Bottoms Up! Culinary Connectors - Beer Tour -Preview

I'm calling this a preview because I haven't actually taken the tour yet; however, I was cruising through Culinary Connectors site to find a tour for some clients that will be staying in Aspen for a vacation, and in my perusing their site, I saw the Craft Beer Tour...very cool! I've heard wonderful things about Culinary Connectors, so I figured that it would be an opportune time to try out some of their tours, and to have some fun downtown. It's baseball season, so I can't imagine a more appropriate tour to take right now; especially if it happens to be a day that the Colorado Rockies are playing!

Culinary Connectors operates in Denver, Boulder and Aspen, Colorado, so they provide a variety of restaurants to accommodate many palettes. I will write a review once I've actually taken the tour, but until then, check out their website to see some of the wonderful tours that they offer. Looking at their website makes my mouth water...


*Image courtesy of: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

www.chicksthattrip.com

The Art of Travel: Part 7 - Arriving to Your Destination

Arrival to your destination is filled with a strange feeling of euphoria. You are excited to be there, yet, you can sometimes feel a bit of discomfort by being in unfamiliar territory; especially if you are traveling to a destination where there is a language barrier.

There are quite a few things that are important to navigate once you arrive into your final destination, and this segment will discuss a few of those items to make your arrival as stress free as possible.

• Prior to disembarking from whatever mode of transportation you've utilized (plane, train, automobile), make certain that you check the area you were sitting in, to ensure you haven't forgotten anything. There is nothing worse than to lose items while traveling.
• Keep all important documents close to your body. There are quite a few carrying cases/pouches that are sold whereby you can attach the case/pouch to your waist, or other parts of your body. Incidentally, avoid placing all of your money in the same place (if traveling with money). Keep some money in separate places throughout your luggage and on your body. 
• Maintain control of your luggage at all time. If you have checked luggage, it is best to go to the restroom prior to picking up luggage from baggage claim, that way you won't have to shuttle all of your luggage into the restroom with you.
• If you have rented a car, make sure that you place your luggage into the car yourself; be aware of your surroundings, especially if you are traveling alone and/or arrive late at night.
• If you are using shuttle service or private transportation, maintain control of your luggage as long as possible, and keep your eye on exactly where your luggage was placed. This isn't paranoia, it's being practical, because so many people have similar luggage that it's easy to get your luggage confused with others...which leads to the next tip.
• Have some highly identifiable luggage tag on  your luggage, so that it is easy to spot. There are a lot of people who purchase brightly colored luggage tags, and even unique luggage itself so as not to be easily confused with others luggage.
• Once you have arrived at your hotel (assuming you are staying at a hotel), make sure to take several of the hotels business cards to have with you, just in case you get lost. It's easier to provide a taxi driver with the business card for the exact location of your hotel, or to obtain directions if you have the business cards.
• If you unpack your belongings on trips (I typically don't, I like my luggage to remain packed so that if anything goes awry, it's easy to scoop up and get out - just my thing), make sure to peruse the room first. Check the bathrooms, under the beds, etc, to make sure things are clean and that the other occupants haven't left anything that house cleaning may not have found. 
• I discourage traveling with valuables; especially to certain destinations, but if you do, make certain that if you utilize the in-room safes, that you check it out prior to placing your belongings in the safe. 

While vacations are supposed to be fun experiences, the reality is that there are unscrupulous people out there that would love nothing more than to separate you from your belongings. I had a purse stolen on a vacation in the Bahamas several years ago, and it made me become even more vigilant in making sure that I am always aware of my surroundings at all times. It had a fairly good out come, as I did obtain my purse back, along with most of its contents, except for my cell phone and about $200 cash. It was a valuable lesson for me, but I learned that it's my responsibility to ensure the safety of me and my personal belongings (friends were supposed to be watching our belongings as some of us danced - clearly that didn't work out too well).


*photo provided by That Chick Té

www.chicksthattrip.com

Sense Clothing - Sensible & Fun!

Sense Clothing - Infinity Scarf

Full fledged travel season is upon us, as the airports and roads fill with harried travelers' beginning their mass exodus to places known and unknown. Sometimes it is hard to decide what to pack when going on vacation, but with the help of Sense Clothing, you can travel in comfort, and arrive in style. Recently we, at Chicks That Trip, were interviewed by the talented and energetic Brittany Cupp, Sales & Marketing Associate of Sense Clothing. You can see the interview here on Sense Clothing's Facebook page.

I am a strong advocate for the "less is more" style of travel, and I believe it's not necessary to take every item you own, when in actuality, you a. won't be able to wear everything you take, and b. you have to carry all of that unnecessary luggage (imagine schlepping several bags onto a train in Italy - not a fun experience. Or worse, paying horrendous fees in luggage weight). Having the ability to mix and match clothing, as well as having clothing that unpacks with ease are a few of the things I look for in travel clothing, and Sense Clothing hits that bulls eye every time. 

Sense Clothing and Chicks That Trip have put together a sensational travel incentive to get you all on your own travel adventure, so make sure to check out Sense Clothing's Facebook page and see our wonderful promo package incentive, designed just for our friends of Chicks That Trip & Sense Clothing.

 *Photo courtesy of and used by permission from Sense Clothing

www.chicksthattrip.com 

Hotel Spotlight: Hotel Teatro - Denver, CO

Outdoor patio area on side of Hotel Teatro

It is rarely dark and dreary in Denver, Colorado, but on this particular late afternoon, the clouds are menacing and angry. The light rain has been trickling off and on for several hours throughout the day, and there appears to be no end in sight. Parking is always a tricky and expensive proposition in any downtown city, and Denver is no exception. I am fortunate to find an evening lot that will only fleece me $5.00 for the remainder of the evening – not bad.  As I meander up the street towards my ultimate destination, Hotel Teatro, I close my umbrella and allow the light raindrops to brush my cheeks. It is a refreshing feeling and makes me feel like a child.

Picture of Tramway Building being built

Hotel Teatro is housed in a historic building in downtown Denver. It was originally constructed in 1911 as the Denver Tramway building, and has seen a fair amount of renovations, updates and changes throughout the years.  Mere steps away are the Denver Center for Performing Arts, the 16^th Street Mall, and Larimer Square. Hotel Teatro is blessed to be in close proximity to the downtown city life, but tucked away enough to revel it its own intimate privacy.  Prior to my visit, I was in contact with their PR representative, BrieAnn Fast of B Public Relations, and the General Manager of Hotel Teatro, Jim Turner, in order to ensure it would be acceptable for me to take some photographs of their property –  I was graciously given the “green light” to forge ahead.

Bar area inside Hotel Teatro

I entered the property on the side entrance, since their main entryway was under renovations. The doorway  leads immediately into their bar area. The space is cozy and accommodates more than a dozen tables, as well as the seats at the bar. I made my way through the bar into the mini waiting area off of the lobby check-in station. Each of the walls are covered with varying art work from performances, including large, framed pieces of clothing from plays that have taken place at the Denver Center for Performing Arts.  Several comfortable seating areas are located in the waiting area, one of which faces an alluring fireplace.

Deluxe Corner King Room

While awaiting my mini tour to be given by Ms. Fast, I decided to sit and do a bit of people watching. During my visit, the hotel was completely filled to capacity, and given there is a major hotelier directly across the street from this location, it bodes well for Hotel Teatro that they are still able to fill rooms. The age group that tends to be at this congenial boutique hotel seems to rest in the late thirties to early forties range. Granted, there were other age groups representing their clientele, but the individuals I saw checking in and out tended to be in the aforementioned age group.

Both Mr. Turner and Ms. Fast arrived at about the same time and I introduced myself to them both, and thanked them for being so hospitable and allowing me to “poke” around the hotel. During our brief exchange, I asked them both if they had seen any changes in their occupancy since the large, luxury brand hotel recently located directly across the street. Both Mr. Turner and Ms. Fast conveyed that Hotel Teatro guests tend to come because of the general ambiance of the hotel; the art located throughout the property; and the more personal experience that oftentimes can only be accomplished at a smaller, boutique property. I have stayed at the Hotel Teatro before, and I tend to agree with them.

Dress worn by Annette Bening

My brief tour began in the basement, where several wall mounted shelves showcased numerous masks and head pieces from various plays. Also on display were a variety of costumes that were worn by popular performers, like Annette Bening, in Anton Chekhov’s, The Cherry Orchard. The entire property boasts black, white and gray swirled marble staircases and walls; elegant crown molding; and impressive light fixtures and framed prints.  There is an upstairs eating area, as well as cozy meeting rooms. Although Hotel Teatro is not big on grandiose spaces, there are more than enough intimate and tucked away spots that can accommodate individuals or small groups of people. Hotel Teatro has everything one would need to take a brief respite from the hectic day to day life. 

Seating off main lobby area

There is valet parking available at check-in, and one of the top voted Denver restaurants, Kevin Taylor, is located on the premises. This is the sort of place you can sneak away to and never have to leave the property, or you can wander aimlessly down the streets, stopping in at varying martini lounges, restaurants and shopping; all within a short distance from the hotel. The use of theater as art is seamlessly woven into the very texture of the property, thus creating the feeling that Hotel Teatro is not simply a place to stay, but is also a stage for all of those who inhabit the premises.

*photos taken by That Chick Té; photo of Deluxe King Corner Room Courtesy of Hotel Teatro

www.chicksthattrip.com

The Art of Travel: Part 6 - Departing on Your Travel

This is where the vacation begins! I only have a few tidbits for this portion, as it's pretty much the easiest part, but is also the most important:

• Place all of your luggage out by your front door the night before, with your passport and airline tickets/etickets right on top of  your luggage. This way, you know you have them, as they will be the last things you shovel into your purse/backpack/briefcase/coat pocket.
• Get a good nights sleep.
• Arrive early to the airport. I know it's a pain, but you will save yourself aggravation if you arrive early to the airport, because you never know how the queues will be for security, etc.
•  Make sure you have some cash in the currency where you are traveling too, because ATM's at foreign airports sometimes run out of cash! Check with AAA or your financial institution before you travel, as they typically will have all currencies available, or can order the money for you. I recommend having about $100 in the currency where you are traveling. Most times, that is plenty, unless you are going to a small, remote part of the world, then I may recommend taking a bit more. And while you are at it, let your bank and/or credit card company know you are traveling (especially if you are going abroad), so you will ensure smooth transactions while you are away, with no holds or seizure of your card(s).
• Drink plenty of water, but not too much where you are running to the rest room.
• If you are on a diet, or not wanting to eat the airport food, make sure to pack some light snacks: fruit/dried fruit, nuts, and snack bars are great and very transportable. I always have some of these items while I'm traveling.
• Bring reading materials, ipod, and anything else that will make the flight more comfortable for you. I know many individuals who take their gel eye covers, travel pillow, blanket and slippers in a small pouch, so they can decompress and rest; especially on longer/overnight flights. And a good face  moisturizer never hurts since it's so dry on airplanes.

Once you land - the FUN begins!

*photo provided by digitalart: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=2280

www.chicksthattrip.com

Entertainment Spotlight: Magnificent Maxwell

Photo taken  at concert in Phoenix, AZ - 2009

Soulful. Seductive. Sensuous. I think you get the picture! The one, and only Maxwell will be BACK on TOUR starting this summer. I had the opportunity to see Maxwell in Phoenix, Arizona, back in 2009, and to say it was electrifying, soul defining, and earth shaking wouldn't be descriptive enough.

Maxwell knows how to keep a crowd wanting more, while also s-a-t-i-s-f-y-i-n-g his audience. I can't imagine any other artist who has been as highly anticipated to return back to the "scene" than Maxwell. When news (rapidly) spread about the trilogy of albums he would be releasing from 2009-2012; his fans were elated. His tour dates were scattered across the United States, with a respectable representation in the North, South, East and West.

Then, his tours stopped...much speculation ensued, but nothing definitive was ever truly known. I won't get into most of the rumors, but I will say that a few "in the know" sites, indicated through their sources that the success of his first album had delayed the release of the remaining albums that were supposed to follow Black Summers' Night. Maxwell's reputation for being shy and introverted were also cited as reasons behind the abrupt cancellation of his tour.

I have always been a HUGE fan of Maxwell's, so when I received an email from one of my friends indicating that Maxwell would be doing tours in Atlanta, Newark and Los Angeles, I was elated! Maxwell has a certain quality and style to his singing that is both intoxicating and mesmerizing. He has been compared to numerous artists before his time; however, I will say that Maxwell is simply - Maxwell. I look forward to spotting him at one of his concerts, but until that time, I'll be playing all of his CD's in order to be primed to see him in person.

Check out his tour calendar and dates: http://www.songkick.com/artists/4299-maxwell/calendar.

*Photo taken by That Chick Té

www.chicksthattrip.com

The Art of Travel: Part 5 - Gearing Up For Your Future Trip

The other day I was speaking to my business partner, who is getting ready to do more traveling. While she relishes the opportunity to be on the road - networking, meeting and greeting; she has a difficult time gearing up for the actual traveling. I imagine that she is not alone. Many people love to travel, but the actual preparation and gearing up for it can be a different story. There is always so much to do and prepare for, that it can oftentimes become overwhelming. I offered her a few tricks to help with that sense of urgency that can overtake you while you are thinking about everything you need to do before you leave.

• The number one recommendation I made was for her to make a list of everything she needed to do before she left. That way, it's written down and she can "scratch" it off of the list once it's been completed. 
• If you have animals, make sure that they will have someone to take care of them while you are away, or that they will be properly boarded.
• Sometimes when traveling for a significant length of time, it is a good idea to have your mail service stopped so it does not build up in your mailbox. A lot of people have friends or services who take care of this, but if you don't have the luxury of having someone stop by your home on a frequent basis, it's best to just have delivery stopped until your return.
• Depending on the time of year and where you live (especially in colder regions during the winter months), you will want to make sure that any sources of possible water damages (ie, water hoses, pipes), are taken care of prior to leaving. The last thing you want to come back to are broken water pipes and several feet of water in your basement. Many services can advise of what you can do while you are away to stave off any of these types of issues. As the old saying goes, "An ounce of prevention..."
• Bills...yes, the dreaded bills. Fortunately, most people can do their bill paying and banking over the Internet; however, for those individuals who are not comfortable with that, it is advisable to ensure that all of your bills are paid prior to your departure. It's better they are paid early, versus late; especially with most companies charging hefty late fees. This is an often overlooked item, but it's important.
• Clean out your refrigerator and have some food in your freezer for your return. I can not tell you how many people have returned from their vacations to find piles of molded food in their refrigerators, and nothing to eat. When I travel, I always like to clean out my refrigerator and get rid of anything that may go bad while I'm away. Also, I like to have a frozen pizza or some food in my freezer, so when I return I don't have to worry about going hungry. Sometimes you may get back from a trip later in the evening, and after schlepping from the airport, etc, you are just not in the mood to go to the grocery store, or even stop and pick up food. Having food in your cabinets or freezer will ensure you have something to eat upon your return. 
• Adding on to that last one - take your trash out. I think that one speaks for itself. Most people aren't as neurotic as I am, but I always like to leave a clean house. I launder my bed linens and make sure my house is clean. It makes me feel good - 'nuff said.

I could go on forever, but I think this is a fairly exhaustive list that can help you out while you are getting geared up for your travels!

*Image provided by Salvatore Vuono: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=659

www.chicksthattrip.com

Delicate Situations While Traveling

I was at one of my favorite little restaurants a few evenings ago, and (unfortunately) I overheard a gentleman discussing...how shall I put it, a "tummy" problem he encountered on his most recent trip abroad. I believe he said he had been in some part of Africa, and through his elaborate description of his "issue", I heard more than I ever wanted to hear; however, it did get me to thinking about traveling and what happens when your body rebels against you because of something you've been eating or drinking.

I have a small pack that I always carry with me when I am traveling; especially internationally, because there are some items you can not readily obtain while you are abroad. My little medical travel container holds: antibacterial cream, pepto bismal tablets, alcohol pads that are pre-moistened, band-aids, aspirin and ibuprofen, benadryl, cough drops, cold medicine tablets and alka seltzer. I may toss in other items too; however, the aforementioned products are always standard in my medical travel container. Since I rarely check luggage, I do have to place any of the wet items into my little zippy bag that holds the liquids you are allowed to check on, but once I arrive at my destination, I move the items back to my medical travel container so that all of the products are together in one place, and I slip it in my bag while I am foraging around in the new city.

I can't tell you how many times people who have been traveling with me have used the products, because they never thought they would need any of those items, so they never thought to bring them along. Yes, most people will bring any of their prescription medicines, contact lenses solution and vitamins, but rarely do they have other items that can come in handy while traveling.

There are a couple other "rules of thumb" that I try to abide by when I am traveling. First of all, I do NOT prefer to use the airplane restroom, and I typically only have to use the airplane restroom when I am traveling on an international flight; otherwise, I always use the restroom just prior to boarding, so I don't need to use the restroom on a flight. I am fortunate, in that, I do not have any medical conditions that require that I have to use the restroom frequently, and I don't have a small bladder, so I can do very well. Second, I caution all of my friends when we are traveling together that they probably shouldn't over indulge in the libations the night before we are to get on a plane the next day, because hangovers and planes just don't mix. Some heed the caution, and some don't, but those that don't aren't very happy that they didn't heed the warning. Also, while I may love to try exotic food when I am traveling, and I tend to try a variety of foods, I am hesitant to try anything too exotic when I know I'm going to be on an airplane for 7+ hours. If there is something I really want to eat, I'll do it at the beginning of my trip, so that if something doesn't agree with me, I have a few days on land to work through it, versus being stuck in a tiny airplane bathroom. And it sounds like the gentleman (who was the catalyst for this blog entry) did not enjoy his time being stuck in the airplane bathroom from Africa back to the U.S.

www.chicksthattrip.com

The Art of Travel: Part 4 - Paying For Your Travel

The Art of Travel: Part 4 - Paying For Your Travel

Now we are getting to the part that makes people cringe - the money. Yes, it takes money to travel, but with a little planning and ingenuity, you can make the relinquishing of your hard, earned cash a little less painful. I've listed a few ideas for your consideration:

• Budget - Once you've determined where and when you want to travel, you can begin budgeting for it. Take the total (estimated) cost of your trip, and divide it into workable amounts that you can sock away until you can pay for your trip.
• Work With a Travel Professional - Travel professionals work on building relationships that benefit their clients, and they have specific suppliers they work with that only require a deposit to secure their travel arrangements (oftentimes there are terms and conditions around the airfare with these types of travel arrangements, so you may still have to pay in full on the air portion). Once you've made the minimum deposit, you can pay monthly, or just a lump sum when the final payment is due. Many travelers who cruise a lot are familiar with this aspect of making a deposit and paying a final balance later; however, you can do the same thing for trips to Mexico, Europe, the Caribbean, etc. 
• Volunteer - There are a lot of programs out there that are looking for volunteers to work abroad.In some cases they provide a small stipend, and pay for your travel to and from that destination. While this volunteering could be in some far flung places, hey, you're going on a trip!
• Have a Garage Sale - It may sound unrealistic, but you'd be surprised how much "stuff" you may have that you could sell in order to finance your travel. I've known people who've made several hundreds and thousands of dollars by selling items on eBay, garage sales and Craigslist. If you have the time and patience, this may be a way to pay for all or most of your travel expenses without touching your "real" paycheck or credit cards; which leads me to another alternative...
• Get a Part-Time Job - If you have a vacation that you are planning, and you have the time and energy, you may want to get a part-time job in order to defray some of the costs, or even pay for the full costs associated with your travel. I had a client who did just that! She didn't want to have any credit card payments; nor could she afford to take money from her full-time job in order to pay for a trip, so she got a part-time job and saved enough money to pay for her trip in full - to LONDON!
• Go Somewhere Less Expensive - Sometimes it isn't the destination, it's just the need to get away! Perhaps a nine day European vacation is too expensive, but a long weekend in Napa Valley is doable.
• Stay for a Shorter Time - If you just have to be in Paris (which I can COMPLETELY understand); maybe you can't comfortably afford seven days, but you can afford four days - do it! While I am not a fan of traveling so far away for a short period of time; I've found that in most major cities, you can hit the "do not miss" places within a three or four day period of time.

I hope some of these ideas are beneficial for you, and that you have seriously started thinking about where you want to go this year!

*photo used from: http://www.pachd.com/free-images/household-images/cash-01.jpg

www.chicksthattrip.com

The Groundhog Day of Traveling

The Groundhog Day of Traveling

I am a big fan of going back to familiar places that I've traveled to before, but I also like to explore and visit new places. I do have a couple of friends that do not like returning to the same place twice. They believe there are too many places to visit, so why go back to the same place again? While I am not that extreme about it, I do often wonder about those people and families who take the same trip every year; to the same place, at the same time of year.  I realize that when you have a family, sometimes those trips are to visit family, or that traveling in the summer (primarily families) is easier since the kids are out of school - I get that.  On the flip side of that, I think a lot of people would benefit by "shaking it up" a bit, and venturing out of their comfort zone. Instead of taking the family trip to San Diego or (fill in the blank), maybe it would be fun to experience the Grand Canyon in Arizona, or visit Washington, D.C. to get a glimpse of the White House, and other historical landmarks. Perhaps take a trip to visit our friends to the North, and experience the beauty of Vancouver, B.C. 

Spring is finally here, and with that brings Spring Break trips, and the thoughts about summer time traveling destinations. If you are one of those who takes the same trip every year, why don't you think about a place you've always wanted to visit and make it happen. There are a plethora of vacation ideas out there to fit any budget and interest, so go ahead and visit someplace different this year. 

*photo used from: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ee/Groundhog-Standing2.jpg/220px-Groundhog-Standing2.jpg

www.chicksthattrip.com