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! 

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. 

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!

Wikert's Guide to Maximizing Points

A common misconception people have regarding travel is that you need to travel A LOT to earn enough miles & points for a "free" trip.  Julie and I both have jobs that only require occasional travel, yet we travel multiple times per year using points, sometimes bringing our out of pocket cost down to almost $0.  The secret: we maximize the points we collect through every day credit card spend.

Before I go any further, there are many great credit cards out there offering cash back on your purchases - 1%, 1.5% 2%, etc.  If you are happy to simply use the cashback you earn and apply it towards flight and hotel purchases, that is a fine way to limit your travel costs.  But, if you want to take your hobby to the next level, you need credit cards that allow you to transfer the "points" you earn directly to your airline and hotel loyalty accounts (which are free to set up).  Chase, American Express and Citi all offer cards with this capability.

Here's a brief example: Julie and I use two primary credit cards: Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex EveryDay Preferred.  Note: both of these cards carry annual fees, but I'd argue the fees pay for themselves pretty quickly if you are passionate about travel. I'll save the details for another day. 

Each card has its comparative advantages:

•  Amex EveryDay preferred offers 3 points per dollar spent at grocery stores, 2 points at gas stations and 1 point on everything else (with a 50% point bonus if you make 30 purchases in that month - think coffee, drugstore purchases, etc.)
• Chase Sapphire Reserve offers 3 points per dollar spent on travel & restaurants and 1 point on everything else. Not to mention there's the 100k point sign up bonus which expires January 11th (in lieu of a 50k bonus). 

Let's look at some hypothetical monthly expenses:

• Groceries: $500 per month (2,250 points)
• Restaurants and Bars: $400 per month (1,200 points)
• Gas Stations: $100 per month (300 points)
• All other spend: $1,500 per month (2,250 points)

In the above scenario, you'd earn 6,000 points each month and 72,000 in a year.  This is more than enough for two round trip flights from Boston to Spain, which Julie and I visited last year on points (the flight cost otherwise was $1,500 per ticket).

If you're familiar with the miles and points game, you know I've grossly oversimplified how it works.  There's no possible way to even scratch the surface in a single post.  

That said, there are many points and miles bloggers out there who have been doing this for years. However, many of these bloggers work with credit card companies to promote said cards. I am just merely illustrating how maximizing your every day purchases could lead to free travel and this post reflects my opinion only. 

Tourist vs. Traveler

In our travels, we've encountered so many wonderful people, from different cultures and places. While we're always excited to learn from these interactions, we've noticed that most of the people we meet fall into one of two categories: the travelers and the tourists.  At first blush, you may wonder what the difference is. Well, we have one word for you: empathy. 

Below are top 5 rules for being a traveler not a tourist:

1. Learn the language. Even a few words will make your hosts happy and more warm towards you. The words that will get you the most places include ordering good and drink, along with the usual pleasantries, like “please” and “hello”. Our best advice is to point to things and ask "how do you say X in Y language? For example, Tim asked a couple sitting next to us at dinner in Seville what they were eating, and alas, our love affair with boquerones began. In case you’re wondering, Spanish anchovies are nothing like the ones Americans put on Cesar salads. 

Wandering through the Retiro in Madrid. 

2. Do some light research and leave plenty of room to wander. The more you cram into your itinerary, the less you absorb. Our trick is to pick 3 things each day: one site or museum, one neighborhood to explore and one restaurant. Of course, this isn't always possible if you're in a big city for only a few days, but you get the idea. It’s the random finds that really make your experience so memorable. 

Pigeon during an 8-course tasting Michelin Star, Le Pavillion des Boulevards in Bordeaux.  

3. Eat the food. Go out of your comfort zone, no matter how picky you are. Even just a little. You may surprise yourself! Remember, no chef in his right mind would put something on his menu that wasn't good. Tim and I are pretty adventurous eaters but are somewhat limited by his shellfish allergy. We always bring an allergy translation card along to show our waiter. Works like a charm! On our last trip to Spain, we tried crispy pig's ear, oxtail, artichoke with foie gras sauce, just to name a few. 

4. Leave your selfie stick at home. Pretty self explanatory. Amiright? 

Our friend Dave recommended his rooftop gem, also in Bordeaux. 

5. Strike up conversation with the locals. Despite the language barrier, make friends. Natives have the best perspective and the best local tips, which you will not find in a tour guide book. If you show genuine interest in people, you’ll be surprised how excited they are to impart their wisdom and help make your experience in their country better. 

Plaza de Espana in Seville

Next time you head abroad, make sure you exude world traveler and enjoy!

We're BACK & Heading to France

You may have noticed we took a long extended hiatus on writing our blog. Oops. Things got busy, we're the worst. However, we're back and committed to bringing you the best of our travels! 

Since we've last blogged, we've take quite a few trips. One of our favorites was a trip to Galway & Dublin, Ireland and Paris, France. 

With all that's been going on in France since we came back in November 2015, we thought long and hard about our next trip to Europe. A recent article published by our friends at CN Traveler put it best: 

The average American is as likely to be crushed to death by furniture or televisions as they are to be killed by a terrorist.

This perspective and the unreal deals available on flights, hotels and Air BnBs, helped us decide to support our longest standing allies in France by supporting their tourism industry. 

This September, we'll be heading to Reims, Lyon, Bordeaux and back to Paris to enjoy some of the best food, wine and culture this beautiful country has to offer. 

We'll be sharing our favorite moments in the months to come. Au revoir for now mon cheries, but keep your eyes peeled for more on the past year of travels from us. Promise we won't go dark again! 

xo, JW 

San Francisco

A friend of mine recently asked for some recommendations for her upcoming trip to San Francisco and it got me reminiscing on the last time I was in town. It was an extra special trip because this was where Tim asked me to marry him. And although the trip was almost two years ago, I still remember every last detail – except what he said to me when he proposed. That remains a mystery to this day (I was too busy sobbing like a mad woman).

EAT

The food in SF is terrific. It’s true what they say – California cows are happy cows. And it shows. The wine culture really lends itself to gourmet food at any budget here

The view from outside the Ferry Building

$ - Ferry Building in Embarcadero. Sample different offerings from local vendors. My favorite is the ricotta and local honey from Cowgirl Creamery.

$$ - Ryoko’s in Nob Hill. Sure, you can find a lot of great sushi in this city, but there’s something charming about this one. We sat at the sushi bar and watched the chefs in action. Freshness was top notch.

$$$ - Frascati in Russian Hill. The wine, the service and the duck breast were all divine. And the neighborhood here is the cutest.

PLAY

Make some new friends at Pier 39

Bike around the Presidio for unparalleled views of the Golden Gate bridge. If you get hungry, stop in at the Presidio Social Club for some bites and cocktails.

Climb to the top of Nob Hill and Coit Tower for specular city views and a killer workout.

The view of the city from Coit Tower

DRINK

No trip to San Francisco is complete without a visit to wine country. I’ve been to parts of Sonoma and Napa but my favorite town of all Calistoga. I may be biased because this is where we went after Tim proposed, but the town is so quaint and the restaurants are phenomenal. We had a chef’s tasting at JoLe and it was one of the best meals of our lives.

Truchard Vineyards, where Tim proposed

And the best part is there are so many vineyards nearby! 

Sterling Vineyards is nearby and offer a large selection. You must also check out some smaller vineyards. TIP: you usually need a reservation and some are member-only tastings. Truchard Vineyard in Carneros is my absolute favorite (obviously).  Others we considered: Castello di Amorosa (looks like an Italian Villa) and Schramsberg (champs!!!!)

Finally, if you head up North to the vineyards, I highly recommend driving west to Jenner, CA. This is where the Russian River meets the Pacific and the view is absolutely worth the drive.

Our sweet ride for the trip

Shout out to Cara for inspiring today's post. Hope you enjoy your trip to SF! 

Thailand Part 2: Phuket

Our next stop after Bangkok was Phuket. Roughly 500 miles south of the capitol, Phuket is a 10 ½ hour bus ride or 1 hour flight. Admittedly, I was really anxious about flying around Thailand. Recent events involving Asian low-cost carriers gave me nightmares for months. I even researched Thai airlines that follow FAA guidelines. (TIP: there aren’t very many that fly domestic). While we kept inter-Thailand air travel to a minimum by sticking around the West coast, we weren’t about to let fear get in the way of our adventures. Plus, the flights ended up being pretty pleasant.

Important TIP: When booking your flights in and out of Bangkok, be sure to note the airport. Bangkok has two: BKK for most International flights and DMK for most domestic. However, always double check because the 45 minute distance could make the difference between making and missing your flight. This almost cost us a day at the beach but luckily our friends at W Bangkok helped us out.

In Phuket, we stayed at the Renaissance Phuket Resort and Spa. The resort was a modern oasis with everything you could possibly want. We were really happy with our choice, which was located in quieter, Northern Phuket. We stayed two nights and it was the perfect amount of time to unwind and switch gears to beach mode.

Early bird gets the best seat. I take vacation very seriously. 

After lounging by the pool and indulging in Thai massages at the beach ($15 each!!!!) the first day, we decided to head into Phuket Town to explore the next day. We booked a shuttle bus to town through our hotel. Upon arrival in town, we were greeted by a local tourist guide who offered to take us around town and to Patong Beach for 1000 Baht ($30). This ended up being a perfect choice as we got to explore some unique spots we wouldn’t have otherwise found or ventured to in the heat.

Our first stop was Khao Rang Hill View Point, where we hung out with some locals.

Local monkeys welcome visitors on  Khao Rang Hill.

These monkeys were pretty docile, but beware of their little fingers – especially if you have snacks.

The view from the hill was spectacular and well worth the air-conditioned ride. We even found a shaded spot to relax.

On our way down, we stopped at the Sitting Buddha – another must-see in town – before heading to Patong Beach.

Famous for its nightlife, Patong Beach is a people watching paradise. From tourists to massage parlors and street hawkers to lady boys, there’s never a dull moment here. We spent the afternoon exploring the shops and had dinner at Hooter’s. We’d heard the food wasn’t great in Patong, so we took a break from Thai food to nosh on beer and wings. Tim had such a great time, he was ready to join in as a Hooters Lady Boy.

                    Looking good, Tim-O. 

From there, we parked at a street-side bar on Bangla road to take it all on. TIP: This is definitely not a kid-friendly area. Be prepared to be accosted about Ping Pong shows and other raunchy things.

The scene on Bangla Road 

Overall, we both enjoyed Phuket but we were glad we only booked two nights here. However, had we stayed longer, we would have booked excursions to some of the smaller islands in the bay. 

Thailand Part 1: Bangkok

When we were choosing our honeymoon destination, our only criteria was that it had to be far away destination neither of us had ever been. When else can you take two full weeks off without getting the stink eye from your boss? We perused Pinterest and Barnes and Noble to get inspired. Should we sail around Croatia? Safari in South Africa? Flop around on beaches of Tahiti? After months of indecision, we finally decided on Thailand. A perfect blend of culture and beach-side relaxation. And boy was it perfect.

In all fairness, getting to Asia is a long and expensive journey. We flew out of Boston and connected in Dubai. With the layover, our travel time was 21 hours. Luckily for us, the supervisor at the Emirates check in was kind enough to offer us a honeymoon special on a business class upgrade. That made the first leg of our trip much more enjoyable. TIP: If you're travelling for a special occasion, be sure to let agents know. It never hurts to ask for an upgrade and people usually willing to do something nice for you to make your experience more memorable. 

In Bangkok, we stayed at the W Hotel in the bustling Silom neighborhood – full of skyscrapers and luxury hotels. It was a 45-minute taxi ride from Suvarnabhumi Airport. TIP: Print out your hotel names in both English and Thai. Many Thai speak excellent English, but it never hurts to be prepared.

We spent our first day relaxing. After all, we just had a really big weekend so we needed to ease into the trip. The W has a pool overlooking the city on the 6th floor. It’s an urban oasis with W-class drinks and bites, with a modern flair. Bangkok in May is extremely hot and humid, so we could only spend a few hours sun bathing. After a luxuriously long nap, we ventured out to our first night market.

Asiatique is large open-air, modern market on the Chao Phraya River. After indulging in some Thai food at one of the stalls, we headed straight for the Ferris wheel to take in views of the city.

The second day was dedicated to exploring historic Bangkok. We took a cab to Wat Pho and walked to Grand Palace, the amulet market and even ferried over to Wat Arun from there. TIP: Pack flip flops, light pants and t-shirts for visiting temples. Ankles and shoulders must be covered, and shoes are not allowed in homes or sacred places.

After a full day of exploring, we headed to the Vertigo Bar at the Banyan Tree Hotel. It was supposed to rain, but it held off long enough for us to enjoy champagne, overlooking the city from the 61st floor roof deck. You can also enjoy a fine dinner here, but given the weather, we opted for a spot nearby where we could try Northern, Isan food called Somtum Der. Highly recommend the fried Isan sausage and pork neck (shellfish safe, but more on that later).

The view from the top. 

We spent our final day exploring the Jim Thompson House. Jim Thompson was an American who single-handedly helped revive the Thai silk trade by selling it to fashion houses in New York, London and Paris. He built a traditional Thai home in Bangkok, where he collected various art and heirlooms, still on display today. Visitors can tour his home, shop silk goodies (we got these adorable silk elephant napkins and pocket squares for Tim) and learn about his mysterious disappearance in Malaysia.

Silkworms and dyed silks on display at Jim Thompson House. 

From there, we headed to Siam Square, full of modern malls and Thai stalls. We checked out MBK, where you could find all the knockoff electronics, souvenirs, designer purses and gold your heart desires. It wasn’t quite for us, so we stopped by Siam Paragon, which was much more our scene. SP is by and large the most magnificent shopping center we’ve ever seen. Each floor is themed – from famous American must-haves to high-end couture, this place has everything you could possibly want. For more than you pay in the US. TIP: Here, you can also find the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre as well as Madame Tussaud’s.

Soi 38 Night Market 

For dinner, we decided to dine like locals at Soi 38. Here, we enjoyed Pad Thai ($1.50), street meat ($.50 for 10) and our very favorite Mango Sticky Rice ($3). We ate at various tables lining the streets as cars, motorcycles and people buzzed by.

Overall, we loved Bangkok. It was our favorite stop during the trip. We felt like we got a good amount of site-seeing in three days, but there were many things we didn’t see. However, our travel style is more relaxed and we always like to leave some things unseen. For next time.