Just had another appearance as the resident Travel Expert for hotels.com. Today we’re in the Windy City, Chicago, to speak with WGN. I brought along some fun-filled ideas for unique vacation ideas today. Here’s what I suggested:
APPEARANCE: Travel Advice on WGN Today (part 1 of 2)
Just had another appearance as the resident Travel Expert for hotels.com. Today we’re in the Windy City, Chicago, to speak with WGN. I brought along some fun-filled ideas for unique vacation ideas today. Here’s what I suggested:TRAVEL TIP: A Brief Moment Alone
TRAVEL TIP:
When on vacation- even with the family- take yourself on a short walk for some alone time. As my emphasis is always on safety, be careful of course!Enlist the help of a concierge if you like. Simply ask them for a suggested place you can take in the city for a moment, whether its an adjacent park, or cobble stone walk.
When you are alone, you are able to truly focus on your surroundings: the sights, smells, sounds of the birds. You'll likely commit the brief experience to a peak experience you will not forget. Following is a similar experience I'd like to share.
When on vacation- even with the family- take yourself on a short walk for some alone time. As my emphasis is always on safety, be careful of course!Enlist the help of a concierge if you like. Simply ask them for a suggested place you can take in the city for a moment, whether its an adjacent park, or cobble stone walk.
When you are alone, you are able to truly focus on your surroundings: the sights, smells, sounds of the birds. You'll likely commit the brief experience to a peak experience you will not forget. Following is a similar experience I'd like to share.
TRAVEL TIP: When Good Weather Goes Bad
Even a seasoned travel pro like myself can have an off holiday. Here’s an example of how to make a vacation that seems doomed become one of the best trips you’ve ever had.
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My husband and I were finally on our honeymoon. It had taken over a year to make our schedules and plan work. We were going to New Zealand! He’d always wanted to go- I’d been and absolutely loved it there.I planned everything- swimming with dolphins in the wild (none of that trained-dolphin stuff for me!), we were going kayaking at night by tiki torch; each day was doing some amazing outdoor thingy. Then the weather struck. New Zealand is green for a reason after all! Each day it rained. Hard. It was enough to bum out anyone. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Here’s what we did.
We chucked the entire schedule, hopped in our rented car and started driving. When we came to a town that looked cute, we went looking for a lodge or B&B. As it turned out, some of those B&Bs had patrons coming… the next day, so if we were willing to be out by such-n-such a time, the proprietors would give us a deal. Double win!
Next, we spent more time going to local museums, and enjoying more than one ‘cuppa’ local tea, and local foods. My only regret is that by chucking said plans, my darling hubby never got to see the amazing caves and the glow worms that call them home, on the south island- the one “in-door” (technically, it’s not outdoors!)
In the end, we went to places literally off the beaten path. In fact, we drove on a number of dirt roads. We met some locals we’ll not soon forget too. And we witnessed the most beautiful rainbow ever! (this photo doesn’t do it justice. As for the glow worms- well, we’ll have to check them out the next time.
So remember, if your weather turns sour* make the most of it.
*of course if its hazardous weather, such as a typhoon (in the far Pacific), or hurricane (in the Atlantic), that’s a different story. Be sure to check with your local travel agent, or hotel on cancellations, and evacuation plans. I’ll post more on this subject at a later date.
Travel Hot-Spot: Costa Rica
If you're like me you like to be a step ahead of the pack when it comes to travel destinations. There's no cooler feeling that saying "oh I was there in 1999" when all of the travel magazines are suddenly touting the latest hot-spot. Enter Costa Rica. This beautiful country in Central America has been off the travel world's radar for years simply because it had the misfortune of being a neighbor to some countries that the United States had issues with like (i.e. Nicaragua).
Well I am happy to say Costa Rica has managed to become a darling of the travel industry in recently years! And why not? The weather is great (except for monsoon season), the people couldn't be lovelier, and the dollar currently goes a long way (I was able to have an excellent 3 course meal, plus wine, or beer for less than $10, Amercian).
My trip there was amazing. I have visited each coast, but personally find the west coast to be more enchanting (and less populated). I recommend Punta Leona. The food is wonderful- especially the local exotic fruit. My not-to-miss list continues below.
If you go:
- Try the local fruit (starfruit my favorite. Mui yummy! Ate it every day)
- Visit the volcano area Arenal and enjoy the hotsprings that surround it
- If you are a meat eater- try a steak. I had the best steak of my life there.
- Have an adventure (mine was "canopying" over the forest)
- Feed the gigantic crocodiles that live in the rivers along the highway (if you dare!)
photo courtesy of arenal.net
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