You Can Go Anywhere!

You Can Go Anywhere!

 I can't tell you how many times I've been in casual conversations with people and they'll say, "Oh, I would love to go to (fill in the blank), but I could never afford that!" Then, I start digging and asking probing questions about their likes, dislikes, preferences, etc, and lo' and behold, I give them a general realm of how much that fantastic trip would cost, and they look at me shell shocked and say, "Damn, I can afford that!" 

A delightful blogger, Paula Pant, over at afford-anything.com, wrote an impressive piece entitled, "Quit Your Job, Travel, and Live Remarkably," (http://afford-anything.com/2011/07/01/quit-your-job-and-travel/). You can jump over and read the article for yourself, but what I thoroughly appreciated about the article was the quashing of such misconceptions that people have about those who do travel. For example, a lot of people think that if you travel a lot, then you (or your family) must be wealthy; you are going into great debt; or you have someone else footing the bill. Generally speaking, nothing is further from the truth. Those of us who have a passion and thirst for travel realize that any and all travel is possible. Proper planning and budgeting can get you anywhere around the globe. Whether it's a once in a lifetime trek to the Himalayas, or monthly jaunts to hit every major city in the U.S., you are your only limitation. 

Incidentally, there is always more than one way to skin a cat, errr, I mean, go on a trip. Some of the non-traditional methods out there are becoming ever popular among a segment of the population, and while these tactics may not be for everyone, some may be appealing to those who want to hit the road and stick to a tight budget:

• Couch Surfing - This type of travel is most definitely not for everyone, but for the more adventurous and trusting souls, this may be the perfect way to see the world. The premise behind this type of travel is that you essentially call on friends and family members, and spend time on their couch while you are traveling.There is even a site committed solely to securing lodging (these are not family and friends, but people who sign up on their site http://www.couchsurfing.org/).
•  Home Swapping - A wonderful move called, "The Holiday," (Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet were the actresses in the movie); these two found themselves seeking an escape from their day-to-day lives, and with the help of an online house matching service, Kate spent the Christmas holiday at Cameron's ultra modern home in California; while Cameron trekked to Kate's modest, but charming home in England. I can not promise that your experience will be as fun-filled as it turned out for them, but if this is an avenue you are willing to explore, there are numerous services out there that assist in the vetting process (background checks, monetary exchange, etc).
• Educational Travel - It is becoming more and more popular. Typically the accommodations are fairly modest because the schools/institutions will utilize the dorms and or lesser expensive apartments in the city to accommodate the students; however, this is a great way to travel, meet people, and have an incredible learning experience to boot!
• Hostels - Well, they've been around forever. A lot of people swear by hostels; however, if I had to stay at a hostel, I'd be swearing. 
• Rent An Apartment - When you are traveling abroad, if you are going to be in Europe for an extended period of time (say two or more weeks), renting an apartment is an attractive alternative to save money. What I particularly like about the apartment renting concept is that you can have a primary location where you keep all of your "stuff," and if your primary base is in, say, Paris, you can jump on a train and explore other surrounding cities and spend a night or two in varying locations without schlepping all of your stuff. And even though you will need to secure accommodations in those other cities, it's far less expensive to explore while you are there on that continent, than to do separate trips flying from the U.S. to Europe. 

Now, go on and get to traveling!

*Image used from: http://flash.atlrec.com/diggy/images/jetsetter.jpg

www.chicksthattrip.com

Benefits Of Using A Travel Professional!

On the Today Show, there was a great segment on the benefits of using a travel professional. Obviously this is on my radar since I am a travel professional, but also given the recent incident with the cruise ship in Italy, many people are understanding the benefits of utilizing a travel professional to assist them in the "ins and outs" of setting up any insurance claims they will need to file for such occurrences, like the one that transpired on the Costa Concordia.

Happy viewing!



http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/46054707#46054707

www.chicksthattrip.com

The Destination Is Only Part Of The Journey!

"Lhasa had never been anything for me other than

a way station en route to Everest.

Now, for the first time, I was focused on this 

place and its people."

High Exposure, by David Breashears

I recently finished reading David Breashears novel, High Exposure. I would do a grave injustice if I attempted to recount the events he described on his multiple ascents of Everest; however, the quote I chose to use in this post resonated with me, because I've often felt that during our travels we tend to disregard everything else, until we reach our final destination; but what could we be missing along the way?

A friend of mine took a road trip during the holidays, from Arizona down to the Santa Barbara area, and then back home through Palm Springs, on her "Tour de California". As I read her post, I thought about how many times I have driven through Palm Springs, but never stayed in Palm Springs. Sure, it's a wonderful stopping point to stretch your legs on that journey to and from Arizona to Los Angeles/San Diego, or any other Southern California destination, and lest not forget the crucial stopping point in Cabazon to survey delightful finds at the outlet mall; however, it was always a place I went through to get me where I wanted to be.

 This year, I plan on doing some travel to areas that are oftentimes places where you simply gas up and continue on until you reach your final destination, but in my travels, these little (not that Palm Springs is little) places will be my destinations, and not just for passing through.

I look forward to blogging about these destinations, and I hope that as you plan your travels for 2012, you consider staying a night or two, in some of the lesser known places as you make your journey to your final destination.

 *photo from: http://mi9.com/uploads/landscape/1972/icy-mountain-on-the-ocean_422_24970.jpg4.me/view

www.chicksthattrip.com

Happy New Year!

Best wishes for a happy, healthy & prosperous New Year!

Chicks That Trip 

photo used from: http://www.vectorjungle.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/champagne_background.jpg

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Wishing everyone a beautiful holiday celebration and a Merry Christmas!

Chicks That Trip

*photo used from: http://www.alpinewreaths.com/images/T/Traditional-Wreath-Berryt-Red-Velvet-200.jpg

Wrapping Up The Year!

Wrapping Up The Year!

Despite the hectic time of year, I always like to take a  step back and look at all of the accomplishments, hits and misses I achieved throughout the year. While 2011 started out a bit shaky in terms of the economy, there have been marked improvements in many segments in the U.S., and we can only hope for more improvements in 2012.

Travel is a significant indicator on our economy, and I can say this with great certainty; people are traveling. There was a decline from 2008 - 2010 in both leisure and business travel; however, there have been significant upticks in both sectors to show that 2011 was a great year for the travel professional, and if the market analyst are correct - 2012 should be even better!

I have talked to a significant amount of travel professionals throughout the course of the year, and most have stated they have had modest to substantial increases in their 2011 travel bookings, and are optimistic about 2012 (I should throw in there, cautiously optimistic). 

Next year is going to be amped up to another level for me, as I'll be launching two new websites as well as working on some of my own personal goals. There are going to be some changes here too, so make sure to swing through at the beginning of January when I unveil some exciting additions/changes that will be taking place here at Chicks That Trip - Lobby Bar Confessions.

Enjoy the remainder of 2011 and I look forward to writing more interesting and informative pieces in 2012!

Cheers!

www.chicksthattrip.com

Holiday Gift Ideas

Holiday Gift Ideas

It's officially the holiday season and let me tell you, I can tell. I have received numerous inquiries from my friends (specifically from the male persuasion), seeking suggestions on what to give as gifts to their loved ones. Gift giving is typically a very personal experience (barring those horrible white elephant types of events that a lot of companies hold); so when I receive these requests, I do provide multiple suggestions, but I also attempt to put the onus back on them to come up with their own personal gift - something from the heart, or at least that shows they put some thought into the purchase. With that being said, I am a cold, hard cash person...but that is frowned upon by most people, so I refrain from suggesting that too often.

Free Gifts:

• One of my most favorite gifts was a coupon book that an ex-boyfriend gave me. It was to be redeemed for various tasks to be performed and redeemed by using the hand made coupons. In addition, one of my really close girlfriends gave me the same gift a few years ago. Hers wasn't hand made (the booklet was purchased at a store); it included a lot of funny and useful coupons like, picking you up from the airport, or an all expense paid girlfriends' night out.
• In that same vain, if you have friends who have children, or rarely get to go out, offer to babysit gratis one evening for them. Or, if you are feeling really generous, you may offer to take care of their children overnight or for a long weekend. Trust me, this gift could mean more to someone than any item you pick up at Macy's.
• If you are a person who can cook (I've done this before for a few of my girlfriends), offer to prepare a meal for them to wow their girlfriend/boyfriend or a new suitor. A few of my girlfriends have asked me to do this for them so that they could have a home cooked meal for a beau they were trying to impress. Or, it doesn't have to be a date, you can offer to prepare a meal a month (or other designated length of time) for a friend or family member that may be short on time. They will appreciate the gesture, and all it will cost you is some time (since they will provide the food).

Inexpensive Gifts:

• Tickets to a museum or movie are always great stocking stuffer gifts.
• Kidnapping a friend, family member or spouse for a day excursion is always a fun idea. Pack a picnic lunch and take them to the park, beach, lake or the mountains. 
• Put together a photo collage from a trip that you've taken with friends or family. It will not only be a thoughtful gift, but the memories will be forever captured in a lovely scrap book, poster or frame.
• During the holidays, cooking exchanges abound because they are time to get together with friends, but you also obtain varied types of cookies and baked goods that you can package up and give as gifts. The cost of flour, sugar, butter, milk, eggs and extracts are a nominal price to pay for gifts that will provide a much needed sugar rush in this time of year. And for our diabetic and dieting friends, there are a bevy of recipes that are just as delicious as their original recipes!

General Gifts:

• Spa gift certificates are my favorite. Wherever you or the recipient live, you are bound to be able to locate wonderful spas in their area. If you are at a loss on where to locate a spa, try http://www.spafinders.com/. 
• During these shaky economic times, for those individuals that wear perfume and cologne, this is the best time (next to Mother's Day & Father's Day) to purchase gift sets. You get a few extras like lotions and bath gels for the same price you would pay for just the bottle of perfume/cologne. Also, since a lot of us have been cutting back recently, this will be a welcomed gift by those who are running low on their favorite fragrance.
• Plan an extravagant night out. Car services have significantly reduced their hourly rates, so you can hire a sleek Town Car and be delivered to your restaurant and club(s) of choice without the worries of driving. You are free to indulge in your favorite restaurant; sip on a delicious adult beverage, and relax at your favorite jazz bar, or dance the night away - whatever your heart desires.
• Awww, you knew it was coming. The gift of travel. Plan a weekend, week or longer vacation. When you work with a travel professional, they can assist you in coming up with a spectacular vacation package to present as the ultimate gift. Imagine sweeping your loved one away on a weekend filled with culinary bites and wine beyond compare, in the luscious Napa Wine Country. Or, perhaps you want to partake of a bottle of Veuve Cliquot while sitting at a nondescript restaurant on one of the  intimate streets of Paris. And for the more adventurous set; perhaps a ski vacation to Switzerland where you can ski by day and cuddle at night by a roaring fire, ensconced at a cozy inn by the mountains.

I can go on all day, but perhaps some of these ideas can assist in your quest to find the "perfect" gift for your friends and family.

Enjoy your holidays and try to stay stress free!

*photo used from: http://christmasstockimages.com/free/decorations/slides/xmas_decorations_and_tinsel.jpg

www.chicksthattrip.com

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Wishing you and your family a food filled celebration

(and of course, football viewing)!

Seasons Greetings,

Chicks That Trip 

*photo used from: http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5209/5212976936_a32526d7aa.jpg

Restaurant Spotlight: Positively Postino ~ Phoenix, AZ

Whenever I visit the Phoenix area I seek out one of my favorite restaurants, Postino Winecafé, which is nestled in the Camelback corridor.

The first Postino Winecafé was opened in 2001, and I began going there in 2002. The owner, Craig DeMarco, and his lovely wife Kris were both there the majority of my visits during their infancy. Craig’s calm smile and low key demeanor were always a welcome sight. During the early years, Craig and I were both pursuing our MBA’s, so we would commiserate on the difficulties of having “work, life, balance.”

On this particular afternoon, I arrive right before they open at 11am. The parking can be a nightmare in this area; however, they do offer valet parking, so the patrons will not have to search high and low for parking if they arrive during the lunch rush. My friend and I notice that the staff is in their last minute prep to get ready before they open. I see Craig and walk over and shake his hand. He still has the same genial demeanor, but he has lost the wide-eyed wonderment he had when he first opened Postino; he is now a seasoned business owner. We briefly discuss his other restaurants, Chelsea’s Kitchen, located off of a canal, just a few blocks away from this Postino Winecafé location on Campbell street, as well as another Postino's that has opened in Central Phoenix. I compliment him on his successes and wish him many more. I get his blessing to write this article, and he says, “Make sure you say nice things about us.” I smile and tell him “I definitely will. What could I say that would be bad?”

My friend and I pull out the wine menu first and peruse the selection of whites. We settle on a mixed blend white wine and let our waitress know. They change their wines on a regular basis, so whatever I could recommend today may not be on the menu next week, month or year, but that is one of the concepts I have always loved. In respect to the food menu, I have favorites like the Mediterranean salad with added chicken, or a plentiful selection of Panini’s and Bruschetta’s topped with fresh produce, figs, cheeses and meats.

Knowing that I will not be back for awhile, I settle on my favorite: Mediterranean salad with chicken, and select just two Bruschetta's so I can have my fill of both. One is the Roasted Peppers with Goat Cheese, and I decide to try a new one that is on their menu that is a Burrata, Bacon, Arugula and Tomatoes.

The Mediterranean salad is wonderful, as expected, with crisp romaine lettuce, olives, onions, feta cheese and light tzatziki dressing melding together beautifully. The Roasted Peppers with Goat Cheese is difficult to eat, simply because the chopped peppers tend to slip off as you are biting into it, but that’s what a fork is for: so you can scoop up every divine morsel. The Burrata, Bacon, Arugula and Tomatoes Bruschetta is easily one of my new favorites; the saltiness of the bacon combined with the bite of the arugula is delicious. This one, like the Roasted Peppers, is a bit messy, just given there is so much going on, but that doesn’t stop me from devouring it with great aplomb.

Postino Winecafé is the type of place that every neighborhood dreams of having. It attracts a wide variety of clientele: residents who can walk over from the neighborhood, business professionals that trickle in from downtown Phoenix, and those of us who travel a farther distance, knowing that it is worth the trip. The first Postino was originally a Post Office, so during the spring months, before it is too hot, they raise the doors and the indoor and outdoor patio seamlessly become one with each other. The seating is abundant, with several outdoor patio and high top tables, sofas and other intimate seating arrangements inside. Postino does not try too hard with their décor. The concrete floor, multi-colored painted walls, and eclectic wall art make it – just right.

*Photos taken by That Chick Té ***For some unknown reason my photos have disappeared from this page; I apologize for the inconvenience. That Chick Té 9.3.2012

www.chicksthattrip.com

International Wine Guild - Denver, CO

International Wine Guild - Denver, CO

Floor in Lobby Area of Barteldes Building

There are times in your life where you just have those, "Ah ha," moments. Mine came when I was met by Claude Robbins, GWM, MWE, President & Director of Education of the International Wine Guild. Claude was placing signage on the entrance of the building so that the other (potential) students would be able to locate them at their new facility. During our short elevator ride up to the wine open house, he explained some of the history of the Barteldes building, which has been in existence since early 1906. There are thick, trunk sized pillars throughout the entire building; Claude explained that these pillars helped to support the significant weight of the seeds that used to be housed at this location. Now, the Barteldes building is a snazzy office building, and the new home of the International Wine Guild.

The open house was being held in order to showcase the curriculum that is offered by the International Wine Guild. Let me be clear here, this is real work. While the idea of sampling wine sounds fantastic, their accredited program is one of the most aggressive and highly noted Wine Education programs in the US. They were praised in 2009's Food & Wine magazine, as one of the Top Five Wine Schools in the US for Professional Wine Education - not too shabby.

They have various programs available, so I won't go in to great depth about them since you can check them out directly at: http://www.internationalwineguild.com/. Needless to say, this Chick will be taking their level 1 Certification next Spring/Summer of 2012, and hopefully advancing to level 2 later in the year or the beginning of 2013. I appreciate that they have a multitude of programs and classes available for any level of student. Regardless if you've been in the wine industry or not, you'd be hard pressed not to find a program level that would suit your individual needs. 

Claude's wife, Sherrie Robbins, ECW, is the Vice President & Corporate Executive Chef at the school. She supplied our group with a delightful spread of cheeses, crackers, meatballs, and other tidbits that tantalized my taste buds.*Sherrie will be a featured Chef in a new blog I'll be launching in early 2012 called Chasing Women Chefs, so stay tuned for more information.

We were taken on a tour of their new facilities, and then were given a short slide presentation by Claude regarding all of their available programs. The space they are in is incredible. I felt warm and cozy as I noshed on some appetizers and sipped on wine. Claude explained that they had been housed at the Metropolitan State College of Denver, and had recently moved to their new space less than six weeks before my class, which was held on November 5, 2011. And while they loved being at the Metropolitan State College of Denver for many years, they were definitely enjoying their new space and making it their own.

 If you are a wine enthusiast, or a person who wants to possibly enter the world of wine, I would highly recommend checking out the International Wine Guild, you won't be disappointed.

*photos taken by That Chick Té

www.chicksthattrip.com