My Epic Adventures in Bangkok :: Ten Reasons to Visit Thailand

February 5, 2021November 29, 2017

Ten reasons to visit Thailand. — Sitting side by side in the floating market!

Asia has always been on my wish list, but when the opportunity to visit Bangkok with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and China Southern Airlines came about, I said “Pick me, pick me!”

A fun-filled travel plan was created to transport seven, seasoned, travel writers, a friendly public relations representative and an energetic authority on Thailand from the TAT. Our proposed adventure was to explore Bangkok and visit several outlying areas as well. It was a travel recipe of epic proportions, coupled with a luxurious airplane experience like no other! We all were more than ready for this Southeast Asian Adventure.

The Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya – Our Perfect Anniversary Getaway

February 28, 2020November 6, 2017

Bravo to the Andaz Mayakoba Resort ~

The Andaz Mayakoba Resort sits within about a square mile of an area called Mayakoba on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. It is surrounded by six miles of fresh water canals, giant mangroves and the colorful Caribbean Sea.

This area of Mexico is an hour away from Cancun, near a city called Playa del Carmen, known as “Playa” on the Riviera Maya in the state of Quintana Roo. I was immediately confused by all of the different names of this area of Mexico. Are you? There are lots of titles for the same location. Just remember that the easiest way to get there is to fly into Cancun and take a taxi or hire a car to drive you to the resort. You will figure it out eventually, I did!

An Empty Nester Visit to the Pumpkin Patch in Seattle ~ It’s still fun!

February 28, 2020October 12, 2017

Even when the kids are grown a visit to the pumpkin patch in Seattle is still a treat!

Combine, blue skies, the idyllic landscape of a rustic farm in the Pacific Northwest, white puffy clouds, colorful autumn leaves, the lingering aroma of apple donuts cooking and enormous green fields studded with huge orange pumpkins and you have described a perfect day in my book. How about you?

An Almost Travel Catastrophe & How to Handle It

February 28, 2020October 9, 2017

travel catastrophes — Early Sunday morning ~ Happy to have just arrived at our destination in Seattle.

A travel catastrophe averted ~

We can all try to be as organized and prepared for travel as we can, but when an airline cancels your flight, you are not in control.

For those of us who like to control our lives and stay on top of everything this can be extremely frustrating, especially at 5:00 am.

Dreamy Day Trips in Mallorca – Local markets, cafes on the beach & turquoise water

February 28, 2020October 4, 2017

It has only been a couple of months since we returned from the incomparable island of Mallorca Spain, but I can’t stop thinking about it! My photos barely come close to the beauty of this place.

Day trips in Mallorca ~

My memories of the seaside towns, colorful architecture, café tables and icy cold beer have stayed with me in such vivid detail! The quiet, sunny, relaxing atmosphere coupled with scenery like this is unlike anything we have ever experienced. I nearly swoon when I look at the photos from the trip. Check these out…

Outstanding in the Field – A farm to table dinner in a setting that gives you goosebumps!

February 28, 2020September 12, 2017

A farm to table dinner in a magical location ~

Location, location, location. This “restaurant without walls”, farm to table dinner feast was in Lillywaup, WA at the Hama Hama Oyster Farm. Just imagine dining on the west shore of the Hood Canal where the water was so close you worried the tides would rise too fast. It wasn’t scary, it was dreamy.

Although the was dinner was located in the state of Washington, notorious for rain and grey skies, we experienced none of that. Just bright blue sky and vivid green grasses and trees, with white puffy clouds sprinkled on top. Goosebump scenery. You know that other worldly feeling of discovering a new place that you can hardly put in to words how incredible that moment in time feels? This is how I felt and most likely everyone sitting at the one long table set for 150 food loving diners did as well.

A Peek Inside a Presidential Suite at the Grand Hyatt San Francisco

February 28, 2020September 7, 2017

What is it like inside a Presidential Suite in San Francisco?

How about a sneak peek inside a Presidential Suite at the Grand Hyatt, San Francisco? What is a Presidential Suite exactly? Do presidents stay there? Rock stars? The Dalai Lama? How about a travel blogger and her business traveler husband? Check, check, check and check.

We actually did stay in The Onyx Suite in Downtown Seattle just after the Dalai Lama left the hotel. That felt pretty darn cool.

We are offered upgrades to suites of this kind because my husband spends half of the calendar year in Hyatt Hotels. Think of how many days that is. These upgrades are a type of thank you for his continued support and loyalty. It is a lovely perk for the sacrifices he (and I make) when he is far from home so often. Upgrades to this level don’t happen often, but when they do, we are very impressed…and grateful!

Hotel Points ~

I have always suggested that sticking with one hotel chain and building loyalty points for future travel is so beneficial. This strategy helps us build hotel points and has allowed us to stay in many extraordinary luxury hotels. Craig and I just returned from a stay on the island of Mallorca at the incomparable Park Hyatt and we stayed there using points. Many of the hotel chains have credit cards where you can earn points for future stays as well.

Uncorked :: The Perfect Book to Read When You Travel

August 23, 2017

Do you like to read when you travel?

Do you love to read like I do? Do you lug around paper copies when you travel? Or do you bring all your titles on a kindle? An iPad?

I actually do a little bit of everything. My primary reading device is my iPad mini where I have loaded iBooks, as well as the Kindle app. My favorite genre is probably historical fiction, but my passion for reading something well written and entertaining surpasses any type of category preference.

Welcome to Los Angeles :: 25 Very Fun Things to do in LA!

February 28, 2020August 21, 2017

Welcome to Los Angeles ~ 25 Awesome Things to do in Los Angeles!

Summer is still here and the daytime sun is blazing. I know that doesn’t make Los Angeles sound too enticing, but come anyway we have air conditioning! Or if you live in So Cal – Get out and come visit! Maybe wait until the kids go back to school (which is like, now.)

How come they go back so early now? When we were kids we had the luxury of enjoying much more summertime because we returned to school after Labor Day.

A visit to Los Angeles includes a HUGE geographic area. From Disneyland to the South to Venice in the west and Universal Studios to the Northwest. It doesn’t just include Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA). The traffic is awful so you may want to break your time down in to day trips or stay in a centrally located spot and venture out like spokes on a wheel.

Park Hyatt Mallorca – Our Pick for the Luxury Resort of the Year

February 28, 2020August 14, 2017

A one of a kind resort – The Park Hyatt Mallorca ~

The travel year is barely halfway through and we can already pick the Park Hyatt Mallorca for the luxury resort of the year. It is five star and beyond amazing. When we decided to plan a relaxing retreat in Mallorca, we knew it would be special, but it was not only special it was probably our favorite hotel experience of all time.

Where on earth is Mallorca? Mallorca is the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean. It is known for beach resorts, sheltered coves, limestone mountains and Roman and Moorish remains. It was just a forty minute plane ride from Barcelona and is truly the quintessential Mediterranean postcard. It’s gorgeous.