Travel
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Duluth, MN
We love spending a long weekend in / near Duluth. Duluth is less than 2 1/2 hours from the Twin Cities and there’s plenty to do outside any time of the year. We’ve been to Duluth multiple times; as a family, as a couple and as part of a group. My favorite time to go to Duluth is in the Fall when the leaves along the lake shore are in full color and the cool nights encourage snuggling up by a bonfire or fireplace. (Click on the blue words for links and more information.)
Where to Stay:
There are many hotel, resort and VRBO options around Duluth. Determine what you’d like to do during your stay and then select your accommodations. For example, if you want to be able to walk or bike to shops and restaurants, book a room in Duluth. If you’re more interested in nature and hiking, consider a resort or a VRBO North of Duluth. You can book a traditional hotel room in Duluth at places like Fitger’s Lakefront Hotel, The Inn on Lake Superior, Sheraton Duluth Hotel or South Pier Inn. You can book a condo type room at Beacon Pointe on Lake Superior, Larsmont Cottages, Superior Shores Resort or Cove Point Lodge. Or you can book a cabin at places like Breezy Point Cabins on Lake Superior, Dodges Log Lodges or Cascade Lodge. Look at TripAdvisor, VRBO and AirBNB to see what fits best with your plans and group size. As always, talk with friends who have a similar style to you for suggestions and reviews.
Two places we love and recommend are:
Larsmont Cottages – This is a quiet relaxing resort on the shoreline of Lake Superior about 20 miles Northeast of Duluth. There are several room options from a single bedroom all the way up to a three bedroom cottage with a full kitchen and multiple fireplaces. The one bedroom Lakeside Cottage with full kitchen is perfect for a couple’s get-a-way. There is a restaurant, convenience store, pool, sauna and fire pits on the grounds. The resort even delivers firewood and s’mores kits for bonfires. Take note: the Lake Shore rooms are much closer to the lake than the Lake View rooms but you will be able to see the lake from both.
Larsmont Cottages The Pumphouse – This is an amazing VRBO on the East side of Duluth near Lester Park. There are 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. The living room, den and dining room are all very spacious. There are 4 fireplaces and tons of windows overlooking Lake Superior which is literally right out the door. If you love a good Restoration Hardware vibe with a killer view and gorgeous outdoor spaces, book this property!
The Pumphouse Things to Do:
Duluth Area:
- Lake Walk / Canal Park: There’s a great walking / biking path along the lake front and out onto the peninsula known as Canal Park; there are many hotels, shops and restaurants on Canal Park. Make sure to walk or drive over the lift bridge.
- Glensheen, The Historic Congdon Estate: The Full Mansion tour lasts 2 hours with full access to the grounds / gardens. Watch the information video in the gift shop before your tour. Also, check their website for seasonal activities.
- Enger Park and Tower: The park offers flower gardens, a Japanese peace garden and a tower with view of all of Duluth’s highlights including the harbor, bridges, parks and Lake Superior.
- Lake Superior Railroad Museum: In addition to a fun museum, you can also take a ride on the Zephyr train. Check website for routes, times and cost.
- Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center: This museum is run by the Army Corp of Engineers and has several exhibits, short movies and a gift shop.
- Vista Fleet: For a view of Duluth from the water, check out the different cruise options with Vista Fleet. They offer everything from a dinner cruise to a family friendly shoreline cruise.
- Time Out Sailing: Spend a half or full day sailing on Lake Superior with up to six guests. Check out the different tour options on their website.
- Lake Superior Helicopter Tour: If you’d like to see the shoreline from the air, try one of the many helicopter tours.
- Lester Park: If you stay at The Pumphouse, I highly recommend exploring and hiking at Lester Park.
Lester Park Two Harbors: (27 miles Northeast of Duluth) a great little town with some fun waterfront areas, restaurants, liquor stores, etc.
- Sonju Lakewalk Trail – This is an easy, paved trail.
- Agate Bay Beach – Look for agates here after a storm or in the off-season.
- The Breakwater and Lighthouse – This lighthouse is a B&B with four different accommodations.
Two Harbors Lighthouse B&B Farther North:
Gooseberry Falls State Park - Gooseberry Falls State Park: A beautiful, easily accessible falls with additional hiking paths.
- Split Rock Lighthouse State Park: Tour this MN landmark; but they’re not open every day, so check their website for days and hours.
- Silver Bay: Black Beach: Check out this public beach with black sand.
- Beaver Bay: Stroll through this small town with restaurants, shops and necessities.
- Tettegouche State Park: Do the 3 mile hike to the High Falls.
- North Shore Scenic Drive: If you go in the fall, check here for a fall color report and several scenic routes to see peak colors.
- Lutsen: Open year-round: golf and an alpine slide in the summer, skiing in the winter.
Split Rock Lighthouse Restaurants / Bars
- Bellisio’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar (Duluth): A great little Italian place in Canal Park.
- Lake Avenue Restaurant & Bar (Duluth): Our faves include the Mediterranean Panzanella, the burger and the Market Fish Tostada. We’ve heard great things about the mussels but they were sold out.
- Vikre Distillery (Duluth): They offer distillery tours, but there’s a cute bar if you just want a nice cocktail. Try the Frenchie. So good!
- Canal Park Brewery (Duluth): They have a full restaurant and bar with a lake side patio.
- Fitger’s Brewhouse (Duluth): A historic building with a nice pub.
- Va Bene (Duluth): Italian with lake view seating; if the weather is nice, wait for a balcony table.
- Apostle Supper Club (Duluth): This is a 1960’s Palm Springs style supper club located on the rotating top floor of the Radisson Hotel. Apostle is owned by Brian and Sarah Ingram of Saint Paul. Make reservations in advance. (The Ingrams also own several restaurants in St. Paul including: Hope Breakfast Bar, The Gnome Craft Pub and Apostle Supper Club.)
- New Scenic Café (14 miles North of Duluth): This is my favorite restaurant near Duluth and this is always the first dinner reservation I make after scheduling a trip.
- Ledge Rock Grille (Larsmont Cottages, Two Harbors): They have live music on the weekends, check the website for details.
- Castle Danger (Two Harbors): A fun brewery that sells snacks like chips and salsa. They have rotating food trucks outside and you can order pizza delivery from Do North Pizza. We love the taco pizza. (Pro Tip: Bring paper plates, napkins and silverware for your pizza.) There are also outdoor games. We love stopping in here on our way back to Duluth after a hike at Tettegouche or Gooseberry Falls.
- Rustic Café (Two Harbors): They offer down-home cooking, with a large pie selection.
- Betty’s Pies (North of Two Harbors): This is a popular stop with the tourists, so many pie options!
New Scenic Cafe What to Pack:
- Hiking boots: If there’s any rain, many of the hiking paths get muddy. If you don’t have hiking boots bring an extra pair of shoes that can get muddy. Also bring a refillable water bottle, backpack for snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, hat and sunglasses.
- Swimsuits: Many resorts have indoor pools, hot tubs and / or saunas.
- Raincoat or light jacket: Bring a jacket even in the summer, it can get cool by the water.
- Small cooler & backpack: It’s nice to pack drinks & snacks when you’re heading out on a day-long adventure along the shore.
- If you’re staying somewhere that has a kitchen you may want to bring your own coffee beans, creamer and an insulated coffee mug like a Yeti.
- Things to read: Kindle, books, magazines
- Things to do: puzzles, games, cards
- I always bring my own blanket to cuddle up with while reading a book and drinking a cup of coffee in the morning.
Leave a comment with your favorite things to do in or around Duluth?
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San José del Cabo / Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, Mexico
This is one of my favorite warm weather destinations because it’s a quick, direct flight for us. We can leave our house in the morning and be on the beach with a margarita in hand before lunch.
This area is often referred to as Los Cabos. There are two towns in Los Cabos: San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. The area between the two towns is called The Corridor and it is lined with many resorts, houses, condos, public beaches and golf courses. (Click on any blue words below for additional information.)
Los Cabos: Cabo San Lucas, The Corridor and San José Del Cabo How to Get There: Fly into the San José del Cabo (SJD) airport. For more tips, review my general travel post “How to Get There and Where to Stay.”
Transportation: You will need transportation to your resort since the airport is outside both cities. I suggest arranging transportation in advance with your resort as there is an abundance of time share vendors, excursion companies and taxi drivers all trying to get your attention as soon you walk out of the airport. If you are staying at an all-inclusive, I would not rent a car during your stay. Most likely your resort will have shuttles to town and, if not, they will be able to arrange a taxi. If you are staying in a vacation rental by owner (VRBO) or doing a lot of activities like golf and know you will want a car, I highly recommend setting up your car rental in advance. The car rental agencies are not known for their honesty so make sure to bring insurance information that shows you are covered in a rental car in Mexico (rental car insurance in Mexico will cost more than the rental car!) and get everything in writing. Then check your credit card to make sure they charged you the correct amount.
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas is centered around the large marina and has lots of restaurants, tourist shops and a high end shopping mall. The energy levels are high here and everything caters to the tourist. My least favorite part of walking around the marina is the constant barrage of people trying to sell you something, book an excursion or entice you to eat at their restaurant. Even saying “No, Gracias” seems to invite additional conversation. Now, some people like the high energy levels of Cabo and duty free shopping, but I prefer the more laid back feel of San José del Cabo.
Cabo San Lucas Where to Stay in Cabo:
Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort and Spa – We’ve stayed at this beautiful resort twice. Many resorts like Grand Solmar have timeshare rooms that can be found on sites like redweek.
Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal – We have not stayed here, but I follow several bloggers who have and it looks amazing. If you don’t like the location on the Pacific or don’t want to spend $1,000+ / night, make a reservation at one of their restaurants to check out this five star resort.
All Inclusive Resorts – We don’t typically stay at all inclusive resorts, but there are MANY in Los Cabos. Check this site for the best rated all inclusive resorts.
Restaurants in Cabo:
The Office on Medano Beach is a very well known beach bar / restaurant.
There are many good fresh seafood restaurants around the marina. We had a nice lunch at Fisherman’s Landing.
Remember what I’ve said in previous travel posts about making lunch or dinner reservations at resorts in order to get into the resort and look around. Los Cabos is the ideal place to follow this advice as most of the resorts, communities and golf courses are gated; but with a dinner reservation you can get in just about anywhere. However, don’t think you can just drive up and fake a dinner reservation – the guard desks usually check the reservation list before allowing you through the gate.
Things to Do in Cabo:
There is a lot of shopping in Cabo, but stick to the Marina / tourist areas. Cabo is generally safe but like any town with a high rate of tourist traffic, pick pocketing is a concern; so keep your money and credit cards secure and close. We usually leave our passports, some cash and at least one credit card in our room just to be safe. And, of course, keep an eye on your drinks, stay in groups, etc. On one trip, we wandered out of the tourist area looking for a coffee shop / bakery I had read about online; when we finally admitted we were lost, we stopped at a Motel to ask them to call us a taxi and we were told it wasn’t safe for us to be in this neighborhood and to wait inside the lobby until the taxi arrived.
Note regarding conversion rates: Check with your credit card company in advance about what Peso conversion rate they use. When charging to your credit card, inquire what the conversion rate is at the resort, store or restaurant; in most cases, it’s to your benefit to charge your purchase to your credit card in Pesos. Also, contact your bank in the US and order a few hundred dollars in Pesos for those restaurants and shops who don’t take credit cards. Then, try to use up your Pesos before leaving Mexico.
The Corridor
Hotels in The Corridor:
Montage Los Cabos – We stayed here for three nights and it was magical. It’s expensive, but if you want to be pampered, this is a great place to stay. The spa is amazing. I had a pedicure and manicure in the salon one day and the California Wildflower treatment with Ruth the following day. The spa is adults only and the amenities are first rate (and I’ve been to a lot of spas.) We were fortunate enough to have the entire spa pool to ourselves for the afternoon. If you like to golf, make sure to have the concierge book a tee time at the private Twin Dolphin Club (a Fred Couple’s course) and stay for lunch. (The photo collages below are best viewed on a Desktop.)
Viceroy Los Cabos – This is another resort that I haven’t stayed at, but I’ve seen numerous reviews and photos online. I read the sunsets from the Cielomar Rooftop restaurant are amazing.
One & Only Palmilla – This is a beautiful, luxury resort that caters to both adults and families with several pools (including an adults only pool), restaurants, a spa, kid’s club and numerous activities.
Restaurants in The Corridor:
Mezcal at The Montage was fabulous. The food was not only presented beautifully, but it tasted great; and the service and decor were wonderful. We had a dinner and a breakfast at Mezcal and it’s definitely worth a visit even if you don’t stay here. There’s another restaurant and bar at The Montage called Marea that overlooks the water, but I didn’t enjoy their food as much. However, if you make a reservation for dinner at Mezcal, arrive early and go to Marea for a cocktail. We did a tequila tasting at Marea one afternoon that was very fun and educational.
Agua at the One and Only Palmilla offers a romantic moonlight table with a tasting menu for two and gorgeous water views. This is a wonderful setting if you’re celebrating something special. The food was phenomenal (even though it’s a preset menu, they will accommodate dietary restrictions) and the restaurant had great live music. If you’re traveling with children, book a terrace table at Agua.
San José Del Cabo
The beach areas in San José are now lined with large resorts and tourist shops; but if you go into the old town square (aka Centro), you will find historic buildings, great authentic Mexican restaurants, coffee shops and art galleries. The shop owners in San José are friendly, often offering greetings from the sidewalk; but no one followed us down the street trying to sell us beach hats, jewelry or cigars like they do around the Cabo marina.
San José del Cabo Mission Where to Stay near San José:
We love renting a condo at El Encanto Villas. They have everything from two bedroom condos to six bedroom houses with private pools available for rent. All of these properties are privately owned but there is an onsite management group who rents the properties on their behalf. There is a concierge at the office who can assist you with any problems or questions about the property as well as making restaurant reservations and booking activities. These properties are inside a gated community outside of San Jose, so you’ll need to rent a car. Technically, all of the beaches in Los Cabos are public, but this one is very quiet. Guests at El Encanto have access to the massive infinity pools on the property, plus the private Vero Neo Beach Club for an additional fee. Note: You can make a reservation to eat at the Beach Club restaurant / bar without paying the daily fee.
Acre Baja is a fun resort with twelve treehouse rooms. (See photos below under Restaurants.) Note it is not located on a beach, but in the middle of a lush, naturally occurring grove of Palm and Mango trees.
Restaurants in or near San José:
Flora’s Field Kitchen at Flora Farms is always a favorite stop for us and we typically visit numerous times. It’s located outside of town and the last mile or so is on a rutted dirt road, but stick it out… it’s worth it. The majority of the produce is grown by Flora Farms and everything else is sourced locally. The cocktails are made with freshly squeezed juices and herbs – who would have thought to put carrot juice in a margarita? It’s called the Farmarita – try it! When booking your reservation online (and trust me, you need a reservation in advance) consider booking a farm tour before your meal. The grounds are beautiful, but there are areas off limit to the public without an escort. Don’t miss the mini-farmer’s market at the back of Flora’s Field Kitchen. They have everything from fresh bread and honey to produce and pre-made sandwiches. Flora Farms also has fractional ownership cottages and haylofts on-site and tours are available for potential owners. On a personal note, if you go soon (during Covid) I would recommend a late lunch over dinner. The restaurant is very popular and when we went for dinner on our last night, I was a little uncomfortable at the large number of people mingling on the grounds while waiting for their table.
Acre at the Acre Baja Resort is past Flora Farms – just follow the signage down the bumpy dirt road. The grounds are super lush and it has a very different feel from Flora Farms; so if you have time, visit both. Acre Baja has an animal sanctuary that you are allowed to visit. Be careful though, the puppies are adorable and up for adoption.
Los Tamarindos is another property located down the bumpy road past Flora Farms that has a farm-to-table restaurant.
Jazmin’s is located in the historic center of San José del Cabo and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
La Lupita Taco and Mezcal is a great taco restaurant in the center of San José del Cabo. This is a perfect place to eat before the Thursday night art walk.
Buzzards Bar and Grill is a small restaurant on the sand near El Encanto de La Laguna. If you rent a condo or house at El Encanto, definitely check it out for their large platters of chips with guacamole and salsa, quesadillas, fajitas, tacos and margaritas. Please note they only take cash (bring Pesos if you have them) and the kitchen closes at 7:30 PM.
Things to Do in Los Cabos:
Golf: There are many golf courses to choose from in the area. The easiest way to make reservations is to work with the concierge at your hotel or a golf service like Best 4 Mexico Tee Times. They may be able to get you on private courses that you can’t typically play without being a member.
Boat Day Trips: Sailing, snorkeling, whale watching, deep sea fishing… choose your adventure, but I recommend getting out on the water at least once. We did a sailing / snorkeling / sunset day with Day Sail Cabo and Captain Bob several years ago and we had a blast. Just find a boat that fits your needs and I suggest booking in advance. Note: Most beaches are not safe for swimming in Los Cabos, due to strong currents and riptides in the area. So it’s usually best to swim or snorkel from a boat, out past the currents.
Thursday night Art Walk in San José del Cabo: If you have a car or are staying in San José, don’t miss the Thursday night art walk. There are food vendors, but if you want to eat in a restaurant that night, I strongly suggest making your dinner reservation in advance as the art walk is well attended and restaurants book up.
Flora Farms and Los Tamarindos both offer cooking classes. Look at their websites to find one that matches your area of interest. We took the Flora Farms salsa cooking class which is located in a private part of the grounds and includes one margarita and a huge fish taco lunch. (Don’t plan dinner for that night because you can take home all of your left overs.)
Cabo Adventures offers many activities including: snorkeling and diving, ATV tours, sailing, zip lining, etc.
Todo Santos is located about 45 miles North of Cabo and used to be a quiet haven for surfers and artists. New restaurants, hotels and shops are quickly transforming the artsy town into more of a tourist town, but it’s still worth a visit.
What to Pack:
Sunscreen, hats, water shirts (for snorkeling or diving) and sunglasses. (See “What’s In My Beach Bag.”) The sun is hot here and you will sunburn quickly.
If you are staying somewhere with a water view, bring a pair of binoculars. In March we saw whales from our balcony daily.
Restaurants are fairly casual. A sundress or shorts and a nice shirt will work for dinner at most places. Remember to bring a sweater or wrap if you’ll be out after sunset, it cools off fast at night. In March, I wish I had packed a light sweatshirt for some of the cooler mornings.
Covid Testing:
A negative Covid test is currently required to enter the United States from Mexico. Click here for current Los Cabos Covid-19 information.
If you are staying at a large resort, they will most likely offer Covid testing onsite. You MUST have your passport with you for the Covid test. If you’re renting a condo, use this link for a list of testing facilities. John and I had appointments at the Hospiten in San Jose del Cabo. The cost was $35 and we had our results the same day. Allow extra time at the airport for all of the additional Covid paperwork. We uploaded all of our documents in advance, but the airline still wanted to see the reports again to ensure our passport numbers matched; and there was one additional document we had to complete once we were at the airport.
I couldn’t include everything in this blog post; so if you have any specific questions, please reach out. (Check my Instagram for more photos.) Also, if you have any favorite hotels, restaurants or things to do in this area that I didn’t include; please comment below so everyone can benefit from the additional information. We’re so excited to slowly and safely start traveling again!
Click on the three lines to the left of the word “lifestyle” at the top of this page and enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Also, follow me on Instagram at cocktailsandgratitude for photos of cocktails, flowers, my pets and more travel.
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Someday We Will Travel Again… Where Do You Want To Go?
When you start thinking / dreaming about vacation travel, read through my blog posts for tips and look through some of my favorite places for suggestions of places to stay, things to do, restaurants to try, etc. (The blue words and photos below will take you to my previous blog posts with more information.)
Choosing a Travel Destination: Read this post to help you determine where you want to go. Obviously post Covid, other considerations are:
- Am I comfortable flying or do I need to pick a place where I can drive?
- What are the Covid rates where I would like to visit?
- Is the place I want to go allowing visitors and, if so, are there any requirements before or after I travel like Covid testing and / or quarantine? State and local health department websites are your best resource. Keep in mind that restrictions can change rapidly depending on local conditions. Check back for updates as your trip gets closer.
How To Get There and Where To Stay: This post will help you decide what kind of accomodations will best suit you. Post Covid, additional considerations are:
- Are the restaurants open where I’m traveling? Do I want to go out to eat in a restaurant or get take-out every night? If not, you’ll need a suite, condo or house with a kitchen.
- Am I comfortable being with groups of other people at the pool or in the lounge areas of a hotel? If not, consider a house with a private pool.
If you choose to rent a house or condo read my post How to Choose a Vacation Rental and Make it Feel Like Home or at least feel like your own space while you’re there. These tips are especially helpful if you’re staying in the same place for several weeks.
Another good reminder is to make sure your travel is fully refundable if there is a surge in Covid rates or if someone in your group becomes ill. I heard a rumor that airfare will no longer be automatically refundable / changeable after March 2021.
Below are some domestic travel destinations to consider. I’ve been to all of these places, but I didn’t write a blog post for all of them. Feel free to contact me for more information on any of these destinations by commenting below or direct messaging me.
Napa Valley 
We love combining Pebble Beach and Carmel Valley. 
Palm Springs & Palm Desert 
Charleston 
Places I’ve stayed in Arizona include Scottsdale and Sedona. 
Places I’ve stayed in Florida include: Rosemary Beach, Naples and Anna Maria Island. 
Chicago – I can’t believe I haven’t written a post about Chicago! I will write a travel guide once everything opens back up and I know what places survived the pandemic. When you are willing to fly, here are a few other places to consider.
Maui 
Turks & Caicos 
We went to Copenhagen, Amsterdam and Stockholm in one trip. 
Places I’ve stayed in Canada include: Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City. 
Places I’ve stayed in Scotland include: Inverness, St. Andrews and Edinburgh. 
Spain – I visited a friend in Barcelona and Mallorca de Palma. 
Places I’ve stayed in Italy include Milan, Santa Margherita, Florence, Rome, Cortona, Maranello and Venice. 
One of my favorite beach destinations is San Jose del Cabo in Baja California. It’s a quick, direct flight for us and there are great golf courses for John. I’m dreaming of an extended stay in Italy. We’ll see when Covid allows this, but creating a Italy Trip Board on VRBO and saving Italian Villas in Umbria helps get me through the cold, frozen winter in Saint Paul and Chicago.
I’ve also read a lot of fictional books this last year that were set in the coastal towns of France, so that’s an area of interest as well.
Once you are comfortable traveling, where is your dream vacation destination?
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“Fixer Upper” Girls’ Trip to Waco, Texas
If you’ve visited my blog before, you know I love to travel. During this time at home, what I’m missing most is the ability to travel. So, what better way to pass some time during quarantine than to start planning trips for when it’s safe to travel. I’m planning a few trip options so I’m ready to utilize any travel deals that may be offered.
If you love all things Chip and Joanna Gaines, consider a trip to Waco, Texas. I was there for four days in November 2019 for an annual girls’ trip and we had a great time. It’s a charming town that’s easy to navigate and everyone was really friendly.
How to get there:
You can either fly into Dallas (DFW) and drive less than two hours South to Waco or fly into Austin (AUS) and drive about an hour and a half Northeast. Check airline prices and flight times to determine which airport will work best for you.
Where to Stay: (Click any blue words below for more information / websites.)
I would strongly consider booking a “Fixer Upper” home. Several of the houses featured on Fixer Upper are listed on VRBO or AirBnB. We stayed in the Mid-Century Modern Home owned by Josh and Jill Barret. It was so much fun to stay in a Fixer Upper house.
Mid-Century Modern Kitchen 
Mid-Century Modern Dining Room 
Mid-Century Modern Living Room 
Mid-Century Modern Master Bedroom Also, check Magnolia.com for the three vacation rental homes owned by Chip and Jo. Chip and Joanna are also renovating a historic building in downtown Waco and converting it into a hotel that is scheduled to open in 2021.
If a hotel is more your style, I would recommend staying downtown so you can walk to many of the shops and restaurants. Hotels downtown include: Hotel Indigo, Marriot Residence Inn and Hilton Waco.
Things to Do:
Waco Tours: I strongly suggest starting your visit with the Classic Waco Tour. It’s a two and a half hour tour that will give you a nice overview of the city on your first day. During the tour they do talk about Fixer Upper, but the tour also includes a history of the area, a visit to the Baylor University campus, a stop at Heritage Creamery and Common Grounds coffee shop, suggestions for restaurants and things to do as well as a coupon book to use during your stay. One of the owners of Waco Tours, David Ridley, had a house on season three of Fixer Upper.
Waco Tours 
Waco Tours stop at Common Grounds Magnolia Farms Shops: This is an entire block downtown that includes the silos, the Magnolia Press coffee shop, the Silos Baking Co, Magnolia Seed + Supply garden store, a big green lawn bordered with food trucks and Magnolia Market. Check online for opening days and times. Note: Most shops in Waco are closed on Sundays, including anything affiliated with Magnolia. Also, if you want to avoid the crowds, I read that Mondays and Tuesdays are the quietest shopping days at Magnolia.
Magnolia Farms Silo at dusk 
Silos Baking Co, 
Magnolia Market 
Chip’s Corner inside Magnolia Market Little Shop on Bosque: This is the original Magnolia location at 3801 N. Bosque. It’s a much smaller location and typically has last season’s left-over products from the Magnolia Market. If you buy anything at Magnolia Market, bring your receipt and you will get a 10% discount here.
Tip: When we made purchases at any of the Magnolia shops, including the Magnolia Table Take Away + Market, we received a card with a discount code for future online purchases. If you didn’t travel to Waco with an empty suitcase, buy a few small items to find out if they are still giving out the discount code with purchase. If so, consider only buying items not available online during your trip and utilize the discount code to purchase items online and have them shipped directly to your house.
JDH Iron Designs: There is a small pop-up trailer located across from the silos on 8th Street. (You most likely will meet Jimmy Don during your Waco Tour.) Jimmy Don’s main shop is located on Lone Star Parkway near Valley Mills which is about a 30-minute drive West of Waco. If you have the time, it’s a nice relaxing drive. At the shop, there is a larger selection of metal work than what’s available at the trailer in Waco. There is also a viewing window where you can watch workers cut the signs. (Waco Tours coupon book)
The Findery: A great home goods and clothing store just across the street from the Magnolia Press coffee shop. (Waco Tours coupon book)
Harp Design Co: Clint Harp’s store has a lot of beautiful wood home goods like candle stick holders and cutting boards as well as other merchandise like t-shirts and earrings. (Waco Tours coupon book) The shop is located next to Harp House from season one of Fixer Upper which is available as a vacation rental.
Spice Village: An indoor market that consists of 60 individual vendors, but you make all of your purchases at one check-out counter. Note: When we were in Waco this market was open on Sundays. (Waco Tours coupon book)
Fox & Gray: A nice boutique with clothing, shoes and jewelry.
Iron Willow: The walls in this shop are covered with signs of all styles. (Waco Tours coupon book)
Savage Finds Antiques and Oddities: If you like looking for hidden treasures in antique stores, make sure to stop here.
Dr. Pepper Museum: Definitely worth a visit for the $10 admission. Pick up some Dr. Pepper jelly beans at the little gift shop. Yum! (Waco Tours coupon book)
Simply Irresistible: A huge shop featuring home decor, clothing and jewelry.
Waco Suspension Bridge: Built in 1870, this is a pedestrian only bridge that’s surrounded by parks, sculptures and a Riverwalk.
Cameron Park: A giant park that includes one of the most desired neighborhoods in Waco. Great hiking and views of the river. (Included on Waco Tour)
Farmer’s Market: Open on Saturday mornings, in the parking lot on Washington and 3rd Street near city hall. There are several food trucks, so go hungry.
Fixer Upper Homes:
Click here for an interactive map of the houses from the first three seasons of Fixer Upper.
A few addresses from season 4 of Fixer Upper:
- 2419 Arroyo
- 2611 Arroyo
- 826 W Panther Way, Hewitt
- 3391 Speegleville Rd
Although some of the homes are available for vacation rentals, many are single family homes so be respectful of the families living there.
Drive around the Castle Heights Neighborhood and make sure to drive by Cottonland Castle at 3300 Austin Avenue, which is owned by Chip & Joanna.
Restaurants:
Magnolia Table: Open for breakfast and lunch. They take a limited number of reservations Mondays – Thursdays but walk-ins are available as well. Chip has been known to stop by the restaurant around opening to meet people and take photos. If there’s a line when you arrive (and most likely there will be), put your name on the list and then browse the Take Away + Market and hang out on the patio while waiting for a table. Everything on the menu is delicious!
Silos Baking Co: open Monday – Saturday 7:30 AM – 6 PM, great pastries, buy your cupcakes early in the day before the line is crazy long
Magnolia Press Coffee Co: open Monday – Saturday 7:00 AM – 6 PM
Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits: coffee in the front, craft cocktails in the back
Lula Janes: limited hours and menu, but worth a visit; great bakery
Butter my Biscuit Cafe: great breakfast and lunch
Café Cappuccino: three locations, great breakfasts, huge pancakes
Harvest on 25th: wonderful breakfast and brunch place
Ninfas: good Tex Mex (Waco Tours coupon book)
La Fiesta: Tex Mex (Waco Tours coupon book)
Torchy’s Tacos: delicious, fast food style tacos and margaritas, ask for the secret menu, order the queso (Waco Tours coupon book)
Vitek’s Market: great BBQ with indoor and outdoor seating, don’t forget an order of banana pudding
Milo All Day: “farm to table” Southern inspired food
George’s by Baylor: comfort food
Twisted Root Burger Co: gourmet burgers
1424 Bistro: steaks and Mediterranean food (Waco Tours coupon book)
Diamondbacks: very nice restaurant, make a reservation to avoid a long wait
Moroso’s Pizzeria: wood fired pizza and nice atmosphere
Heritage Creamery: amazing Homeade ice cream (Waco Tours coupon book)
Brazos Bar & Bistro at Hotel Indigo: good cocktails and food (Waco Tours coupon book)
Until we’re able to travel again, enjoy Joanna’s blog, Joanna’s Instagram and The Magnolia Journal. If you are planning a trip to Waco and have any questions or would like additional suggestions, please contact me.
Click on the three lines to the left of the word “lifestyle” at the top of this page and enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Also, follow me on Instagram at cocktailsandgratitude for photos of cocktails, flowers, my pets and, someday soon, more travel.
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Palm Springs and Palm Desert, California
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is my favorite warm weather airport. I love that when you walk out of the gate area and head to baggage claim, you are outside. There’s nothing like blue skies, palm trees and mountains in the distance to welcome you to Palm Springs. I’ve been to Palm Springs and Palm Desert several times; I’m certainly not an expert, but here are a few of the places and things I enjoy about the area.
As I’ve suggested before, when traveling to a new place, a little research goes a long way to ensuring the best trip possible. Always ask friends for recommendations, especially those whose travel style is similar to yours. Check out TripAdvisor and the local tourism sites, such as visit palm springs. Google “blog” followed by the name of the place you’re going, such as “palm springs” or “palm desert” to pull up blogs about the area, resort, etc. Also, start following Instagram accounts and tags related to the place you’re going. In this case, try following: visitpalmsprings, palmspringslifemagazine, palmspringsdoortour and #palmsprings, #palmspringslife, #palmspringsarchitecture, etc. Once you follow a few of these, you’ll find more accounts and tags to follow that fit your style.
Palm Springs
Downtown Palm Springs is all about Mid-Century Modern. From the old Hollywood resorts to stores like Shag and Trina Turk and the amazing houses with bright front doors, this area celebrates all things Mid-Century Modern.
Where to Stay:
The Avalon Hotel and Bungalows – sunrise from room 108 - The Avalon Hotel and Bungalows – Book a bungalow or courtyard studio for a room in the original buildings, rumor has it that courtyard studio #108 was Marilyn Monroe’s favorite room. Chi Chi restaurant is on-site as well as three pools (one adults only) and the Estrella spa.
- Parker Palm Springs – The only way to explore the hotel’s winding pathways and sprawling grounds is to book a Jonathan Adler decorated room as there’s a security guard at the grounds entrance checking for room keys. However, the bars and restaurants are open to the public. Make sure to check-out Counter Reformation and book a booth at Mister Parker’s for dinner.
- L’Horizon Hotel and Spa – Formerly a private residence of a Hollywood movie producer; renovated in 2015, the grounds now consist of 25 bungalows and an open-air spa and restaurant. So.Pa restaurant is open to the public; if you have a group of four or less, request one of the four booths for a great view of the entire restaurant.
- Vacation Rental – If you’ve always wanted to live in a midcentury modern house, consider renting a home from VRBO, airbnb or one of the many local home rental companies in Palm Springs.
What to Pack:
During the days, pack for your activities. For pool side lounging at your resort think Hollywood glam and bring a caftan, big sunglasses and a floppy hat. If you’re going to venture out for hikes, golf, tennis, etc. pack appropriate clothing, shoes, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle. For dinner, leave your black outfits at home and break out the bright colors and fun prints. If this isn’t your style, bring a bright colored clutch or buy a patterned scarf to tie onto your handbag for a pop of color. The desert gets chilly quickly after the sun sets, so always throw in a wrap or light jacket.
Transportation:
If you’re planning to spend the majority of your time in downtown Palm Springs, you won’t need a car. For some reason, Lyft worked better for us than Uber while we were in town. If you are heading to Palm Desert or would like to explore outside of downtown, rent a car. The car rental at the airport is super easy and fast. After you pick up your rental keys, walk right out the baggage claim door to the car rental lot – no shuttles.
Restaurants:
There are many great restaurants. Check Trip Advisor, Yelp, Open Table, Resy, etc. Here are a few of my favorites.
Farm – Bloody Marys - Farm – a farm-to-table French style restaurant for breakfast or lunch with a lot of great outdoor seating, the bloody marys were really good, order a side waffle for the table to snack on while you wait for your meal. You won’t be dissapointed.
- Wilma & Frieda – delicious breakfasts, get the biscuit with homemade jam as your bread option, the pastry case looked amazing (there’s a location in Palm Desert, as well)
- 4 Saints at the Kimpton Rowan – rooftop bar and restaurant with views of the San Jacinto mountains, great cocktails, reserve a table on the patio for the best views
- Melvyn’s Restaurant – old Hollywood style, classy and elegant with table-side cooking; after dinner hang out in the Casablanca piano bar
- Workshop Kitchen + Bar – farm-to-table menu with craft cocktails, there’s a large community table in the middle of the restaurant so if you’re with a group of 4 or less, request a booth when booking
- Chi Chi at the Avalon Hotel – great cocktails with pool-side seating, several great menu items including avocado toast, acai bowl and banana bread; make sure to check out the lounge area behind the bar
- Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey – great cocktails and delicious sushi
- Del Ray at Villa Royale – A fun tapas style venue. I love a good cocktail, but I think the drinks try a little too hard to be “different.” In a town that celebrates old school classics, it would be fun to see a few vintage cocktails on the menu. I love a great moody bar / speakeasy; but it is VERY dark inside. If it’s cold or rainy this is definitely a cozy, intimate place to be for two people, four people max. If it’s warm outside, I think a table in one of the alcoves or by the outdoor fire would be amazing.
- Copley’s on Palm Canyon – I loved this white tablecloth restaurant in what was formerly Cary Grant’s guest houses. (It was actually comprised of multiple, individual suites.) There is a huge patio with outdoor fires and heaters as well as a great indoor space if it’s cool or rainy. The service was impeccable and the food was amazing! If you have trouble getting a reservation, stop in for a cocktail.
- Mr. Lyons Steakhouse – the restaurant is swanky, but if you want good food with a little less formal vibe, try the lounge. Also, be sure to check out Seymour’s. A small speakeasy behind a velvet curtain inside Mr Lyons. There is also a large patio with an outdoor fire and bocce ball.
Things to Do:
- Check the “visit palm springs” website for activities and festivals during your stay. We were lucky enough to be in town during Modernism Week when the city celebrates Mid-Century Modern for 10 days with open houses, tours and special events.
- Aerial Tramway – to avoid a long wait, buy tickets 24 hours in advance online, at the top you’ll discover beautiful views of the city and great hiking paths, the temp at top is usually 30 – 40 degrees cooler than on the desert floor so if you’re planning to do this, bring a jacket and gloves
- VillageFest – every Thursday night from 6 – 10 PM Palm Canyon Drive between Amado and Baristo Roads is closed to cars and vendors fill the street with art, live music, food and assorted goods
- Art Museum – a great museum in an architecturally significant building with a rotating calendar of events
- The Modern Tour – small group tours of Palm Springs architecture that includes interiors of private homes, tickets sell out fast; if you aren’t able to get a ticket, try the Palm Springs Modern app for a self-guided tour of the area
- Modernism Week – If you love Mid-Century Modern, try to book your trip during Modernism Week. During this time you’ll have access to tours, houses and many fun events, like a Mixology Clinic.
- Door tour – if you enjoy the Mid-Century Modern homes, check out the door tour in the Indian Canyons neighborhood (map below)
- Several hiking trails – Tahquitz Canyon with a waterfall, Indian Canyon – includes Andreas Canyon lined with large palm trees and Seven Sisters Trail with another waterfall
- Desert Hot Springs is just North of Palm Springs and there are a few spas that capture the naturally heated mineral water for pools and showers, including Two Bunch Palms. There’s also an energy vortex in the area.
Frey House II on San Jacinto Mountain 
Indian Canyons North – Door Tour 
Door Tour – Polka-dots! 
Tahquitz Canyon Trail waterfall 
Post hike Aperol Spritz 
Two Bunch Palms Palm Desert
If you’re looking for a newer resort with all of the amenities in one place, drive 30 minutes Southeast to Palm Desert where there is no shortage of golf courses, tennis courts, restaurants and shopping.
Where to Stay:
- The Ritz Carlton, Rancho Mirage – set in a gorgeous cliff top setting with amazing views of the valley, there are two pools, a hot tub, and firepits scattered around the grounds – some rooms even have their own fire pit or outdoor fireplace; make sure to book at table at The Edge Steakhouse
- La Quinta Resort Waldorf Astoria – this beautiful resort has gorgeous rooms, five golf courses, several tennis and pickleball courts, a spa and several bars and restaurants
- JW Marriott – this resort has beautiful grounds with flamingos in the lake; it includes two golf courses, twenty tennis courts, several pools, a spa and a variety of restaurants and lounges – you’ll never need to leave the resort; there are traditional hotel rooms as well as golf villas
- Vacation Rental – if you’re staying for several days / weeks or going with a group, consider renting a house or condo from VRBO, airbnb or a local home rental company
Restaurants:
- The Edge at the Ritz Carlton – a high-end steakhouse with floor-to-ceiling windows and sweeping views of the valley; the grounds here are gorgeous, consider coming early to order a cocktail and walk around the resort
- La Quinta Adobe Grill – check out the beautifully terraced patio with Mexican food and live music
- The Pink Cabana at the Sands Hotel – Instagram-worthy restaurant with Moroccan-Mediterranean fare
- Pacifica Seafood Restaurant – a delicious seafood restaurant at El Paseo
- Shorebird – a new steak and seafood restaurant at El Paseo, great vibe and delicious food
Things to Do:
- Check out the Palm Desert Visitors site for current events
- Sunnylands Center and Gardens – dubbed the Camp David of the West Coast, it has hosted several Presidents and dignitaries, tours available – book tickets far in advance
- Sports – there’s an abundance of golf courses as well as tennis and pickleball courts
- Professional Tennis – the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells every March
- Hike at Joshua Tree National Park or stroll through The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
- Dates are a thing here – make sure to try a date shake at Shields Date Garden
- Shopping – The Shops on El Paseo or Desert Hills Premium Outlets
- Coachella – music festival every April
Leave a comment with your favorite places to stay or things to do in Palm Springs and Palm Desert. As always, feel free to contact me with questions.
Enjoy your vacation!
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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
The Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI) are made up of over forty islands. Only a few of the islands are inhabited, with Providenciales and Grand Turk having the majority of the islands’ population. We stayed on Providenciales for ten days in January 2020. (Click on any blue words below for a link to additional information.)
Where to Stay:
See my previous blog post called “How to Get There and Where to Stay” for some general travel tips. Start by researching resorts online. I like TripAdvisor and local tourism sites. Always ask friends for recommendations, especially those whose travel style is similar to yours. Google “blog” followed by the name of the place you’re going, such as “turks and caicos” to pull up blogs about the area, resort, etc. I found a lot of great ideas from other bloggers. Use social media to see photos and learn about the area, resorts and restaurants. On Instagram, follow hashtags like #turksandcaicos, #gracebaybeach, #providenciales, etc.
Try to select several favorite resorts 9 – 12 months or more before your trip and sign up for their email lists. You will receive special offers that aren’t necessarily on their website. Note: The resort we stayed at had a HUGE Black Friday sale.
TCI was pretty quiet in January, which we loved. Don’t let the high temp in the upper 70s fool you – it gets HOT! We walked on the beach early in the morning (7 – 8:30 AM) and we were a sweaty mess by the time we got back. However, the sun sets early in January (5:30) and even though it’s still in the 70s you’ll want a wrap or light jacket.
We felt very safe on the island, but other than going out for dinner we didn’t roam around after dark. Just use common sense at night; stay in groups, don’t walk down a dark street and stay in the tourist areas. Tourism is TCIs main source of revenue and everyone we encountered was very friendly and welcoming.
Grab a copy of the free “Where When How” magazine in a grocery store entry or tourist shop when you arrive (they probably have these at the airport as well.) They also print a nice Dining Guide if you haven’t made all of your dinner reservations in advance.
We stayed at West Bay Club and really enjoyed the smaller boutique hotel experience. The ocean front luxury one bedroom suite was amazing (request a high floor so you can see over the palm trees) and the staff was wonderful. We were on a quieter section of Grace Bay Beach which we liked. And, there is a Kids Club if you’re traveling with children. See my Instagram account at cocktailsandgratitude for a video tour of our room. I also posted a lot of Turks and Caicos photos on my Instagram account in January 2020.
Our living and dining rooms with an incredible view 
West Bay Club We aren’t a fan of all-inclusive resorts but if that’s your thing, there are many (check out Beaches – which is HUGE!) One of the reasons we don’t love all-inclusive resorts is we like to explore the area and a great way to check out other resorts is by booking a dinner reservation at their restaurant. Also, this has gotten us into many resorts where we couldn’t afford to stay, and this trip was no different. Amanyara is part of the exclusive Aman brand and is located on a very remote section of the island. I highly recommend making a reservation on Open Table for lunch as the several miles of bumpy, unmarked dirt road is very remote and there are no street lights. Also, you’re going to want to look around this incredible resort during the daytime. We were seated at The Restaurant at Amanyara – the more formal restaurant on the cliff. However, when you arrive, I would ask if you can eat at the more casual, beach-side restaurant. Note: there is a guard gate and you will NOT get into the resort without a reservation.
Photo from Amanyara Villas website What to Pack:
The island is very casual. During the day, a swimsuit and cover-up with flip flops will be appropriate pretty much everywhere. For dinner, a collared golf shirt with nice shorts for the guys and sundresses and sandals for the ladies are appropriate at even the fanciest restaurant. Bring a light sweater or jacket as the nights can get cool. We were lucky enough to have a washer and dryer in our suite, but I noticed several very nice public laundry mats if you need to wash clothes during your stay.
Sneakers – if you plan to go exploring, there are some remote rocky beaches where you’ll want to wear more than a sandal.
Baggies / chip clips – if you like to have snacks in your room; the humidity is high and you need to keep food sealed up or it will get soggy.
Again, it’s an island so everything is more expensive on the island. Bring sunscreen (the island strongly recommends reef safe sunscreen – Sun Bum is a nice brand), sunglasses, a hat and bug spray. Luckily, we never had an issue with bug bites, but I read several blog posts suggesting bug spray and I heard other visitors complain about being bit. Several restaurants did have bug spray available at the hostess desk.
Transportation:
Taxis are expensive (they charge per person) so if you’re not staying at an all-inclusive resort or right in the heart of Grace Bay where you can walk to several restaurants and shops, book a rental car. If you’re planning to explore the entire island, rent a SUV. We rented a hardtop Jeep Wrangler from Grace Bay Car Rentals. We felt confident on the bumpy, rutted dirt back roads and we also loved flipping back the top for a convertible feel. You do drive on the left side of the road; the road signs and maps aren’t the best and there are no stoplights (just traffic circles) so it’s best to get a feel for driving during the daytime before you tackle it at night. If you rent a car, definitely grab a copy of the “Where When How” magazine and tear out the fold-out map. The map from the rental car agency was useless.
Groceries:
Graceway is the main island grocer. There are three locations. Graceway Gourmet near Seven Stars resort definitely caters to the tourists with a large prepared foods section. We ordered a pizza from here one rainy night so we could just watch a movie in our room, and it was really good. They also have a full liquor area but note there are no liquor sales on Sunday, so plan accordingly. Graceway IGA is a larger grocery store off of Leeward Highway in what appears to be a newer retail area with a Fed Ex, GNC, pharmacy, book store, etc. There will be both tourists and locals here. I’ve heard prices are a little better at this larger location; but you’re on an island so be prepared, everything is expensive. There are several other grocery stores and small markets on the island, especially when you get closer to the airport / downtown.
Things to Do:
We explored the entire island during our 10 days there and my favorite was the drive around Chalk Sound. The water color in the sound is hard to believe. Stop at LasBrisas for lunch. I loved the shrimp and avocado salad with Wasabi dressing. There are also kayak rentals and pontoon boat tours available at the shop by Las Brisas.
Las Brisas, Chalk Sound Bambarra Rum – There are tastings of this local rum at FOTTCI (Flavors Of The Turks & Caicos Islands.) A cute market in the Grace Bay Regent Village area with a variety of gifts and goodies including fun napkins, candles, spices, coffee, tea, etc. (They are closed on Sundays.) We loved the Bambarra Black for our Dark and Stormy cocktails. You can also buy this rum at the Graceway grocery stores.
Dark & Stormy Cocktail Turks Head Brewery – I never tried the local island beer, but several restaurants serve it. You can take a tour and taste samples at the brewery.
Parasailing – There are multiple companies and if you are staying on Grace Bay, they’ll pick you up on the beach right in front of your hotel. We went with Captain Marvin.
Parasailing Jet Ski Tour – We booked a two-hour jet ski tour with Caribbean Cruisin’. The shallow waters were beautiful and I would strongly consider kayaking in this area to get a better look at the water, sea turtles, etc.
Boat Taxi / Ferry – Caribbean Cruisin’ also offers water taxis to some of the other islands. Check their website for details. Many people suggest if you take a water taxi to Middle Caicos that you rent a car for the day so you can explore the island and beaches.
Clear bottom kayak – Great for viewing turtles in the shallow mangrove areas.
Whale watching – There are tour companies that offer an all-inclusive deal with a flight to Grand Turks and four hours of whale watching. Check www.wherewhenhow.com for current deals.
Provo Golf – This is the only golf course on Providenciales and it’s a David Faherty course.
Provo Golf Course Provo Ponies – I’ve heard this is a fun experience. You ride on the beach and in the water the entire time.
Potcake Place – This is a local canine rescue and if you want a puppy fix, you can walk one of the puppies available for adoption at 10 AM on Monday – Saturday.
Thursday night Fish Fry at Bight Park – Everyone told us about this event, but when we got there the DJ was crazy loud and the lines for fried food were really long. After standing in line for over 20 minutes and barely moving, we bailed and went to dinner at the beachfront restaurant called Zest at the Wymara resort next to Bight Park. There was only one other couple at the restaurant, and we had delicious fish tacos and a cocktail.
Spa services – Most of the larger resorts have full-service spas and are open to the public. Just be prepared to give a credit card number when booking if you are not staying at the resort. Most of the smaller resorts offer massages on the beach or in your room.
Favorite restaurants:
First, we were blown away by how great the food was. Granted, it’s expensive – after all you are on an island (think Hawaii pricing and you won’t be shocked) but eat at any of these restaurants and at least you won’t be disappointed with the food.
I strongly suggest booking at least a few, if not all, restaurant reservations in advance. There are a lot of repeat visitors / timeshare owners on the island who are all making their reservations before they visit, so the popular restaurants do fill up.
Note: Most of the restaurants add a service charge to your bill. The percentage varies by restaurant so be sure to check your bill before tipping your standard amount.
Coco Bistro is a top restaurant on the island and hard to get into, so make a reservation several weeks in advance. The outdoor areas are broken up into separate spaces, so you never feel like you are dining with a huge group of people. If you can’t get a dinner reservation here, there’s a great outdoor bar area and a food truck in an adjoining parking lot called CocoVan. We ate here our last night and based on recommendations we ordered the fish tacos, the Peking duck tacos, the poutine and the shrimp mac and cheese balls. Everything was great; and if you get there early, there is happy hour pricing on drinks from 5 – 6:30.
Grace’s Cottage has great outdoor seating areas with little porticos over several spaces, just in case there’s a little rain. Check out the gorgeous tile mural behind the bar. John had the duck two ways and said this was his favorite dinner on the island.
Infiniti Bar at Grace Bay Club has a gorgeous lounge and bar. The restaurant is in the huge Grace Bay Club resort. The food was good, but it felt a little cookie cutter since they’re cooking for hundreds of people each night. Definitely come here for drinks and sunset. The ambiance is amazing with tons of twinkle lights, really good live music and a fire breather on the beach. There is a more casual restaurant next door called The Grill (even though it’s casual, you still need to make a reservation.) Next time I would have drinks at the Infiniti Bar and try dinner at The Grill.
Margarita at the Infiniti Bar Seven at Seven Stars Resort was our fanciest dinner with an amuse bouche, lemon sorbet between courses and an amazing sommelier (definitely take advantage of her expertise.) Even though all of the restaurants are island / resort casual; this is a fancy place, so wear your nicest outfits.
Magnolia Restaurant and Wine Bar is located on a hill overlooking Turtle Cove. They are only open for dinner, but I’d highly recommend going early for a cocktail in their beautiful bar to check out the view before it gets dark. (The bar opens at 4:30, the restaurant opens at 5:30.)
Da Conch Shack is a casual beach side restaurant where you sit at tables on the sand while drinking rum punch by the pitcher. Fabulous! If you’re nervous about trying conch, order the conch fritters. There are several Potcakes (stray island dogs) that sleep on the beach and occasionally roam around looking for hand-outs, most of them are very polite.
Potcake at Da Conch Shack Drift Restaurant is on the beach at West Bay Club (this is where we stayed.) It’s a nice lunch spot. The gazpacho and fish wrap were really good.
Drift Restaurant Somewhere Café is also on Grace Bay beach and a great casual lunch spot. They have really good tacos. There’s an upstairs deck area that’s adults only at night, but we were only there for lunch.
There is not much night life in Turks and Caicos, which was fine by us. It gets really dark, really early so we found ourselves going to bed early and getting up early. It’s a great destination for a relaxing beach vacation. Feel free to contact me with questions and enjoy your vacation!
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Winter 2019
We are spending this winter in Florida. Last year we worked remotely from Scottsdale, AZ for February and March. Shortly after we arrived back in Saint Paul, MN we had an early April snow storm. So, this year we extended our travels by four weeks; we are working remotely from January 12 – April 12.
Our first vacation rental was in the community of Carillon, Florida between the towns of Panama City Beach and Rosemary Beach. It was a lovely, quiet, gated community with a bell tower that chimed and played songs at the top of every hour. Our house was very “Gone with the Wind” with two wrap-around verandas. The beach was at the end of our block and since the beach had a Southern exposure, we could watch both the beautiful sunrise and the amazing sunset. The towns along the coast: Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, Seaside, and Grayton Beach were all adorable. There were some really good restaurants; although several restaurants were closed for renovations during January (their quietest month of the year.) While we were here, both of our children visited and I celebrated my birthday. It was a little chilly in January, but it was a great month and the community we stayed in was wonderful!
The Carillon Bell Tower (guest appearance by Sadie) 
Our rental house in Carillon 
One of three community pools, this one overlooked the beach 
Carillon Beach sunrise 
Carillon Beach sunset 
Our beautiful daughter, Kaitlyn 
The boys, Nathan and John Our second vacation rental was in Naples Park, Florida. We were about a mile from Vanderbilt Beach and a mile from Tamiami Trail (Highway 41.) There was a Whole Foods nearby and an abundance of amazing restaurants within 15 minutes of our rental. This was big city beach living. The beaches were lined with large hotels and high-rise condos. Luckily, our house had a beautiful new pool with a hot tub and a tanning shelf in the backyard where we could forget we were in the city once in a while. We were always busy in Naples – our neighbors from Saint Paul have a winter home in Naples and my parents visited as well as my cousin and her husband (from Lauderhill, FL) and several Minnesota friends. We didn’t visit the beach very often here but we spent a lot of time in our pool, shopping, boating, drinking and eating out. Very fun!
I spent many mornings drinking coffee in an Adirondack chair on the tanning ledge 
Cocktails at The Hampton Social 
Amazing salad and sushi at BrickTop’s 
Morning walk on Vanderbilt Beach before it was filled with people 
Who knew Sadie would love boating? 
Loved the colorful skies after sunset 
Lunch and a little wine tasting at Cooper’s Hawk Winery 
One of the many canals in North Naples Our third and final vacation rental is in Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island. We are two blocks from the beach and walking distance from several locally owned shops, restaurants and bars. This town reminds me of a small lake town in Northern Minnesota. A lot of people get around the Northern part of the island on golf carts and beach bikes. We work during the days but once in a while we take a break to float in our little pool or take a walk on the beach. Everyone is very casual here… it’s a big night out if I put on make-up and I don’t remember the last time I saw John wear anything other than shorts. Sunsets on the beach are amazing and we rarely miss one. Around the second week in March we noticed an increase in traffic due to spring breakers. Since there is only one main road on the island and it can easily take 45 minutes to drive just a few miles, we agreed to utilize the free Island Trolley and Monkey Bus as much as possible. We’re really enjoying the slower pace of island living, but I must admit that I’m excited about stopping at our apartment in Chicago for a few days on our way home. Small town living is fun for a while, but I’m still a city girl at heart.
Misty Beach is the name of our little beach house in Holmes Beach 
The Beach – my happy place 
Sylvia, the flamingo, travels with us as our pool mascot 
Gorgeous 
Getting ready for sunset at The Beach Bistro 
Sunset drum circle at Manatee Beach 
Boating on the Gulf was so surreal… just water and sky as far as the eye could see 
The dolphins entertained us in Tampa Bay The three locations were very different and none of them are perfect, which is why we will continue our search for the next several years. Hopefully, after a few more years of travel and exploring, we’ll find a place we want to return to every winter. But until that time, we’re just grateful that we are able escape the cold and snow for a while.
Another adventure awaits -
Beach
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Visiting Napa Valley
How to Get There:
Unless you have access to a private plane, fly into Sacramento or San Francisco and drive to Napa. Unless you really want to see San Francisco, I think the drive from Sacramento is faster (no traffic) than the drive from San Francisco.
What to Pack:
Everyone is dressed fairly casual in Napa. If it’s warm, shorts or casual dresses are appropriate. If it’s cool, blue jeans with a shirt or sweater. Wear comfortable shoes or sandals for the tours, the wineries have a lot of uneven surfaces and steps. (The winery staff get a laugh out of the women who show up to “the farm” in heels.) Bring a sweater or jacket for the cool wine cellars and dinner. I suggest bringing a pair of yoga pants and a jacket for early morning walks, biking or hot air balloon rides.
Hot air balloons at sunrise Transportation:
If you have a large group or know you will be drinking (not just tasting) there are several private transportation companies as well as Uber and Lyft in Napa. Even if you’re not driving, start with your farthest winery at the beginning of the day and work your way back throughout the day.
Places to Stay:
I would suggest staying in Yountville or St. Helena. Both are centrally located quaint towns with many restaurants and tasting rooms. You’ll still have to drive to the wineries for tours, but you could easily walk to tasting rooms and dinner every night in either town. Look at hotels, VRBO and Airbnb for places to stay. Pricing fluctuates a lot depending on the season and local events.
Winery Tastings and Tours (The reason you’re going to Napa!):
Make a reservation, even at places that don’t require it. You will have a more personalized and pleasant experience if you make an appointment. Most wineries and tasting rooms offer elevated tastings so do a little research for the best possible experience.
Make an appointment for one winery in the morning, most open around 10:00 AM, stop for lunch and then plan to do one or two more winery tastings in the afternoon. Most wineries close between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM (with the final tour scheduled for 3:00 PM) while tasting rooms will be open as late as 7:00 PM. Rank the vineyards you want to go to and book your tops ones first, then fill in the rest of your time with your second and third choices.
Many vineyards use an online website called CellarPass for their tours and tastings. Set up a log-in the first time you book a tasting to save you time with additional bookings. Also, you can easily access, change or cancel any reservations on CellarPass.
There are hundreds of wineries in Napa so talk to your friends and research online before scheduling. If there are Napa wines you like, check their tour / tasting information online. You’re more likely to join the wine club if you already know you like their wine. Wine club members usually get a Club Member discount on purchases and access to exclusive wines that are not distributed through retailers, as well as invitations to private events.
Here are a few of the wineries I have visited or that were recommended to me. (click on any light blue words below to go directly to the associated website)
The Wine Train We took the wine train from Napa up to St. Helena the first time we visited Napa. If you’ve never been to Napa, this is a great thing to do on your first day to get a feel for the layout of the valley. Both Castello di Amorosa (The Castle) and Grgich Hills below can be combined with your wine train experience for a full or half day adventure.
Castello di Amorosa The mason work and details at the castle are amazing! There are a lot of events and concerts at the castle so check the website to see if anything is scheduled while you’re in town.
Castello di Amorosa wine cellar Grgich Hills Estate Mike Grgich first gained international recognition at the celebrated “Paris Tasting” of 1976 when his 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay was selected as the finest white wine in the world.
Duckhorn Winery Estate Tasting We really enjoy the Estate Tasting. It’s a little more expensive but you are tasting the top Duckhorn wines in a private room with a different glass for each wine so they have time to breathe, plus they have a delicious cheese pairing for each wine.
Duckhorn Winery gardens Stags’ Leap Winery and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars There are two wineries named Stags Leap located in the Stags Leap District. The difference is the placement of the apostrophe. If you like a Stags Leap wine, make sure you’re going to the correct winery. Both have great wines, but Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars had the Cabernet that beat the French Cabernet in Bottle Shock and their wines are quite a bit more expensive than Stags’ Leap Winery.
Stags’ Leap Winery vineyard Quintessa I strongly suggest the Quintessential Experience tasting. The wine is amazing, and the views from the pavilion are stunning.
Quintessa pavilion view Domaine Chandon This winery doesn’t offer tours but has a beautiful patio and gardens where you can taste your wine with light snacks. The nice thing about this winery is there are no set times (unless you have more than ten people in your group) which means this is a nice add-on tasting after you’ve booked your other tours and tastings. Side note: Domain Chandon makes one of my favorite sparkling wines: étoile Rosé.
Schramsberg Winery If you like sparkling wines, I’ve heard this is a great place to visit.
Odette This is just a tasting, not a tour; it will take about 30 minutes. There are three different tastings to choose from. We purchased a case of their Adaptation Cabernet.
Jessup Cellars Highly recommended. This is just a tasting room in Yountville, but they offer many levels of tastings – some with food pairings.
Shafer I heard this is a great vineyard to visit.
Lindstrom Wines This is a small vineyard recommended by a Napa resident during one of our stays.
Where to Eat: (make your dinner reservations in advance, many restaurants use OpenTable)
Thomas Keller has several restaurants in Napa. The most famous is the French Laundry, but if you can’t get in there or aren’t interested in a really fancy meal, try Ad Hoc and Bouchon Bakery. Bouchon has great pastries and amazing macarons. The line is down the block for the fresh pastries in the mornings, but it goes fast and it’s worth the wait.
The Chef’s Table at Farmstead Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena. This is a delicious four course meal with wine pairings, they accommodate all dietary restrictions with advance notice. If you eat at the chef’s table, they have wine pairings for each course and continually top off your glass, so make sure you have a driver. I’m sure the food in the restaurant is great as well and the restaurant often has live music.
Archetype in St. Helena has wonderful food and cocktails. We had Sunday brunch here.
Bistro & Bar at Auberge du Soleil Have lunch or dinner on the patio of the Bistro & Bar. This is a popular sunset destination and they don’t take reservations, so make sure you get there well before sunset to see the beautiful colors over the valley.
Farm at Carneros Inn Located at an amazing resort. The dinner was delicious, and the desserts were very unique. It’s Southwest of Napa so if you stay in St. Helena, it might not be worth the drive.
Dessert at Farm Bottega A classic Napa restaurant owned by Chef Michael Chiarello. If you go here, try to go early and walk around Yountville. There are many shops and tasting rooms in Yountville so you could easily spend an afternoon here; then finish with dinner at Bottega.
RH A beautiful indoor / outdoor restaurant with 100-year-old olive trees inside the Restoration Hardware store. A great place for brunch or lunch. Insider Note: You can request Mimosas for the table by the bottle instead of the glass.
RH – one of the many chandeliers, and 100-year-old olive trees Bistro Don Giovanni A nice Italian restaurant. Request a table outside.
Gott’s Roadside in St Helena Stop here for a delicious burger and beer between wine tastings. The shakes are amazing if you want something sweet and cold. Don’t miss the daily specials listed by the register. This is a Napa Institution and it gets busy so try to arrive a few minutes before Noon.
The Grill at Meadowood Also check out The Restaurant Bar. This restaurant is at another amazing resort.
Morimoto Napa If you like Chef Morimoto, don’t miss the opportunity to eat at his restaurant. Finish with the signature dessert: Fiery Salty Caramel Chocolate Tart and have your camera set to video.
Oxbow Public Market in Napa is a cute indoor market with several restaurants, a little grocery and a few shops. A fun place to browse through and purchase some snacks or souvenirs and/or have a casual dinner.
Helpful Napa Valley websites:
Napa Valley Michelin Rated Restaurants This site lists all of the restaurants who earned Michelin Stars, Bib Gourmand or L’assiette ratings.
Visit Napa Valley This site has hotels, restaurants, wineries, things to do, maps, and more.
Napa Valley This site has a little more detail about each of the Napa Valley towns, experiences you can book, suggested itineraries, etc.
Napa Valley Vinters This site has history and information about Napa Valley as well as details about all of the local vineyards and wineries.
Wine Tasting Tips:
Wine tasting can seem overwhelming if you have never been before. Here are some tips on how to be best prepared to have your best day wine tasting.
Eat Breakfast: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and that is especially true when you are wine tasting.
Don’t wear perfume: A huge part of wine tasting is smell. It is important that nothing interferes with your sense of smell while you are wine tasting.
Bring lots of water: It is really important to drink water throughout the day. Wine tasting can be dehydrating, especially in the warmer months. You will feel much better if you drink water before and during your tasting.
Turn off your cell phone: Once you have taken a picture of the vines and the tasting room turn off your cell phone and really enjoy your experience.
Taste, don’t drink: When you are tasting wine do not be afraid to use the dump bucket. The dump bucket is there for you to use when you are ready to move on to the next wine. Only finish the wines you really love. Your host will not be offended if you dump your wine!
Wine is just fermented grape juice: Do not feel intimidated by any wine experts in your group. A true wine lover will enjoy teaching and listening to someone who is new to wine tasting. However, wine snobs are insufferable and should be avoided at all costs.
Everyone’s palate is different: Don’t feel pressured to like a wine because it’s highly rated or has won awards. However, give each wine three sips to really taste the wine before dumping.
Don’t be afraid to ask a question: There are no stupid questions. Tasting hosts are trained to answer all kinds of questions about wine and are there to teach you. You will have the best experience if you show your host that you are interested in the wine, process and history.
Tip for a good experience: If you receive excellent service or a special experience a small tip is always appreciated.
Buy wine to take home: A lot of the wines you will try will be “winery exclusive” which means that you will only be able to taste them and buy them there. There are lots of ways to get your wine home so don’t let that stop you from taking home what you like. If you like something buy it!
Watch the movie Bottle Shock before you go to Napa Valley. You’ll hear it mentioned at least once while you’re there.
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Our Travels to Copenhagen, Stockholm and Amsterdam
I’ve had so many people ask us about our travels that I thought I should post an update. Everyone asks “what was your favorite part of the trip?” Of course, it was in Copenhagen as we came out of baggage claim and saw our daughter’s smiling face; followed by a long hug.
After that, it was the little moments that were the best.
We woke up early our first morning in Copenhagen due to the time difference. John and I got dressed and headed out to explore. Nyhavn (pronounced:
newhoun) was so quiet and peaceful at 6 AM, much different than when we arrived the afternoon before. We just wandered and saw wonderful daily activities: people going for their morning swim in the Copenhagen Harbor, restaurant staff setting up sidewalk tables and chairs, and people biking to work in suits and dresses. We didn’t consult a map but instead 
turned down random streets and ended up walking by amazing architecture (at every turn!), past several well-known churches and Amalienborg – complete with Royal guards. It was perfect. We ended our morning by showing up to The Union Kitchen, which Kaitlyn recommended, shortly after they opened and we had such an amazing breakfast that we made it a point to go there for breakfast again the day we left Copenhagen. 
We had so many great moments in Copenhagen, such as dinner with Kaitlyn’s local host family on our first night. The relaxed conversation in their kitchen was so insightful. We learned things about the Denmark community and culture that we would never have known if we had not met them for dinner. Seeing Kaitlyn receive hugs from her host family’s daughters brought a tear to my eye. Most likely they will never see each other again, but they have a bond and experiences together they will remember forever.
Seeing Kaitlyn’s flat and meeting her roommate Carley was surreal. I had seen photos and videos of the place our daughter called home for four months, but to actually visit it was incredible. I quickly learned why Kaitlyn spoke so highly of Carley. She was very personable and fun. We had a wonderful dinner together and I really hope Kaitlyn travels to Boulder, Colorado to spend time with Carley in August before school starts.
I could feel that Kaitlyn was struggling in Copenhagen. She wanted to show us around to all of her favorite places, but she also wanted to spend her last moments with friends that she may never see again; and she had to pack up her room and help clean their flat. I think it helped that John and I were fairly independent and flexible and only took up the middle portion of her days so she could spend her mornings packing and her evenings saying goodbye to her friends.STOCKHOLM
Once we arrived in Stockholm at our amazing Airbnb in the heart of Norrmalm, I could feel Kaitlyn’s stress decline. She even said at one point she was glad we didn’t fly directly home so she could have a transition time from Copenhagen to Saint Paul.We did not plan anything in advance at any of our stops, but I had a list of places of interest and we consulted travel guides at each stop to determine what we wanted to do each day. Our time in Stockholm was a little bit of a recharge for all of us since we covered a lot of ground in Copenhagen. We walked to many sites including the Stockholm Concert Hall, Gamla Stan (old town), the Royal Palace and the King’s gardens but I think we all enjoyed going back to the Airbnb for some quiet time each day.
AMSTERDAM
Amsterdam was amazing. Another beautiful Airbnb.
This one was located on the canal with amazing views and sunsets!
We had no idea it was a city of canals – very similar to Venice. John even got involved in the planning here and on the day of our arrival he found us an early evening canal boat tour. It was perfect. On that first day, we figured out the public transportation (which was amazingly easy thanks to Kaitlyn), then we explored and learned about the city on the canal tour with limited walking (bonus.) Fun Facts: There are over 31 miles of canals
with 1,281 bridges in the city of Amsterdam. There are 850,000 people and 847,000 bikes. Also, 12,000 – 15,000 bikes are pulled out of the canals each year.We visited and toured many amazing places in Amsterdam including the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijks Garden and Museum, the Anne Frank Museum, the Royal Palace and the Amsterdam Tulip Museum. In Amsterdam, Kaitlyn announced she was tired and ready to head home. Good thing it was our last stop.
Our Kaitlyn turns 21 later this month. It’s funny how turning 18 might seem like a big deal, but as a parent, I feel 21 is much more significant. Not only are our children able to legally join us for a cocktail when we go out to dinner, but at this age they seem to have a little bit of a grasp on who they want to be as an adult. I know it will take many more years to really figure it out (who am I kidding, at 51 I’m not sure I’ve figured it out!), but at 21 they seem to be on their way.
Happy 21st Birthday, Kaitlyn, and Welcome Home!
