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Ronna Phelps, the owner of Pongo Lifestyle is a lover of Great Apes, especially orangutans. She was a Volunteer Keeper's Assistant for orangutans and gorillas for 25 years. During that time, she became educated about these creatures and their habitat and became aware of the deforestation of palm oil crops and the direct impact that had on the existence of orangutans, gorillas and other inhabitants of the rainforest. Here are some facts listed on the Pongo Lifestyle website about the impact the Palm Oil Industry has had on orangutans: 80% loss of habitat over the last 30 years 90% population loss over the last 10 years 50% probability of extinction in the wild within the next 10 years In response, Ms. Phelps created a palm oil free skin care line named Pongo in honor of the orangutans. "Pongo" is the scientific name for the orangutan. Pongo became the first nationally and internationally distributed palm oil free body and skin care line. Ms. Phelps has since developed several other product lines: Rainforest Kisses (lip balms and bath products) Grape Ape (a line of kid's products) Rock of Apes (a body care and clothing line with a rock and roll edge) Camp Pongo (outdoor products) Pongo Pet (accessories and grooming products for pets) and Indah (body care with an exotic mix of floral and spice). All of these product lines came together to form Pongo Lifestyle, a business with a mission to sell luxurious cruelty-free and palm oil free products. Proceeds from the sale of items at Pongo Lifestyle help support Orangutan Project, Center for Great Apes and Orang Tan Repuiblik. The store's design is beautiful and artistic. There are amazing wall murals everywhere that were painted by a local artist. The store is filled with an eclectic mix of items, including all of the Pongo product lines created by Ms Phelps. I loved exploring all the nooks and crannies of this store admiring the selection of products, the merchandising displays and the artwork. And I felt good that my purchase helps out the Great Apes and orangutans. My sister and I spent a long time chatting with Ronna and her assistant learning about Ronna's background and the history of the Pongo product lines and the opening of the physical store location at 5738 South Rapp Street. Her story was so interesting and inspiring and her love for the Great Apes and orangutans was apparent. You can follow the store's instagram for more insight into its' products and mission! "ONE CHANGE DAILY CAN HELP GREAT APES AND OTHER INHABITANTS OF THE RAINFOREST" -Rhonna Phelps

When I received my itinerary for my recent Go Ahead Tours trip through the Alps, I noticed that one of the stops on our way to Austria was a place called Liechtenstein. I had never heard of this place and really didn't know much about it. It was in the middle of the Alps, so I had no doubt it would be beautiful. I was pleasantly surprised to discover this little hidden gem of a country that is fiercely proud of its independence and culture. If you plan a trip through the Alps, make sure to include Liechtenstein on your itinerary! Interesting Facts About Liechtenstein The Principality of Liechtenstein is located in Western Europe between Switzerland and Austria, making it one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world! The total area of Liechtenstein is 62 square miles, about the same geographic size of Washington D.C. The resident population of Liechtenstein is roughly 39,000. The Capital of Liechtenstein is Valduz. German is the official language of Liechtenstein. How to Spend an Afternoon in Liechtenstein As the capital, of course Valduz is the center of activity in Liechtenstein. We took a trolley tour through Valduz which showed us all the sights and gave us some history of this quaint little country. The trolley took us up the hillside through the charming neighborhoods with backyard vineyards and full flower boxes. We caught several views of the hillside palace of the current Reigning Prince and were informed that as all flags were raised that indicated that the Prince and his family were in residence. The trolley also takes you through the center of town where there are plenty of stores for browsing, restaurants to grab a meal and beautiful art work scattered throughout. There are also several museums to tour (including the National Museum of Liechtenstein that explains the history of this unique independent country). After you complete the trolley tour, you can pay 3 Euros to get your Liechtenstein passport stamp! Something unique that not many people will have! While Liechtenstein may not be one of those areas that you hear people talking about all the time, it is definitely worth a stop if you find yourself in the region. I am so glad that Go Ahead Tours included it on their itinerary and helped me discover a beautiful hidden gem that I can share with you!

Clearly I am a huge fan of travel. I think there are so many benefits to traveling including expanding your mind and exposing yourself to different ways of life. But on one recent sleepless night thanks to jet lag following my return from an epic two week European adventure, it occurred to me that traveling actually teaches us some important life lessons. Learning these lessons on a micro level while traveling, can have a huge beneficial impact if you apply them on a macro level to your life's journey. Here are the most important life lessons I was reminded of on my trip: Stay Flexible When traveling, it is more likely than not that you will face some unexpected challenges. A flight will be cancelled or delayed, the weather will not be what you had hoped, a traffic jam will disrupt your schedule...the list goes on. It is important to stay flexible and get creative about how to handle the problem. On my recent trip, we planned to take a bus from Chamonix to Lake Como with a stop at an historic Italian village for lunch. What a lovely day! However, leaving Chamonix, we got stuck in a miles long traffic jam trying to go through the tunnel leaving the valley. We found out that the tunnel was closed for some reason and would not reopen for three hours. Instead of sitting there frustrated for several hours, the bus driver found a different route to get us to our end destination. We missed out on the historic Italian village, but alternatively we got to see a different part of the Italian countryside and stopped at a small roadside restaurant which served the BEST fondue of the entire trip! Staying flexible allows you to roll with the punches and reduce anxiety while sometimes delivering some delightful discoveries. Let Go of Control I am a person with well established control issues. Just ask my friends and family. I have definitely gotten better as I've aged. Also, the pandemic definitely taught me a bigger lesson that the control we think we have is often just an illusion anyway. This realization has helped me to relax in many ways. I am still generally a planner and I like to feel prepared. However, I have learned to loosen my grip a bit. On this trip I gave up total control and let the tour group plan all aspects of my trip. I just paid and showed up. Everything else was taken care of! While I had some moments of anxiousness not be able to dictate my own schedule or order my own meal at a restaurant, overall it was a great experience just sitting back and letting the details be handled by someone else. I saw areas of Europe I wouldn't have even thought of, I tried food I definitely wouldn't have tried if left to my own devices, and put myself in a position to meet a bunch of new people who were amazing travel partners and now friends. Applying this to my life, I plan to try and relax and just let life unfold for me without trying to control all of the details. I will put my energy in the direction of things and people that interest me, but I will try not to be attached to a particular outcome. Go with the flow and see what happens! Keep an Open Mind and Try New Things As I mentioned above, by letting go of control I was forced to try new food and experience things I might not have been inclined to do if it were up to me. But I promised myself at the beginning of the trip that I would try whatever was presented to me, including food that didn't look that appetizing or was not something I normally enjoy. In all honesty, there were several meals where I took a few bites and decided it was not my thing so I didn't finish it. Good thing I had snacks back in my hotel room so I didn't go hungry! However, there were many things I tried that I was surprised to find I enjoyed. The meal in Innsbruck with a fried egg on top of a mixture of salted beef, onions and potatoes comes to mind as well as an authentic German meal with Flädlsuppe (a rich broth soup with thin strips of flädle pancakes) and German bread dumplings. And of course there is the Tartiflette that I talked about in my Annecy blog that I thoroughly enjoyed! The life lesson is that it is important to be open to new things in order to discover more about yourself. Pushing your limits either confirms what you thought to be true or shows you that self-limiting beliefs may be keeping you from making your life bigger and more interesting. This goes beyond just trying food. It also applies to being open minded about experiences, people and places. You never know what you might discover! Stay Curious In order to find new things to be open to try when traveling, you need to stay curious. What is the history of the area and how has it evolved, what is the area known for, what do the locals like to do, what is it like to live in the area, what is the traditional food to be tried? As you find out more information about a place you are visiting, it gives you a new perspective on the area, the people who live there and their experience. You can see how it is different from your experience and how you live your life. You can see how the area and its' history has impacted how people live and what they believe and value. Learning about this impact can make you grateful for the advantages or blessings you have, or it may make you question your belief system and how you live your life. In any event, in life, it is important to stay curious and continue learning as long as you live. The more you learn, the more you know and ALSO the more you learn how much you don't really know. Staying curious keeps you engaged, keeps you learning and keeps you open. Respect the Differences One thing I love about traveling is the ability to see how different places are and how differently people live. Especially when traveling abroad, things can be very different from the US. From simple things like the type of currency used and the type of plug to use for electricity to the language spoken and the values of the country. I don't travel to a new place expecting to do things exactly as I do them at home. And why would I want to? I am going to have a new experience. If I am going to another country, it is only courteous to try to assimilate into their culture as much as possible. Even though I do not speak any other language besides English and it is fortunate that most people in other cultures know English, I still try to respect the area and the culture by at least attempting some basic communication in the country's language. Generally I observe an appreciation by the locals for this effort. The uniqueness that each place and person brings to this world is what makes it interesting and beautiful. It is important to appreciate and respect these differences whether we observe them abroad or in our own back yard. We don't all need to believe the same things, live the same way or have the same values. Giving people the space to be different and respecting those differences makes the world a better place to live. Appreciate the Backstory I always find that when I do some research or take a tour of an area I am visiting and learn the history and how the place has developed and evolved over the years, I have such a deeper appreciation for everything I am seeing and experiencing. Some of the areas I visited on my trip, specifically Munich and Innsbruck, had been directly impacted by WWII. Many of the buildings had been damaged or destroyed by bombing, many of the citizens of those areas had been forced to flee to nearby countries and rebuilding had influenced the development of the city. Looking at the cities through this lens allowed me to more deeply connect with what had happened in these places and realize the extreme price paid by the people who lived through that time. We also toured the Dachau Concentration Camp that sits just outside Munich which serves as a constant reminder of that horrific time. Even though both cities are now thriving and bustling, there is still the memory and the impact of what happened that influences many aspects of their culture. Failing to appreciate the backstory of these places would have made the visit one-dimensional and superficial. This can be true of people as well. How many times in your life have you had an unpleasant experience with someone only to find out that something awful had happened to them or they were having a bad day before they crossed paths with you. Appreciating someone's backstory gives you greater understanding of why people act they way they do, feel the way they do about certain things or why they overreact to something that seems minor. It doesn't mean we have to like or accept bad behavior, but it gives us a better understanding of the person and may influence how we respond in a situation. Travel Light In full disclosure, I am an AWFUL packer. I like to have outfit choices and I have a tiny obsession with shoes so like to bring several different pairs to go with the various outfit choices. The silly thing is, I never wear all of the clothes and I end up wearing the same one or two pairs of shoes because they are most practical and comfortable for the walking I will be doing while sightseeing. This problem was particularly annoying on my Alps trip as I was trying to move my large suitcase from place to place as we followed along our tour. And even if my suitcase was primarily taken care of by porters at each hotel, I still had to lug my overpacked carry on from place to place and through the airport (and the hassle of customs). I was cursing myself on many occasions during this trip and vowing to become a better packer so I could travel lighter in the future. Why do I need to bring so much stuff? Especially when I didn't use or need most of it? Do I feel more comfortable and secure knowing I am prepared for anything...even though generally nothing out of the ordinary happens? I load up with snacks like I think I won't have access to grocery stores or restaurants along the way. Although having some snacks on hand was definitely needed when I didn't like the local fare as I mentioned above! This life lesson can translate to trying to keep life simple on a day to day basis too. Do I need to fill my space with so much stuff? Why do I need one more pair or shoes or one more piece of clothing when my closet is filled with plenty of perfectly good stuff? Why do I buy so much "back stock" of certain food items when I have limited space and can easily go back to the store when I am getting low? I can also apply this principle to my mind and my mental state. Do I need to stress about so many things that never happen or oren't really my concern? If I really think about it, there are only a limited number of things that run through my mind that really matter, are in my control or that directly impact me. If I kept my thoughts focused on only those things, my mind would be a lot quieter and more calm. Easier said than done and something I am working on every day. If you figure out a way to do that, please share! Traveling light by keeping things simple, whether on trips or day to day living, makes things so much easier and enjoyable. Be In The Moment When traveling I like to be fully engaged and take in all the sights and sounds. I fully immerse myself in the experience. Sometimes while riding on the tour bus through the countryside, I had the urge to pull out my phone and mindlessly scroll. I resisted that urge most of the time and made sure to pay attention to the beautiful views out the window. I saw some amazing scenery that I would have missed if I was looking down. I will admit the white noise of the bus engine and the cozy seat did cause me to drift off occasionally. I don't want to think about what I missed when my eyes were closed! I would touch base with the girls or my parents at night while I was getting ready for bed, but during the day I tried to keep myself in the moment of the epic experience I was having. Generally there is nothing from back home that needs my attention while I am on vacation. This can also be applied to daily life. How much do I miss while looking down at my phone or engulfed by the thoughts in my head. Worrying about something that happened in the past that can't be changed or something that may or may not happen in the future prevents me from being present in the moment and engaging with the people and experiences that are happening RIGHT NOW! Being in the moment is essential for authentic connections with friends and loved ones as well as for creating vibrant memories. I hope these lessons can be of use to you to fully enjoy your next trip as well as every valuable life moment in between.

I am going to start a new Travel Throwback series that highlights some of my favorite past trips. If you have been to any area I spotlight in a Travel Throwback blog, please feel free to comment with your memories of the locale or, even better, if you have been there more recently fill us in on any changes to the area or new things to see and do! A Not So Hidden Gem in Paris! My first Travel Throwback features the charming village of Montmartre in France. Back in August 2017, we took a family trip to Europe on our way to drop off my oldest daughter Madison in Florence, Italy for a semester abroad. We started our journey with a couple of days in Paris. Because we didn't have a lot of time, we shook off the jet lag to begin exploring. We did our usual "get our bearings" thing doing a bus tour around Paris. We decided on a whim to hop off of our Hop On/Hop Off tour bus to check out the big white church that sits high on a hill overlooking Paris. It turned out to be my absolute favorite part of our Paris adventure! Sacre Coeur Means the Sacred Heart of Jesus The big white church was actually the stunning Basilica Sacre Coeur which is surrounded by the charming village of Montmartre. Once we hopped off the bus, we had to climb steep cobblestone streets and what seemed like hundreds of stairs to reach Sacre Coeur. If you aren't as brave (or if you realize there is an easier way unlike us), you can actually hop on the little white Montmartre train that will wind its way up the steep hills through the village providing tour commentary as you go. The train will get you to the base of the hill that Sacre Coeur sits on, and then you can take a funicular to the entry of the basilica and avoid all those steps! Or you can climb the hills and stairs and arrive at the top sweaty and out of breath like we did. The choice is yours. However you get to the top, once you arrive you will be treated to the stunning architecture of Sacre Coeur. It is totally white and due to its color and location can be seen from almost anywhere in Paris. As you can imagine, the views of Paris once you reach the top of the hill are spectacular. If the dome on top of the basilica is open you can go up to the top and get a panoramic view of Paris. Either place is definitely the spot to grab that Instaworthy photo looking down over Paris with the Eiffel Tower in the background. I have poured over my photos and unfortunately cannot find my pic of Paris from the Montmartre viewpoint. Unbelievable! If you are reading this blog and have one, PLEASE share in the comments so people can see the awesome view. Going up to Sacre Coeur with a bottle of wine to sit on the steps and watch the sunset would also be an amazing experience! Village of Montmartre After you have taken your amazing photo and have checked out the largest mosaic in France inside the Sacre Coeur, you will wander down the cobblestone streets into a quaint bohemian style village filled with art galleries, cafes, boulangeries, and small shops. Montmartre was an artist haven in the early 19th and 20th centuries and you can almost feel the ghosts of Renoir, Pissarro, Van Gogh, and Matisse wandering along the streets. If you go to Place du Tertre just behind Sacre Coeur, you will find an open space where current artists are creating art before your eyes. You can also get your portrait drawn or painted by one of these artists if you like. There are several art museums paying homage to the artistic history of Montmartre, including a museum devoted to Salvador Dali. Montmartre is a perfect place to immerse yourself in art and art history if that interests you. Ahhh...the French Macaroons If you are feeling a little hungry or thirsty from all that climbing, Montmartre has no shortage of cafes for you to grab a bite to eat and glass of wine (of course!). We also stopped at a boulangerie and picked up some of the best Macaroons I've ever had! They were fresh and there was the widest assortment of flavors I have ever seen. Nothing like eating a French Macaroon in France! Moulin Rouge and Nightlife We weren't there for the nightlife, but apparently it is noteworthy so if you are in the area in the evening (perhaps after watching the sunset) you will want to check it out. You especially want to check out the famous Moulin Rouge. Maybe you can even take in a cabaret show while you are there! Make Sure Not to Miss Montmartre! When you plan a trip to Paris, you obviously think of the Eiffel Tour, the Louvre, Champs D'elysee and the Arc de Triomphe. But make sure you leave time in your itinerary to visit Sacre Coeur and Montmartre. I promise you will not regret it. It could end up being your favorite part of Paris too!

When traveling these days, you never know how the day is going to go. If you are lucky (as I have been lately...hope I didn't just jinx myself), it will be super smooth from Point A to Point B with no disruptions. However, most of the travel stories I am hearing lately tell tales of unexpected delays, being stuck on the runway for hours, cancellations, diversions...you name it. Because the unexpected is not necessarily an unusual occurrence when airline travel is involved, you need to make sure that your carry on has everything you need to handle these complications like a pro. Here is a complete list of Carry On Essentials to make sure you are ready for whatever your travel day throws at you! Carry On Essentials: Identification-Driver's License or Passport (Be aware of upcoming REAL ID requirement effective May 3, 2023) Cash and Credit/Debit Cards-Make sure to always bring some cash for tips and those instances where a credit or debit card is not accepted. Travel Documentation-Documents that have all the detailed information regarding your trip. Boarding passes, printed out itineraries, printed out confirmations for booked tours, hotel reservations, etc. I like to keep all these documents in a folder for easy access. You can't always depend on wifi or cell phone battery and you may need to access these documents in a pinch. Cell Phone and Charger (or Power Pack for extended battery life) Lap Top and Charger Earbuds or Headphones-If you have Apple headphones, don't forget a converter so you can plug in if you want to utilize the onboard flight entertainment. Alternatively, you can buy a bunch of cheap headphones at the dollar store and just keep them in your carry on so you always have headphones that will work on the airplane jacks. Medications-Always bring your medications with you and not in your checked bag in case your luggage doesn't show up at the same place you do! Make sure to pack a few extra days' worth of medication in case you get unexpectedly stranded somewhere. Extra Change of Clothes and Undies-Again, important if you and your luggage end up going on separate trips! Also nice if you have a long, overnight flight so you can freshen up in the morning and feel rejuvenated upon arrival. It is also nice to have an extra sweater or sweatshirt with you if you get cold during your flight or the temperature at your destination is a little cooler. Travel Toiletries-Follow TSA's 3-1-1 Rule for Carry On toiletries. The 3-1-1 Rule is that each person can carry on liquids, gels or aerosols in travel size containers of 3.4 oz (or 100 milliters) that fit into one quart size clear bag. Things to think about bringing are toothpaste/toothbrush, mouthwash, lotion, contact solution, makeup remover, deodorant, feminine hygiene items, etc. Being able to freshen up during a long flight by brushing your teeth or taking off yesterday's make up is great. Extra Contacts/Glasses/Sunglasses-Throw in some extra contacts and your regular eyeglasses so you are not stranded if your luggage takes a detour. Also make sure you have a couple of pairs of reading glasses if you are of a certain age where they are required to read small print...I wouldn't know anything about that [smirk]. And don't forget your sunglasses if you are going somewhere where the sun will be shining! Valuable Jewelry-You may want to keep your valuable jewelry with you so you can feel confident that it is safe and secure and you won't lose it if your luggage is accidentally misplaced. Snacks-Given that these days the food on the plane amounts to a bag with 5 tiny pretzels, I always like to make sure I have packed some snacks in my bag. Even on shorter flights I pack a bag of almonds, some Luna or Kind bars and maybe some chocolate for my sweet tooth. You may want to pack a bagel or a sandwich so you have something more substantial to eat in the event of a long layover or flight delay. Also make sure to pack some gum or breath mints so you don't overwhelm your seat mates with bad breath after you eat that Everything Bagel! I am a Diet Soda addict so I always purchase one at the airport store so I don't have to wait for the flight attendants to make their way to my seat. I usually also grab a water bottle for hydration, but you can also bring along a refillable bottle to use once you are through security. Book or Magazines Tylenol or Advil Pen-Especially important on international flights as you will have to fill out Customs forms before arrival. Covid Essentials-In the post-pandemic travel world, be sure to pack hand-sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and extra face masks (in case they are needed to enter some tourist sites or local market places). With these items in your Carry On bag, you will be equipped to handle any crazy travel hurdle placed in your path. It will still be frustrating, but at least you will be as comfortable as you can be while trying to get to your destination or get back home! Happy (prepared) Travels!

Getting divorced after 25 years of marriage definitely brings about a lot of changes. One of the most personally challenging to me is the loss of my built-in travel partner. For the past quarter century, I always had someone with me when I traveled (when the kids were younger there were multiple "someones"). My ex-husband and I both liked to travel and explore new areas so we constantly planned trips and getaways. Over the years we drifted and were no longer marriage compatible, but we never lost the travel compatibility and always had fun traveling together. After we separated, I still wanted to travel but found myself feeling scared to venture forth by myself. I solved this problem initially by planning my epic California road trip with my friend Ann and taking several long weekend getaways with my oldest daughter, Madison. Madison and I also went to Jamaica, somewhere I had always wanted to go. But I quickly realized that Madison probably doesn't always want to go on vacation with her mother (although I don't know why...I am a lot of fun!) and friends aren't always available to travel. I needed to be brave and begin venturing out by myself. So I planned my first solo trip to Seattle, Washington, a place I have wanted to explore for a long time. I was pleasantly surprised at how empowering traveling solo turned out to be. Don't get me wrong, it had its challenges. But now that I have figured out that I actually enjoy the benefits solo travel provides, I look forward to planning many more solo adventures! I still plan to travel and explore with my daughters and my friends, but I will definitely mix in solo trips because it is such a different experience! This blog sets out the Good, the Bad and the Ugly a solo traveler (especially a female solo traveler) must deal with when venturing out on her own. The Good I can do what I want on my own schedule. No other conflicting preferences to consider! No waiting for someone to wake up or finish their morning routine before heading out. In Seattle, I explored things and joined excursions that I might have missed if I had to compromise with travel companions who were interested in different things. I could spend as long as I wanted to at some sights (like the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum which was amazing) while I breezed through others that weren't as interesting to me. I can set my own budget. I can stay in a fancy hotel or book a cheaper alternative depending on how I feel. I can choose to eat at less expensive diners or fast food places or sit down at a fancy restaurant. I can sign up for whatever excursions I want without worrying if someone else wants to spend their money on that activity. I found myself much more outwardly focused. I paid attention to my surroundings taking in sights as I walked around instead of being focused on conversations or distracted by interactions with my family or friends. I also met many more locals as I would sit at the bar for meals and always ended up chatting with the bartenders or fellow customers. I also spent more time talking to people I interacted with in stores or on tours. I learned so much more about the area from these conversations and got a better sense of what it is like to live there as opposed to just being a tourist. I also learned insider tips for visiting the area from these locals that I wouldn't have learned if I wasn't dining by myself! My confidence in myself grew throughout the trip as I navigated logistics and disruptions all on my own, walked into restaurants and ate meals by myself, made friends with strangers and explored a whole new city. I learned about myself. How I like to travel, what I really prefer to do, what interests me, what the edge of my comfort zone is, how bold I can be. When forced to face your fears and insecurities, you find out what you are really capable of and what your strengths are. The Bad Despite the benefits I listed above about eating alone, it can feel really awkward and lonely sometimes. If I don't happen to sit next to a chatty customer or the bartender is busy, it can be uncomfortable just sitting by myself while everyone else is laughing and talking with their dining companions. Looking at my phone is always a good distraction, but I feel like it is a waste of opportunity when I am sitting in an exciting new environment that is waiting to be discovered. Same thing can be said for a book, but that is always an option to reduce solo anxiety. Along the same lines, it can be awkward when you show up to excursions or tourist attractions by yourself. When I went to ride the Great Wheel in Seattle, it felt a little embarrassing to say I was a party of one and be placed in my own ferris wheel compartment alone. One the other hand, it was also a very zen moment to travel around the Great Wheel in silence looking at the Seattle skyline. Silver linings... Pictures. After my Seattle trip I had tons of scenery pictures (which are lovely but get boring) and several selfies from that awkward angle (you know the one). Let's just say I need to improve my selfie game as I continue to travel alone. People are always willing to take your picture, but again I need to work on my solo photo posturing so I am not just awkwardly standing there. Once my daughter Taylor was on a solo excursion to Liverpool and took the Beatles tour. When she asked the tour guide to take her picture at Strawberry Fields he asked the obvious "Just you?" and Taylor awkwardly said "yes". As if that wasn't uncomfortable enough, at the next stop when she asked him to take a picture of her at the next iconic spot he said "Just you?" again! She wanted to say "Yes...I didn't pick up a traveling companion between Strawberry Fields and here!" Anyway, this isn't the worst problem in the world and there are solutions, but it is definitely something that is a struggle when traveling alone. During the day when I had down time, I really noticed my aloneness. If I were traveling with someone, that would be a time that we would normally stop and grab a drink at some cute pub or cafe that strikes our fancy or just chill somewhere relaxing and chat. When you are alone and in between activities it can feel really lonely. Not that I couldn't drop in and have a drink by myself somewhere, but it does get tiring constantly showing up for meals and tours alone so sometimes I just don't feel like being an extroverted solo traveler. Usually during these transition times I try to find cute local stores to browse or I go back to the hotel room to freshen up or chill out before my next activity. The Ugly Safety. There is no getting around it, a female solo traveler must take extra.precaution to be safe. Sometimes it is just not smart to walk around by yourself or go to places alone. My inaugural solo trip was to Seattle and the location were I was staying had a lot of homeless in the area who appeared to be struggling with addiction or mental health disorders. While I certainly feel badly about their situation, it didn't feel particularly safe for me to be out and about by myself at night. I would try to return to my hotel room every night by 7 before dark. This limited my experience of Seattle nightlife. One of the locals I met bartended at a unique bar with specialty cocktails and he suggested I check it out. As I felt uncomfortable being out late by myself I was unable to see if this bar was a "hidden gem" I could recommend on my blog. Even during the day there can be risks. In Seattle, I was in close proximity to a violent interaction between an Uber driver and a pedestrian that involved pepper spray, a chokehold and a throwdown! Being in that situation by myself was very scary and unsettling. Solo Travel...Still an Amazing Experience! All in all, my experience of traveling alone was amazing and something I look forward to doing again. The freedom, the personal growth benefits and the self confidence boost you get from venturing out on your own outweighs any uncertainties and anxieties about traveling by yourself. You don't need to jump into the deep end like I did with a whole week in a new large city! If you are more of a "dip your toe in the water" kind of person, just start with a solo weekend getaway closer to home and reap the benefits of a little alone time. You will come back a changed person!

I may be a little biased, but Silverado Jewelry Gallery is one of my favorite stores in Saratoga Springs! I have worked part-time at Silverado for a year now so I have an up close and personal view of the store. I love everything about Silverado...the jewelry collections, the store's vibe and most of all the incredibly friendly sales team that mother-daughter owners Robyn Hanst and Whitney DeChene have put together to help people shop for that special jewelry piece. Silverado has a prime location right in the center of Broadway so you can't miss it as you are strolling up and down the main drag. From the moment you enter the store you sense that you are going to have a different shopping experience. The natural wood display cases, the succulent wall displays and the warm wall colors immediately calm and relax you as you browse around. It is definitely a different feel from the traditional jewelry stores most of us are used to. Another difference you will notice right away is that customers are encouraged to try on and play with the jewelry. Even if you are not seriously shopping for a piece of jewelry, the sales team is more than happy to pull out any items that catch your eye. All customers are encouraged to try on and mix and match different pieces. One thing I have realized after working at Silverado is that a piece of jewelry comes to life when it is being worn by the right person. It is fun to watch people try on different things and see when that magic happens. You will know it when it does. The customer experience that Silverado has created makes each guest feel special and attended to. Robyn and Whitney do a great job to curate a selection of jewelry in the store that will please a wide variety of tastes at a wide variety of price points. So if you are visiting Saratoga on a girl's trip, you can visit Silverado and there is something for everyone. They have carefully selected a number of jewelry designers to highlight in their store and each one has their own unique style. Here are some highlights from just a few of my favorite designers. Rene Escobar: I LOVE the bracelets Silverado carries from Rene Escobar. They are made from Sterling Silver and 18K Yellow Gold and Rose Gold. Warning: You will have a hard time stopping at just one! They look beautiful in a stack and they are addicting. Another bonus, they are very durable. You can sleep, sweat, swim, and shower in them without worrying about damaging them. I have learned that I am pretty hard on my jewelry just living my life, but these bracelets "take a licking and keep on ticking"! Jamie Joseph: This designer has one of the most beautiful and colorful cases in the store. Jamie and her husband buy gemstones from all over the world. Her husband cuts the stone in a way to highlight its natural beauty and then Jamie creates one of a kind pieces by setting the stone and designing beautiful rings, earrings, necklaces and bangle bracelets. Silverado has the largest selection of Jamie Joseph jewelry on the East Coast! Maggie Harding Designs: Maggie actually works at Silverado when she is not busy designing and creating unique jewelry pieces. Maggie loves spending time in nature and this is reflected in her creations. The thing I love about Maggie's necklaces is the intricate metal work on the back of the stone setting. She creates a nature scene on reverse side of the stone setting that corresponds to the specific stone used in the piece. I love this very unique aspect to her designs. I also have one of her popular twig bracelets that adds a rustic element to my bracelet stack. So cool that you can actually meet the artist who designed your piece while shopping at Silverado! These are just a few of the unique designers featured at Silverado Jewelry Gallery. They have just launched a beautiful new website where you can check out more of the various designers and easily make a purchase right on line! The link to the website is here. Not all items are available on the site, so if you are in Saratoga Springs make sure to stop in the store to see all the beautiful pieces in person. Also, trying on the jewelry is so fun you won't want to miss out on that experience! Silverado Jewelry Gallery is the perfect spot to buy a unique Saratoga memento for yourself to remember your visit. It is also a great spot to purchase that special gift for someone else. The staff, including myself, absolutely loves to help customers shop around the store and pick out that perfect piece. Make sure to stop by Silverado on your next visit to Saratoga and play with the jewelry!

I love traveling! That's why I decided to start this travel blog. But I also love PLANNING my trips. I truly enjoy scouring the internet to figure out where to go and then really digging in to make the most of my time in the location I choose to visit. Time spent researching and planning your trip before you go generally makes for a more enjoyable relaxing vacation. This is not to say you shouldn't be flexible and leave time and space in your schedule for unplanned exploring and relaxation. But having a general framework for your getaway from the outset ensures that you have time to fit in all you want to see and do so you can just relax and enjoy! Here are the steps that I generally take when I decide it is time to plan my next trip: DECIDE WHERE TO GO Sometimes this is the hardest part! If you are like me, you have a Travel Bucket List a mile long that gets longer every time you see friends' pictures from their latest adventure, Instagram Travel Accounts or Pinterest posts. My mind flits from one place to the next with anticipation and honestly I can get overwhelmed. To narrow it down, I consider the following: Time of Year. What is the best time to visit some of your top spots? When you are planning to visit correspond to the activities you want to enjoy? Avoid the rainy or hurricane seasons in the warm weather locales. You don't want to spend the whole time hunkered down in your hotel room. Also, if you can, avoid peak tourist season and try to hit the "shoulder season" which is right before and right after the peak season. Not only will it be less crowded, but you may be able to find better deals. Finally, make sure you aren't going to be visiting a location during the slow season or during an important local holiday as places may be closed or have severely restricted hours/services. How Much Time Do You Have? If you only have a few days, choose a smaller location or somewhere close by. You don't want to spend a big chunk of the limited time you have traveling back and forth. If you plan to take a longer vacation, you can travel a further distance and should choose a location that may take longer to fully explore. Who Are You Traveling With? Whether you are going on a solo trip, a family vacation, a girl's getaway or a romantic rendezvous will greatly influence where you decide to go and what things you want to do when you get there. What Is Your Budget? Have you saved for that dream vacation you finally get to take or are you looking for a budget friendly getaway? As noted above, if you can hit the "shoulder season" of a location you are considering you may be able to find some deals. Do You Need a Passport or Visa? Make sure you know what documentation you need to visit a specific location. Some countries require a visa in addition to your passport. Even if a visa is not required, certain documentation may be required for entry. Check out Travisa.com to determine the requirements for places you are considering. If you need a passport and already have one, check the expiration date to make sure that your passport will remain valid for the entire length of your planned trip. If you need to get a new passport or a visa make sure you can secure those documents prior to your departure date. Check the State Department's website at travel.state.gov to check out the latest passport processing time estimates. As of June 2022, the State Department estimates that expedited applications (which cost a bit more) are taking 5-6 weeks and routine processing is taking 8-11 weeks (which does not include mailing time which may vary by region). The time required to secure a Visa may vary depending on the Embassy you need to work with to get visa approval. Special Events. One thing I like to do when narrowing down my travel choices, is to see if there is any kind of special event I may enjoy during my trip. Often I will attend a concert or a sporting event in addition to my "touristy" activities. Review the tour schedules of your favorite bands or the game schedules for your favorite sports team. If they line up with one of your possible destinations, that can help make your decision. I went to see Zac Brown Band at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee during one of my trips and was able to secure Pit tickets at a very reasonable price! They were some of the best seats I have ever had at a concert and made the whole trip especially memorable MAKE YOUR TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS Book your flight. Reserve accommodations. Consider whether you want to stay in a hotel or an Airbnb. This decision will be based on price, location and space needs. While initially an Airbnb may seem cheaper, make sure to look at the total cost for your stay as additional cleaning and booking fees are added at the end of booking which may erase any potential price disparities. Even if the Airbnb is more expensive, you may save money in the long run by having access to a kitchen to make some of your own meals. I especially like having access to a refrigerator and kitchen for breakfasts and snacks. In Venice, Italy we stayed at a beautiful Airbnb with a nice kitchen and made our own home cooked Italian meal with fresh ingredients from the local food store around the corner. It is a special memory and one that stands out from an incredibly memorable trip. Check out the scene below. Regardless of whether you stay in a hotel or Airbnb, I highly recommend skimming the reviews to confirm that the location is good, what amenities are available, and notice if there are any consistent complaints (about cleanliness, noise, service, etc.). Do you need a rental car? Consider whether there is adequate public transportation that you can utilize to get around and do all the things you plan to do. Can you join tour groups to do those things that are further away? Are you within walking distance of most sights? I often utilize the 48 hour ticket most hop on/hop off sightseeing bus tours offer to get back to certain spots I want to revisit after I take the initial tour. Many places also have access to taxis, Ubers or Lyfts that can provide needed transportation. Even if you decide you need to rent a car for certain things you want to do, can you just rent for a day or two as opposed for the entire trip? There is nothing worse then paying for a rental car that sits in the parking garage most days. RESEARCH YOUR DESTINATION This is the fun part! The internet is the best tool to learn all you can about your chosen destination. I generally start with the Tourism website for the location. This gives you a general overview of the area and highlights the most obvious hotspots that the tourism board is proud of. Then I use Google search to find articles or travel blogs (like this one!) that provide useful insights and travel tips for the area I am traveling to. I will look at several different sites and notice what things consistently appear on the "Must See" lists. I take notes on any tips they provide about how to time tours, what things require prior reservations, and other helpful tips for making the most of the area. This research is also where I look for those lesser known spots that are charming or quaint and will provide a less "touristy" experience. Of course I want to see the Eiffel Tower when I am in Paris, but where are the places the locals frequent off the beaten path? CREATE A SCHEDULE AND WRITE AN ITINERARY From the research, make a list of the activities and sites that interest you. Research the things the want to see and do so you are aware of best times to visit and whether you need to make reservations or buy tickets way ahead of time. (For example, if you want to tour the Pearl Harbor Memorial in Oahu, there are limited advance tickets and even fewer next day tickets that become available every day at 7 am. If you don't plan ahead, it is likely you will not be able to visit this well-known historic attraction.) After I get the details for the things I have decided I want to do and see during my trip, I create a day-by-day agenda for each full or partial day I will be on vacation. When organizing this agenda, I consider the amount of time each activity will take, travel time to and from, will I need recovery or clean up time after a certain activity, are there sights/activities that should be grouped together because of location, does a tour or activity have to be done on a certain day or at a certain time because of availability, etc. I always cushion time frames in the schedule so I am not rushing from thing to thing and can relax and be present in the moment. I also make sure to leave open time so that I have space to include things that I discover while I am there. It is also important when creating your schedule to know yourself (and any fellow travelers) and anticipate if you will want or need afternoon refresher naps, early bedtimes, later start times, etc. Also, make sure you allow time for meals in your schedule. Nothing worse then being a hangry traveller! BOOK TOURS AND/OR BUY TICKETS If there is a tour or activity that you KNOW you want to do and it is a popular tourist attraction, consider booking your tour or buying entry tickets ahead of time. Once you have completed your itinerary, you will know the day and time for the tour/ticket. Hopefully your research indicated if a particular tour sells out early or needs to be done on a certain day or time so you will not be unpleasantly surprised and need to rearrange your carefully crafted schedule. I also recommend checking out Viator.com for packages that group together tickets to popular attractions at a discounted price. Usually these tour packages include "skip the line" access to the attraction so you don't have to waste precious vacation time standing in entry lines. I DON'T buy tickets ahead of time if I am not concerned about it booking up or selling out so that I can maintain some flexibility in the schedule if I need to switch things around due to unplanned weather, new discoveries, or unanticipated delays. Make copies of all tickets and purchase confirmations so you have easy access to confirmation numbers, pick-up information (if transportation from your hotel is provided), address for attraction (if you have to get there yourself), meet-up time and other details. If I am going on a long trip with lots of planned activities, I will keep all this documentation organized in a folder that I bring in my personal item carry-on. TAKE CARE OF HOME WHILE AWAY When it gets closer to your departure time, make sure you have done everything you need to do to take care of your home base while you are gone. Things to consider: Stop mail or arrange for someone to bring your mail in so it does not accumulate in your mailbox alerting people that you are not home. Also consider whether you need to arrange for someone to take your trash out or care for indoor or outdoor plants while you are away. Arrange for care of your pets. In-home visits by a neighbor (this is great job for a younger child in the neighborhood to earn some extra cash and learn responsibility!) or an in-home pet care company allow your pet to stay comfortable at home while you are wandering the world. My daughter has used a pet care company and they send daily pictures of her cat from each visit to reassure her that he is doing okay. An alternative is to take your pet to a traditional boarding kennel or cattery. Call your credit card company to alert them that you will be traveling. Failure to do this may result in your credit card from being declined putting a big damper on your vacation! Consider where you are traveling and whether an international cell plan needs to be considered. You can choose to rely on wifi to check messages or use FaceTime to keep in touch with loved ones, but wifi can be spotty in areas and leave you stranded or having to use costly international data. PACK FOR YOUR TRIP Check out my separate blog on how to pack (and also how NOT to pack) here. Beginning to pack is exciting because it means your well-planned trip is getting close! ENJOY! Your trip is here! All of your work to research and plan your great vacation will pay off. Relax and know that everything is in place for you to have an incredible, memorable getaway. Bon voyage!

San Antonio is a great city for a getaway because it has a variety of things to do! There are historic sites, great shopping, and of course, the Riverwalk! Here is a summary of the top spots: Walk or Cruise the River Walk: Once you arrive in San Antonio, the first thing you will want to do is check out the famous River Walk. You can stroll up and down both sides. There are several bridges that can take you up and over the river whenever you want to get to the other side. Check out all of the restaurants and shops that border the River Walk and decide which ones you want to return to during your stay! There are also free water taxis that will take you up and down the river throughout the day. You can also buy a ticket to take a guided cruise up and down the River Walk. We chose to do a cruise at night so we could see the River Walk all lit up. We also grabbed a slushy alcohol drink with flashing light cubes to enhance our experience! City Sightseeing Hop On/Hop Off Tour Bus: I always recommend doing these bus tours on the first day or two of your trip when they are available. Riding the full loop gives you a lay of the land and a little history about the area you are about to explore. We bought a package that included a two-day bus pass and the River Walk boat cruise mentioned above. Having a two day bus pass works to get you around the city and back to any places on the tour bus route that you want to return to. There are other packages that include discounted tickets to additional sightseeing spots. Check out all your options here. The Tour Bus has 19 stops that take you by 17 different points of interest including the Pearl Entertainment Complex with shopping, cafes and the Pearl Brewery; the San Antonio Museum of Art ("SAMA"); the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum; Towers of the Americas; Historic Market Square; La Villita Historic Arts Village and Alamo Plaza where you can tour the historic Alamo Mission (discussed below). The Alamo Mission: The most famous historical site in San Antonio is a must see! The Alamo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known as the "Shrine of Texas Liberty". The Alamo represents the heart of Texas pride and the spirit of its' people. I admit didn't know (or remember) the history of the area and I found the tour entertaining and educational. It gave me a whole new respect for the history of Texas in their fight to be independent. To do a self-directed tour you must reserve a FREE timed-entry ticket. Alternatively, you can buy a ticket for a guided tour that will give you a complete history of the Alamo with your own tour guide. I recommend the guided tour for the complete experience. You can find information on securing your timed entry ticket and tour prices here. Towers of the Americas: The 750 foot tall Tower of the Americas provides a panoramic view of San Antonio's skyline from the Tower’s Observation Deck. There is also a 4D Theater Ride. I didn't get a chance to do this, but would love to see that panoramic view of San Antonio. If you get a chance to do this, let me know how it was in the comments to this blog so future travelers will know if they should make time to include it in their plans. Shopping: There are many unique places to shop in San Antonio. Where to go depends on if you are looking for traditional Mexican artifacts, boutiques or souvenirs. Check out my blog on top places to shop in San Antonio here. HONORABLE MENTION: Buckhorn Saloon and Museum: I really wanted to go to the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum but I ran out of time. It will be at the top of my list when I go back. The Saloon first opened in 1881 and is heralded as a place where "history was made and legend lives". The Saloon is where Teddy Roosevelt recruited Rough Riders and Pancho Villa is rumored to have planned the Mexican Revolution. Many of the original furnishings are still there, including the cherry wood and marble back bar. The Buckhorn Saloon is not only a place to grab a meal or a drink, but it has a number of other attractions attached such as the Texas Ranger Museum and the Buckhorn Museum with an exotic animal collection (which were acquired as forms of payment in the early days when travelers didn't have money to pay). The website claims it will give you a "full Texas experience". The Buckhorn Museum, Saloon and Gift Store is open 365 days a year. The Cafe is open Friday through Sunday. The Saloon and Cafe are free, but you need tickets for the other attractions. Find more information on what you can do and see and ticket cost here. I loved my visit to San Antonio and highly recommend that it be added to your travel bucket list! It is perfect for a long family weekend or a quick girls' getaway.

If you love listening to live music by talented musicians, you need to plan a trip to Nashville, also known as Music City, immediately if not sooner. Nashville has been the launching pad for many past and present popular musicians. As you walk up and down Broadway, there is live music playing in every bar all day and all night by excellent performers hoping to be discovered and make it big. Even if music isn't your cup of (sweet) tea, Nashville has plenty of other things to keep you occupied. There is amazing food, sporting events, museums, history, and lots of shopping. And don't forget the moonshine! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Nashville and I am sure you will love it too. Here is a list of my favorite things to do when I visit Nashville: Old Town Trolley Tours: My favorite thing to do when I get to a new location is check to see if they have a hop on/hop off tour bus. It gives me my bearings and I can determine what things I definitely want to see while I am there. In Nashville, the Old Town Trolley Tours has 14 different stops as it takes you around the city. Some of these stops will be specifically highlighted in this list, but there are many different stops that may be of particular interest to you. The great thing about the hop on/hop off is that it gives you transportation around the city and you can get off and explore where ever you choose. Another Trolley will be around to pick you up about every 30 minutes. To me the cost of the ticket is totally worth the benefits! Honkey Tonk Bar Crawl: Obviously! This is the main Nashville attraction. Most honky tonk bars are located on lower Broadway, known as Honky Tonk Highway. Live music starts at 10 am every morning and goes until 3 am! There are so many bars and honky tonks it is hard to know where to go. Some of it is just a trial and error effort. There are no cover charges in Nashville, so you can just walk up and down Broadway (and the nearby side streets) and pop into any place that looks interesting. Most bars pipe the music being played inside onto the sidewalk, so if you hear someone you like you can run inside to listen some more. Many of the bars have several different floors with a different band on each floor so make sure to check out every floor of a place you like. If it is a nice day or evening, be sure to head to the very top if the bar has a rooftop. Many of the bars in Nashville are partially owned (or inspired) by today's most popular country music stars: Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton to name a few. So if you have a favorite country musician, check to see if they have a place and be sure to put that one on your list. Having been to Nashville twice now, I have found a couple of places that I consistently enjoy: Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row Honky Tonk Central Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock-n-Roll Steakhouse Luke Bryan's 32 Bridge-Especially the rooftop bar! Lucky Bastard Saloon-One of the newest honky tonks on Broadway. Nudie's Honky Tonk-A great spot for a rooftop selfie capturing Broadway lights in the background! Ole Smokey Distillery/Yee Haw Brewery: We discovered this place after a tip from a local and we are so glad we did! Definitely a fun way to spend an afternoon. Check out my blog on Ole Smoky here [ADD LINK HERE AFTER PUBLISHED]. Line Dancing Lessons at Wildhorse Saloon: The Wildhorse Saloon is an iconic Nashville venue. It has the largest dance floor in the downtown area and an expansive stage for live performances. There are two floors to view the stage and a suspended herd of wild horses on the ceiling. Line dancing lessons are free and taught by an instructor in between sets of live music. The schedule for performances and line dancing lessons can be found on the Wildhorse Saloon website. They also have a full menu, so you may want to consider this place for dinner and a show (plus a little bit of dancing). There really isn't too much room to line dance at the other honky tonks, so it is fun to have the opportunity and the instruction. Country Music Hall of Fame: This museum is really interesting and takes a few hours to get through. You will especially appreciate it if you are a big country music fan, but I think it is also interesting to music fans in general. There are lots of audio exhibits and it shows the progression of country music from where it started to where it is now. Ryman Auditorium: You can tour the building that was the original home of the Grand Ole Opry. It is cool to see this historic venue up close and personal. There are still live performances at the Ryman and I have been told it is a fantastic place to see a show, so you may want to check out the schedule during your stay to see if you can catch one. Shopping: I love to get my retail fix in whenever I am traveling. Check out my blog on the best places to shop in Nashville here. [INSERT LINK TO BLOG ON SHOPPING IN NASHVILLE] Johnny Cash/Patsy Cline Museum: On my last visit to Nashville, I went to the Johnny Cash museum. It is small and doesn't take long, but costs $22.95. Personally, I didn't think it was worth it as I am not a huge Johnny Cash fan. However, for a true fan there was a lot of cool memorabilia that would be interesting. What I did enjoy was the Johnny Cash cafe/bar right next store. There was a cool "Johnny" vibe to the place. That doesn't cost anything to go in! I haven't done the Patsy Cline museum yet, but I do love her music so hopefully I can fit it in on my next Nashville trip. Gaylord Opryland/Grand Ole Opry: The Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center complex is located outside of downtown Nashville. You will require a car or an Uber ride to visit. If you have not been before, it is worth the trip. The complex is amazing and is a one of a kind 9 acre atrium with indoor streams and gardens. There are a variety of activities, shopping and restaurants. Of course it is the current home to the iconic Grand Ole Opry. I went to a show at the Grand Ole Opry on my first visit and am glad I did it. I didn't feel the need to make the trek out there this time, but it is something that everyone who goes to Nashville should do at least once. Sporting Events or Concerts: I like to schedule some of my trips around a sporting event or concert that I want to see. That way, I can take in an event I would like to enjoy anyway, but also get to check out a new area! The Tennessee Titans play football at Nissan Stadium which is walking distance from downtown. The Nashville Predators play hockey at Bridgestone Arena which also hosts a variety of concerts and is located right on the Honky Tonk Highway. I planned my first visit to Nashville to see the Zac Brown Band at Bridgestone Arena and got the best tickets I have ever had for a concert at a reasonable price! I am spoiled now. If you are interested in going to Nashville, see if you can schedule it around an event or concert. So easy to do both here! There are many other things to do and see in Nashville. These are just a few of my personal favorites. What do you like to do when you are in Nashville? I will definitely be back so would love some recommendations for different things to do next time I am in town!

Where To Stay: By Pike Place Market. I recommend The State Hotel. By Seattle Center. Hotels in this location would be closer to the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum, Museum of Pop Art and other sites located in the Seattle Center, but is a further distance from Pike Place Market and the waterfront. What To Do: Space Needle Seattle Center-Giant arts, sports and recreation plaza Seattle Monorail-Connects Downtown and Space Needle Chihuly Garden and Glass Pike Place Market Bill Speidel's Underground Tour Nordstrom Flagship Store Museum of Pop Culture Ferry Trip to Bainbridge Island Ferry Trip to Victoria (Day Trip or Overnight) Whale Watching Tours Pier 57/Seattle Great Wheel Olympic Sculpture Park Amazon Biospheres Road Trip to Mt. Ranier Road Trip to Snoqualmie Falls/Cascade Mountain Range Road Trip to Eastern Washington Wine Country-Terra Blanca Winery and Estate Vineyard Where To Eat: *Disclaimer: I am not a fan of seafood, coffee or microbrews. All things Seattle is known for and can easily be found on any street corner. Therefore, the suggestions in this section are especially for my fellow picky eaters who are looking for alternatives to the Seattle staples! The Pink Door. Read my detailed blog here. Daily Dozen Doughnut Company The Pike Pub and Brewery Beecher's Handmade Cheese Biscuit Bitch Armory Food and Event Hall-Food court in Seattle Center

Seattle is an area that is known for its fresh seafood, rich coffee and abundant microbrews. There are seafood restaurants and microbreweries on every corner. Need a cup of coffee? There is a Starbucks every few steps (of course), not to mention a gazillion other gourmet coffee shops every where you turn. But what is a girl to do if she finds herself in Seattle and she doesn't like seafood, microbrews OR coffee?!? Not to worry...I did not starve or go thirsty. Turns out there are lots of delicious options for us "foodie outcasts". After doing some investigative research and getting a recommendation from a Seattle local, I chose to grab lunch at a spot called The Pink Door which is located on Post Alley, just a few steps away from Seattle's famed Pike Place Market. As I wandered down Post Alley, I bumped into other "Pink Door" explorers looking for the restaurant. We came upon a pale pink door with the pale pink barred windows, but there was no external signage indicating that we had found the restaurant. I timidly opened the pale pink door and was greeted by a bustling, crowded room filled with people. It felt distinctly like the speakeasy I went to in Washington DC, the low-key exterior completely masking the activity and energy going on behind the door! As I was alone, I made my way to the bar and snagged a seat. The local that gave me the head's up about this restaurant recommended that I order the Lasagne or the Bolognese (telling me it would be the best Bolognese I would ever have!). I decided on the Bolognese and can honestly report that it WAS the best Bolognese I have ever had! The meal was served with freshly baked bread which is always provided at no cost! All dishes are prepared using in season produce from small to medium local farms and are inspired by the owner's Italian-American upbringing in upstate New York. Although the Lasagne and Bolognese are especially popular, I don't think you can go wrong with any item on the menu. Complimenting the excellent food is the eclectic vibe of the restaurant. It is located in a historic space that used to house a violin shop. The space is filled with artistic touches and ephemeral design pieces creating an enchanting environment. Adding to the dreamlike feel is the unique and varied entertainment provided nightly. I intended to return the next night to catch the trapeze artist who performs tricks high above diners in the main dining room, but had a scheduling conflict and couldn't make it back to catch the show. They also have roving tarot card readers and cabaret acts for diner's enjoyment. Even if you are a fan of seafood, coffee and microbrews, I would make sure to visit The Pink Door if you find yourself in Seattle. And make sure you go for dinner so you don't miss the unique nightly entertainment. How many people can say they have eaten dinner with a trapeze artist doing tricks nearby!