Brookledge last fall, they were right in the middle of renovating what is now known as the Tree House Lodge. At that time, Helen told me her vision for the space which was to make it a place where families could come stay with kids. The upstairs room is equipped with bunk beds and it definitely feels like you are in a tree house. An open window looks out on the space below and has a perfect view of the star shaped lights hanging from the living room ceiling. It feels like you are gazing out on a starry night. The master bedroom on the first floor of the Tree House Lodge is appropriately decorated in the tree house theme with cuttings from trees on the property. The living room is large and can accommodate a number of people if the Tree House Lodge is used to host a bridal shower, family reunion or other corporate or personal event. Helen came up with the decorating ideas for the Tree House Lodge (using materials from around the property where possible) and I told her I thought she missed her calling because the decor creates the perfect tree house aesthetic and the space is warm and cozy. As mentioned above, the Tree House Lodge is frequently used by brides and her bridal party to get ready for a wedding at Brookledge. The Tree House Lodge also has a large kitchen area that can be used to prepare family meals or to make food and/or organize catered food that is brought in for an event. There are further renovations coming for the kitchen area, but it is still very nice and completely functional in the meantime! Glamping Tents: On my last visit, only the tent platforms existed so I didn't get to see what "glamping" was all about. Brookledge has two glamping tents called "Snoopy" and "Woodstock" (after the bus names used to transport girls during the Campgirls Camp days). There are hand carved statues of Snoopy and Woodstock on the patio of each tent to tell you which is which. The statues were carved by a local artist. In full disclosure, I do not like camping. I have tried over the years, but it is just not my thing. However, after looking at the inside of the glamping tents, I told Helen I would definitely consider camping in one of these. The platform beds looked comfy and there was electricity in the tent! The glamping tents are just steps away from the Ice Bucket pond and just a short distance from the newly renovated bath houses. If I am saying I would consider camping in the glamping tents, you KNOW they must be really nice! Bath House: Brookledge kept the original bath houses used at the Campfire Girls camp. When I visited last fall, the shower of the bath house had been installed, but the bath houses were still fairly rustic. They have been completely renovated and a coin-operated laundry facility has been added. There are several bathroom stalls and a private shower area. Even though you are "roughing it", you still have the convenience of modern indoor plumbing and can even do a load of laundry if there is an unexpected fall in the mud or the Ice Bucket Pond. That sounds like the kind of "roughing it" I can get on board with! Other Fun Additions: The Fireside Pavilion has a few improvements that polished it up a bit, but it still has its rustic charm. There is a revamped fireplace, a new small bar (but Raymond's Roost is just a few steps away with a full bar area) and life-size games like Connect Four. They also added lighting to create ambiance for events that are held there. It is a beautiful space and if you check out the Brookledge Instagram (brookledgeny) you can check out pictures of the various events that have been held there and how the Pavilion has been decorated. I recently saw pictures of the Pavilion being prepared for a wedding reception and it looked absolutely stunning! Ice Bucket Pond is obviously still there and there are kayaks and other equipment that you can use free of charge to enjoy the Pond. What is new is that it has been stocked with fish that you can catch and release or if you are like me you can just enjoy watching them, especially when Helen throws in some fish food and they all go crazy! I thought Brookledge was a unique and amazing place before, but the Christophers have elevated it to a whole new level. If you are looking for a "Fancy Flannel" or "Rustic Elegance" experience, then Brookledge is the place for you. Whether you are just looking for a vacation spot or planning a special event you should consider Brookledge. And if you are planning a wedding and searching for a venue with a natural setting and rustic charm, you should definitely consider Brookledge. Don't forget to also check out my first blog on Brookledge for a complete picture of the various accommodations and amenities at Brookledge. There are now five different accommodations to book depending on what kind of experience you are looking for. You can book any of the accommodations through Airbnb, Booking.com or VRBO, but if you contact Helen directly you can avoid the fees generally charged by these sites. You will need to contact Helen directly to reserve the Pavilion, Raymond's Roost or the Tree House Lodge for a wedding or special event. Helen's contact information can be found here. Brookledge is a one of a kind place. I am so glad I got to know Helen and have been able to watch her and her husband create the space they dreamed of when they first saw this property years ago. You should see it for yourself as I am not sure my words can adequately convey the magic of the place. You may just find it is the perfect spot for you to unwind and relax or to host your special event!

About 12 miles away from the bustling Saratoga Springs area, nestled in amongst trees reaching for the sky, is a wonderful little place called Brookledge. I discovered Brookledge after connecting with one of its owners, Helen Christopher, on social media. I started following her on Instagram and was intrigued by the development of this new business she and her husband Ryan were starting. What Is Brookledge? Then... Brookledge is approximately 60 acres of undeveloped property in the small town of Providence, just outside of Saratoga Springs. The property has a storied and interesting history. In the 1800's, German families from NYC headed north to cabins built on the property for a much needed getaway from the crowded City. None of those cabins remain, but there is an old stone fireplace with what is believed to be a monogram of a German family on the mantel that still stands representing this chapter of the property's history. Sometime thereafter, the property was sold and was used as one of the original Camp Fire Girls' camps and then subsequently used by Schenectady Girl's Club (now Girl's Inc) as a girl's summer camp. Many of the original buildings from the property's summer camp days remain standing including original sleeping cabins, bath houses, dressing cabins, the nurse's office, the camp counselor office and the outdoor pavilion. You can still see carvings and artwork done by the girls around the property. Many of the hiking trails on the property were original trails used by the girl's during the camping days. Now... The Christophers' first saw the Brookledge property a decade ago when attending a wedding on the grounds of the now abandoned camp. Something about the property spoke to them and they agreed if it ever went on the market they would buy it. It ultimately was sold to a real estate developer who planned to tear down all the buildings and create an RV park. That deal fell through and the Christophers had their opportunity to buy their dream property. Helen quit her job as a second grade teacher to focus full-time on renovating the property and restoring it to its past glory as a magical nature getaway. They have maintained the original Brookledge name and intend to preserve as much history as they can by utilizing the existing structures and incorporating original items found in the buildings or around the property wherever they can. They also have made it a priority during the renovation to source local materials and labor where possible. They continue that mission in the operation of the camp by sourcing supplies and food from local vendor if they can. You can feel the energy of the property coming back to life when you visit. The vision for Brookledge is to provide a nature retreat that can be used as a wedding venue, event space (corporate events, birthday parties, family reunions or other celebrations), or getaways. They have made great progress and have already completed renovation on a couple of the cabins that were available for booking last summer. But the Christophers have big plans for the property and are working through the winter to make Brookledge even more special in time for next summer and the Saratoga racing season! What Kind of Experience Will You Get at Brookledge? Whether you are looking for a rustic but classy space for a special event or a cozy and comfortable retreat from suburbia or city life, Brookledge has what you are looking for! The natural beauty of the surroundings makes any experience magical. We are not a 5 star luxury hotel, we are a 5 tree happy to be in nature getaway! Spaces for Weddings and Events: The Chapel: Brookledge has already hosted a few weddings at its site and the pictures show what an amazing setting it is for such a special day. There are wedding packages available, but they will also work with brides to help them create the day they have been dreaming of. Generally weddings are held in the open space in front of the stone fireplace (pictured above) in an area they call The Chapel. The plan is to even out the terrain, install permanent benches for guests and build a wooden walkway to the site (so the bride's dresses don't get dirty on the walk down the aisle). They also are able to provide transport to the wedding site to those guests who may have mobility issues. Fireside Pavilion and Raymond's Roost: The Fireside Pavilion and the nearby Raymond's Roost bar pavilion accommodate a large number of people for a wedding reception, family reunion, corporate event or other large gathering. As its name implies, the Fireside Pavilion has a stone fireplace that was original to the structure from the girl's camp days. The smaller Raymond's Roost Pavilion is a few steps away and has bar seating. The Fireside Pavilion can also be used to host children's birthday party events. Brookledge has a daytime birthday party package that includes a guided nature hike, swimming, arts and crafts, a scavenger hunt and campfire s'mores for up to 20 guests! There is also a sleepover package if you want to continue the celebration fun through the night. The sleepover package includes all the activities in the daytime party package plus an outdoor movie in the Pavilion for 6 to 10 guests. You can add on party enhancements such as picnic basket meals, a taco bar, make your own trail mix activity and birthday cakes. Prices for various party packages can be found here. Ice Bucket Pond: On the property, right next to the Pavilions (and in front of the Crook Brook Cabin) is a small pond called the Ice Bucket. The Ice Bucket is a spring fed and is 10 feet deep. The name should give you a hint about the water temp! The Pond can be used during birthday parties and special events or if you are a guest staying on the property. There are canoes and a floating dock which can be used to relax while floating around the pond (although I think kids use it as a moving diving platform!). They are trying to restore the ecosystem in the Ice Bucket Pond so they installed a fountain to discourage algae growth and plan to restock the pond with native fish. Overnight Stays: If you want to extend your stay in nature, Brookledge has several options to accommodate many comfort levels. A recent guest told Helen that Brookledge was the perfect solution for a weekend getaway for her and her husband and he wanted to be out in nature, but she is more of a luxury hotel kind of girl. She found Brookledge to be the perfect compromise because he could be out exploring and communing with nature while she relaxed in the beautifully decorated cabin with her book and a glass of wine! The accommodations may or may not have running water, heat and do not have bathrooms or showers, so you definitely still feel like your are "roughing it" even while enjoying comfortable beds and lodging. If you are interested in reserving any of the available accommodations you can do so on Airbnb or VRBO. Crook Brook Cabin: Crook Brook Cabin is a rustic cabin located right next to the Pavilions and sits up from the Ice Bucket Pond. It comfortably accommodates 4 people with the custom made queen bunk bed. The cabin includes linens, dishes, a sink with hot water, a ceiling fan, a grill, a microwave and a mini fridge. There is a TV that is equipped with a working VCR so you can really experience a time warp and watch some VHS movies. There are no bathrooms or showers in the cabin, but outhouses and bath houses with restored showers from the original camp are a close walking distance. The Crook Brook Cabin has a distinct 70's vibe which was intentionally done to reflect the property's girl's camp history in the 1970s. The VCR/VHS tapes, brown and gold patterned stoneware dishes, art work made by the girls when the camp was operational which was recovered from the cabins, and the childhood favorite boardgames that can be played out on the patio in the evening all contribute to a magical childhood throwback feeling that mixes perfectly with the outdoor environment. The Cottage: While I loved the Crook Brook Cabin, I have to admit the Cottage blew me away. The Cottage is a little more remote making it perfect for a romantic getaway or a solo retreat. It sits high above the babbling Crook Brook Creek on top of large boulders giving it fantastic views from the balcony. The inside has been impeccably renovated and tastefully decorated by Helen. The remote controlled candle lighting provides a relaxing vibe. There is an outhouse right outside the door, but the bath house for showers is a bit of a walk. The stroll down to the bath house is beautiful, so I don't think any one really minds. There is no electricity, but there is a large battery charger that accommodates cell phone chargers and plugs so you won't be stranded. There is a portable heater to keep you warm as the temperatures drop at night. Outside on the balcony there are rocking chairs looking out over the Creek and the forest. Down the steps there is a campfire spot with several chairs. A few steps away, a hammock hangs from two trees right next to the Creek creating a perfect nap spot. I'm not a girl who generally likes to rough it, but I would definitely be excited to stay in this cozy Cottage! Glamping Tents: They weren't ready last summer, but next summer Brookledge will offer a new experience! They have built two platforms for large tents that will provide guests a glamping opportunity. The tents will be available to reserve from April to November. The tents will be located steps from the Ice Bucket Pond in an open area where the girls used to have their camp singalongs. The two tents will be named "Woodstock" and "Snoopy" paying homage to the names of the camp buses used to transport the girls to camp from Schenectady back in the day! Love that! The tents will be placed on wooden platforms lifting them off the ground and I am sure Helen will have them outfitted in perfect "glamping" style when they open next spring. Tree House Lodge: The Tree House Lodge is currently being renovated so I don't have any current pictures, but by next summer it will be available for short term rental or for events. There will be a large living space with a room that will sleep two. There will be stairs up to a loft area (hence the "Tree House" name) that will be geared towards children with books and toys. Once it if finished and available for reserving, the website will contain more information about the specific accommodations. Don't Miss This Hidden Gem! Check out the Brookledge website here for more details about this special place. If you have a special event coming up, I would highly recommend considering this venue. The natural beauty is breathtaking and the care and attention the Christophers are giving to retain the spirit and history of the place makes it even more special. Brookledge is already amazing and they are just getting started. I can't wait to see what else they do with this property and watch their dream come to life! I plan to return in the Spring to see the progress and to update you all on what you can expect if you visit Brookledge next spring/summer

When visiting a foreign country, you know things will be different from where you are coming from. Obviously you anticipate the big differences such as language, currency, and general culture. But it is actually the little differences that can catch you off guard and make your adventure in a new place feel uncomfortable. On my recent trip to Italy, I experienced several of these surprises so I compiled a list of some things you should be aware of before heading to Italy (and some of them may also apply to other destinations in Europe). Hopefully knowing these tips ahead of time will help you prepare so your travels will go smoothly and you can just enjoy the beauty of Italy with no surprises. Here are some insider tips (in no particular order): When dining at a restaurant, you will not get free tap water with your meal. If you want water you will have to buy it by the bottle (about €1,50 to €2 per bottle). You can get acqua natural (still) or acqua frizzante (sparkling). Restaurants charge a "coperto" per person which is a service charge for the table and generally includes the bread that is served before the meal. The coperto can range from €1- €7 per person, so it can add up quickly. The coperto charged will depend on the restaurant and is usually indicated on the menu found outside the restaurant. Be sure to check this out before dining so you aren't surprised by the additional charge when you get the bill. Tipping is not required, nor should it be expected because of the coperto mentioned above. However, if you receive exceptional service and would like to tip it is always appreciated. Dinner in Italy is generally late so plan accordingly if you like to eat on the early side. Have a snack to tide you over. Dinner is usually served around 8 to 9 pm and even as late as 10 pm in the summer months. Don't plan to eat and run. Italians like to enjoy their meals leisurely and the waiters will expect you want to do the same. The waiters will wait for an indication that you are ready for your bill. I am not generally a lingerer after eating and I would get antsy trying to get the waiter's attention to grab the bill. This was a challenging difference for me, but helped me get better at just relaxing and enjoying the evening. When you order a pizza it will not come cut into slices. You order an individual pizza and then cut into slices to fold and eat. Also, NEVER ask for pineapple on your pizza in Italy. They consider that a culinary offense! DON"T ask for Alfredo sauce in Italy. I was advised by a server that Alfredo sauce is not an Italian creation, but an American one. If Alfredo is on the menu, the restaurant is most likely a tourist trap catering to Americans and not a place for you to get authentic Italian cuisine. The server also said that excessive use of garlic in Italian dishes is also an American thing and not representative of authentic Italian dishes. Finally, unless the server asks if you would like Parmesan cheese on your dish don't ask. In Italy, Parmesan is only added to a few specific dishes. Putting Parmesan on top of every Italian meal is also an American thing. Who knew? Most shops and restaurants will close mid-afternoon for "riposo", a mid-day siesta from about 1-4 pm. Some shops will stay open and it may be a good time to browse with less crowds, but in the smaller Italian towns most stores and restaurants will be closed during this time so plan accordingly. Maybe be like the Italians and take your own riposo! When in Rome... Accommodations will charge an additional city tax per person per night of stay. This will be paid at the end of your stay and must be paid in Euros, so plan to have Euros on hand to make this payment. The amount of the tax will depend on the location and the type of accommodation. Most hotels and Airbnbs will clearly state what the city tax is and how much will be due at check out. There are public restrooms around, but there is a fee to use them. You will have to pay 50 cents to €1 to access the bathroom so make sure you have spare change on you in case you need to use the public restrooms while you are out and about! You can use your credit card for most purchases. When asked if you want to pay in Euros or dollars, pick Euros. This allows your bank to pick the exchange rate and will be a better option for you. I always wait to get Euros until I get to the country and then withdraw from the ATM at the airport when I get off the plane or from a recognized bank ATM once I check into my hotel. Again, you will need Euros for the city tax and public restrooms, but may also want to pay in Euros for smaller purchases you make. I don't suggest getting a large amount as most places take credit cards and you don't want to have to exchange a large amount back if you don't use it all. You can always get more out if you spend all you initially take out. Keep your passport and valuable close to you with a front facing fanny pack or bag. I have never had a problem personally, but everyone talks about what a big problem pick-pocketing is in crowded European cities so I take every precaution. I keep everything in a small zipped back that hangs in front of me so I always have eyes on it. If you are visiting Italy in the summer, it can be very hot and you will want to be wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts. However, keep in mind that if you wish to enter some of the beautiful cathedrals you will need to be dressed appropriately. This means no bare shoulders and shorts and skirts must be knee-length. Although you may see some tourists who slip by not following these rules, they are usually very strictly enforced and you may be refused entry. If you are using bus transportation to get around, know that buying the ticket on the bus will be more expensive and sometimes is not even an option. You can buy bus tickets at ticket machines or at nearby Tobaccheria shops (you will see a sign by the door indicating they sell bus tickets). If you use the local trains to get around, MAKE SURE TO VALIDATE YOUR TRAIN TICKET BEFORE YOU GET ON THE TRAIN! This is an important tip and not very well publicized. Failure to validate your ticket at the green and yellow machines in the train station (to provide a time and date stamp) will result in a hefty fine. The ticket takers on the train won't care that you didn't know you had to validate, they will issue you the fine which can be around €50! And finally... PACK LIGHT...I MEAN IT!!!! If you follow me, you know I have a packing problem. Meaning I can't pack lightly and only bring a carry on. I have never regretted this issue more than when I was traveling in Europe. Between the cobblestone streets, the narrow staircases up to some of the Airbnbs we stayed at, and the steep hills we had to walk up to get to the center of town from the ferry, I was cursing myself that I had such a big (and heavy suitcase). Nothing says you are an American tourist more than lugging a huge suitcase around from place to place. If you take nothing else from this blog, try to pack as light as possible in a small carry on suitcase. You will thank me! Hopefully these tips will help you to avoid any unexpected surprises when you get to Italy! That way you can just relax and enjoy all of the sights and experiences Italy has to offer. You are in for a trip of a lifetime!

Let's face it, as much fun as it is to travel, it can be a lot for anyone. Flight delays or cancellations, weather struggles, hauling luggage from place to place, cranky travel partners...just being out of your normal environment, all of these things can exhaust you and interfere with your vacation enjoyment. Add to all of that a physical or health limitation and it makes things even more difficult. However, if you love to travel like I do, you don't want to miss out on seeing the world. The good news is you don't have to if you plan your trips taking into consideration your limitations and figuring out ways to work around the obstacles. This information is also valuable if you travel with someone with Lupus or some other health condition that may impact your plans. My Lupus Story I was diagnosed with Lupus in 2015. Lupus is a systematic autoimmune disease in which the body's defense system mistakenly attacks healthy organs and tissue in the body. It affects joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, lungs and sometimes even the heart and brain. I am fortunate that my Lupus has not been particularly aggressive, but I still struggle from time to time with flares of the disease. My flares are generally mild and include symptoms such as fatigue, muscle weakness, and joint pain. While sometimes flares just happen without any warning, there are certain things that will definitely trigger a flare. I have had flares on vacation and it is a huge bummer! I have learned through trial and error what things to avoid or watch out for. However, sometimes I like to forget I have to deal with limitations of Lupus and am not as careful. I always pay the price. Unfortunately, some of the things that can cause me to have a Lupus flare are things that are common with travel (stress, intense sun, lots of walking/activity). As eliminating travel from my life is not something I want to do, I have learned (and am still learning) what I need to do when I travel so that I don't ruin my trip or have a long recovery when I get home (as I just experienced upon returning from my most recent trip to Italy). These tips and recommendations would also be helpful to anyone dealing with any other type of autoimmune disease that involves flares of fatigue, muscle weakness and joint pain (which is most of them!). Lupus Travel Tips Make sure your travel companions understand your disease and your limitations. Let your travel companions know ahead of time about how you need to take care of yourself and what could happen if you don't. Also, let them know if you feel you are pushing your limits. This communication will make them more understanding when you need to take a break, need to bow out of an activity or start to not feel well. When I did the AMA Waterways Riverboat Cruise with my friends, I had to skip an excursion and went to bed early a few nights. They understood and were supportive because they wanted to me to feel good going forward! Don't push yourself too hard and do take frequent breaks. This ties into the first tip and is one that I have a hard time with. I am so excited to explore when I get to a new place that I like to go, go, go so I can fit everything in. Even though my girls were constantly checking in on me on our last trip to the Amalfi Coast, I kept saying I was fine and continued on full steam ahead. To be honest, I was hanging in there and doing ok, but I should know better and know that if I push myself too hard it is going to catch up with me. I did have a flare towards the end of the trip and also caught a virus on the way home that really got a hold of me because I had let my body get so run down. My immune system was shot and the virus wreaked havoc on me for a full month after I got back! Lesson learned (I hope), but it is easy to forget when you are excited to be traveling and exploring the world. It is important to pace yourself throughout the day and take frequent breaks to rest and hydrate. Schedule rest days in your itinerary. When planning your vacation itinerary, be sure to schedule rest days or relaxing activities after days that require more exertion or lots of time in the sun. I didn't do a great job at this on our last trip to Italy. It was a little more difficult as we were moving from spot to spot and so we tried to see and do as much as we could in each area. Looking back, there were a couple of very strenuous days in a row that required significant time in the intense sun. It was shortly after that I started feeling the beginning of a flare. If I had to do it over, I would have split those days up and scheduled something low key in between. Don't be afraid to sit out certain events. This one is hard, but sometimes necessary. If you aren't feeling great or if you have had a lot of sun exposure or exertion already, it is a good idea to stay back and take care of yourself. I am getting better at this and will definitely stay back at the hotel to take a nap or do something low key. I may have occasional bouts of FOMO, but it's better to choose when I want to miss out rather than being forced to miss much more if a major flare up happens because I didn't properly rest. Limit sun exposure and ALWAYS use sunscreen. Sun exposure can trigger Lupus flares. I have personally experienced many flares after too much sun. I used to love beach vacations, but those are a thing of the past for me. Multiple days with hours on the beach spell disaster for me and for most people with Lupus. However, even when you take different types of vacations exploring different parts of the world, it is easy to get caught out in the sun for extended periods. That is why it is important to always apply sunscreen and wear protective clothing regardless of your plans so you are always protected from intense UV rays. Again, this is a lesson I continue to learn. I often forget the sunscreen and don't properly anticipate the amount of sun exposure I will get when planning certain activities. It happened in Italy and I paid the price with a flare (which is why I skipped the beach day even though I had planned to sit under an umbrella). Learn from my mistakes and ALWAYS apply sunscreen in the morning before you head out and bring a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face from excessive sun. But limiting sun exposure shouldn't stop you from doing fun things. You just need to adjust expectations and think of creative solutions. We really wanted to do a boat tour around Capri, so I just made sure to stay under the shade canopy on the boat most of the time and we had a blast! Rest a few days before your trip to conserve energy and go into vacation feeling rested. Often we are so busy and stressed trying to get ready to go on vacation, that we start out already in a deficit. If we are traveling to a different time zone, we may also be dealing with jet lag. Taking steps to conserve energy before you leave and having a plan to deal with anticipated jet lag will help you start out feeling energized rather than already fatigued before you even get started! Try to eat healthy, anti-inflammatory foods when you can to keep inflammation down (of course make sure to also enjoy ALL the local foods you want to try...you are on vacation after all!). Disclaimer: The food below is not necessarily anti-inflammatory, but it was certainly delicious! Bolognese from Chez Black in Positano and it was the best bolognese I've ever had! Pack all your medications for managing flares in your carry-on bag and bring extra in case of delays getting home. I have a once a week injection that needs to be refrigerated and would have to be cleared to travel with, so I generally don't take this with me. So far it hasn't caused me too much trouble skipping a dose while I am away. However, you should always talk with your doctor before deciding whether or not to skip medication when you are away. I have several other oral medications that I bring to ward off any joint pain or other frustrating symptoms. I always make sure to bring enough for the days I plan to be away plus extra in case I run into travel difficulties on my way home. Also, I ALWAYS put my medication in my carry-on bag so there are no problems if me and my checked luggage take different routes to our destination. Try to travel during off-peak times to reduce exposure to crowds and reduce time standing around to get into popular tourist sites. My favorite times to travel are the "shoulder" seasons...that travel period between peak and off-peak seasons. Generally this is in Spring and Fall which is why I mostly plan my big trips in May or September. Not only do I usually get lower rates but I still get the nice weather. And, most importantly (especially for this blog), the crowds are significantly reduced. As a person with a compromised immune system I try to avoid large crowds as much as possible (although it is not possible to avoid them all time) and reduce the extended waiting periods standing in the hot sun surrounded by hundreds of people. Aside from health benefits it also makes my trip much more enjoyable! Plan a day or two of complete rest once you get home. Unfortunately, my one or two days turned into a month after my last trip since I got so run down and got sick. Under normal conditions, I always plan to take a day or two to chill out when I get home so I can regroup and rest up before reentry into real life. Lupus (and other autoimmune conditions) can certainly impact how and where you travel, but a little planning and awareness of how you (or your travel companion) are feeling while you are on vacation can go a long way to preventing a flare! Hopefully these tips can help you stay energized and healthy as you explore the world. Maybe someday we will cross paths on our adventures! Cheers!

When planning a trip to the Amalfi Coast, all the big names pop up. Positano, Capri, Amalfi, Sorrento. Of course, all of these places are extraordinary and have their own unique beauty that cannot be missed while you are on the Amalfi Coast. But I want to let you in on a hidden gem we discovered on our trip. Ravello is a hilltop village sitting 1200 feet above the Mediterranean that offers a glimpse into thousands of years of history and some captivating views of the Amalfi Coast. Ravello turned out to be one of my favorite stops on our trip! Getting to Ravello: Ravello is high above the coast so getting there requires some planning. There are three ways to get to Ravello: WALK: If you are really fit, you can walk (or basically climb stairs) from Amalfi. We chose to get transportation up to Ravello and walk back down to Atrani/Amalfi and I can report that even the downhill trek is challenging. There are A LOT of steps (apparently approximately 1700!) and steep decline so I can't imagine doing it the other way up to the top! But if you are looking for some intense exercise on your vacation you do have the option to walk to Ravello. BUS: We had hoped to take the bus up to Ravello as it is the cheapest and most convenient option. If the buses are operating, this is the option you should choose. A bus leaves from Amalfi about once an hour and the ride is about 20 minutes. Ticket prices are less than 2 Euro (either one way or round trip), but you may want to consider a Special Ticket which gives unlimited rides on the SITA buses around the coast for 24 hours from the time of first validation. If you are exploring several different areas this may be the best option for you. Check here for ticket options and pricing. Unfortunately, the day we wanted to go to Ravello, the buses weren't operating, so we had to take a taxi. TAXI: Taking a taxi to Ravello is the most expensive option and was even more expensive for us as the buses were not operating. The Italian taxi drivers took advantage of the limited transportation options and were charging 60 Euros for a one way trip up to Ravello! At first we declined and contemplated walking up (but on our trip down I realized that plan would have lasted about 5 minutes before we turned around because the uphill climb was too difficult!). I really, really wanted to visit Ravello based on my pre-trip research so I bit the bullet and paid the outrageous taxi fee. All I can say is I don't regret it! As I said, Ravello was one of my favorite stops of our trip so I am so glad we decided to go despite the transportation difficulties. If the buses are operating, the fare for a taxi ride up to Ravello would probably be a bit more reasonable so it is an option if riding a crowded bus up a twisting mountain road doesn't sound appealing to you. What to Do in Ravello: Walk Around the Piazza and Surrounding Streets: Ravello has lots to explore in an afternoon. We arrived mid-morning on a Sunday and it was very quiet. We grabbed some breakfast and sat in the Piazza Vescovado looking out over the mountainside with the historic Duomo as our backdrop. The Duomo, which was built in the 11th century, serves as the spiritual and social hub of Ravello. After our breakfast we walked around the streets of Ravello and took in historic architecture and browsed the beautiful ceramic shops. Commune with the Village Cats: One of our favorite things about Ravello was the number of village cats roaming around. We are cat lovers and were missing our kitties at home so this was a nice surprise. There was a black cat named Natari that is the official cat of Ravello and we were enchanted by her. We saw her actually jogging along side one of the residents of Ravello who told us of her official status. In addition to Natari, there were several other friendly cats and the girls had to stop and meet each one! Visit Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone: Ravello is especially known for the beautiful villas and gardens that look out over the Mediterranean providing unbelievable views of the Amalfi Coast. There are two main villas that you should see on your visit to Ravello. Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone are both incredible and provide completely different experiences so I highly recommend checking out both of them. Villa Rufolo sits right off the main Piazza. Villa Rufolo was built by a wealthy merchant family in the 13th century and at one time was one of the largest and most expensive villas on the Amalfi Coast. It's beautiful gardens are a popular attraction and Villa Rufolo is the host of annual summer concerts featuring piano concerts, chamber music and a grand orchestral performance on a stage jutting out over the Mediterranean Sea and the Amalfi Coast creating a breath-taking backdrop for the musical performance. Villa Rufolo opens at 9:00 am and tickets are €7. Depending on how long you linger it takes about an hour to walk through the Villa and the gardens. Villa Cimbrone is a short walk (about 10 minutes) from the main Piazza. Villa Cimbrone itself is private 5-star hotel, but tourists can (and should!) visit the Villa Cimbrone Gardens. Villa Cimbrone was built in the 11th century, but was extensively renovated by a British nobleman in the early 20th century. On the Garden grounds there is a crypt, cloister, various statues and other artwork, and the famous Terrace of Infinity where you can grab that Instagrammable photo! The Terrace of Infinity sits high above the coastline and is lined with white marble busts creating a unique and breathtaking spot to take in the views and grab a photo. The cost of admission to the Villa Cimbrone Gardens is €7 and again will probably take around an hour to explore the grounds. Grab a Bite to Eat: There are several places to eat in Ravello and I am sure they are all great. We stopped at Ristorante Villa Maria, a charming spot we passed on our way back from Villa Cimbrone. What a great find! The view from the terrace was spectacular, the food was excellent and the spritzes were refreshing. The perfect ending to our time in Ravelllo! Heading Back Down to Atrani: After our delicious lunch, we began the journey down to Atrani. It was downhill, but it was still challenging due to the steepness and the THOUSANDS of stairs. If your knees and stamina are up for it, I would still recommend it because the views were amazing! If you are in the mood for a more relaxing day, you can catch the bus or take a taxi back down. Here are some shots from our trip down to Atrani, a small fishing village right next to Amalfi. SIDE NOTE: If you are looking for some beach time, my girls highly recommend the Atrani beach. It is just a short walk from Amalfi and it was a lot less crowded. It was a free public beach, they just needed to bring towels. Don't Miss This Hidden Gem! A day in Ravello should definitely be on your itinerary. You will find a charming, historic village that will give you a break from the crowds at the more known Amalfi Coast spots, incredible views and a kitty fix if you are a cat lover! Ravello is a precious hidden gem on the Amalfi Coast so make sure you don't miss it!

One of the main draws to the Amalfi Coast is the amazing scenery of jagged cliffs towering over turquoise blue water. Imagine taking in that scenery from the top of those cliffs! You won't have to imagine it if you hike the Path of the Gods (or Il Sentiero deli Dei in Italian). The Path of the Gods has been called one of the best hikes in the world and it's easy to see why when you take in the heavenly views of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Amalfi Coast. If you are visiting the Amalfi Coast, the Path of the Gods is a MUST do! Be sure to set aside a day to do the hike ending in Positano where you can take a refreshing dip in the water and grab a delicious meal at one of the many Positano restaurants. Sounds like a perfect vacation day to me! Path of the Gods Basics: The Path of the Gods runs between the mountainside village of Bomerano and the famous beach town of Positano. You can hike either direction, but it is highly recommended to start in Bomerano and head towards Nocelle/Positano. The reason for this recommendation is that there is a more strenuous uphill climb if you start in Positano, but also, and maybe more important, is that leaving from Bomerano keeps all of the jaw-dropping views in front of you as you make your way along the path. The Path of the Gods trail is approximately 4.7 miles (one-way). It is a moderately difficult hike (if you are a regular hiker). It may be a little more challenging if you don't hike that often or if you have knee issues or other health challenges. I have Lupus and I was able to do it. I just paced myself and took breaks when I needed to. I did start to get tired at the end, but I managed. I am so glad I did it because the experience was amazing! Here is a picture of some of the more challenging downhill sections (and there are some similar uphill sections as well) so you can decide for yourself if it is something you can handle keeping in mind your own limitations. It takes about 2-4 hours to complete depending on how fast you hike and how often you stop to take in the views (which will be often!). Because it is mostly along an exposed cliffside trail, it is best to start early. The sun can be intense. Also, don't forget the sunscreen like I did or you will definitely get a sunburn. Related to the intense sun/heat, make sure to bring some water with you. You may also want to bring some snacks. We didn't worry about it because we had just had breakfast and thought it would only be a couple of hours, but I really wish I had brought water and snacks with me! My daughter Taylor was smart and had her water bottle and was nice enough to share with her unprepared mother. There are some stores in the town of Agerola (where you get off the bus) to pick up supplies. DO IT! There are no bathroom facilities along the path so make sure to take care of business before you head out. As you get to Nocelle, there is a small place to get something to drink and go to the bathroom, but that is not until the end. Make sure to wear sturdy shoes. There are lots of smooth trails along the way, but there are also plenty of areas that require walking along rocky paths and climbing up or down rocky hillsides. Getting to the Path of the Gods Trailhead in Bomerano: As it is highly recommended to start the Path of the Gods in Bomerano and walk towards Nocelle/Positano, that is what we did and that is what I will talk about here. We were staying in the town of Amalfi so we were already where we needed to be to catch the bus up to the Path of the Gods. If you are staying elsewhere, you will need to get transportation (taxi, bus, ferry) to Amalfi. From Amalfi, you will catch the SITA bus up to Agerola. A couple of things to know about catching the SITA bus: You CANNOT buy tickets on the bus or at a ticket window. You must buy tickets at a tobacco shop. In Amalfi there is a tobacco shop right across the street from the bus stop where you can purchase your tickets. The bus that you need to catch to get to Bomerano will be the "Agerola" bus. You will get off at Agerola and then follow signs that will take you to the hamlet of Bomerano and the trail head for the Path of the Gods. It was a little confusing to figure out where to catch the Agerola bus. In Amalfi, all the buses just kind of line up in this area and people start gathering. We had to ask around to find our fellow Path of the Gods people. We all kind of stood around until someone figured out that the Agerola bus was loading on the other side. Going back to my first recommendation above, some people that had been standing in line had to then get off the bus and go buy tickets at the tobacco shop and almost missed the bus altogether (and they certainly didn't get a seat!). So make sure to buy your bus ticket first. I would show up for the bus a half an hour before the scheduled departure because the line will get long (as you can see in the picture above) and if you don't make the bus you will have to wait for the next one which may be a lot later! The bus ride up to Agerola/Bomerano is exciting in itself as the roads along the Amalfi Coast are narrow and winding. If you can get a seat by a window you can get great views of the scenery and scary views of the traffic! Hiking the Path of the Gods: The Path of the Gods hike goes along a cliff-side trail and winds in and around and through the beautiful landscape of the Amalfi Coast. After the bus ride to Agerola takes you up, up, up the mountain, you start the hike perched high atop the coastline. You walk through hillside lemon groves, old stone house ruins, meadows, and patches of forest. I should note that if you are afraid of heights, this may not be a hike for you as there are several spots where the trail narrows and there is a steep drop off (with no railings). I overheard a fellow hiker expressing anxiety about his fear of heights while on the trail. The first half of the hike from Bomerano is relatively flat. The second half gets more challenging with some significant inclines, cliff drop trails and rocky paths. Luckily there are several places you will want to stop and take in the breath-taking views so you will have time to catch your breath. The sights you can see from this vantage point will make you forget your aching knees and tired legs (well maybe not totally, but in any event it is well worth the pain). The path is generally clearly marked so you will know where to go. There are usually many other people on the trail so you will be able to follow them if you have any questions. It is great to chat with fellow hikers when you stop to take in the views. You will generally see the same groups of people as you all keep stopping and passing each other along the way. Once you get to Nocelle, you will see a small rustic cafe where you can grab a cold drink and go to the restroom. From this café in Nocelle, follow signs to catch a bus down to Positano (which is what we did) or you can descend more than 1500 steps if you want to walk all the way down to Positano. We took the bus option, but we still had to walk a bit from the bus stop down to Positano. It was a beautiful walk with great views of the iconic Positano hillside scenery. Once you arrive in Positano you can grab something to eat (because you will have worked up quite an appetite). We chose to eat at the famous Chez Black. All of the rave reviews are accurate. They have great gluten free options as well. I went with the basic bolognese, but it was anything but basic! I will do a future blog about spending an afternoon in Positano and the dining experience at Chez Black, but wanted to mention it here because it was such a treat after an awesome day of hiking! Chez Black is very popular so I suggest making a reservation. Here is the Chez Black site to check out the menu and make your reservation. If someone asked me what they should do if they could only do ONE thing while on the Amalfi Coast, hiking the Path of the Gods would be tied with a boat tour around Capri. Both of these things were amazing experiences and highlights of our trip. Hopefully you don't have to pick only one thing and you have time in your schedule to do both. The Path of the Gods is heavenly and should definitely not be missed!

Tucked away off the hustle and bustle of Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs, is a peaceful haven of tranquility called Yoga Mandali. Yoga Mandali is a yoga studio providing a wide range of classes, teacher trainings, workshops, kirtans and other special events. It has been voted Best Yoga Studio by The Saratogian, Saratoga Today and Capital Region Living. I can personally say it was instrumental in my healing following my divorce. Yoga Mandali provided me a community, a way to heal my mind and my body and a peaceful retreat to just BREATHE. But you don't need to live in Saratoga Springs to enjoy a class at Yoga Mandali. Drop ins are always welcome! If you want to continue your yoga practice while you are away, or if you just need to decompress after an exciting day at the track, Yoga Mandali is here for you. The Studio Space: Yoga Mandali is located right on Broadway right smack in the middle of downtown Saratoga Springs. The studio is on the second floor of the Saratoga Marketplace. A sign outside of the door directs you up a set of stairs that take you to a beautiful space above all the activity happening on Broadway below. There are two different rooms where classes occur and a store for all of your yoga and meditation needs. The main yoga room, pictured above, has beautiful arched windows, an abundance of plants and candles and plenty of room to provide the perfect space to find your zen. During the summer, they also offer rooftop classes which is a nice option and is really enjoyable. Yoga Classes, Workshops and Special Events: Yoga Mandali offers a variety of classes and can accommodate all yogis from beginners to more advanced. They also offer classes in different types of yoga so you can expand your practice by incorporating Vinyasa, Kripalu, Yin and Restorative classes. Yoga Mandali provides Pre-Natal and Post-Natal classes for new mothers. Yoga Mandali's website provides a great description of the various types of yoga, recommendations of specific classes based on ability level from beginner to advanced, and a weekly schedule of classes. Check out that information here. I love to incorporate Yin and Restorative Yoga with the traditional Vinyasa practice. Doing these classes on a regular basis has noticeably improved my flexibility and has reduced some of those aches and pains that tend to increase with each birthday. In addition to weekly yoga classes, Yoga Mandali offers a wide variety of special events and workshops. These events are open to the public and are a great addition to a regular yoga practice. Upcoming special events include a Full Spectrum Healing Chakra Series, Introduction to Ashtanga Yoga, Womens's Circle: A Journey to Self Healing and Unwinding Your Fascinating Fascia. There are many other upcoming events in a wide-range of topics. A description of all upcoming events and to register, click here. As mentioned above, Yoga Mandali also offers teacher training for those interested in becoming a yoga teacher. They are constantly offering different certification courses for current or future yoga teachers to complete their training. Information on those trainings can be found on their website. Pricing: Price for a drop in class is $20 ($15 with student ID). Local Saratoga residents get their first class FREE! There are a variety of other pricing plans including 5 and 10 class packages and monthly unlimited passes. They also offer unlimited class yearly memberships which include additional perks like monthly guest passes, discounts on store merchandise and discounts on special events and workshops. If you are visiting from out of town, they also offer an unlimited weekly pass. Check out all the different pricing packages here. Yoga Mandali is one of my favorite things about living in Saratoga Springs. If you live nearby, I encourage you to check it out. Your body and mind will thank you! If you are just visiting, be sure to include a class (or two or three) in your itinerary. Again, your body and mind will thank you! I personally recommend a Yin or Restorative class for a relaxing and rejuvenating experience. Namaste.

The weather is getting warmer, flowers are blooming and horses are back training on the Oklahoma Track. That only means one thing...Saratoga horse racing season is just around the corner! There is nothing like the horse racing season in Saratoga Springs. If you have experienced it before, you are probably anxious to come back. If you haven't gotten the chance to be in Saratoga while the horses are racing, you will want to add it to your bucket list. This blog will give you the important information about the 2023 Saratoga track season, including the 2023 racing schedule, so you can start making your plans! Saratoga Race Track 2023 Schedule: Saratoga race season typically runs from Mid July through Labor Day. Race days are Wednesday through Sunday with dark days (no racing) on Mondays and Tuesdays. Here are some of the highlights of the 2023 schedule: Opening Day: July 13 Whitney Day: August 5 Alabama Day: August 19 RunHappy Travers Day: August 26 Last Day of the Season: Labor Day-September 4 There will also be several giveaway days mixed in throughout the season. The giveaway days have not been scheduled yet. I will update the above schedule to highlight those once they are set. Past years' giveaways have been baseball caps, umbrellas, picnic blankets and t-shirts. There are always fun, quality products on giveaway days so, if you can be at the track on one of those days you should plan to! 2023 Ticket Prices and Seating Options: General Admission: The 2023 meet will feature one General Admission price for all fans, eliminating the traditional two-tiered pricing system for the Clubhouse and Grandstand. For the first time, one admission price will grant access to the Clubhouse and the Grandstand. The General Admission ticket prices for the 2023 season will be $7 per ticket if purchased at least 24 hours in advance and $10 if purchased on the day of the race. Note that for RunHappy Travers Day, General Admission tickets will be $25 per ticket purchased at least 24 hours in advance and $30 if purchased on Travers Day, while supplies last. Reserved Seating: If you wish to reserve a seat in the historic Victorian Grandstand, you can do that through Ticketmaster.com and there will be an additional charge. Single-day reserved seat tickets will be available beginning May 8. Weekly seat reservations are available now. Reserved Tables: Formal Table Reservations: There are two options for formally reserving tables for a day at the track. First, you can reserve an inside table at the Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar in the lower carousel. There are over 80 2-seat, 4-seat and 6-seat tables available for reservation. Each reservation is subject to a $10 food and beverage minimum per person. Personal coolers and outside food and beverages are not allowed in the Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar (with the exception of on-track concessions). Single day reservations will be available Wednesday, May 17 at 10:00 through Ticketmaster.com. The second option is to reserve picnic tables in the Pick Six Picnic Paddock. There are over 100 picnic tables next to the paddock that are set aside for paid advance reservation. Personal coolers are allowed in the Pick Six Picnic Paddock, but additional tents, chairs, and umbrellas are not. Single day reservations will be available Wednesday, May 17 at 10:00 through Ticketmaster.com. Informal Table Reservations: Saratoga Race Track has some informal reservation traditions that are generally recognized by regular track visitors. Bench seats are reserved by placing a program or newspaper on the chair. Picnic tables that are not available for formal reservation are generally "claimed" by placing a table cloth over the table. The picnic tables go fast and people usually send a representative in early to go claim a table right when the track opens (gates generally open at 11:00 am except for Travers Day which has an earlier opening time). Although New York Racing Association is respectful of these informal reservation traditions, NYRA security will not step in to resolve disputes. I generally just get General Admission tickets when I go to the track and wander around from place to place during the day. You can bring foldable chairs and a cooler with drinks and set up a space somewhere on the grounds. I enjoy being right in the middle of all of the action. We usually sit right by the jockey's room so we can see the jockeys up close as they exit the dressing room. They are very accommodating and sign autographs or take pictures with people or kids who ask. This spot is also close to the path where the horses walk on their way to the track, so I like to go to the railing as they walk by to scope out the horse I am thinking of betting on and see if they look like a winner. Once the horses pass by, I then go to the betting window to place my huge $2 bet (generally I bet on the horse to Show-meaning they have to come in at least third to win money-so I have three chances to win). After placing my bet, I walk over to the track and stand by the finish line to cheer on my choice with hundreds of other fans. While waiting for the race to start you will see all the entries parade by and you can watch them being loaded into the gates before the gun goes off. All of these different areas give you a different perspective of the race and add to the excitement. When my parents visited I did reserve seats in the Grandstand for their comfort and ease. I didn't get quite the same experience, but I will say it was very nice to be covered (either from hot sun or inclement weather) and was a more relaxing way to watch the races. Also, we were sitting a little higher so it was nice to be able to see the horses clearly all the way around the track. Wherever you decide to sit for your day at the Saratoga Race Track, you will have a memorable and exciting day! It is an experience unlike any other. Now that you have some of the important dates for the 2023 racing season, you can start making your plans. For more general information about the historic Saratoga Race Track and attending the horse races in Saratoga Springs, check out the NYRA Saratoga website here.

This may be a little known fact, but Saratoga Springs is the main reason I wanted to relocate to New York from Colorado, where my family lives and where I grew up. We came to visit my ex-husband's uncle who lived in Kinderhook, NY and made a side trip up to Saratoga Springs to see one of my ex's childhood friends. I felt an instant connection to the area the second we arrived. That feeling only grew as our friends toured us around the city. My ex-husband grew up in New Hampshire and always wanted to move back east, but I was too attached to Colorado. After visiting Saratoga Springs I told him I could be convinced to move to this area. After a whirlwind of activity, I found myself moving to New York! Unfortunately, my husband's new job was in Voorheesville and the commute from Saratoga would have been too much. So we compromised and settled in Clifton Park. Once I got divorced, I had a strong feeling that I should take the opportunity to move to Saratoga Springs. I am so glad I did. I absolutely love this place. There is some strange connection between me and Saratoga Springs that has finally gotten to play out after all these years. After living here for two years, I have built a strong community and found things about this place that bring me joy on a daily basis. If you haven't been to Saratoga Springs before, I highly recommend planning a trip to check it out soon. Make sure to let me know you are coming and we can enjoy some of my favorite things together! So, without further ado, here are my favorite things about Saratoga Springs (in no particular order): Being able to walk almost everywhere I want to go. Love this part of living in Saratoga Springs! The beautiful historic homes on Union Avenue and North Broadway. They are all throughout the city really, but these two streets really have the "WOW" factor! Shopping on Broadway at all the locally owned stores. Having so many great restaurants to choose from. Being constantly surrounded by the history of the area. Going to the horse races at the historic Saratoga Race Track. Going to the Horseshoe after the horse races for dinner and live music with everyone else who went to the track that day. Having breakfast at the Track to eat trackside while the horses practice for race day. The palpable excitement that energizes Saratoga during track season. Going to Lucy's Bar for their insta-worthy decor (especially at Christmas!) and their constantly changing specialty cocktails. Having a Coconut Margarita on Cantina's rooftop. Going to Dango's to dance to the Refrigerators in the summer. Having breakfast at Sweet Mimi's. Walking the trails at Saratoga Spa State Park. Going to concerts at SPAC, the outdoor amphitheater in the State Park. The rooftop view of Saratoga from the top of Spa City Tavern. Sipping a Gin Gin Fizz at Hamlet and Ghost. Strolling through Congress Park by all of the fountains, springs and statues (as well as the beautiful old carousel). Stopping to watch the horses train at the Oklahoma Race Track on my morning walks. The Saratoga Farmer's Market at High Rock Park. Taking yoga classes at Yoga Mandali. Browsing in the Northshire Bookstore. The towering pine trees lining the road as I drive down Avenue of the Pines. The Salted Carmel chocolate from Saratoga Chocolate Company. The Black Cherry Balsamic Vinaigrette from Saratoga Olive Oil Company. So there you have it! Just a few of my many favorite things about Saratoga Springs. If you love Saratoga Springs and some of your favorites are not on my list, please comment below to add them! s

Are you thinking of planning a girl's getaway but aren't sure where you should go? I highly recommend an AMA Waterways Riverboat Cruise! I just got back from one with my friends and it was the "best trip ever" in the words of my friend Christina. We took the Enchanting Rhine wine cruise that started in Basel, Switzerland and ended in Amsterdam. For a whole week we were treated like queens, drinking fine wine and delicious cocktails and eating delicious chef-prepared meals. We felt very spoiled but kept reminding ourselves that we deserved the pampering after caring for so many others for most of our lives. There were other girl's groups on the cruise including a mother-daughter group, sister groups and other friend groups like us. We all got to know each other and had a fabulous time! The Destinations AMA Waterways has a number of cruises all over the world. Check out all of AMA Waterways cruise options here. We had a hard time choosing which cruise to take because they all sounded amazing! Honestly, it came down to which trip worked best with our schedule. As I noted above, we chose to go on the Enchanting Rhine cruise that started in Basel and ended in Amsterdam with several stops along the way. Our cruise stopped at ports in these locations: Breisach, Germany Strasbourg, France Ludwigshafen, Germany Rüdesheim, Germany Lahnstein, Germany Cologne, Germany At each stop we had the opportunity to get off the ship and take part in excursions in the surrounding area. These excursions are included in the price of your cruise and are not additional cost to you. At each stop there are several different types of excursions to choose from. We could determine how we wanted to experience each stop along the way. The Excursions In addition to having several different types of excursions to choose from, there are also different activity levels offered for each excursion. If you want a leisurely slow pace on the walking tour, you can choose the "Gentle Walker" group. If you want to get your heart rate up, go farther and keep a quicker pace, you can choose the "Active" group. Most people on our cruise were looking for something in the middle so they chose the "Moderate" or "Intermediate" group. We mostly signed up for the "Active" group excursions and it was perfect. For an example of the various excursion options offered at each stop on our cruise, check out the AMA itinerary here. Below is a quick summary of each excursion we chose. I will do more detailed blogs on each stop of the cruise soon so if you are planning your own Europe trip you can decide if you want to include any of these locations in your plans. But for now, here is an overview: Riquewihr, France: At the first stop in Breisach, Germany, we took a bus to take a guided walking tour of the town of Riquewihr, France. This actually turned out to be one of my favorite stops on the cruise. The quaint town of Riquewihr is located on the Alsace Wine Route in eastern France. Entering the center of the town is like taking a step back in time. Riquewihr looks essentially like it did during the 16th century. It is one of the few European towns that did not sustain any damage during WWII. Cobblestone streets lined with half-timber houses make you feel you have entered another century. Grape growing and wine making are the main industries in this area and we got the chance to taste some locally made wines. So good! Strasbourg, France: Strasbourg, France is the capital of the Grand Est region and sits on the border with Germany. Strasbourg is the seat of the European Parliament and houses the European Court of Human Rights. It is also an ENESCO World Heritage site with many interesting things to see, including the La Petite France district which is a medieval section of the city with cobblestone streets lined with traditional half-timber houses. The Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg is an impressive gothic cathedral with amazing stained glass windows and an astronomical clock that puts on a show every hour. Ludwigshafen/Heidelberg: On Day 4 we docked at Ludwigshafen, Germany and took a bus into Heidelberg to visit Schloss Heidelberg (otherwise known as Heidelberg Castle). The Heidelberg Castle is visited by over 1,000,000 people a year. The first mention of the Castle was in relics from 1225! The Castle was attacked and partially destroyed by the French in the late 17th century. The devastation was completed by lightening strikes in 1764. The Heidelberg Castle has sat in ruins since that time. Some relics from the Castle have been preserved including the larger than life wine barrel that holds 58,000 gallons of wine! Walking through the ruins it is possible to imagine the beauty and elegance of this Castle back in the day. It is nestled in the hills high above the Old Town of Heidelberg and the River Neckar. After touring the Castle ruins, we walked around Old Town Heidelberg and stopped in a local brewpub that brews a beer called Vetter 33 with 33% alcohol! I took a taste, but not really my cup of tea...thank goodness. Rüdesheim, Germany: Day 4 was one of those lucky days when we got two excursions in a day. At night, after sailing from Ludwigshafen to Rüdesheim, we went with everyone on the cruise to a local bar to try a Rüdesheim Coffee. Rüdesheim Coffee is a local specialty combining coffee with the local brandy (Asbach Uralt) and sugar cubes and then flambéing the mixture until it is all dissolved. I am not a big coffee drinker, but I enjoyed this specialty from the region. Unfortunately, we didn't have a lot of time to wander around other parts of Rüdesheim, but it looked like a beautiful little town. It is also known for its grape-growing and wine production, so another great place to stop if you are planning your own little wine tour of the Alsace region! We stayed in Rüdesheim overnight so excursions on Day 5 were in the same location. We chose that day to do a bike ride along the Rhine River and up to a local vineyard. The bike ride was 14 miles and had some fairly steep inclines. I love riding my bike, but am not currently in biking shape so it was a bit challenging! Especially when it started raining/sleeting during the last three miles. I was never so happy to see that Riverboat. Despite the challenge, it was a great experience to ride along the river and amongst the vineyards in the area. Rhine Gorge River Cruising In the afternoon after leaving the Rüdesheim port, we cruised through the Rhine River Gorge which was added as a ENESCO World Heritage site because of its beauty as a cultural landscape (29 castles, multiple vineyards, beautiful riverside towns) and due to its importance in historical European transport. Although the timing of our cruise meant that the weather was a little chilly to sit on the deck of the ship and watch the castles go by, it was still a relaxing afternoon to sit at the front of the boat and take in the views. AMA Waterways gives you a handout that identifies each of the castles you sail by and gives a bit of history as you sail along. Cologne, Germany: Day 6 was a stop in Cologne, Germany where we took a walking tour of the city and went to a tasting of the Kölsch style of beer that originated in Cologne. Kölsch beer is a hybrid between an ale and a lager with a light, crisp taste. A beer may only be called a Kölsch if it is brewed within 50 km zone around Cologne. Currently there are only 13 breweries authorized to brew Kölsch beer. We visited one of those authorized brewers, the Früh brewpub, to experience the Kölsch beer for ourselves. If you know me, you know my beer taste (well, my sister might question the use of that word) runs toward barely beer like Coors Light or Michelob Ultra. However, when in Rome...so I tried the local specialty and actually enjoyed it! In addition to strict laws about the brewing and labeling of Kölsch beer, there are traditions and customs for ordering that you should know before you show up to sample the local specialty. When you arrive, the server will ensure you are provided with the specialty glass that Kölsch beer is served in and place a full beer on a coaster. If your glass is empty and sitting on top of the coaster, they will bring you a fresh one without any further communication. If you are done, you must place the coaster on top of your glass to signal "no more". They will keep track of your tab by hash marking your coaster. If you lose your coaster there will be a fee imposed (could be up to 50 euro!). Amsterdam, Netherlands: The last stop on the cruise was Amsterdam. This is where we started our journey so had already spent a little time here. We planned to spend another day in Amsterdam after the cruise in which we scheduled a tour to Keukenhof Gardens which opened for the season while we were sailing. The excursion options in Amsterdam were a canal cruise and the Gardens. Since we were already planning a trip to Keukenhof we opted for the canal cruise. I highly recommend a canal cruise if you visit Amsterdam. It gives a totally different perspective viewing the city from the water vantage point. The tour guide also provided us with some of the history of Amsterdam. The Daily Sip and Sail Every day on the ship there was a daily Sip and Sail right before dinner. At the Sip and Sail, wine, beer and the Drink of the Day are complimentary. The Drink of the Day was usually something fun like a Lemon Drop, Gin Fizz, or Margarita. We never missed a Sip and Sail! We got free drinks, got to socialize with our new friends and find out about the different excursions that others went on. The Cruise Manager would also gives us the run down of the next day and the various excursions that would be offered. Once it was over everyone would head to dinner for the amazing food! The Food The food on the AMA Waterways Riverboat Cruise was amazing! And that is coming from someone who is extremely picky. My friends were in heaven at every meal trying all of the wonderful creations from the ship's chef. I will say I DID go out of my comfort zone and tried several new things (and even liked what I tried most of the time!). The food selection was so delicious I am going to do a separate short blog just on the culinary experience on the ship, but here are a few pictures of some of the delicious meals we got to eat. It was so luxurious to have chefs cooking for us and attentive waiters serving us for a week. The Nightlife Every night after dinner, everyone would gather in the lounge to socialize and dance. It was the time when everyone on the ship really bonded. We had so much fun hanging with all of our new friends. This is where we really connected with the other women who were on girl's trips as well. It was such a nice addition to have the time to socialize with people who you were getting to know better and better as the week went on. This was definitely one of my favorite parts of the Riverboat Cruise experience! Plan That Girl's Trip with AMA Waterways! If you are thinking of planning a girl's getaway anytime soon, I would highly recommend considering an AMA Waterways Riverboat Cruise. It is certainly a week for your and your Girl Gang to be pampered and cared for by the hard-working staff, have amazing experiences exploring the world, taste delicious food and wines and make new friends from all over. While it may seem expensive, if you consider that the price of the cruise includes all meals for a week cooked by a chef, complimentary local wine and beer at all meals along with specialty cocktails at Sip 'n Sail every night, all excursions, nightly entertainment and memories to last a life time, it actually may not be that much more than another trip where you have to pay for all your meals, drinks and entertainment! It was an amazing experience to have with my close friends and was definitely "the best trip ever!".

I recently got back from my first trip to Amsterdam. I loved it! There is so much to see and do in this city you could spend weeks there and not get bored. However, I only had a few days so I had to be selective with how I spent my time. This blog will highlight things I did in Amsterdam that I really enjoyed. Again, there are many more sights I didn't get a chance to see, but this list will get you started planning your visit to this amazing city! Canal Cruise Amsterdam is known for its extensive canal system that runs throughout the city. There are many different companies that provide cruises on the canals. Our canal cruise was organized through AMA Waterways, so I didn't do a lot of research on the different cruise services. I do know that there are variations in the length of the cruise, whether food and drinks are offered (some include wine and cheese!) and cost. You can walk up and down the canal by the central train station and see the different cruise companies to evaluate your options. Whichever company you choose will provide a lovely view of Amsterdam from the water and the knowledgeable guide will entertain you with interesting stories of Amsterdam's history. This is a must do when in Amsterdam! Ann Frank House Visiting the Ann Frank House is a sobering thing to do, but I couldn't come to Amsterdam and not see it. To actually walk through the Secret Annex where eight people spent two years in a small space hiding from the Nazis is surreal. What they had to endure to survive is incomprehensible and the way their time in hiding ended is heartbreaking. But I believe it is our obligation to remember the horrors that the Frank family and all other Jewish people went through at the hands of the Nazis to make sure nothing like that ever happens again. I will say that visiting the Ann Frank House is also inspiring. Going through the office building and the Secret Annex reminds you of the amazing bravery that many people displayed during that time in order to protect others and fight back against the hate that was being spread. The Ann Frank House is a very popular tourist site so if you want to go you will need to make reservations ahead of time. Click here for more information on visiting the Ann Frank House and to make a reservation. You can also do a virtual tour of the Secret Annex on the website if you don't plan on going to Amsterdam any time soon. Van Gogh Museum The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam houses the largest collection of Van Gogh art works in the world. This year is the Museum's 50th Anniversary. The Museum has some of the most popular Van Gogh paintings that even non-artsy people like me will recognize. The Museum has a self-guided audio tour that provides interesting information about the life and art work of Vincent Van Gogh, including his famous mental break down where he cut off his ear. I was disappointed that the Starry Night painting was not at this Museum, but it is currently housed at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC. The Amsterdam Museum does have one of his famous Sunflowers painting as well as several of his self portraits. Like the Ann Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum is very popular and advance reservations are required. Click here for information about the Van Gogh Museum and to make a reservation. Rijks Museum The Rijks Museum is the museum of the Netherlands featuring 800 years of Dutch history and art work of the Dutch Masters, including Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh. As luck would have it, our trip happened to fall during a time when Rijks was holding a once-in-a-lifetime Vermeer exhibit. They obtained loans from other museums and were able to create an exhibit with 28 of the 37 or so known works of Johannes Vermeer. My friend Ann was able to secure us tickets even though all 450,000 tickets sold out in a matter of days. Rumor has it that these tickets are being resold by people on line for thousands of dollars! Vermeer is one of Ann's favorite artists and his art has special meaning to her so I am so glad that timing and luck was on our side. Even if you don't get the opportunity to see the Vermeer Exhibit, the Rijks Museum still has amazing artifacts and art work and is a world renowned museum that you should visit when in Amsterdam. One of the most famous paintings you can view at Rijks is Rembrant's larger than life "Night Watch". It is a wall sized painting secured behind a large glass wall. There is a special sheet you can used when viewing the painting that points out relevant features. Find information on the Rijks Museum including hours, ticket prices and reservations here. Heineken Experience After all that culture and history, it was time to let our hair down and do something just for fun. That is exactly what we got at the Heineken Experience. The Heineken Experience is housed in the original Heineken brewery. The self-guided tour includes just a brief bit of history and the rest of the tour is an interactive brand experience using modern technology. There is an immersive experience where you take the journey of beer being bottled and distributed. There are also fun activities where we had the opportunity to make and download pictures or videos incorporating the Heineken logo. Christina actually designed her own bottle to take back a sample of Heineken beer to her dad. Of course the best part of the tour is the two beers you get in the Heineken bar at the end. I recommend adding the Rooftop experience to your entry ticket. For only 4 additional Euro we gained access to the Heineken Rooftop Bar with incredible views of Amsterdam. The Heineken Experience was a very entertaining and fun way to spend the afternoon! Again, reservations are recommended, especially if traveling during peak times. Click here for more information. Proost! Keukenhof Gardens If you happen to be visiting Amsterdam from late March to mid May, be sure to reserve tickets to visit Keukenhof Gardens to see an amazing display of tulips and other flowers. Keukenhof had just opened for the season when we returned from our riverboat cruise so we were fortunate to be able to visit. Not all the flowers were blooming as we were there on the early side, but it was still definitely worth the trip. In addition to beautifully landscaped flower gardens outside (that were not completely filled in yet), there are also amazing floral displays housed inside several buildings on Keukenhof's grounds which have been designed by the different flower suppliers. There were tulips in colors I had never seen before. The whole experience was breathtaking. I can only imagine how it will look in full bloom! Keukenhof Gardens is outside of Amsterdam so you will need to figure out how to get there. There are a variety of ways you can take this tour. Several tour companies provide round trip transportation and an entry ticket. We chose to arrange for our own transportation and go on our own time. It is fairly easy to figure out as there is an express bus that goes right to Keukenhof from Amsterdam City Center (but we had to take a Metro to get to that bus stop). It was nice to be able to come and go as we wanted instead of being tied to the time constraints of an organized tour. Check out the Keukenhof Garden website for information on when they are open, ticket prices and reservations. Amsterdam Flower Market Even if your trip to Amsterdam doesn't fall in the narrow window of tulip season, don't despair! You can still experience the beauty of multiple colors and varieties of flowers at the Amsterdam Flower Market. It is the only floating flower market in the world! All the separate vendor stalls are located on houseboats in reference to the history of the flower market when the flowers were supplied to the market daily by boat. Regardless of the time of year, the Flower Market will be filled with an abundance of blooms making it one of the most colorful and fragrant spots in the city. You can buy bouquets, single flowers or bulbs. If you buy bulbs to take home make sure they are packaged appropriately to get through customs. The market is open every day until 5:30 (17:30 European time). It is located on the Singel Canal between Koningsplein and the Muntplein. Visit the Red Light District The Red Light District may or may not be your cup of tea, but if you aren't easily offended, a walk through the area should be on your list. Amsterdam is known for its "anything goes" attitude and the Red Light District is the perfect illustration of this mindset. Prostitution is legal in Amsterdam and the Red Light District is the hub of most this activity. We decided to take a stroll through the area because we couldn't visit Amsterdam and not check out the most infamous part of the city! I have to say it was a little anticlimactic. Of course we did go during the day and early evening. Regardless of the time you go, there will be a heavy scent of marijuana in the air and there are the expected sex shops with interesting window displays. Even during the day, there were a few women sitting in the oblong windows eating lunch or checking their phones waiting for interested clientele. I have to say they honestly had more clothes on than I normally see at a beach on a summer day. My friends did go again at night and the vibe was a little more lively. They actually heard some visitors negotiating with the women for additional services, but they said it was all very respectful and transactional. If you go you should know that you may NOT take any pictures of the women in the windows in order to protect their privacy. Additionally, it is illegal for any tours to take groups through the Red Light District so do not accept any offer to provide a guided tour of the area. The Red Light District wasn't my favorite part of the city, but I'm glad I experienced this unique aspect of Amsterdam. Walk the Canals at Night The canals are the centerpiece of Amsterdam's beauty. I took so many beautiful pictures of the houseboats on the canals, the canal houses lining the sides of each canal and historic buildings viewed from the perspective of the canals. But make sure you don't miss the opportunity to walk through the city after dark and see the canals at night. Many of the houses along the canal purposely leave their windows open and their lights on in order to create a beautiful scene as you stroll down the street. The magic of the canals at night should not be missed. These suggestions are just the tip of the iceberg of things to do in Amsterdam, but I really enjoyed every single thing I mentioned in this blog and would highly recommend including them all in your itinerary. If you have been to Amsterdam and did something else that you think people should be aware of, please comment below and share your tips! I have so many other places on my travel bucket list I am not sure I will make it back to Amsterdam, but I did love this city and there is so much left to explore! I may just have to go back!

On a very cold and rainy evening in Amsterdam, my friends and I ventured out to visit a bar called Tales and Spirits known for its creative cocktails. My friend Ann's research tipped us off that we were going to taste some unique concoctions, but we didn't fully know what an experience was in store for us. Despite being known as a cocktail bar, the place is very low-key and has more of a pub feel. It is a quirky and whimsical place and I felt like I had stepped into another world when we walked through the door. The bar is filled with vintage and antique pieces and the walls have several handpainted murals and quotes on the walls. The room was quaint and cozy which was the perfect antidote to the damp, chilly night outside. I felt a magical energy as soon as we walked in, in part because of the friendliness of the servers and bartenders. It seems that everyone at Tales and Spirits is definitely having fun at their job. Their enthusiasm helps create the party-like atmosphere in the small space (well, that and the strong drinks they make). It was fun to watch them create their artistic masterpieces. The cocktail menu is a creative work on its own! It takes a while to go through it as it is filled with stories and art supporting the description of the unique cocktails. The drinks have names like Fallen Lady, What If...(which corresponds to the painted mural above), Shut the Fuck Up George!, Little Miss Trouble, and MoJo. There is also a complete menu of specialized Old Fashioned's if that is your go-to drink. Find a complete cocktail menu here to check out your options if you plan to visit Tales and Spirits. You may want to preview your choices because there are so many interesting drinks it could take a while to decide. One of the most interesting drinks offered at Tales and Spirits is called the Zombie and luckily my friend Misty ordered it. The drink came with a whole presentation. Words alone can not capture the experience so I will let a video show you how the Zombie is delivered. Needless to say we were surprised by the fireworks display inside the bar! When we asked what was in the drink the server just said "Everything!". Ok...enough said. Misty didn't want to have a drink with "everything" in it by herself, so we got four straws and all took a taste. Probably a good idea as the bar itself limits customers to only two Zombies a night! You can see from the description below what "everything" actually means! The little shot glass that is lit on fire can actually be added to the Zombie as well. It's not too hard to figure out where the name of this drink came from. Upon arrival, the server provided us with a complimentary bottle of water (to keep us hydrated!) and some delicious crunchy chips with mango chutney. There is also a menu with a selection of bar bites. I highly recommend you order some for a couple of reasons. First, the drinks are strong so eating food is probably a good idea. Second, the bar bites are delicious! We ordered a few different ones to share. We got the Crunchy Chicken (which were finger bites of chicken that tasted like Sesame Chicken), Mini Cheese Souffles (pockets of deliciously melted cheese-my personal favorite!) and Bitterballen (a traditional Dutch snack served with spicy mustard). So yummy! There are other great options on the menu like Pork Buns, Onion Rings and Jalapeño Poppers. I don't think you can go wrong! If you find yourself in Amsterdam, make sure to venture to Tales and Spirits. Learn more about the bar and get directions here. They are open on Tuesday through Saturday from 17:30 (5:30 pm for us Americans) to 1:00. You should know that Tales and Spirits does not take reservations and operates on a first come, first serve basis. Rumor is it gets very crowded later at night and on weekends. We were there on a Thursday, but we made to sure to get there right when they opened so we could definitely get in. We arrived a bit before opening time and there was already a short line forming. Luckily we were able to snag a table, but the small space filled up quickly. If we hadn't gotten there so early I don't think we would have gotten to check this place out! If you end up visiting Tales and Spirits on your journeys, please share a picture of the drink you ordered as many come with their own unique presentation. I would love to see the creative way they serve drinks we didn't order! Prost!