We are big cruise fans. We enjoy ocean cruising, river cruising, and earlier this summer we fell in love with barge cruising. We cruised the Burgundy canals, drank fabulous wines, met wonderful people, and enjoyed the history, culture, and cuisine of the area. Burgundy (Bourgogne in French) is located about three and a half hours southeast of Paris and is probably best known for its pinot noir and chardonnay grapes. This was a wine region we wanted to learn more about and the reason we selected the Classic Northern Burgundy itinerary. We were also familiar with the food from this region of France (delicious cheeses, beef bourguignon, coq au vin) and some of the history. This was a perfect itinerary for first-time barge cruisers who are food, wine, and history lovers! We’re excited to review our hotel barge, the itinerary, […]
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You’ll Never Want To Leave: Tulalip Resort & Casino
If you are visiting Washington State and looking for a luxury getaway outside of the downtown Seattle area, a stay at the Tulalip Resort Hotel and Casino is a great choice. Located in Quil Ceda Village, about an hour north of Seattle, the Tulalip Resort may be best known for its casino – but that’s not the only reason for a visit. You’ll find beautiful hotel rooms, great restaurants with an impressive cocktail and wine menu, and a decadent spa, as well as top-class entertainment throughout the year. We loved all of our stays at Tulalip Resort & Casino and never wanted to leave. We think you’ll feel the same way, too. This is part of a series of themed features talking about places we’ve stayed and never wanted to leave. This post may contain affiliate links, sponsored travel, sponsored […]
Read MoreSeattle: 12 Things to Do in Pioneer Square
The Seattle summer may be starting to edge into fall, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to go indoors yet. Grab your jacket, just in case, and head to Pioneer Square for a weekend soaking up Seattle’s history. On a weekday Pioneer Square is full of people in suits, the King County Courthouse and numerous office buildings are close by, but on weekends you’ll find a mix of workers, shoppers, tourists, and a few men and women who call the park benches home. Walk around and discover Seattle history, wander through the shops and galleries, or grab a table at a restaurant or café. TMobile Park and CenturyLink Field are a short walk away. Here are 12 suggestions of things to do in Pioneer Square to get you started. Meet at the Pergola in Pioneer Square Located at the triangular […]
Read MoreWeekend Getaway: Playa del Carmen & All-Inclusive Reef 28
Mexico is an amazing place to head to for a girls-only vacation, and destinations don’t come much better than Playa del Carmen. If you’re looking for a Playa del Carmen all-inclusive vacation that combines a great location, unbeatable amenities, and top-notch dining, you can’t go wrong with the adult-only Reef 28. One of the best Playa del Carmen resorts, Reef 28 might have a reputation for being a romantic resort, but there are also many reasons why you should consider it for your next weekend getaway with your best gal pals. Here’s our guide to this amazing resort. Getting to Reef 28 Located in the heart of the Riviera Maya, Reef 28’s location combines the best of a beach getaway with the best of a city getaway. Most visitors from the U.S. will into Cancun (airport code CUN). You can […]
Read More7 Places to Sip Wine in France
When I think about traveling in France, food and wine are at the top of my list of things to enjoy. From simple peasant fare to exquisite fine dining, my mouth waters thinking about the choices. It’s been awhile since I visited France for longer than making a connection at the airport, but I still have fond memories of delightful combinations of food and wine. You can enjoy this experience with minimal effort. Arm yourself with some basic wine information, hone in on a destination or two, maybe even limit your “research” to one or two types of grapes. For your consideration, I suggest seven places to sip wine while you’re in France: My top recommendation, however, is to enjoy the moment. Savor the experience as much as the food and wine. The experience is as much about enjoying life as it […]
Read MoreYou’ll Love These 9 Art Masterpieces in Florence, Italy
Florence, Italy, attracts millions of visitors each year and is well known for its art – art museums and galleries housing many of the world’s great art masterpieces. It has long been considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The city is just one of the many reasons that I love Italy. Since the 15th Century, Florence has been an economically prosperous city due to an Italian banking family known as the Medicis. Cosimo de’ Medici became a patron of art, science, philosophy, and architecture, which helped the city to become known as the birthplace of the Renaissance. The Historic Center of Florence is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with significant architecture, monuments, and cultural history combined with its art history. Artists like Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Donatello, Botticelli, and Ghiberti created masterpieces thanks to his patronage. […]
Read MoreGuadalajara Cathedral in the Central Historic District
As Mexico’s second-largest city, there are many reasons to visit Guadalajara: it has high-quality museums, some of the best street food in Mexico and is the birthplace of mariachi, the quintessential Mexican musical genre. It is a wonderful combination of cosmopolitan city and historic center, blending the old with the new, the modern with the traditional, and the hip with the historical. It also has a massive jewel in its crown – the Guadalajara Cathedral, a minor basilica that is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Guadalajara. Visiting the Guadalajara Cathedral is one of the top things to do in Guadalajara, whether you’re exploring the city on your own or joining an organized walking tour of Guadalajara. Located in the downtown Centro Historico (Avenue 16 de Septiembre, Hidalgo y Morelos), Guadalajara Cathedral is known for being one of the […]
Read MoreHow to Use the NYC CityPASS for Savings on New York Attractions
So you’re finally making the trip to the Big Apple. You plan to see all the sights, take in a Broadway show, and check out the amazing dining scene. But all that is going to be heavy on the wallet. While there are a free things to do – wandering Times Square, looking for admission-free museum days, walking the High Line in NYC – most of the top attractions are going to cost you. If you want to get more for your dollar, you should buy a New York CityPASS. Offering admission to up to six New York attractions, the NYC CityPASS is a smart way to save money when visiting New York attractions. What’s Included There are two types of passes to choose from: the New York City CityPASS and New York C3 Pass. There are ten attractions in […]
Read MoreWine, Wineries and Vineyards On California’s Central Coast
California is the nation’s largest wine producer and California’s Central Coast offers some of the best wine and most breathtaking scenery in the state. Many wineries are small, family-owned operations so travelers have the opportunity to meet with the actual winemaker or proprietor to learn about the history and culture of this area. From Ventura up to Monterey, the cities of California’s Central Coast are home to tasting rooms and artisanal wineries while the valleys are home to picturesque vineyards and wine estates. As always with travel on California’s Central Coast, the best way to explore is a California road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway. Ventura Region Commonly known as the gateway to California’s wine region, Ventura County boasts its own world-class wine experience with numerous boutique wineries crafted from California’s best grapes. The best way to experience these […]
Read More20 Best Beaches in Fuerteventura Spain
With 3,000 hours of sunshine every year, and winter temperatures averaging in the low 70’s, Fuerteventura beaches lure travelers to their shores. Offering beautiful stretches of white and black sand, terrific year-round surfing, sailing, diving, sport fishing, and all sorts of adventure both on land and water. Fuerteventura is one of the Canary Islands (but owned by Spain), located about 63 miles off the coast of Africa. Flights to Fuerteventura Spain go into the airport at El Mattoral, from dozens of cities across Europe, making it an easy and affordable destination for a beach vacation. So Which Fuerteventura Beach is For You? There are over 150 beaches on the island ranging from fine, white sand to black volcanic rock formed from volcanic activity, dating back thousands of years. Generally speaking, the beaches on the north part of the island have […]
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