Virginia is for Wine Lovers

This post is sponsored by the Virginia Tourism Corporation, whom we teamed up with to explore some of the best vineyards Virginia has to offer. All opinions are our own.

Autumn is unequivocally our favorite season. Is there a better feeling than crisp air, crunchy leaves and cozy sweaters? While some people love to pick apples or frolic through corn fields, our favorite fall pastime is visiting vineyards. Over the past few years, trips like Sonoma, Bordeaux, Reims and Stellenbosch have taught us so much about the harvest. It’s amazing how a year’s worth of blood, sweat and tears culminates in a bottle of wine, enjoyed by so many. To be able to see it firsthand is truly something special.

What’s even more special is that the vineyards are actually much closer to home than you might think. In fact, we were surprised to learn that the state of Virginia is home to almost 300 vineyards.  And with a such a short flight (1.5 hours from Boston, direct to Richmond), we couldn’t resist squeezing in a VA wine tour weekend during Virginia Wine Month.

Curious about the ideal itinerary for a perfect visit? We’ve got you covered!

Day 1 Richmond

After the world’s easiest flight, we picked up our sweet rental car and were on our way to our first adventure. Just 20 minutes from the airport, Upper Shirley Vineyards felt a world away from the bustling city. Situated between a windy dirt road and the James River, this sprawling estate is a tranquil escape. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also rent a bike and take the Virginia Capital Trail there and back! Be sure to map your ride first and pack water accordingly.

We had lunch on the covered patio, overlooking the river. For our first course, we shared some yummy southern dips, aptly called the “Southern Trio”. Did someone say pimento cheese? For our mains, Tim had one of the best burgers, topped with brisket and paired with the 2014 Tannat. Meanwhile, I enjoyed some shrimp and grits (sorry Tim), paired with the crisp, 2016 Viognier. Fun fact: Viognier is the official grape of Virginia and boy is it good!

After lunch, we strolled the property before making our way over to the Shirley Plantation. Founded in 1613, Shirley was the state’s first planation and is still used as a working plantation and residence. It also provides an interesting and important look at our country’s history (for better or worse).

From there, we drove back to Richmond to check into the freshly built Graduate Richmond. Designed to reinvigorate the best of college memories, the Graduate Hotels are perfectly curated. Think plaids, leathers and the beds so comfy you’ll forget about your University-issued mattresses. Plus, the Richmond outpost has a rooftop pool with 360 views of the city. Need we say more?

Later that evening, we made our way to Heritage for hands down one of the best meals we’ve ever had. We were lucky to start our night by meeting Chef Joe Sparatta, co-owner. Not only is Joe a fellow Yankee, but he also owns and operates Heritage with his wife, Emilia (we love husband & wife teams, of course). To hear Joe talk about his love for the community and making great food accessible was really inspiring. Such a nice guy!

Now, onto the food. Trust us when we say Heritage is not a place you want to miss on your trip to VA. We tried almost everything on the menu and there was not one thing that didn’t nail it. Our favorites included fried broccoli with yuzu and Japanese mayo, pimento croquettes, house cured Szechuan coppa, heirloom tomato salad with goat feta AND burrata, house made pasta with seasonal veggies (and more buratta), and an innovative Thai spin on hangar steak with peanut miso and sticky rice. We ended on a sweet note with a unique take on a chocolate candy bar, as well as the sweet corn panna cotta. Although we had to be wheeled out of Heritage, it was so worth it.

You would think that after such a feast, we’d head straight home. Instead, we decided on drinks at Blue Bee Cider, because you can never have too much of a good thing. Upon arrival, we were welcomed by ruff-ly 25 dogs, accompanied by their owners. Apparently, the cidery periodically puts on dog-friendly events to benefit the local ASPCA chapter. We happened to come on portrait night! We tried a few different ciders, but the Firecracker was a fan favorite!

On our way home, we stopped by the historic Jefferson Hotel to take in the opulent lobby. Apparently, the setting for Gone with the Wind was loosely based on it! After that, it was straight to bed for us!

Day 2 Charlottesville

The next day, we enjoyed a relaxing breakfast at the Graduate. There’s Brookfield, a restaraunt inside the hotel, serving up delicious coffee and pastries in the cutest space. Once we had a chance to catch up on the weekend edition, we hit the open road to Charlottesville.

To kill some time before meeting our driver for the day, we walked around the market, chatting up local farmers. From there, our driver took us through pristine country roads to Blenheim Vineyards.

Founded by Dave Matthews, Blenheim strives to make as little environmental impact as possible. In fact, the vineyard is powered by solar panels. We did a full tasting, including a few wines not on the tasting menu. Blenheim offers two house wines, the Claim House Red and the Claim House White, both available via refillable growlers – how cool!  Our host, Deb, was super knowledgeable about the vast variety of grapes grown at Blenheim, including some of our favorites like Cab Franc and Alberino. We left with a bottle of the Painted Red, which Dave himself creates the label for each year.

From there, we headed to Delfosse Vineyards. Set deep off the main road, Delfosse can be a little hard to get to. But trust us when we say that there’s a light at the end of the dirt road. Or even better, good wine.

We tasted 10 wines at Delfosse, with some of our favorites inspired by the French and named after the Delfosse children. The Grand Cru Olivier, a Bordeaux-style blend was our absolute favorite. It paired perfectly with the pepper salami and cheese we noshed on.

After imbibing the afternoon away, our driver took us back to Charlottesville, where we checked into the Townsman Hotel. This hotel has a certain je ne sais quoi about it. It’s not quite a hotel, but it’s also not an AirBnb. You have a code to the main entrance and a code to your room. You come and go as you please, with no interaction with staff, since you’re likely to never see one. It was a really unique concept and allowed us to stay directly on the main pedestrian mall.

Our dinner plans that night were a short walk away. Accurately called The Alley Light, this speakeasy can be found only by looking for the light at the end of the alley off 2nd Street. No signage, no fanfare. Just a light. Once inside, your reward for finding this gem includes unique cocktails and delicious French-inspired small plates. TIP: this place is extremely popular on the weekends. Be sure to make a reservation in advance.

We started with some cocktails, before enjoying the artichoke gratin, halibut steak and pork belly, to name a few.

Day 3 Charlottesville Area

After sleeping off the previous night’s libations (and stuffing our faces with Bodo’s Bagels), we decided to do something educational and headed to Monticello. Thomas Jefferson’s private estate provided us with an interesting look back on his plantation days, long after his presidency. We even got to see his beer and wine cellars, including a wine trolley that sent wines from the cellar directly to the dining room.  If you’ve never been to Monticello, we highly recommend a visit. This was definitely one of the highlights of our trip.

After getting our history fix, it was time for more wine! Just down the road from Monticello is Jefferson Vineyard. Trust us when we say this is the one vineyard you should not miss. It’s tiny, but the wines were some of our favorite. The Cab Franc and Viognier were stellar and the perfect way to wrap up a wonderful weekend.

Overall, our Virginia wine getaway was so much fun. We were completely blown away by the hospitality, as well as the beautiful scenery and delicious wine. There’s so much left to explore and we’ll definitely be back to explore some more of VA’s best vineyards. It also helps that there are so many direct flights from all over the east coast to both Richmond and Charlottesville.

One final tip if you’re planning to travel to VA: be very mindful of the speed limit. Virginia has very strict laws for the lead footed out of towners. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Long Weekend in Mallorca

First things first: Mallorca or Majorca? Given every Spaniard under the sun pronounces it "Mallorca", we're going to have to with the former. As for the latter, you can thank the Brits, who can't roll their R's or pronounce their AYs. You're welcome. 

Now, getting down to business: Memorial Day Weekend is one of our favorite times to travel. Not only is it the unofficial start of summer, but it's also our wedding anniversary. What better excuse to get away? 

With ticket prices the lowest we've seen them, we scooped up two seats on an Iberia BOS to MAD flight Wednesday after work. The flight itself was super short, but Mallorca requires a connection. Pro tip: give yourself at least two hours for the connection. We did not and regretted it. Not only did Customs not show up for 25 minutes, but we ended up sprinting barefoot through the terminals only to be the last to board. We also had to cut some people in line. Not our finest hour but I digress. 

Although mildly more chill than Ibiza, Mallorca is still a party island. Especially in and around Palma. When we arrived at the airport, we were welcomed by the smell of salt water and a slew of hen parties in matching t-shirts. Nothing against bachelorettes, but we were in the market for a more relaxed weekend. 

Fortunately, we booked the Park Hyatt Mallorca, which is located a little under an hour away from Palma de Mallorca, on the east side of the island. It was everything we had hoped for and more. The property is immaculate and the service is the epitome of Park Hyatt. More to come on that later. 

Although we had every intention of going back into town to explore Palma, we never got around to it. And to be honest, we didn't miss it one bit. Instead, we explored some of the smaller towns and enjoyed every minute.

Where my beaches at?

Our first day was spent lounging by the pool, warding off jetlag.

On day two, we were ready for some adventure.  We drove south to the town of Santanyí to explore.  Luckily, we stumbled upon Cala Santanyí, from which we hiked over to the Es Pontas arch. The town of Santanyí is also very cute. We explored a bit before ducking in for some lunch. Our waiter recommended the beach at the Mondragó Natural Park, which is where we spent the rest of the lazy afternoon. Surprisingly, neither of us took a picture, but trust us when we say it was one of the prettiest beaches we’ve ever seen. Think inlets surrounded by cliffs, with the most pristine water you’ve ever seen.

The next day, we drove into town to see Capdepera, starting at the Castle of Capdepera. Dating back to the Romans with a violent history of its own, this fortress was impressive. There was even an archaeological dig happening while we were visiting, making things even more exciting. I mean who doesn’t dream of being an anthropologist when they’re a little kid? And no, I don’t mean the retail variety.  

After a leisurely breakfast in town, we drove 20 minutes north to Artá. Every Saturday, the town welcomes artists, bakers and farmers. This is the perfect place to shop for souvenirs or sample the local fare. After browsing through various stalls, we decided to hike up to Santuari de Sant Salvador, another medieval fortress.  The views from Sant Salvador were spectacular and well worth the trek up the hill.

Once we had a chance to take in all the views, we headed back down Carrer de Ciutat, ducking into shops along the way. We also enjoyed a leisurely lunch, which you can read about below.

For our last day, we tried mightily to rent a boat for the day. Unfortunately, Sundays book up far in advance. TIP: Don’t wait til the last minute to do this! It’s the best way to see some of the hidden beaches.

Instead, our concierge recommended her favorite beach, Son Serra de Marina. The beach was lovely, with surrounding views of the mountains and full of families enjoying their Sunday together. We were the only Americans, something we generally take pride in. There are a few little restaurants in Es Fondo de na Borges by the beach if you’re in need of lunch.  We tried some fried anchovies and paella at Lago – muy bien.

Comida por favore  

Porxada de Sa Torre was one of our favorite dinners of the trip. It’s a great value, especially when compared to Park Hyatt prices. Located at the Torre de Canyamel, this restaurant is famous for its traditional Majorcan cuisine and historic view. Tim ordered their most famous dish, the suckling pig, while I had the local bass. Both were outstanding, despite us over ordering on the first course. Did someone say chorizo? TIP: This is just outside of walking distance from the hotel (down a dark, windy road). We ordered a taxi as we wanted to enjoy some wine and it was €30. Although we were being responsible, we really wish we had just driven in lieu of wine.

Restaurant Es Taronger in Artà was another good find. We came here for lunch and enjoyed a few cervezas and tapas, along with some respite from the heat. If you’re in the area, it’s definitely worth a visit!

The dining options at the Park Hyatt were excellent. In fact, we ate at the Tapas Bar twice. It was worth it. The farm egg and pork neck were two of the most notable dishes.

Honorable mention: Cap Vermell. Although a bit dated, this place overlooks the Mediterranean. Mix in the Spanish guitars softly strumming softly while you sip Majorcan wine doesn’t hurt either. Truth be told, I found this place a bit average, but Tim seemed to like it. I think it was all the wine talking. If you do go, ask for a table by the water and get there on the earlier side (by Spanish standards). We ordered the fixed menu, which was happily accommodated to Tim’s shellfish allergy. However, the veal was served well done. THE HORROR!!!!!

The logistics  

If you’re heading to the Park Hyatt, make sure you rent a car. As I mentioned, it’s about an hour from the Palma Airport. It’s also great for getting around to the lesser known towns and beaches.

We rented an automatic from Enterprise for about €55 a day, including GPS. Although we had to wait an hour for our car to be ready, it was smooth sailing from there. The GPS came in handy many times and the Euro cross-over met our needs.

When connecting in Madrid, make sure to give yourself ample time to get to the terminal. Keep in mind you’ll need to not only go through customs, but also through security. Plus, the airport is massive. We made the mistake of giving ourselves an hour. It was the most stressful connection we’ve ever had, but luckily it worked out. I did lose a bracelet in the process, which was super sad.

We ended up doing four nights in Mallorca, which may seem insane. However, it was surprisingly relaxing! Plus, we used the points and cash rate at the Park Hyatt to score a great room deal. That, with the cheap rates to Spain made for a worthwhile getaway! 

East Coast Bliss in Portland

With summer quickly winding down and autumn in the air, right now is the best time to visit New England. Fortunately for us, we happen to live in this beautiful region of the United States, allowing us easy access to the best it has to offer. Back in August, we spent a long weekend in Portland, Maine. While Maine is the epitome of New England summer, it's also the perfect place to visit during leaf peeping season! Or really, any time of year - especially in the off season.

EAT 

Portland has a thriving culinary scene that will impress the biggest of foodies. Most places that are worth your while do not take reservations. Get there early, put your name in and grab a drink nearby. It'll be worth the wait, we promise. 

Start your morning with a donut from Holy Donut. Get there early (trust us) and don't be alarmed by the line. It moves quickly. Try the Bacon Cheddar or the Sea Salt varieties. They even have Vegan and GF options available. So. Good. 

And because breakfast should be a balanced meal, make sure to get your greens at Maine Squeeze. The Green Light was DE-LISH! Can't last a day without my green smoothie :) 

Poutine at Duck Fat

Looking for a great lunch spot? Duck Fat serves up the tastiest fries, poutines, paninis and shakes. Tim and I shared the poutine with farm egg and a meatloaf panini at the recommendation of our server. It was incredible.

If a picnic lunch is more your jam, head over to Lois' Natural Market to stock up on healthy snacks. Make sure to order a panini from the takeout counter in the back. The ingredients are top notch and well crafted. 

After your day of exploring, cozy up at Central Provisions. These small plates are out of this world. Some highlights for us included the steak tartar special with crispy farro and thai spices, burrata, eggplant crostata, street corn and foie gras (get the bigger one, trust us). The service was top notch and the wine excellent. We even considered coming back a second night, it was that good. 

Another favorite of ours is Fore Street. Local, sustainable and downright divine, this place is not to be missed. We both ordered the whole roasted fish (local black bass) and trust us when we say that the two-month wait was well worth it! 

Whole Black Bass at Fore Street

Another option that we seek out on a regular basis is Izakaya Minato. Be forewarned they don’t have high chairs or much space for strollers, but this spot is hands down worth your while. Understated, yet top notch sashimi, Japanese tapas and more. Don’t miss the JFC and the Beef Yukke.

And of course, no trip to Maine is complete without a lobster roll. Although Tim is allergic, I was happy to indulge on a quick stop at Mabel's in Kennebunkport. 

PLAY

Love the Titanic? Check out the exhibit at the Portland Science Center, which features interactive and educational exhibits for the whole family. 

Enjoying the last of Shipyard Summer Ale

Traveling without the kiddos? Sample some of Maine's best craft beer offerings at Shipyard or Bissell Brothers Brewing Co. TIP: If you come on a canning day, get to the brewery in the afternoon as there are long lines the first hour or two for 4-packs. Also, you can bring open your cans next door at Big J's Chicken Shack! 

SEE 

Portland is home to many local artists. Stroll through downtown to explore the galleries filled with unique artwork, pottery and glass. 

While you're downtown, check out the boutiques on Exchange and Congress Street. Here you'll find exquisite nautical housewares as well as designer clothes. 

Enjoying the trolley tour

Another great option is the city trolley tour, which provides some nice history of Portland! 

If you're more at home on water, there are many boating adventures to be had. We took a sunset lighthouse tour of Casco Bay and had a blast. We were lucky enough to catch a few glimpses of seals and bald eagles, in addition to stunning views of Portland Head Light, making it even more fun. 

Sunset over Casco Bay, Portland

STAY

We had a great time in Portland and have enjoyed our annual trip up there. Our favorite part? Being able to bring our dog, Stanley, along!

Every year, we stay at the Hyatt Place Old Port. The staff is incredibly helpful and LOVE dogs. For $75, you can bring your fury friend with you, which is such a great bonus. We've been able to use points to snag award-eligible rooms for just 12,000 points/night (cash value of $400 plus tax per night). TIP: It does get a little loud on the weekend as there are bars and restaurants in the area. Ask for a back room for some quiet, or enjoy the view on the noisier side and take advantage of the in-room noise cancelling machine! 

Stanley really enjoyed his stay here. He especially loved the view from the bed. 

View of Fore Street and Old Port from out room at the Hyatt Place Old Port.

Stanley takes Wells, ME

Stanley enjoying his big adventure in Portland, which is extremely dog-friendly!

South African Safari

What is there to say about a safari that hasn't already been said? Well, one thing is for sure: of all our travels, this one topped them all. We spent four days at Rhulani Lodge  in the Madikwe Game Reserve to ring in my 30th birthday. It was the best way I could possibly imagine starting a new decade and long enough to be both restorative and reenergizing. 

Why did we choose Madikwe? There are so many reserves in South Africa and we were overwhelmed with all the choices. Krueger is the most famous, but seemed too commercialized to be relaxing. Madikwe was 100% Malaria-free and there was the chance we'd see wild dogs. Sold!

After the fact, we realized Madikwe was the absolute best choice. The lodges work beautifully together and are extremely considerate of one another. They take turns so that all guests can get the best view possible, which is something that can't be said for some of the game drivers in Krueger. Additionally, we were able to off-road, getting up close and personal with the wildlife. And you can read more on thoughts on Rhulani here. Spoiler alert: we loved it.

Each day started by 5:30 am. We'd gather in the open-air lodge for coffee and a quick pastry before heading out on the morning drive. The drives last 3-4 hours, with a break in the morning for coffee or in the evenings for sundowners (arguably our favorite pastime). 

After the morning drives, we enjoyed some hot breakfast, a nap, yoga, massages or read by our private pool. All in a day's work! We reconvened with our fellow guests for afternoon tea before heading back out on an evening drive. It's worth noting that our lodge had two game vehicles, each accommodating 9 guests, plus a game driver. Ours in particular, Sean, was hands down the best. The rest of the staff were equally as good and as a rule of thumb, always outnumber the guests (18:26). 

Just before sunset, we would find an open area to enjoy cocktails and conversations. What's better than a gin and tonic in the bush while chatting with travelers from all over the world? The only thing is getting a glimpse of an animal nearby. 

Throughout our experience, we were fortunate enough to spot the Big 5 (elephant, rhino, leopard,  lion and buffalo). We got veryyyyyyy close in most cases, sometimes uncomfortably so. Watching a lion walk a foot away definitely made us uneasy, but it was exhilarating. The animals are accustomed to seeing the game drive vehicles (converted Toyota Land Cruisers). To them, it's just one big animal since they can't differentiate individual people. They also know that this strange animal is not a predator, nor is it a threat, so they really couldn't care less about it. Only once did we really feel unsafe, when an elephant in musk decided to charge our vehicle in the pitch black night. Luckily, Sean had spent years at an elephant reserve in Namibia and hardly broke a sweat. 

terrible shot of our leopard friend. we tracked him on a high speed chase through trees and bushes as he hunted kudu. 

As I mentioned, we also happened to be at Rhulani for my 30th birthday. Tim and the staff planned a day full of surprises, including traditional songs and a beautiful cake (with more than a few trick candles). It was the best experience I could've asked for and I can't recommend a safari enough. 

birthday cake by hurricane lamp in the boma 

Boquerones in Madrid

As you've probably gathered, we are no strangers to Europe. It's one of the easiest destinations to travel to from Boston - both in terms of direct flights and award availability. It also happens to be full of our favorite cities. Spain reigns supreme in terms of our top list.

There's something about the Spanish lifestyle that we identify with. Spaniards are super laid back and extremely welcoming. They know their country is a draw for tourism and they embrace their visitors with open arms. We always feel welcome here - even with our broken Spanish.  That's why we're so excited to recap our trip the way we intended it: starting and ending with Madrid. 

Stay

On the first leg of our trip, we stayed at the Radisson Blu hotel in the El Barrio de las Lestras. The location was perfect for everything we wanted to see and within walking distance. We arrived on a red eye, completely exhausted, hours before check in. Luckily, the front desk was able to offer us a room upgrade for a room that was available. We seized the opportunity to nap! The upgrade came with breakfast, which was perfect. Not to mention, came with ample Nespresso coffee. Overall a very good value. 

On our return to Madrid, we stayed at the the Principal Madrid. Although much pricer than our first hotel, the Principal was pure perfection. Comfortable, sprawling rooms are well tended to and the decor is very well done. Although the layout of the hotel is odd, the bonus is that this boutique hotel has a rooftop terrace overlooking bustling Gran Via. 

See

There's so much to do and see in Madrid. First things first, you'll want to check out an art museum. Given our timing, we decided to forgo the Prado in favor of the Reina Sofia Museum, which seemed very manageable than the Prado. Plus, we were more interested in Picasso and Dalí than the Renaissance paintings (although Prado has a much wider range than that). 

Make it a priority to visit the Templo de Debod. This Egptytian temple was gifted to Spain as a thank you for helping to preserve some of Egypt's monuments. It's an interesting slice of history to explore in sprawling Madrid. 

From there, head to Gran Via. You can catch some sweet views from the top of the Gourmet Experience atop the Corte Inglés.  The views and the shopping are to die for. 

If your shopping habits err more on the luxury side, head to Salamanca. Here, you'll find every designer boutique known to man. Ask Tim about his time at Chanel. Such a trooper for returning three times with me! 

In terms of some less expensive outings (read free), head to the Retiro Park. There's a man-made lake with boats plus the Palacio de Cristal, which reflects the light in the most perfect way possible. You should also check out the cafes and entertainment in Plaza Mayor. Although the talent may ask for a donation, it's a worthwhile place to sit and enjoy a drink, 

Eat 

From neighborhood cafés like La Plateria to Michelin star restaurants, there’s no shortage of good eats in Madrid. Yet, the most unassuming places serve the tastiest tapas we’ve ever had. There’s something so cathartic about hopping from spot to spot, enjoying a beverage and a small bite. You really can’t go wrong in Madrid, but if you’re looking for our tried and true favorites, look no further:

For lunch, try one of the many bustling markets. Mercado San Anton was by far our favorite, although Mercado San Miguel is also quite tasty (albeit host to more foreigners and tourists). Starting from bottom floor, various stalls sell spices, meat, fish bread and other staples. Heading up to the second floor, the smell of delicious fried seafood and various other hot dishes will take you over. Grab a bite and a drink from any of the vendors and make your way over to the counter to indulge. The cured fish toasts were our favorite. Pickled herring anyone? After that, make sure you check out the roof deck on the third floor for a Madrid classic: gin and tonic. I don’t know what it is about Spain, but the gin tastes so much sweeter here.

If you are lucky enough to be in Madrid on a Sunday, you absolutely must head to La Latina. Madridleanos flock here on Sundays to spend time with friends and family, watching futbol and enjoying a pint or two. It’s such a festive environment, with locals and visitors alike. It really felt like we lived here for the afternoon. But Spain has a way of making you feel right at home.

Tim and I stumbled upon Bodega Lucio, where we enjoyed several glasses of the best damn Alberino we’ve ever tasted, with some complimentary tapas (yes, some places still do this!!!). Fresh octopus salad followed crispy pork bites that were out of this world. We also had some Jamon Iberico and manchego to round out our meal. Tim still dreams of this lunch and I can’t deny I do too! This is the type of simplicity and quality that draws us back for more.

Late and relaxed, dinner in Spain is an event – and one to be celebrated at that. Most restaurants open at 9 and many places take reservations either through The Fork or TripAdvisor.

Our first dinner was at La Tragantúa. The owner could not have been more gracious. He ensured everything was perfect for us, including paying close attention to Tim’s allergy. We started with a divine fois gras and ended with some of the yummiest mango mouse we’ve ever had. And Cava! Lots and lots of Cava.

The next night, we hit Gastromaquia in Chueca (one of our favorite neighborhoods). I kid you not when I say the crispy pig ears were by far one of the highlights of our entire trip. Order it and thank me later. Trust. Other dishes were also very good (tuna tartare, goat cheese to name a few) but the ears were a standout.

Our final recommendation in Madrid is La Cabrera. More of a cocktail bar, this place serves up some incredible libations. However, the food is equally as excellent. The steak tartare and the oxtail were incredible. The boquerones were some of the best we’ve ever had. The only drawback was the loud New Yorker two tables away. But what can we say? Can’t live with them, can’t live without them (looking at you DK). 

For more of our holiday in Spain, click here. 

Semana en España

For our one year anniversary, Tim and I travelled to Spain. Leveraging two weekends, one of which was MDW, we only took 7 days off work. Not to shabby! Additionally, by transferring Chase Sapphire points to Iberia (by way of British Airways), our all-in flight costs were $150 (fuel surcharge & taxes). Round of applause for the Mister. 

Although we did this trip in 12 days, this itinerary is designed for a full week. You can adapt it to your timeframe and interests. We're happy to provide some alternate recommendations - just ask!

As I already mentioned, we flew Iberia Airlines from Boston to Madrid. This route is direct and feels like a very quick 7 hours. From there, we designed our itinerary as follows: 

first stop: Madrid

We started our trip in the country's capital. What was intended to be three nights and three days ended up as four (more on that later). Three days provide plenty of time to see the sights and leave enough room to meander and tapas your way around town, but two could be enough to hit the highlights. You can certainly spend more time in Madrid and take some day trips to Toledo or Salamanca. Note that we also came back to Madrid for a day at the tail end of our trip as our flight was early in the morning.  

numero dos: Seville 

A lack of planning kept us from spending our first day in this beautiful city. Yes, believe it or not, even us expert planners mess up sometimes! The Copa del Rey brought Barcelona and Sevilla FC fans to town and all trains were completely sold out for the day. Sadly, we didn't book ours in advance and were unable to get a seat. After exploring every possible option, we ended up booking a same day flight to Seville using points. This not only helped us save money and time, but also kept us from losing a night of a prepaid hotel,

However, despite saving ourselves from having to get an extra hotel room, we missed the entire day in Seville that we had planned. We recommend spending at least two full days exploring this Andalusian paradise, but certainly more if time allows! We plan to come back and spend at least 2-3 more days exploring Seville. 

third stop: Ronda

Never heard of Ronda? We'll trust us when we tell you it's absolutely incredible. The town itself brings many a daytripper and tour group. However, just outside the town is a treasure trove of small hotels and vineyards. You'll certainly need a car to get around, but plan to spend at least two nights here. It's a short ride - just 1.5 hours from Seville! You can easily rent an automatic at the airport. We even got an upgrade with an English-speaking GPS. 

last stop: Valencia

Before returning to Madrid to fly home, we met Tim's parents in Valencia for 3 days. Valencia can very easily be swapped for Barcelona. We had both traveled to Barca during our study abroad, so we opted for a new city to explore. Each of these cities is easily accessible via short flight from Seville. This was a very leisurely stop for us at three days. We could've easily done two days in Valencia. 

We'll be posting in-depth posts on each of these Spanish locations, so stay tuned for more goodness! Until then, happy planning! 

Winter Wonderland in Northern Vermont

It's been unseasonably warm in Boston the past couple of weeks. 65 degrees in February is virtually unheard of! And although we've been taking advantage of the good weather, we also had a chance to go on our annual ski trip to Jay, VT by way of Burlington for the Presidents' Day long weekend.

It's safe to say Vermont is a great destination year-round for the outdoorsy set or for those who just want to get away from the city. Vermont is full of quaint towns, hiking trails, B&Bs and excellent restaurants, but winter is especially fun for us as we go up with our niece and nephew.

Burlington, Vermont 

Our first day was spent in Burlington. We normally spend at least a full day in town, but, due to some other vacations planned for the year, we had to cut it short since we were coming straight from work. Luckily, we were able to get in our (okay, my) two favorite activities: dinner at Hen of the Wood and Whim boutique on Church St.

Hen is hands down the best restaurant in Burlington. The menu changes constantly, but some highlights from our past trip included truffle hangar steak, mushroom toast, local cheese and the best damn Brussel sprouts in town.  Service is nothing short of fantastic and well-timed. TIP: if you forget to make a reservation in advance, bar seating is first come, first served, including the lounge tables next to the cozy little fireplace. American Flatbread is also fantastic if you're looking for something more casual.

Whim, as you may have figured, is a women's clothing boutique with a great collection of designer jeans and cashmere sweaters. Their winter sale lasts from January to February and you can score some great deals. Plus, the staff is incredibly helpful and sweet.

Jay, Vermont 

After a night in BVT, it's time to hit the slopes! We've been coming to Jay for a few years now. The mountain is primarily geared towards the advanced skier, but there are a few good green runs. Our niece and nephew, who are 8 and 5, can out-ski us but were kind enough to do some easier trails with us. As you can imagine, these two are fearless when it comes to the mountain.

Although the fresh powder and warm weather was well worth the drive, the main draw for our family has always been the water park. We have a running joke about the Red Slide and its potential for street cred. Can you guess which one of us has earned the respect of the Kast kids? TIP: Once you’re waterparked out, head over to the Ice Haus. Guests of the various hotels can skate for free – just pay for shoe rentals at $5 per person.

Little man in his element

Jay Peak Food Scene 

Restaurants are limited, but luckily, most rooms come with a kitchen. Our recommendation is to bring your groceries (and pack the good coffee) if possible. The only store on the mountain lacks a great deal in terms of variety and deals. Of the restaurants in Jay, there are a few highlights:

• Miso Hungry serves authentic Japanese ramen out of a former gondola. You can enjoy a hot bowl of veggie, spicy or pork belly ramen by the fire. Perfect way to warm up!
•  Alice's Table inside the Tram Haus is perfect for a nice pasta or fish.
• One of our favorites is a good burger at Foundry with a glass of Claret.
• Don’t forget to check out the aprés ski at the Bullwheel for live music, hot toddies and poutine.

Jay Hotels 

There is an array of options in terms of lodging at Jay, which you can check out here. This past trip, we stayed at the Tram House Lodge, overlooking the mountain. Another family favorite was a ski-in, ski-out Village condo right off Grammy Jay.

And if we haven’t sold you on one of favorite winter past-times, then we have one last TIP: pack your passport and spend half a day across the border in Canada. It’s only 4 miles away!

Boston to Austin

When you think of Texas, a few things come to mind. Football. Pickup trucks. Cowboys. Sound about right? Well what about technology, live music and sushi? Yes, you read that right and yes, you should add these to the Texan repertoire. 

For Tim's birthday last year, we decided to spend a long weekend in Austin, TX. JetBlue flies to ATX direct from BOS, making this a super easy weekend trip. We also happened to be there during Halloween, so not only did we have really great weather, but we also got to see Austin go all-out for the occasion.  

Tim and I stayed at The Driskill hotel, which is rich in history and charm, and boasts a central location suited for exploring the best of what Austin has to offer. Keep in mind the hotel is near "dirty 6th" so you may encounter rowdy crows on Thursdays, Friday and Saturday evenings. However, don't let that discourage you from stay here - you can't hear the commotion from the rooms.

The staff at the Driskill is wonderful. Everyone is extremely friendly and helpful. My husband an I found it very pleasant. The rooms are on the smaller side due to the original layout of the hotel, but very well decorated. I especially loved the vintage suitcase bedside tables. It's also part of the Hyatt group of hotels, so we were able to book it using points (via transfer from Chase Sapphire Reserve). 

See & Be Seen

There's no shortage of attractions in Austin. Our first day, we were lucky to catch the Mexic-Arte Museum Viva la Vida Festival and Días de los Muertos parade down Congress Ave. With activities for the whole family, music, dancing and tricked out cars, it was a great way to get introduced to the city. 

Looking for a little bit of culture? Check out the Texas State Capitol building and the University of Texas campus. I hear there's an awesome segway tour that stops at both. You can thank Tina Karraz for that tip! We decided to bike instead, but more on that later. 

After hearing of the magical Congress Ave Bridge Bats, we decided to head over right before sunset. Although we made some friends waiting, the bats didn't flock. We did see a few and we certainly heard their little bat noises. But, alas, no sweeping bat views for us. This is quite common in the off seasons so do your research before you go. 

If shopping is more your style, head to South Congress for some of the cutest boutiques Austin has to offer. We loved By George and also spent a solid hour trying on cowboy boots and furs at Allen's. 

With the sun shining on our last day in Austin, we headed to Zilker Park. We rented a tandem kayak at the Rowing Dock and hit the Colorado river in style. You can also rent stand up paddler boards. We saw quite a few pups on the water sunbathing. The best part was turtle spotting in the Barton Creek, which ends at the famous Barton Springs. Not to mention, the view of the city is really great. 

Eeeeeeeeeats

There's no shortage of good restaurants or James Beard winning chefs in Austin. Breakfast tacos and barbecue are an absolute must, but  don't ignore the rest of the foodie scene in town. Make sure to make reservations as early as possible as these spots book up weeks in advance.

The first place we tried Odd Duck. Chicken fried fish head, kale salad with tongue, redfish ceviche and ash-roasted carrot hummus. Need we say more? They've also got an open kitchen, so ask for a bar seat to catch all the action.

For Tim's birthday, we opted for dinner at Uchi. Fair warning, it's on the pricy side but they do a daily happy hour from 5-630. Our waiter, John, guided us through the menu and recommended a tasting  followed by some rolls. The walu walu grilled escolar is what dreams are made of. Never in a million years did we think we would eat some of the best sushi of our lives in Texas of all places (I mean we live on Boston Harbor for crying out loud). 

What's a trip to Texas without some world-renowned BBQ? That's right, we ate at Franklin BBQ. We got there at 8:15 in the morning to score some  covered seats and ate at 12:30. Think of it as a college tailgate, without the football. Diners are friendly and it's a great bonding experience. Franklin employees also come around with beer for sale throughout the wait, so that makes the time go by quickly. Was it worth a four hour wait? You better believe it.  Did we get the meat sweats from all that brisket? You better believe that as well. Sure made for a fun flight home!!!! 

TIP: Bring sunblock and water.  If you forget it, CVS is a 5 minute walk. There's also a small coffee cart behind Franklin that serves a mean cup of joe. 

Once you're done with all that eating, it's time to hit the town. You can find tons of bars and live music venues to your liking, from folk to alt rock, country to jazz. We recommend hostel cum speakeasy, the Firehouse Lounge for some French 75's and karaoke. 

Getting Around 

Austin is a really spread out city, so walking may not be your best bet for getting across town. Tim and I signed up for the bike sharing service, B Cycle, and biked our way around the city. It was fast, easy and safe - the bike lines are wide and everywhere. 

As others will tell you, Lyft and Uber are banned in Austin. You can read more about that here. However, there are plenty of other, similar services to chauffeur you around. Check out Ride Austin and Fasten. With all of their promo offers, we hardly had to pay for a ride all weekend. 

Key West 5 Ways

Now that winter is in full swing, you're probably day dreaming of your next warm-weather escape. One of our favorite spots to soak in some sun and unwind is Key West, where there's some thing for everyone. Here's our guide to Key West 5 ways: 

A Marathon sunset

1. Road Trip, anyone? Rent a car from Miami and make the the 3 hour drive to Key West via the Overseas Highway. We stopped in Marathon Key for one night. Although it was a quite town, we saw the best sunset and enjoyed some fresh fish at Sparky's Landing.  Big fan of Bloodline? The real Rayburn Inn (aka Moorings Village) is in Islamorada. Just don't try to walk onto the beach - we learned the hard way. 
 

2. Catch a show. Although there's no shortage of people watching on Duval Street, check out the drag show at the 801 Cabaret. You will not be disappointed! The staff is incredibly friendly and hilariously raunchy. They also host drag bingo on Sunday afternoons. 
 

SUP

3. Surf's SUP. Rent some paddle boards or kayak at the Lazy Dog and check out the canal houses by boat. Don't worry, there aren't any gators in the water. Or least that's what they say ;) 
 

4. Ain't no party like a Mallory Square sunset party. Get there early and grab a mojito from  Jimmy's cart. The view is one of the best in town. 
 

Sunset views from  Mallory Square, where crowds gather nightly 

5. Eeeeeeeeeeats. There's no shortage of good food in Key West. Our favorites included cafe con leches from the Cuban Coffee Queen, yellowfin tuna ceviche at Santiago's Bodega and the grouper we devoured in the courtyard of Blackfin Bistro. 
 

6. Bonus! If you're feeling super adventurous, take the seaplane to Dry Tortugas. Unfortunately for us, our plane had some mechanical issues and we weren't able to go. But we highly recommend looking into this! We hear the views are incredible. 

72 hours in Florence

Some people go to the Cape or the Hamptons for a long weekend. Not us. We like to keep it interesting and with points to burn, we decided to book a long weekend to our once-upon-a-time home, Florence, Italy. Having spent 5 months living and studying in the city, we skipped the typical tourist attractions in lieu of our most nostalgic spots. Although this type of itinerary is not for everyone, it's safe to say we hit all of our favorite Florentine places. 

4 countries in 24 hours. That's how our whirlwind weekend in Florence began. Because we booked an award flight through Chase, we opted to fly Air France via CDG to Florence since there were no direct options available. Our connection timing was already aggressive, knowing we had to go through EU border patrol. However, due to some strong headwinds and airport congestion, our flight landed 45 minutes late. As a result, we missed our connecting flight. So did the other 50 passengers ahead of us. Long story short, we ended up on a detour through Amsterdam.

Day 1 

At long last, we arrived at our hotel by 5 - just in time to relax and get ready for balsamic steaks at Acqua al Due. Our hotel was in the perfect location, just off Piazza della Repubblica and steps to Piazza del Duomo. This historic landmark cum boutique hotel was the absolute perfect hub to all of our adventures. Just check out our view at Hotel Brunelleschi! 

Although we didn't get a lot of sightseeing in our first night, it was the perfect way to reintroduce ourselves to the city and rest up for a fun weekend. 

Day 2

The next morning, we headed to our favorite bar, across from our school,  Palazzo Rucellai for caffe and cornetti. We were happy to see that our favorite barista was still there!

TIP: Drink your coffee (a tiny, but potent ristretto shot) at the bar. It's cheaper since you won't get charged for sitting. Plus, it's inherently more italian. 

Afterward, we retraced our steps back to our respective apartments, Tim's on Via Gino Capponi and mine in Piazza D'Azeglio. All our study abroad friends will appreciate that everything still looks and feels the same. We even stopped by Supermercato Conad to find our favorite 2€ wine and Kinder Surpresas. Don't judge.

After working up an appetite, we headed to Mercato Centrale. Downstairs, you'll find various stalls selling fresh pasta, cheese, meats, produce and pantry supplies. The upstairs was completely redone since we last visited and we were so excited to see stations selling prepared foods like bistecca, pizza, pasta and more. We enjoyed a light lunch with some Chianti and headed back out to explore some more. 

TIP: There's also the San Lorenzo leather market right outside the food market, where you can find great wallets, gloves and knick knacks. They also have larger items like bags and scarves. Just come prepared to haggle with the vendors. It's fun!

En route to Oltrarno, we stopped at the Ferragamo Museum to ogle over his masterpieces. On display, we also found some of Andy Warhol's shoe ads and haute couture pieces from the likes of Viktor & Rolf and Issey Miyake. At a 6€ admission fee, this is a must-see on your next visit. 

We also made a pitstop at Gelateria La Carraia for some of our favorite gelato and quickly spotted Ginger the Beagle, whose owner, Georgette of Girl in Florence I fangirled hard core. If you don't already follow her Florentine adventures on Instagram, do so now and thank me later. 

After a long day of exploring, we headed to a 4-hour dinner at one of our favorite old spots, Il Latini. For 50€ per person, they bring out course after course of Tuscan deliciousness from crostini to mozzarella, pasta, bistecca and all the limoncello you can imagine. The best part of our dinner was making new friends. Christina and Bridgette, who turned out to know one of our friends! It truly is a small world out there. 

Day 3

There may be such a thing as too much limoncello at Il Latini, because we decided to sleep in the following morning before hitting a couple holiday markets. 

First stop was Santa Croce for the annual Heidelberger Weihnachtsmarkt (German Christmas Market). The sights and smells were to die from. From mulled wine to pretzels, there's something for everyone. Not to mention the plethora of gift options. Sadly for us, we only brought carryons, so space was slightly limited. Still, window shopping here was definitely a highlight. 

From there, we made our way across the Arno to Piazzale Michelangelo, for what is hands down our favorite view of this city. Midday, the crowds are smaller than the popular sunset hour, but with live music and a spectacular view, we were in heaven. 

Climbing down the hill, we headed to the Nataleperfile holiday fair set in historic Palazzo Corsini. We especially loved this market because the proceeds go towards helping terminally ill patients in Florence and the surrounding areas. For a full breakdown of the holiday markets about town, see this and this. 

We decided to stop by our favorite pub for a pre-dinner apertif. Although we couldn't sit out on the two-person balcony overlooking the Duomo, we were delighted to see JJ Cathedral decked out for Christmas. Lots of great memories here! If you see Neal Wikert anytime soon, ask him about this place. It's a great story ;)

For dinner, we found a new spot, Enoteca Conquinarius. This place was great! Our sommelier brought 6 different bottles of wine to compliment our dinner selections, telling us the story of where and how the grapes were grown. His approach was charming and unique, as well as self-proclaimed "democratic". He didn't want to lean us towards just one bottle without knowing the background of all of our matches. The food was also excellent, from the crostini misti to the beef cheeks and wild boar. We highly recommend it. you can even make a reservation on the Fork.  

Day 4

Before embarking on our long flight home by way of Zurich, we took the opportunity to visit the Terraza at la Rinascenete to take in 360 views of the city. That day was especially quiet at the cafe as the Florentines were busy voting on their referendum. Although the coffee here is substantially overpriced, the view was worth it. 

We also had our last "supper", which consisted of one of the most famous Florentine street foods - panini al lampredotto. For those who don't know, this is a messy sandwich made with stewed tripe. It was so good but a little heavy for a long haul flight. #NoRegrets. 

The flight home was far less eventful than on the way there. We stayed up the entire time to help keep ourselves on track for work the next day. This method worked great because we went to bed a normal hour and slept through the night. That's the beauty of such a short trip; your body doesn't have a chance to adapt to the new timezone and you can adjust back to EST without a problem. 

All in all, this trip was worth the hectic schedule. It was so nice to end 2016 on a positive and nostalgic note. Now the real quesiton is, where on earth are we going to go in 2017?