Oh Canada! Oh Canada!

OHHHH CANADA! 

 I have to say this was one of my favorite trips of all time...  It was a time to get away and totally disconnect from cell phones, TVs and computers.  A wonderful time to just "be". 

We flew into Calgary and rented a car... 75% of the rental cars we saw in Canada were PT Cruisers... interesting but true.  Gangsta!  We found a liquor store and bought a few bottles of wine to take to our cabin.  Interesting that a bottle of cheap Yellow Tail wine was double what we pay in the states... It was over $12 a bottle.  Canada uses the money they make on the wine/beer/liquor to pay for their citizens health insurance...wow interesting concept.  We proceeded up the Trans Canadian Highway into Banff National Park. 

A quaint little town named Canmore is where we choose to stop for lunch.  This town was adorable..a bit of an artist town.  Streets lined with shops and art gallery's and many patio style eatery's.  A street fair and art in the park was going on the day we were there...made for some great people watching as we ate at THE GRIZZLY PAW BREWING CO!  Rarrrrr!  Great variety of beer and a great beer tasting menu.  This aways makes the men so happy... for me a Vodka!  Edward's favorite was the Nut Brown Beer. 

 Moraine Lake Lodge...

A Romantic, Secluded, Magical Mountain Getaway!

A view from our cabin!

Moraine Lake Lodge is a cabin system - We had cabin #9!  It was perfect!  It was just a small stroll from the main lodge and it was set back in the trees with the view above.  Floor to ceiling windows, a king bed, a wood burning fireplace and a small deck made this cabin absolutely amazing.  The lodge supplies you with everything you need to make fires from dawn till dusk... Every evening we would fall asleep to the crackling pops of wood and every morning I would awake to my sweet hubby making a morning fire. 

From the front steps of the cabins you can take off for some amazing hikes... Our first night there we just explored Moraine Lake...there was a nice trail around the lake and a towering 10 peaks as your backdrop. .75 miles each way with a platform overlooking a glacier water stream that feeds Moraine Lake. AMAZING!

BANFF, CANADA

It's a MOUNTIE!

 Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel



A little German Pub on the golf course at the Fairmont - Great place to grab a few drinks and some sunny rays!

Banff is a cute town... but it is very much a touristy town.  Typical things like souvenirr shops and bars line the streets.  Great place to stop in for an afternoon.  Canada has so much to offer and Banff National Park is full of fun if you just dare to venture out.  We just took off in our car one day and found a lot of special memories along the way.  We came upon Natural Bridge and the Canada's 2nd largest/tallest waterfall - Takkakaw Falls...just because we got out of town!  YoHo National Park...

 Emerald Lake... A Hidden Gem!  Emerald lake is worth a visit or a stay... Emerald Lake Lodge is on this lake.  A place we are sure to stay in the future! Pictures don't do this place justice....just like Moraine Lake.  I never knew places like this existed till my trip here.  Quintessential nature and God's amazing creations. 

The Rockpile at Moraine Lake...

After our day of exploring we headed back to our lodge for dinner.  Before dinner we made one last hike to the "Rockpile".  A short walk/hike in return for these amazing views... speechless!

A view from the Rockpile of Moraine Lake Lodge.....

Oh a Hiking We Will Go!

Larch Valley

This was a steep and long climb to the top with 10 switchbacks leading into the valley.  We started off with many layers of clothing and as we hiked and our bodies warmed we shed them.  Then they were back on again.  This hike was like walking into Narnia.  We started in sunny cold weather and hiked into snowflakes and ultimately into frigid pelting ice storms... It was like walking through the seasons.  I have never experienced anything quite like it!  We climbed over 2000 ft in elevation and hiked 3.7 miles to the top.  The highest point you can climb on a marked path in Banff National Park. 

Off For Another Hike....

Lake Agnes Tea House

This tea house that was build in 1901 sits high up in the mountains and is only accessible by hikers.  It is a great place to stop for a cup of coffee or coco as you take a break from the hiking.  There is no other way to this place besides hiking to it.  Everything sold up there has to be brought up by the employees on their hikes into work.  Also all trash has to be hauled down each day.... Makes for a limited menu but a very special place.  It's worth the hike of 3.4km. 

Some of my favorite things from our Canadian Getaway:

Canadian Wild Flowers

The smell of wood burning in our fireplace

Oodles of covers to keep you warm in the cold nights

Sleeping with the doors open

Clean Mountain Air

Cold Yummy Water straight from the faucet

No power lines at our Lodge - pure and clean!

Blue water lakes - rock flour!

Random Mountain Streams and Waterfalls

Glaciers

Hiking through the seasons

Northface Fleeces

Trading in high heels for Uggs

Being the first set of footprints in fresh snow in Sentinel Pass





NYC: A Few of My Favorite Do's!

Do:  Book an Early Early Flight... Perks might include a semi-private jet and all you can drink Mimosas and Bloody Mary's!

Do: Rent a Limo to take you to the hotel... Really it is your only option when you have luggage like we did!  Plus a super stretch limo is cheaper than a cab - especially if you are a group of girls!

Do: Make this a girls trip! 

Do: Eat & Drink (calories don't count) - cause you know you will DANCE it off!

Do: See a Live Talk Show!  Regis and Kelly was Amazing - Neil Patrick Harris filled in for Regis and he was so adorable!

Do: Dare to do something different!  Life is short - Live it up!

Do: Make a difference wherever you go!  These little girls thought we were a traveling show and begged for a photo with us!  One day they might just remember to let loose and be silly whenever the opportunity arises!

Do: Wear Tutu's as an adult and go ice skating in Central Park!

Do: Experience NYC with a "First Timer" and take them to SoHo on the Subway!

Do: SoHo Shopping and share an afternoon cocktail with your besties!

Do: Take in the different districts including a night of dancing at Collective in the Meatpacking District!

Do: Take in Central Park in the Snow! 

Do:  Remember!



Santorini, Greece - A Little Piece of Heaven!

Welcome to Santorini, Greece! 

I use to dream about visiting Santorini...then last last year my dream became a reality.  When researching our trip we knew this was one stop we had to make.  We docked (tendered - Santorini is shallow since the ship anchors in the middle of the sunken volcano) early in the morning and Edward and I immediately took off for our self guided and planned day.  When it comes to travel we like to go off the beaten path - thus planning our own day and not conforming to "cruise tours".  We took the tender over to Thira - Thira is the official name of Santorini.  Once getting on the island we had the opportunity to take a cable car up to the town or a donkey...so what did we do.... we took the DONKEY!  When in Santorini....this is just what you have to do.  How many chances do we have to do this....so my advise - take the donkey! 

Remember - the memories are in your experiences!

**Do make sure you take or wear pants - ladies you do not want to do this in a dress!**

After our heehaw ride to the top... we rented a 4 wheeler to take and use for our day on the island.  This is the way to go... it's easy and you will have it for the day so you can travel all over the island. 

After renting our 4 wheeler we headed out to Oia (pronounced 'Ia') - an awesome village in Santorini... it is located at the north end of the island.  If you have seen pics of Santorini, it is probably from this area....

Whitewash buildings and painted blue roofs make this a unique and stunning place to begin your day.  There are shops, restaurants, art galleries, hotels and residences tucked away in every crevasse of the mountain.  Pictures don't do it justice.  It is calm and peaceful in the morning before all the tourist are out and about.  This is a high traffic area in the afternoon and the high seasons of June, July and August.  We were lucky traveling in late May to be the only cruise ship in port. 

If you are looking for a picture perfect place to grab a cappuccino or a half carafe of wine...look no further.  Lotza had "lotza" great reasons to stop in....   Talk about an amazing view.... Not a bad table in the place and it has something big going for it...Location, Location, Location.  The pic below was taken from the ladies room...and yes I opted for the carafe of wine :)

After our morning stroll through Oia we hopped back on our wheeler and headed to one of the many amazing beaches.... First top BLACK BEACH.  Santorini is a sunken volcano - lava rock makes up black beach - giving it such an original name. 

We opted to spend our time at Mera Beach Bar having a few drinks and enjoying the hot sand.  The we headed our to another unique experience at RED BEACH. 

Red Beach is a bit more secluded and more challenging to get to.  Tucked away in a lagoon, Red Beach offered a rocky and red feel between your toes.  You will have to hike about a 1/4 mile in to reach this popular hidden treasure.  It's well worth the hike and the euros you will pay for a chair.  Everyone has white beaches but it is a true treat to go to a red and black beach on the same island. 

We left our rainbow beaches and headed for some authentic Greek grub.  We found this little gem as we drove through this mini town just past red beach.  

The food is no lie - fabulous!!!!!!!  A plate full of Greek Heaven should be a dishes name.  There was some fried cheese contraption that was sooooooo good!  The wine is also very good in Greece.  The really don't serve "glasses of wine" - they serve "carafes of wine" - its like a whole bottle.  You can order a 1/2 carafe though...you know for when you don't want to indulge too much.  haha! 

Santorini is amazing and any chance you get to go - take it!  Remember to make your own experiences based on what you like to do.  Its an island and you can get a map... so go get lost and eat some great authentic food, drink lots of wine and stop to be silly! 



Welcome to Miami (bienvenido a Miami)!

A Place where the fish is delish!

A trip to Miami just isn't complete without eating at Joe's Stone Crab!  Located in Miami Beach this is a must do for anyone looking to create a Miami tradition.  I have been lucky enough to experience Joe's twice!  The raw bar, the lobster the size of a shoe and the crab claws are delish....words can't describe!  I can throw down on some lobster tail - their tail is so large you will have leftovers to create an awesome lobster salad the next day.  It's not lobster - it's blobster! 

Find your way there - you won't be disappointed!  And for those that can't make it to Miami... you can visit them online and order direct to your door.  Very tempting!!!  My taste buds are freaking out.... Where oh where is my sailing captain???? 

For those of you that have been please share your experience!

Venice, Italy - Tourist Trap or Fairy Tale???

Ciao Friends!  The sinking city has somewhat of a curiosity factor to it... Shall we see it now or maybe never at all.  I wasn't going to let the opportunity to visit this particular place past me by.  Some choose to go to Las Vegas to experience this city as an amusement park but I choose to take it on to see what it is really all about.  I am not a "touristy" kind of person... I actually cant stand that aspect of traveling.  Hords of people doing everything that everyone else tells them to do is in no way my idea of a good time.  Sure there are things you have to see - but make it your journey not someone elses.  One of my reasons for writing this blog is to offer ideas of things to do that aren't included in a shore excursion brochure.  So here we go... Venice Style!

First of all - DON'T EXCHANGE MONEY AT THE AIRPORT!  Bad idea... Best bet - ATM's!  You get a much better rate and without all the add on fees associated with it.  We may of learned the hard way here but you live and learn...then you find an ATM. 

Experience a Water Taxi - worth the money and a fun way to enter the city. 

It's kind of like a fancy speedboat....

Seeing Venice from the water is a must do - however the fairy tale of the guy (the gondolier) playing the violin while you gaze romantically into your sweeties eyes while kissing under every bridge for good luck....well you decide if this is something you want to do.  Its on average over $100 for a 20/30 min ride and its usually not private.  We got just as much out of our water taxi ride and it was just as spectacular during our sunset arrival to Venice. 

Piazza San Marco - By Day - Crowded - By Night - Romantic

Like Venice's Grand Central Station! - the popular gathering area and home to San Marco Basilica, Doge's Palace and Basilica's Campanile!

Seeing Piazza San Marco at night is a nice treat... Each restaurant has small orchestras playing, the water in the city is rising and the atmosphere is uber romantic... the romance that Italy is known for.  Hang out in the square for a while after dark and it is quite an experience to see the city sink before your eyes.  Stick your feet in it and enjoy!  This is where you make the experience what is to YOU! 

No Coperto!  Seriously Don't Pay Coperto!  Coperto = Ripoff!

In Venice and many European cities they have a "cover charge" to even sit down at their restaurant or bar.  Part of the ambiance of a city like Venice are the sidewalk cafes.  Enjoying your food and wine and people watching are super fun to do almost anywhere and especially in Venice.  But beware before your but hits that seat that you have negotiated and/or made sure there is no coperto!  See the sign below - we found a great place just off the beaten path to grab a few glasses of some Italian Vino and chow on some delish Italian Food!  Perfecto!

If only a day in Venice - My Advice - GET LOST!

Seriously - Venice is surrounded by water...what is the worst that can happen!  Take off for the day and plan to just "get lost"!  Wonder around the city, stop in coffee shops, eat fresh pastries, find an open market and wonder "who eats this crap!" 

Grab a gelato and sit and rest your tush.... But watch out for the Pigeons!  They are everywhere... grab some bread and feed them for an interesting photo op!

And because it's FAMOUS - go see the Rialto Bridge.  The Rialto bridge is the most noted bridge that crosses the Grand Canal.  Two ramps lead to a portico where hoards of visitors come to enjoy the day, grab a photo of the grand canal and shop for leather good and Venetian masks. 



A view from the Crown Princess leaving Venice.... Piazza San Marco from above!

ARRIVEDERCI - BUON VIAGGIO!

(Good bye - Have a safe journey!)