In London for Olympics? Don't Forget to Eat!

For those lucky enough to be in London to celebrate the Olympics and all its incredible festivities - KUDOS to you! The city is alive with the sheer electricity of the event, but even on its own merits,  London is one of the most visited cities in the world!

If you are in London or thinking about visiting London in the future, here are a few restaurants that have tantalized taste buds of visitors from around the world:

• Hereford Road (/www.herefordroad.org/)  is open for lunch and dinner. The restaurant boasts itself as "bringing whole-hearted, robust, simple British cooking ... using the great wealth of our national produce." Located on, where else, but 3 Hereford Road, Westbourne Grove, London, W2 4AB.

• With its 2 star Michelin rating, L'Autre Pied (www.lautrepied.co.uk/) serves up delicious  French Cuisine in a festive and interestingly decorated environment. L'Autre Pied is located at 5-7 Blandford Street, London W1U 3DB (don't miss its sister restaurant - Pied à Terre).

• Located in the popular Piccadilly area of London,  The Wolsely (/www.thewolseley.com/) serves up delectable European fare throughout the day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They also have daily High Tea that should not be missed.
• If you are looking for an elegant and perfectly executed High Tea experience, make a reservation for High Tea at the incomparable Savoy (www.fairmont.com/savoy-london/dining/savoytea/). Situated in the Upper Thames Foyer; this newly renovated (multi-million dollar Fairmont property) has hosted some of the biggest names and talents in the world. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ambiance of the luxurious Savoy Tea.

London hasn't always been known for its culinary fare; however, over the past ten to twenty years, the landscape of the chefs coming up through the ranks and opening up restaurants in London (Chef Gordon Ramsey, to name one of the most popular), has significantly raised the bar for those foodie finders out there.

Regardless if you are able to stop into one of these Gold Medal establishments or not; just make sure to grab a pint (or two) at a local pub and partake of some Bangers & Mash or Fish & Chips!

*photos provided by www. freedigitalphotos.net

www.chicksthattrip.com

The Art of Travel Part 9: Your Return

(Long Sigh)...So, you return back home from trekking across the Himalayas; dining in Aruba; surfing in Hawaii, or wherever your travels have taken you, but now, it's back to the real world. Don't fret! There is a bit of a letdown feeling once your travels are completed, but it also feels good to be back home too.

My recommendation to beat the "just returned from vacation blues," is to start planning another trip! While most of us can ill afford to take back to back vacations, it is fun to go through all of your new photos and treasures you picked up on your recent trip, and then start planning another fabulous vacation! As my business partner always says, "I need something to look forward to." I get it.

Upon your return you should:

• Share your photos (maybe not all of your photos), with your friends and family. You can FaceBook, Pinterest, and any other forms of sharing that you may utilize.
• If you have a desk at work or a home office, place a couple of your most recent photos up at your desk, but also put up a couple of photos of destinations you would like to explore in the future. This way, you can gaze at your past experiences, and relish in anticipation for  your next trip.
• Perhaps you experienced top level service at the resort or hotel where you stayed. Send an email or write a nice card to the property letting them know that your expectations were exceeded, and if there were any particular staff members that are memorable - call out their names. Hey, everybody likes to be appreciated, and it will make them feel good that they helped to enhance your vacation experience. 
• Conversely, if you had a sub par experience, you should let them know too. That doesn't mean you have to get on TripAdvisor and blast the property, but a polite letter to the MOD (Manager on Duty) or GM (General Manager) is always appreciated. They need to know what they are doing well, and where they have areas of opportunity. 
• Finally, take some time to decompress and recall your experiences. Vacations don't come everyday, so extend that feel good mood for as long as you can!

*photo provided by freedigitalphotos.net

www.chicksthattrip.com

Pizza Brings Happiness - Story on a Random Act of Kindness!

Whenever I hear or read stories like this, they really touch my heart. Seriously. While I don't wear my emotions on my sleeve, I do enjoy a "feel good story," and I also try to be the "pay it forward" type of person too, so this story was too compelling for me not to mention. Also, since it has to do with food...well, it goes without saying, I was ALL over it!

I will provide the link to the original story: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/family-makes-good-dying-family-member-last-wish-183919770.html. A young man, Aaron Collins, recently passed away, and his last wish was to have his family go out for a pizza dinner, and leave the waiter or waitress a $500 tip.

The family has a website up where they are taking donations, and they plan on continuing this theme for as long as they continue to receive donations. They said that every time they accrue $500 on the site, they will go and brighten another waiter or waitresses day. Big high fives to them! So, this is my feel good Friday post! Hopefully you all will go out and do something to make yourself and someone else feel good too!  Bon Appétit!

*photo provided by freedigitalphotos.net

 

www.chicksthattrip.com

Trucking Right Along!

Can you believe this year is half way over? As I celebrated the 4th of July holiday it struck me that this year is at the midway point, and I still have SO much to accomplish.

I got to thinking about truck drivers. They cover a lot of territory over a few days, and they tend to see it all. Hailstorms, fires, floods, snow storms and the like, but yet, they keep trucking right along. When I used to drive from Colorado to California (and back) during my college years, I enjoyed sharing the highways with these  road warriors, because they knew how to keep moving, even during the worst situations.

A large portion of our country has been immersed in a serious heat wave. Power has been out  for a large portion of those in the Northeast region, and fires have taken hold of Colorado and several other bordering states like Wyoming and New Mexico. I don't know about you all, but if there ever was a time to take a vacation, it would be now. Wherever your travels may take you during these summer months, enjoy them and keep on trucking!

*photo provided by freedigitalphotos.net

www.chicksthattrip.com