SENSE & CHICKS THAT TRIP PROMO - WINNER ANNOUNCED!

CONGRATULATIONS MANDY S. 

Thank you to all of those who booked their travel through Chicks That Trip during this promotional. 

There will be more great contests and promotions in the future!

*Promo ad created by  Brittany of Sense Clothing and approved to be posted on this blog

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Hotel Spotlight: Brown Palace Hotel, Denver, CO

The Brown Palace Hotel has been a permanent fixture in downtown Denver since August 12, 1892; well over 120 years ago! Think about that, 120 years! While the times have changed significantly since 1892, the luxuriousness and steadfast determination to continue to retain its relevancy throughout these changing times has kept the Brown Palace Hotel on the top of many, "luxury property" lists.

Oftentimes when I go into properties that have the older, elegant charm, I feel like they are outdated and need a "face lift," but I don't quite feel this way about the Brown Palace Hotel. Part of its charm is the fact that it is so old, and has maintained itself so well. I'm sure there have been updates throughout the years, but whenever I've been there, I've felt like a part of history, and that I should be twirling a parasol.  I was attending an event there recently, so it was great to hang out for awhile before the event started; especially since the last time I had been there was seven years ago when I took my mom to High Tea.

Roaming around the Brown Palace Hotel is fun. It's elegant, but unpretentious, and they have some of the most beautiful chandeliers on their property. Yes, I am somewhat enamored with chandeliers and snap

photos of them constantly whenever I am at a property that has them. There is a sense of intimacy throughout the Brown Palace Hotel, and what I appreciate the most are the seating areas dispersed throughout the property, so you can sit down and relax.There are several ballrooms on the property, and I can only imagine how grand they must be when hosting an event that is worthy to actually utilize a ballroom for its intended purpose; versus just a conference.

Also, there is the Tavern where you can grab a bite to eat; the center lobby area which hosts High Tea, and the Palace Arms is where the cigar smokers can revel in their own space, and enjoy their favorite smoke with a side of Brandy, Whiskey, Scotch, or whatever libation floats their boat.

Lest not forget the spa. Ahhhh, spa. It makes me feel relaxed just saying the word. They have a plethora of pleasing, and relaxing spa options to chose from, and I have no doubt that the spa is just as luxurious as the rest of this divine property. 

The young lady who was working in the spa store allowed me to wander around their store and snap pictures at my leisure. There is a large selection of spa and beauty products to chose from, so anybody would be hard-pressed to say they couldn't find a product that suited their individual needs. There are splendid and decadent spa packages that are offered, as well as à la carte options too. I scooped up one of their brochures and made a promise to myself to get back there before the end of the year  - one of their spa packages has my name written on it!

*Photos by That Chick Té

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French Wine Bar - Ô Chateau

It is with much delight and happiness that I recently found out that a relatively new wine bar has opened up in France called, Ô Chateau. I had the opportunity to be hosted at Olivier's flat (one of the owners of Ô Chateau), for wine classes he held. He did the regions of France's wine country a great service, as I tasted wines that I never would have had the opportunity to taste before, and the Champagne he selected for our tastings were out of this world.

What I appreciated most about Olivier, was his supreme knowledge of the varied wine regions in France, but more importantly, he enjoyed what he was doing. While he took the presentation of the wine seriously, he did not take himself too seriously. His quick wit, and off the cuff comments made me laugh out loud, and provided me one of the most enjoyable experiences I've ever had in Paris.So yes, the wine was the main focal point, but Olivier was definitely the man of the hour!

I haven't had the opportunity to visit Ô Chateau since it's opening, but now that I know about it, I will be making a beeline just as soon as I can plan my next adventure to Paris.

Cheers to you Olivier and wishing you much success!

By the way, I searched high and low for the photo I took of Olivier, but alas, I could not locate it in my vast array of photos. Should I find that photo, I'll definitely post it!

*Photo taken by That Chick Té

Travel and Relax Guilt Free!

I've never understood why people feel guilty when they go on vacation. It is a much deserved treat that people oftentimes deny for themselves because they feel they can't afford it; they have other responsibilities, or they feel that if they leave everything will go to shambles.

Every month there are countless magazines and blog postings extolling the virtues of travel as a means to destress. Travel does not necessarily mean somewhere far away, sometimes the best trips can literally be found right in your backyard (i.e. camping in your backyard, or "staycations" at a nice hotel in your city).

I have begun reading a book I picked up a few days ago titled, A Calm Brain: Unlocking Your Natural Relaxation System, by Gayatri Devi, M.D. The book is about relaxation techniques, but one part in particular really stuck out to me. The author discusses how she was eavesdropping on a conversation while she was being held captive, stuck at Brussels airport awaiting her flight departure. During this time, she overheard two gentlemen talking, and in their exchange, the older of the two gentlemen advised the younger gentleman (as they traded each others contact information), that he would be unreachable for a month, as he cuts off all contact while traveling. The older gentleman went on further to say that while it wasn't easy at first, he had to teach people (his coworkers and assistant) that, "People can manage without you...Everyone is dispensable." 

The exchange between the two gentlemen was a wonderful commentary on our society, because the older gentleman admitted (paraphrasing) that while he may not be as successful in the corporate world as others, he felt, "healthy," and "at peace."

I haven't completed the book yet, but that section resonated with me, because even the author admitted that when she first heard the older gentleman explaining how he goes away and cuts himself off from society, that her first thought was that she, "felt sorry for the people he works with," but as she thought about it more, she realized that maybe there was something to that complete disconnection.

Fortunately, I do not suffer from that affliction that most people have of feeling that they are indispensable and are constantly needed. However, even I must admit that I feel a bit lost when I am without my BlackBerry's...at least initially, but after about twenty-four hours at my destination, I appreciate not having any disturbances and constant ringings and bingings of phone calls and alerts.

Perhaps you may not feel comfortable completely disconnecting while on vacation, but maybe you can take small steps and limit the amount of time you spend checking your emails and listening to voice mail messages. I think your mind, body and spirit will thank you for it.

Namaste.

*photo provided by freedigitalphotos.net

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