Author: rebeccawanderlusting

My name is Rebecca Peters. I work in the hotel industry, which allows for many amusing hours of people watching. I spend my days googling new destinations to explore and writing checklists. I live in Chicago, where I harbor a deep lust for any other destination, which is the basis for my recently started travel blog. I'm also into knitting, champagne and reading Stephen King novels. Instagram: WanderConstantReader Twitter: @rwanderlusting Find Me On Bloglovin' !

The End of An Era

On February 19, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Life Lately, Lifestyle4 Comments

Saying Goodbye to The Peninsula

I started working at The Peninsula Hotel when I was just twenty-one years old. I had just moved in with a (now ex) boyfriend, was going out quite frequently and knew nothing about the hospitality industry that I hadn’t learned in my one hospitality class I took in college. I was young and naïve and thought I already knew everything. But within the first few months of working at the hotel, I saw that I really did not know much. I’ve gained so much experience working in the three departments I was a part of during my time at the hotel.

Working at a five star, luxury property was so far removed from a life that I was used to, and it opened my eyes to a whole new level of wealth and living I hadn’t ever experienced. Staying at the properties here in Chicago and in New York has, I’m sure, spoiled me for life as far as travel accommodations are concerned. Not having a TV in the bathtub is now a deal-breaker (just kidding… kind of).

I was afforded many opportunities to learn at the hotel, my favorite being the trip to Shanghai to cross-train at our hotel there. I loved every minute of that trip, and came back with so many great ideas of how to improve not only my work but also myself (a gift that travel always gives). Learning not only how to work in a hotel, but how a hotel runs has been an amazing asset for my career and for booking my own travel and writing about it for this blog.
Personally, during my time at the hotel I made friends, lost friends, dated co-workers and then broke up with coworkers. I loved my job and hated my job, and had hit some of my highest and lowest points while I worked there. It really was a crazy ride. I hope I will take the good away with me and leave the bad.

Over the past five and a half years at the Peninsula I have been through so much and learned so much, and did a lot of growing up. When I first started there, I didn’t know what I wanted out of life or what possibilities there could be for me. I didn’t ever think of my future further than my next days off, and now it’s all I think about. I am so thankful for my time at this hotel overall, but I am also so ready to move forward. Taking this new opportunity was not an easy decision, but I’m very excited for the things to come. It’s the start of a new chapter, a fresh start, and I couldn’t be happier.

A Note on Solo Trips

On February 7, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Lifestyle, Travel Tips3 Comments

I love taking solo trips. I think they are great for the spirit and can lead to adventures that maybe would not have been possible when traveling in a group. That being said, I have personally experienced a slight downside to solo travel. There’s a certain guilt that can arise when you travel alone that starts when something doesn’t go exactly how you planned and continues on through each misstep or change in itinerary.

When I took my solo trip to Iceland and Copenhagen last year, I had a fantastic time. I came back knowing that I did everything I could and saw what I wanted to see and enjoyed myself. However, while I was actually on the trip, there were definitely moments of self-doubt and moments where I questioned my choices.

While I was in Iceland, there was a night when I was just wandering around, people watching. A gentleman I passed in the street, who was clearly intoxicated, lunged at me and grabbed my arm, mumbling in Icelandic. I cursed at him and speed walked away, heading straight back to my hotel. This cut my evening plans short and sent me into a tailspin of questioning what I was even doing and why I was there. I started the next day in a funk, but eventually pulled myself out of it, though the doubt hung over me for the rest of the trip.

Once I got to Copenhagen, even though I was in an amazing city, there were times when I just wanted to fill my time to make it go faster. I was a little homesick and I missed Mike, and I felt guilty for those feelings. Shouldn’t I be having the best time? Was I less independent because I missed the familiar?

What helped me most, funnily enough, was reading Bill Bryson’s “Neither Here Nor There” about his own solo travels through Europe. Mr. Bryson’s hilarious accounts of his hits and misses on his trip made me laugh and comforted me, especially as I read them while at a restaurant alone. I found solace in the fact that many other people have had low moments when they travel solo, and that not everything can be the highlight reel it might appear.

That’s the purpose of this little note. If you have taken a solo trip and felt guilty for any downtime or for any moment spent homesick or any night in, you’re in good company. Solo trips are great because you can do whatever the hell you want and no one is there to judge you, so don’t judge yourself.

Have you ever felt this way on solo trips? How did you cope?

Worldly Recipes: Ramen

On January 29, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Worldly Recipes1 Comment

The first time I tried this delectable Japanese dish was when Furious Spoon opened in Wicker Park, which is only a twenty minute walk from our apartment. We were instantly hooked and decided we needed to learn how to make it at home. Now, ramen is one of my go-to recipes during the week. The ingredients are relatively cheap and it’s quick and easy to make. Mike and I have the process down to a science, and it only takes about 25 minutes for us to pull it all together.

This recipe makes about five to six servings, which is perfect for dinner plus leftovers for lunch. One of the great things about this recipe is that it’s very versatile and can be changed to fit all tastes and flavors. Here’s my favorite version:

Ingredients:

(2) 32oz packages of 50% Less Sodium Beef Broth
(1) Pound of Short Rib
(4) Packages of Ramen Noodles
(1) Orange Pepper
(2) Cups Mushrooms (I use the stir fry mix from Mariano’s)
(1) Bunch of Radishes
(1) Bunch of Green Onions
(2) Baby Bok Choy
(2) Cloves of Garlic
(1) Teaspoon Ginger Powder
(2) Tablespoons Olive Oil
(3) Tablespoons Soy Sauce
Pepper and Sriracha to taste

Steps:

Empty the beef broth into a large pot and turn the burner on medium-high
Finely chop the garlic and add to the broth, along with the ginger powder and stir
Cut the beef into bite sized pieces and begin to cook in 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Slice the pepper into thin slices and then cut the slices in half
Slice radishes, reserve half
Slice mushrooms, if they aren’t sliced already
Cook the vegetables in the remaining olive oil and 1 tablespoon soy sauce
While everything cooks, slice green onions and baby bok choy and set aside
Once the vegetables and meet are cooked, add them into the broth using a slotted spoon
Also add in a small handful of the green onions
When the broth begins to boil, add in noodles
Once the noodles are cooked, add in sliced bok choy and let simmer for a minute
Serve in bowls and top with the raw radish, sliced green onions and sriracha
ENJOY!

Have you tried making ramen at home? What do you like in your ramen?

My 10 Favorite U.S. Hikes, RebeccaWanderlusting

Top Five Friday #16

On January 20, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Top Five Friday, US TravelLeave a comment

US Bucket List

This year, I would love to explore new areas of the United States. There are so many fantastic destinations in my own country, it makes for quite a long list of need-to-visit places. I know I’ve said it before, but I think it’s worth noting again: every destination has it’s merits, and you don’t need to travel far to find a worth-while vacation. This also speaks to my need to be on a tighter travel budget this year, as traveling within the United States tends to be a bit cheaper than internationally. While this list could go on and on, here are the five destinations that top my US Bucket List:

Grand Haven, Michigan: I love Michigan. Ever since we visited Grand Rapids, I’ve been looking into other Michigan cities to explore. Grand Haven seems to fit the bill perfectly with its delicious looking restaurants, antique shops, and not to mention its beaches and lighthouses. We can sail on Lake Michigan, bike along the boardwalks and relax in the evening at one of the many breweries in town. It’s the perfect weekend getaway.
(photo via)
Adirondacks, New York: The Adirondacks is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States. I would love to rent a cabin in the wilderness there and hike, kayak and browse through the local artist galleries. I would also love to take the Amtrak train from New York City to cross “take an Amtrak trip” of my list of to-dos for the year. Overall, this destination seems like an excellent place to de-stress and enjoy the surroundings.
(photo via)
Albuquerque, New Mexico: Hot air balloon rides over the desert! What else do I need to say? That has always been on my bucket list, and I would love to travel to New Mexico to experience it. In addition to that, Albuquerque has hiking, rock climbing, rafting, and tons of other outdoor activities. Not to mention the numerous wineries, breweries and wide variety of restaurants to enjoy. It would be the perfect long weekend to get into nature and away from the city.
(photo via)
Charleston, South Carolina: What’s not to love about a picturesque, Southern city with history to spare?? Charleston has been on my list so long that I need to visit soon if only for the satisfaction of checking it off. I want to tour the old houses, enjoy the coast, and eat so much seafood. Charleston has so much to offer, and I would love to explore every little bit of it.
(photo via)
Olympic National Park, Washington: There is so much beauty to see in and around Olympic National Park, this trip would need to be at least a week or so long. The rain forests within the park alone, are worthy of their own trip. But then there’s Crescent Lake, numerous beaches and waterfalls… it’s such a gorgeous destination. I would love to fly into Seattle and drive to Olympic National Park, stopping at all of the parks and landmarks.

(photo via)

What’s on your US Bucket List? Do we have any destinations in common?

Neighborhood Spotlight: Chinatown

On January 17, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Chicago, Illinois, Uncategorized, US Travel1 Comment

This past weekend, Mike and I hitched a ride over to Chinatown to get a little color in this dreary Chicago January. We took an Uber there, but it is also easily accessible by the Red Line Cermak-Chinatown stop. Both of us hadn’t visited this area since college, so it’s been quite a few years.

Though the sky was cloudy, it wasn’t too cold out and there were plenty of other people milling about, so we were in good company. We walked down towards the main drag and under the telltale red and green gate. The street beyond it is lined with shops and restaurants, bakeries and grocery stores.

Some of the shops had already started decorating for Chinese New Year which is in a couple of weeks; the red lanterns were in bright contrast to the grey sky. We popped into a few stores, especially liking the candy stores. When I was in Shanghai a few years ago, I fell in love with a taffy like candy called White Rabbit, which they had in abundance in each of the stores. Also in abundance was all kinds of seafood and vegetables in each of the grocery stores we passed.

We also visited Chiu Quon, a bakery and dim sum joint, for a couple of fried red bean paste cakes. The bakery had lots of other sweet treats, including moon cakes and fortune cookies by the bag, and of course a wide selection of dim sum and dumplings.

We also visited the Buddhism Friendship Association, which has beautiful statues inside and a gift shop with jade jewelry and prayer beads and Buddha statues. When we were passing through, they were starting to put out food on a long table in the middle of the temple, so, not wanting to disturb them, we moved on.

We decided to go to the Phoenix Restaurant for dim sum, and wound up having to wait thirty minutes for a table. The waiting area was crowded with people, and more kept coming through to put their name in for a table, which we took as a good sign. The food was worth well worth the wait though, and we ordered plenty. As soon as we sat down, we were served a delicious green tea and presented with a large menu complete with pictures.

We ordered the xiao long bao, barbeque pork buns and turnovers, fried rice, shrimp and chive dumplings, spring rolls and red bean dumplings. They brought the food out a few dishes at a time, serving them with a chili sauce and another reduced soy sauce. The women pushing the carts full of food presented the dishes with a flourish and crossed each item off our receipt as they came. I loved the xiao long baos and the steamed barbecue pork buns.

After eating far too much, we walked around to work off the dumplings. Across the street from the restaurant is a beautiful square flanked by foo dogs and filled with Chinese zodiac statues. Many people were lined up to take photos with the rooster statue, as this coming Chinese New Year celebrates the year of the rooster.

The sidewalk just past the square was lined with yet more restaurants and stores (especially candy stores!), and we wandered through admiring the sights and smells. A lot of the storefronts on the top level were closed down, but the ground floor was still bustling. Once we got our fill, we walked back to the red line, first stopping to take pictures of the amazing street art just outside of it. All in all, it was a wonderful afternoon, and I’m so happy that we got the chance to explore a different neighborhood in our city.

Have you been to your nearest Chinatown? How about Chinatown Chicago?

Top Five Friday #20 - Favorite Travel Writing Tools, RebeccaWanderlusting

Budget-Friendly Ways to Indulge Your Wanderlust

On January 10, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel Tips, Trip Planning2 Comments

I have this problem where whenever I read about or see a photo of any destination in general, I want to go there immediately. It’s a problem because I usually can’t afford there, especially not right away. This results in a very long bucket list and endless pennies pinched. When I take larger trips, meaning further and for longer, I save up for them for months. I would like to think that a lot of people are in the same boat as me with this. I believe that travel is one of the best, most rewarding things you could spend your money on. That being said, I also believe you don’t have to spend a ton of money or travel very far to indulge your travel bug.

Personally, I try to take one or two dream vacations a year, and then go on smaller trips in the months between to satiate my wanderlust. I do feel some pressure to keep up with my fellow travelers, but unfortunately, for right now it’s just not something I can feasibly do. So here’s what I’ll be doing in the next couple of months to keep my travel bug at bay, and things that you can do as well, if you’re looking for budget-friendly ways to seek out some adventure:

Exploring my own city: Chicago has so many different neighborhoods and attractions, I feel like I’ve just barely scratched the surface. I want to explore the different cultural areas and check out museums I haven’t visited yet. And, if possible, I want to plan a little staycation at one of the great boutique hotels.
Take a Friday after-work through Sunday night trip: I budget my paid time off just like I budget my money; saving it for larger trips to faraway places. It is entirely possible to fit a fun vacation into 36 hours, as long as you plan accordingly. The key is to choose a destination with minimal travel time to maximize your time exploring.
Drive to the nearest State or National Park for a day of hiking: I’ve been to Matthiessen and Starved Rock State Parks in Illinois and Kettle Moraine State Park in Wisconsin, and am dying to cross more off my list. Wherever you live, there’s bound to be a State or National Park within a short(ish) drive that you could easily explore as a day trip.
Have a spa day: It’s not for everyone, but for me, a spa day is one of the best ways to relax and get away from the stress of everyday life. The best way to do it is to visit a hotel spa and stay to take advantage the pool and steam rooms and room service.
Drive or take an Amtrak Train to another city in your area: As I said, there’s no need to travel very far to find a worthwhile destination. Last month we drove the 3 hours to Galena, IL and had a wonderful, relaxing getaway. It’s absolutely possible to enjoy a nearby locale for a weekend away.

If all else fails, you can find me making a pillow fort at home with my favorite travel books or movies, dreaming and scheming for future trips.

What are your favorite budget-friendly ways to indulge your wanderlust?

Monthly Memo: January

On January 8, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Lifestyle, Monthly MemoLeave a comment

Happy Sunday!

Things have finally started to slow down from the holidays, which I am so grateful for. Life has been really hectic lately, so I’m happy to have a chance to relax and catch up on some things. Today in particular is shaping up to be a treat yo self day (I know I am way behind on this, but I have been binge-ing Parks and Recreation lately and I am obsessed). I plan on:

Reorganizing my closet
Doing some travel planning
Enjoying a face mask (Origins Clear Improvements Charcoal Mask)
Painting my nails (Miss Fancy Pants by Essie)
And trying out a new hair color (full disclosure: gotta cover up those grays!)

Then, I’m going to snuggle up with Brody and have a glass of wine while we watch the Golden Globes. Our little pup has been with us for two months now, and he’s getting more and more comfortable in his new home. He’s actually sitting in my lap as I type this, and that’s some progress. This morning I took him for a nice long walk around our neighborhood, which I think we both enjoyed despite the cold. Chicago has been freezing lately, which has me dreaming of warm weather and beaches.

As far as trip planning is concerned, I’m a little limited right now, but I’m trying to work around it. I’ve been looking into some cheap weekend trips, so hopefully I can pull something together in the next couple weeks. Or if all else fails, maybe a little staycation could be arranged. I received a scratch off map for Christmas this year, which is something I’ve been wanting for a while. Though, now that I have it, it’s only making me want to travel more!

This month I’m looking forward to keeping the tradition of January spa days with my friend, Amber, starting some different projects that I’m very excited about, and finding new and creative ways to beat the cold. I am also planning on getting back into a manageable workout routine. The holidays really derailed my morning runs, but I’m hoping to get back into it now. One of my other goals for the year was to read more classic novels, so right now I’m reading “Beloved” by Toni Morrison and am really liking it. What about you? What are your goals for this year? What are you currently reading? Tell me all about it in the comments!

Have a wonderful January, everyone!

2017 Travel Plans

On January 3, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Trip Planning6 Comments

I love the new year. It brings all new possibilities for travel, not to mention a tax return to fund said travels. As I mentioned in my 2016 review post, my 2017 travel plans will be on a pretty tight budget. That doesn’t mean that I won’t be traveling this year, just that my trips will be on a smaller scale than last year’s vacations. While not much is firmly set in place, I do have some big plans (as always) for this coming year and I’m excited to share them!

I’m planning on taking four main trips, one for each season, with a few more sprinkled in between for good measure if I can swing it. The two countries I most wanted to visit this year are Mexico and Canada, because I’ve never been to either and we’re practically neighbors. Other than that, I’m planning on traveling domestically by plane, train or automobile. Here’s how it all shakes out (hopefully):

Winter/Spring 2017:

A girls’ trip to Mexico! What better place to escape the Chicago winter than the sunny beaches of Mexico? Right now I’m thinking Playa Del Carmen or Tulum with a day trip to Chichen Itza. My besties and I are thinking we’ll rent a house on vrbo.com and just relax in the sunshine. This is still in the works, so I don’t have all of the details confirmed, but it’s the trip I’m most looking forward to!

Mike and I are planning on revisiting Grand Rapids, MI for a long weekend in April to see my favorite, Aretha Franklin at DeVos Performance Hall. Hopefully, we’ll stay at the JW Marriott again and hit all the places we missed the first time around.

Summer 2017:

Canada! I don’t care who I go with or how I get there. I’m going. I want to see Montreal first, but I would certainly take Toronto as well. In a perfect world, I’d like to drive there and spend a night on the way there or back near Niagara Falls. Right now, I’m just dreaming, but I’m confident I can make it happen.

Fall 2017:

A solo trip somewhere in the States. I’ve got my eye on somewhere in the Northeast like Boston or Maine or even back to New York. Hopefully it will be somewhere I can get some great seafood and clear views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Winter 2017:

Mike and I are both dying to get to the desert. My Aunt and Uncle own a house in Arizona and we’re thinking of flying out there and hopefully using it as a home base to visit Saguaro National Park, Antelope Canyon, and all the other natural beauty the state has to offer. Maybe we’ll rent a car and bring our camping gear to spend a night under the stars.

All that’s left is to figure out the budgets and actually book my 2017 travel plans and I’ll be set! If you have any good recommendations for any of these destinations please share them in the comments.

What are your 2017 travel plans? Where are you most excited to visit?

2016: A Year in Review

On January 1, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel WritingLeave a comment

2016, oh what a year. It had some ups and a lot of downs. That being said, there were a few really great moments that mostly made up for the bad. This year was full of a lot of new destinations and some golden oldies; I got to go on an amazing solo trip and joined my family for a wonderful week in Tennessee. Though so many great things happened, there were a few bouts of hardship that cast an unfortunate shadow. I guess the best we can do is focus on the good things and try to learn something from the bad things.

Part of what made this year so frustrating is that I’ve been with a lot of anxiety in regards to my career, and what I want to do with my life. Real original, I know. This situation has perhaps caused me to overextend my travel plans beyond my budget to get away from the stress, which means my 2017 travel plans will be on a tighter budget. BUT! The good… let’s talk about that.

January:

It was a slow month for travel. I enjoyed a marvelous spa day with one of my favorites at the Mario Tricoci Spa in Chicago and joined my parents for a candlelit hike in Wisconsin.

February:

February brought me on a solo adventure to Washington, D.C., where I had an amazing meal at Le Diplomate, walked around monuments and museums, and learned the dangers of over-planning a trip.

March:

Another slow travel month due to cancelled plans. I got to interview one of my best friends about her time travelling with a brilliant Chicago band through the American South. And, I started planning my big solo trip to Europe.

April:

April was full of Midwest exploring. First, we went on a fun day trip to Lake Geneva, WI, then we enjoyed an amazing weekend in Grand Rapids, MI. I loved Grand Rapids so much that we are planning another trip there in the Spring.

May:

Despite having no travel plans this month for myself, I did feature some fantastic blogs about Jordan, written by the beautiful and Talented Gracie Barrie. And I, personally, wrote some posts about hotel upgrades, bookstores, and travel lessons I learned from my mom in honor of Mother’s Day.

June:

June was all about Tennessee. Mike and I went with my family to Chattanooga and then to Gatlinburg, TN to visit our Tennessee family and to enjoy the Smoky Mountains. It was a wonderful, restorative trip and I hope we make a habit of these family vacations.

July:

We kept tradition alive and went on our annual trip to the cabin in Wisconsin for the 4^th, which I celebrated with a photo blog. I also wrote about finding unique souvenirs, hiking in the Smoky Mountains, and exploring your own city.

August:

August was all about the Great Outdoors. We hiked in Matthiessen State Park and then camped nearby in Utica, IL. I also crossed an item off of my goal list for the year after going on a sunset cruise on Lake Michigan in Chicago.

September & October & November:

Each of these months were dominated by blogs of all my adventures in both Iceland and Copenhagen. This trip was a huge part of my travel plans for the year and I’m so happy with how it all turned out. We also had a nice weekend at the end of September in Milwaukee to see one of Mike’s favorite bands: Thrice.

December:

The highlight of last month, besides the holidays with family of course, was being invited to enjoy Galena for their Luminaria Festival and enjoying a wonderful stay at The Lamberson Guest House there. We had such a relaxing weekend there, which was very much needed.

That does it. Good, Bad, Ugly, it was an interesting year to say the least. Here’s to hoping 2017 brings grand adventures and good vibes all around.

Tell me all about your year in the comments!

Copenhagen Card, Copenhagen, Denmark, RebeccaWanderlusting

Copenhagen Card: Worth It or Not?

On December 28, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Denmark, International TravelLeave a comment

On my recent trip to Copenhagen, I decided to invest in the Copenhagen Card, a city pass that included many attractions and museums. In my original planning for the trip, I thought the card would be an invaluable asset to exploring the city. Plus, the fact that it might save me some money on this tightly budgeted adventure didn’t hurt!

In addition to covering the entry fee for many museums, tours and palaces, the Copenhagen Card also works as a public transportation pass and includes discounts to restaurants and attractions that aren’t included in the card. I ordered my city pass through the website, and opted to pick it up from the visitor center once I arrived in the city, saving the $8 shipping fee.

In total, the seventy-two hour Copenhagen Card cost $89, which I thought I would easily earn back, and then some, with all I wanted to accomplish there. Though I had very high hopes, it turned out to be kind of a daunting task. I had three full days in the city, and wound up going to 2 museums (one, the Copenhagen Contemporary, was not included in the card), 2 palaces, the Round Tower (I visited twice because it was the best place in the city to see the sunset), Tivoli Gardens (the Copenhagen Card only covered the entry fee, the rides and food inside the park was extra), and going on the canal boat tour.

These attractions, combined with the exploring on foot and enjoying the cafes and architecture, completely filled my time in Copenhagen. Here is the breakdown of the attractions I entered using my Copenhagen Card for and their actual entry fees:

The Canal Boat Tour: 80Dkk ($11.25)
Tivoli Gardens: 150Dkk ($21.10)
SMK Art Museum: 145Dkk ($20.40)
Round Tower (twice): 50Dkk ($7)
Amalienborg Palace: 75Dkk ($10.55)
Christianborg Palace Ruins: 50Dkk ($7)
Christianborg Palace Reception Rooms: 90Dkk ($12.66)
Bus to Norrebro: 24Dkk ($3.38)

Total: $93.34

So, was it worth it? Financially, yes, just barely. And it was awfully convenient to use the Copenhagen Card to get in everywhere and to get on the public transportation. Though I could have taken advantage of the public transportation more, I should have taken into consideration how much I would want to walk around.

There were also a couple of attractions that were included that I wish I could have seen, like Frederiksborg Castle, The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, and The National Museum. The truth of it is, I felt like having the Copenhagen Card put a lot of pressure on me to run around and do as much as possible.

Instead of giving into the pressure, I did the opposite, and spent a lot of my time in Copenhagen aimlessly wandering and exploring the beautiful streets and neighborhoods. The end result was a really great trip, tinged with a small amount of guilt that I didn’t do/see enough. Overall, Copenhagen was an amazing city to visit, and I’ll just have to see the things I missed the next time around.