Quick Weekend in NYC, RebeccaWanderlusting

A Quick Weekend in NYC

On July 2, 2018 By rebeccawanderlustingIn New York, US TravelLeave a comment

All day at work on the day I was due to leave for NYC, I checked the weather and my flight status constantly. I had friends that were flying out of O’Hare that same day were texting me that their flights had been cancelled. There was a huge winter storm brewing on the East Coast, and any flights in and out of New York were getting cancelled left and right. At 4:00pm, I left work to hop on the blue line to the airport, hoping for the best.

I got to O’Hare and saw that every flight before and after mine had been cancelled, but mine hadn’t yet – it was still on schedule. I was convinced this trip wasn’t happening, so I went to McDonald’s (the best airport food, don’t judge me) to drown my sorrows in french fries and chicken nuggets. The customer service desk for United had a line that stretched almost the whole length of the terminal, full of angry customers on cellphones. When it was about time to board, the flight was still on time and they began the process of opening the gate and letting on families. Apparently we were on a smaller plane, which would be better to navigate the storm with. I didn’t feel overly confident about my safety but I got on the plane anyways.

The whole flight was normal up until the last half hour, which was very, very turbulent. We landed safely (thank goodness), and I hopped in a cab right away, headed towards Harlem. My cousin, Gracie, was hosting me for the weekend, and she greeted me with Spanish rice and beer; she knows me so well. We caught up on our lives and listened to music until I was too sleepy to keep my eyes open.

We woke up at a leisurely pace the next morning and had bagels at home before heading out for the day. We took the subway from Harlem to Union Square, where we ran directly into a puppy truck full of dogs up for adoption. We couldn’t resist stopping to pet the little fluff pups. There was one particular little ball of love that I wanted to take home with me. He liked me too, I know it. We went into Innisfree and we got a ton of sheet masks and some free samples, which was amazing because there is no Innisfree in Chicago.

Next, we walked to the Wing in Flatiron, where Gracie works. It’s a women’s only club and coworking space and it is heavenly. There were walls of books organized by color and plush, pink sofas and armchairs. They had a little cafe, where we got some coffee and avocado toast. We got to sneak up onto the roof to take in the view, which was lovely, of course. Later, we would visit one of their other locations, in Soho, which was bigger and even more beautiful, if that’s even possible. Both locations were little oases of calm and pastel perfection.

We also made a stop into The Strand, which is one of my favorite places in NYC. It’s a wonderland of new and used books. We wandered through the stacks and shelves and picked out a few titles. I got “Nocturnes” by Kazuo Ishiguro and a tiny little t-shirt for my niece and Gracie got a couple of books too. After we made our purchases, Gracie led me to one of her favorite ramen places in the city: Ramen Thukpa for a late lunch. It definitely lived up to the hype. We each got a Sapporo and a big bowl of ramen, which we slurped contentedly. The restaurant was pretty small, and the staff was super nice and attentive. We had to sit for a while after we finished because we were so full.

We went to the other location of the Wing to have a cocktail and sit, read and regroup for a while before we headed out for the night. It was nice to be able to relax and freshen up there! We were meeting a couple friends for dinner at Kiki’s in Chinatown. On our way there, we wound up stopping into a pop-up gallery and were greeted with Brooklyn Lagers and a pamphlet on the artist. I wish I could say who it was, but, to be completely frank, I didn’t write it down and it’s been too long since my visit to try to find out. Regardless, the gallery was a treat for all senses: gravel paths led through a field of turf with Chinese statues sprinkled throughout. It smelled like fresh-cut grass. On the walls, collages made of gold and silver chains spelled out sayings on mirrors. It was really fun to experience.

Kiki’s is a wonderful, cozy Greek restaurant; we met our friends Mike and Christy there for dinner. There was a little bit of a wait for a table, but it wasn’t too bad. We ordered a liter of red wine and some small plates: fava bean paste, tzatziki sauce, moussaka, roasted chicken and grilled octopus. The food was SO GOOD! I always love Greek food, but this place was exceptional. We had a truly lovely dinner and conversation. Kiki’s will be on my list to try again next time I’m in the city for sure.

After we finished our meal, we went to a bar called Rocka Rolla in Williamsburg. It was the perfect place: cheap beer, a good jukebox and a big booth just for us. The beer was served in huge goblets, and after a few of them, I decided Gracie and I NEEDED matching Rocka Rolla t-shirts, so I bought us each one. We held court in our booth for the majority of the evening, and more and more friends joined us. We drank and danced until it was almost closing time. Then Gracie and I took a cab home and got a pizza to split on our way.

The next morning, we were both feeling pretty rough, but I made us go out and get breakfast anyways. After a walk around Harlem, we ended up at The Grange, where we drank every liquid they put in front of us and ate in silence. I had french toast and bacon, and the bacon was so dang good. It was a little overpriced, but that’s what we get for choosing a hip brunch spot in Harlem I guess. After breakfast, Gracie and I went to see the Royal Tenenbaums house, which was just down the street, and then she walked home and left me to explore Harlem on my own. I was grateful for a chance to see this slice of NYC that I hadn’t experienced yet.

My first stop was the Apollo Theater, which weirdly enough, was in a trip of outlet stores and fast food restaurants. I wanted to see this place where so many of my favorite musicians performed, but unfortunately the tours are by appointment only, so I had to settle for seeing the lobby and taking photos of the marquee. I sang some Aretha Franklin in my head and moved on.

I walked a little south to see what I could see and was delighted to find a lovely strip of cafes, restaurants and apartments that I would love to move right into. I stopped into Double Dutch to get a latte to keep me going. It was such a cute little coffee shop, but it was absolutely packed so I took mine to go. The coffee was delicious, but I chugged it so I could go into a restaurant (Harlem Tavern) where live music was playing. I sat and had a glass of wine at the bar to listen, which was a lovely way to spend an hour.

When the band finished their set, I decided to take another walk around the neighborhood before heading back to Gracie’s apartment. We took the train together to Soho because she had to work that evening. I walked her there and then went to Canal Street Market on her suggestion to get something to eat before my flight. I perused the small vendor’s goods and grabbed a bibimbap from the Korean food counter. I sat in the common area to enjoy it – which I did with gusto! It was delicious. I cabbed it to La Guardia from there and reluctantly went home. Every time I come to NYC, I have to bribe myself with another visit to get on the plane home. One of these days, I’ll just move there already, but until then, I’ll always look forward to the next visit.

Have you been to New York? Which is your favorite NYC neighborhood?

Chichen Itza, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, RebeccaWanderlusting

Touring Chichen Itza & Cenote Ik Kil

On June 18, 2018 By rebeccawanderlustingIn International Travel, MexicoLeave a comment

Seeing Chichen Itza while I was in Mexico was non-negotiable for me. So much so that I booked the tour when I booked my flights so I could work the rest of the trip around that activity. The tour shuttle was scheduled to pick me up at 7am, so I got up super early to get ready and run to the lobby for coffee and a sweet roll. I was the first to be picked up, so William, my tour guide for the day, gave me the pick of the seats in the van. He gave me the rundown of what we were doing that day and then started off towards the next hotel. There were ten other people on the tour with me, and I soon found out that I was the only English-speaking participant. This was only a problem in that I only understood every third or fourth word of everything William said. Luckily, he didn’t say a whole lot during the two hour drive to Chichen Itza. This post could also be entitled “The One Where I Didn’t Learn Enough Spanish Like I Should Have and Got In A Tiff With The Tour Guide”.

The Mayaland Hotel is the gateway to Chichen Itza and also happens to be a beautiful oasis of a resort. The ticket stand/gift shop for Chichen Itza is just to the side of the hotel, so we all piled out and milled around for awhile. There was another tour group waiting for their guide to the ruins and somehow, without me knowing it, I was pushed into that group. This was ultimately for the best, because they were an English speaking group, but at the time, I was a little concerned because all of my things were in the other bus and I wasn’t quite understanding if I was with them for the rest of the day. Off we went down the path to the ticket counter, where I discovered I didn’t have the right ticket, because I was switched around between the two groups. I was annoyed but determined not to let it ruin this tour that I was looking forward to, so I ran back to the trailhead, bought my ticket and ran back. I got stamped in, and followed Carlos, our Chichen Itza expert down a path that was lined with vendors selling straw hats and blankets and trinkets.

Carlos (pictured above) led us through each exhibit of the Mayan culture, including a cenote that would have provided most of the water to the old city and a replica of a typical home with a thatched roof. We kept walking, past yet more vendors who yelled over each other to exclaim to us how low their prices were. The group moved through the tree-lined path into a clearing, where the majority of the ruins sat. It took my breath away. I had waited to see this for so long, and I was just so grateful to finally be there. It was so beautiful.

Carlos gave us some time to take it all in and take all the pictures we wanted. Once we all gathered back around him, he went on with his tour, pulling laminated photos out of his backpack to illustrate his points. The Temple of Kukulkan (the main pyramid associated with Chichen Itza), named for the Mayan feathered serpent deity, stood in the middle of all the other buildings. Carlos walked us over there and showed us how if we clapped in the right place in the right way, the sound would ricochet off the building and replicate the sound of the serpent’s wings. It did sound like how I can imagine a winged serpent might sound, if I’d ever heard such a thing. In the midst of him showing the other buildings, we got stuck in a rain storm that came and went pretty quickly, but there was no shelter to speak of so we quite literally just weathered the storm. Carlos showed us the ball court and a few other points of interest, and then we started the walk back to the hotel for lunch.

I met a really nice couple from South Carolina on the tour, and we sat down to lunch together. The hotel’s dining room was set up in stations that were mostly self serve. There a traditional Mayan cuisine, tacos, a salad bar, “international foods” (sliders, pizza, hot dogs) and dessert. I hit the taco station first and got a chicken taco with pineapple and a bowl of the Mayan cuisine which consisted of rice, beans, peppers, and Adobo pork and a Mexican Coca Cola for good measure. It was a fantastic meal in a beautiful setting. The courtyard we sat in was so pretty, and there was a peacock wandering around the diners.

The group I originally started with took a lot longer touring the ruins, so I spent an hour looking through the gift shops and buying some souvenirs for my family. Finally, I ran into my original guide, who basically apologized (“sorry, we just get so many tourists”) for passing me off and then loaded us all back onto the bus to head to Cenote Ik Kil. It was just a little ways down the road from Chichen Itza. We were allotted an hour to swim, and were to meet back at the bus, so we all hurried off to make the most of the time. It was set up like a theme park, with turnstiles, ticket takers, rent-by-the-hour lockers and changing rooms. I got a locker and changed into my swimsuit. The cenote was set into the ground, and it took approximately sixty steps to get to the bottom. The vines hung down from the top of the crater and it was dark and mossy toward the bottom. There were four ladders lined up to climb in and out of the water on one side and a staircase that went upwards for the more adventurous guests to jump from.

It doesn’t look very high, but once you got up towards the top…it was pretty high. I made a beeline for the stairs and jumped in right away, I had to or I would have lost my nerve. It sure felt high once I was in the air. Once I was in the water, I paddled around happily. What a beautiful place for a swim! I felt something brush against my foot, and noticed these fish swimming around everyone – they looked like little sharks. I swam over to the ladder and waited my turn to pull myself out, all the while anxiously looking around me for the pseudo-sharks. I pulled myself up and decided the best course of action would be to jump again, but from a higher stair. There was a little girl putting everyone else to shame, but climbing up to the top stair and jumping in over and over again, putting grown men to shame as they jumped from the lower stairs. It was amazing. I swam up until it was almost time to leave, and then I ran back to my locker to grab my camera to get some good pictures. It really was one of the most magical places I’ve ever been.

I could have stayed there all day, but I had to meet the group back at the bus. Everyone fell asleep for the ride home, and of course I was the last one to be dropped off. After one last awkward interaction with William, our bus driver, I was home free. I showered and got ready for dinner, which consisted of the semi-authentic Italian food. The food wasn’t so good, but I made it taste better with lots of wine. I finished my last night in Mexico in the outdoor bar, where a live band was playing. I settled down into a comfy chair off to the side and ordered a mojito to enjoy with the music. It had been a long day, but it truly was one for the books. This trip had been incredibly healing and enlightening and wonderful; I was glad for every moment leading up to it and every moment there.

Have you ever toured Chichen Itza? What company did you use and did you enjoy the experience?

Year in Review, 2018 Travel Goals | RebeccaWanderlusting

2017 Recap & 2018 Travel Goals

On January 10, 2018 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel Goals, Travel Tips1 Comment

I won’t lie to you, 2017 was not my year. Though, I have no illusions that I’m alone in saying that. On a very surface level, I didn’t travel as much as I would have liked to this past year. Which, in the grand scheme of things, isn’t an awful problem to have. However, this is a travel blog that I write and not traveling means a lack of content. So, before we get right into it, I’d like to start off by saying that one of my resolutions for 2018 is to post more authentic and unique blogs. I hope to do much more traveling this year, even if it’s smaller trips throughout the Midwest. So, hopefully, this means I’ll be posting more travel essays and trip planning blogs.

That being said, I did have a few highlights in the past year. I went back to one of my favorite cities in the Midwest: Grand Rapids to see my all-time favorite musician, Aretha Franklin. I visited St. Louis for the first time via a Pullman Car pulled by an Amtrak Train, an amazing experience in and of itself. I drove to New Buffalo, MI to experience one of the prettiest beaches on Lake Michigan. I got the opportunity to explore Toronto and the surrounding area, including Niagara Falls and Niagara-On-The-Lake. And, last but not least, I was able to spend more time exploring my hometown of Chicago.

Okay, on to the more optimistic portion of this post: my 2018 travel goals:

Later this month I’ll be heading to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico solo for a long weekend of beach time and relaxation. Let me tell you, I could use it. I’m very excited to experience Mexico for the first time and most importantly, see Chichen Itza in person. I’m so looking forward to this trip!! I will share more of my travel plans for this one next week.
In the beginning of March, I’m heading to NYC for a quick trip to visit my cousin, Gracie. You may remember her from the beautiful photos and words she shared about her journey to Jordan: here, here and here. I don’t have any solid plans for the weekend except to visit with my friends in the city and enjoy their company.
That being said, I’d also like to visit my lovely friends in Salt Lake City and Denver sometime this year if I can! It’s lovely to have friends all over the country to visit (and stay with!).
Before work gets too busy (starting in May), I’d like to explore a new Midwestern city for a weekend. I think maybe Minneapolis, Madison or Indianapolis could be fun. I could take the Amtrak to any of those cities or rent a car and do a little road trip. If you have any strong feelings about any of these cities please share!
This summer, I’ll be heading to Traverse City with my family for a long weekend on Lake Michigan. We’re renting a house right on the lake and plan on relaxing the whooooooole time. I’d like to check out some of the wineries in the area. We also will be visiting Sleeping Bear Dunes to swim and explore.
I’m playing with the idea of taking a solo trip to Acadia National Park in the Fall. I can imagine that it would be the prettiest time to go, and that timeline gives me enough time to save for it. I think the best way to go out about it would be to fly into Boston and drive up the coast. I’m dreaming about a little cabin in the woods where I can write and hike all day long.
The last big plan I have for 2018 is to go on a little birthday trip somewhere warm-ish. I’m thinking of trying to get to Antelope Canyon in Arizona or Albuquerque, NM; somewhere in the Southwest for sure. Again, if you have any suggestions, please share!

I am hopeful that this year will be wonderful and full of adventures, both big and small.

What are your 2018 travel plans?

Monthly Memo: December

On December 19, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Lifestyle, Monthly Memo1 Comment

Hello, Hello, Hello! Happy December and Happy Holidays, everyone! This holiday season has been particularly crazy for me with all of the holiday parties at work, but I’m so excited to spend Christmas with my family. I got my gift shopping done super early this year in anticipation of my busy work schedule and I have everything wrapped and ready to go. I’m planning on heading back home on the 23rd so I can help make Christmas cookies and make a (chocolate peppermint) cheesecake to contribute to our potluck style Christmas Eve party.

On a less than upbeat note, I have some sad news to share in that Michael and I broke up. It’s been a not very fun few months and I’m reeling a little bit in trying to figure out what the next few months will look like. I’m currently looking for a new apartment, a studio, still in Chicago and hopefully still in the same neighborhood. The silver lining is that I always loved living alone. I have no doubt that I will feel worse before I feel totally OK again, but I think it’s ultimately for the best.

Unfortunately, with all that’s happening in my personal life lately, I’m feeling a little uninspired to write. With that being said, I’m going to be taking a short break from the blog to get my stuff together and get motivated again. I’ll be back at it in the beginning of 2018 with fresh, new content and plenty of new travel plans to share with you all. I already have a couple of exciting trips planned for the year, and I’m sure I’ll plan some more along the way as well. As I mentioned in my 27 in 27 recap, I’m headed to Mexico next month, which I am very much looking forward to. It will be a much needed break from reality and a solid, relaxing vacation.

Thank you for your patience and your continued readership. I hope everyone has a Happy Holidays and a wonderful New Year!

Winter Reading List

On December 1, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel Books, Travel Tips1 Comment

It is completely clear to me that it is now winter in Chicago. This season always makes me want to curl up in a ball and read book after book, glass of wine in hand. I’ve been looking forward to slowing down a bit and catching up on my winter reading list as the weather grows colder and colder. Hopefully, I’ll be reading on some planes and some beaches as well, but more on that later!

I mentioned in my last reading list that I was trying to get through the books I already own before I start snapping up new ones. I’ve made some serious progress, but I am in need of some fresh new literature as well. I have to say, there were a couple of duds on my shelf that went straight into the donate pile, but I pushed through to finish them nonetheless (am I the only one that HAS to finish a book once I’ve started it??). My winter reading list covers a wide variety of subjects, but they’re all ones I’ve been meaning to read or have heard really good things about. Here’s hoping I can get to them all!

“Sharp Objects” by Gillian Flynn – I’ve read both “Gone Girl” and “Dark Objects” and loved them both, so it seems only natural that “Sharp Objects” be on my list. I love the way Gillian Flynn keeps your interest to the very end and that her twists and turns are so genuinely surprising. I recently read a Buzzfeed article that noted this book as having a jaw-dropping twist and I can’t wait to see what it is!
“You Are a Badass at Making Money” by Jen Sincero – The first book of this two book series (“You Are a Badass”) was on my last reading list. I read it, loved it, and immediately told everyone I know to read it. Jen Sincero is such a personable writer and her advice is sage. I’m so looking forward to reading more of her tips and tricks as they apply to financial stability.
“Breakfast at Tiffany’s” by Truman Capote – I have been on a real Capote kick lately. I read “In Cold Blood” and was immediately obsessed. I then watched Capote, the movie, and was even more intrigued. So, obviously, I need to read his other well-known and renowned work, and possibly all the rest of his work after that!
“Moby Dick” by Herman Melville – One of my upcoming goals for the new year is to read more classic literature and this one has been on my shelf for years. I figured it (along with #3) would be a good place to start on my classic literature journey. I do love everything related to the sea, so I’m sure I’ll enjoy this quintessential novel.
“The Poisonwood Bible” by Barbara Kingsolver – I am surprised it has taken me this long to read this novel. My mom has noted it as one of her favorites for decades, so I think she will be especially happy that I’m picking this one up. I’ve heard so many good things about Barbara Kingsolver and I’m excited to finally read her work.
“Big Little Lies” by Liane Moriarty – I, along with everyone else I know, instantly fell in love with the HBO series based on this novel. How could you not feel a kinship with each of the characters?? The ending was so surprising, but I don’t think it will hinder how much I will enjoy the book. I have a feeling this one might be a novel that I come back to time and time again.
“Wilderness Essays” by John Muir – I picked up a beautiful copy of John Muir’s essays when I was in San Francisco. Actually, I got it in the gift shop of John Muir Woods just north of San Francisco. I’ve always admired Mr. Muir’s philosophies and I will happily read his thoughts and travel vicariously through his adventures.

Have you read any of these? What did you think? What’s on your winter reading list?

Culinary Misadventures in Miami

On November 28, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Florida, US Travel1 Comment

I’ve written about my previous solo travel missteps in Miami before, but I recently wrote a travel essay for my aforementioned creative non-fiction class and decided to share it. It’s a funny story, and my family still makes fun of me for this instance to this day. I hope you enjoy it and please feel free to share any of your own solo travel misadventures in the comments below!

Miami, FL was carefully chosen for my first ever solo vacation for its cheap round trip flights from Chicago and its beautiful beachfront hotels. I was twenty-three years old, and desperate to prove my worldliness and bravery. I booked everything without much research and bragged about my solo trip to anyone who would listen.

I flew out of O’Hare and landed in the evening, taking a shuttle to my hotel. I stayed at the Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort which was technically in Sunnyside Isles Beach, just North of Miami proper. The plan was to just lie out on the beach, read, and sip cocktails while I worked on my tan. While I did try to venture out more to explore, I often just got lost and went back to my hotel, defeated.

On my last night in Miami, I decided to treat myself to a nice dinner at the fine dining restaurant in my hotel. I brought a book with me as a shield against the other diners who may feel sorry for me for dining alone. (I’ve since learned that this doesn’t matter at all.) Despite this, the waitress still gave me a pitying look as she took the second set of silverware and water glass off the table.

I tried to play it cool and ordered the special of the day: the lobster. It came with a salad to start, which I happily ate, along with the rolls and butter that were set before me. This wound up being the only thing I would eat for dinner.

When the lobster was placed in front of me, I tried to continue being cool as a cucumber and thanked the waitress. The portion I was served was not solely the lobster tail, as I had enjoyed before, but the whole lobster. I looked around at the other diners near me, but no one in the immediate vicinity had ordered the special as I did.

“Whatever,” I thought to myself. “I went to culinary school. I can figure this out.” I confidently cut into the front end of my lobster, and the green brains came seeping out onto my plate.

I was at a loss. Do I eat the disgusting ooze? I slid my phone out of my purse and took a discreet picture. I sent it to my dad, the resident seafood eater in our family, with the caption “what do I do with this?” My dad promptly called me, and I tried to be nonchalant as I asked him how to eat the monstrosity on my plate. He tried to advise me as to the best plan of attack, but I had to rush him off the phone in the quiet restaurant. I tried to pick at the tail, as my dad suggested, but the majority of it had been tainted by the green brains.

I cut up the lobster and pushed it around on the plate to keep up appearances but wound up filling my stomach with the rolls and butter. After I paid for the dinner I didn’t eat, I went out to the bar by the hotel’s pool. After ordering a PBR Tallboy, I sat poolside and vowed to do better next time.

Top Five Friday: Winter Activities in Chicago | RebeccaWanderlusting

Top Five Friday #26

On November 24, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Illinois, Top Five Friday, US Travel2 Comments

Winter Activities in Chicago

As you may or may not know, winters in Chicago can be pretty brutal. There’s freezing rain/sleet/snow, darkness before work, darkness after work, slippery sidewalks, falling icicles, you name it. It’s a dangerous, frozen tundra (Chiberia, anyone?), but there are ways we Chicagoans find silver linings to the cold weather.

Winter activities in Chicago range from the adventurous to the cozy and everywhere in between. There’s something for everyone in this beautiful city, especially during the holidays and that problematic time between New Year’s and springtime. So, without further ado, here are my personal favorite winter activities in Chicago:

Skating at Maggie Daley Park: There are many places to go ice skating in Chicago, but Maggie Daley Park is probably the most unique. The shape of this rink is a ribbon set in a wavy circle with peaks and valleys set into the ice. Admission is free and skate rentals are $12 during the week and $14 on the weekends. This attraction has already opened for the year.
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo: Every year, Lincoln Park Zoo puts on a free event where guests can enjoy the zoo at night in all its twinkly light glory. They have winter activities for families, warm spiced wine and ice sculpture carving, along with all the normal zoo activities. ZooLights starts today actually, and is open select dates through January 7.
Walk Down Michigan Avenue: Michigan Avenue can be one of the most magical, albeit crowded, places in the city during the holidays. Every space imaginable is decorated in twinkly lights and holiday ornamentation. Plus, it’s mostly free, unless you decide to partake in the many, many stores that line the Magnificent Mile.
Christkindlmarket: This outdoor Christmas market is located in Daley Plaza downtown and his home to a ton of small markets selling holiday fare. Nestled in between the stores are vendors selling traditional German fare, hot chocolate and mulled wine. Even if you’re not in the mood to shop, this market is super fun to walk around while you sip your hot wine. It’s open now through Christmas Eve.
Grab a Drink in a Cozy Bar: There are number of cozy places in Chicago to obtain a booze blanket to fight the cold. The best ones have a fireplace and comfy chairs for that extra homey warmth. My favorite bars for winter are Drumbar in the Raffaello Hotel (Gold Coast), The Broken Shaker in the Freehand (River North), and Scofflaw (Logan Square), all of which have excellent cocktails and cozy ambiance.

What are your favorite winter activities in Chicago?

Niagara On The Lake, Ontario

On November 10, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Canada, International Travel1 Comment

We had a few hours to kill before we had to head back to the Toronto airport after checking out of our hotel in Niagara Falls, so we drove the twenty or so minutes to Niagara On The Lake. It was probably one of the best decisions we made that whole trip. The drive was gorgeous. The road ran along Lake Ontario, which could be viewed through the orange, yellow and red leaves of the autumn trees.

We passed about fifteen wineries, both large and small, on our way into town and we vowed to stop into one on our way back out. We didn’t really have a plan in mind for once we arrived, so we just kept taking turns that we thought would lead us to the lake. We finally made it to a park on Lake Ontario, with a gorgeous gazebo and a path that led along the shore.

We walked along the path a ways. The Toronto skyline was faintly visible across the lake, which provided us with a nice bookend for the trip. It was a beautiful day for a walk along the lake, but we were limited on time, so we hopped back in the car and started driving again. This time, our random choices took us past a cute boutique hotel, a beautiful golf course and through a neighborhood of beautiful lake houses.

Because we had not destination in mind, we wound up on our way out of Niagara on the Lake, towards the airport. We were heading out a different way than we came in and I was so worried we would miss out on all of the beautiful vineyards in the area. Luckily, we spotted Jackson Triggs Winery up the road and jumped on the chance to check it out.

The tasting room was set in between rows and rows of vines, which were a perfect emerald green in the sunshine. We went in with the intention of only splitting a flight of three wines between us, but wound up sharing two flights. We tried a Brut, a Sauvignon Blanc, a White Blend, a Merlot, a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Red Blend. They were all excellent, made more so by the wonderful woman pouring for us, who was knowledgeable about the wine and super nice. We ended up leaving with a bottle of the Merlot, which was to be saved for a special occasion.

We had to get the rental car back to the airport by 4:00pm, which made us very early for our 7:45pm flight. This ended up being a blessing, because as soon as we walked into the airport, we were hit with the news that our flight was cancelled. We ran to the United Guest Service desk to see if we could get on another flight, where they informed us we had been re-booked on a 9:00am plane the next morning. She took one look at our faces and offered to give us stand by tickets for a flight that boarded in 40 minutes. We dropped off our luggage, ran through security and customs and made it to the gate with minutes to spare. Our guardian angel at the guest service desk must have called ahead because we had tickets waiting for us. Once we were actually on the plane, I had a moment to reflect on our vacation, and what a wonderful trip it was.

Have you ever been to Niagara On The Lake? Did you stay overnight or just visit?

Adventures at Niagara Falls and Beyond | RebeccaWanderlusting

Adventures in Niagara Falls

On November 7, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Canada, International Travel1 Comment

Niagara Falls is an easy hour an a half drive from Toronto, making it the perfect day or weekend trip from the capital city. The town surrounding Niagara Falls is full of hotels, chain restaurants and kitschy attractions like mini golf, wax museums, and fun houses. We were staying at the Four Points by Sheraton, which was connected to two other hotels by a mall and casino. We checked into our room and walked directly back out of the hotel to see the falls. This was my first time seeing this natural wonder and to say I was excited would be an understatement.

The hotels were situated on a hill above the scenic path opposite the falls, so we walked down the steep sidewalk to get there. It was misting when we started walking down, but despite the cloudy weather, I was jumping for joy when we first saw it. It was beautiful. The sidewalk runs parallel to the falls, and there is a large welcome center/gift shop/food court on the side near the larger horseshoe and the entrance to the Hornblower boats and another gift shop on the other side. The main drag (with all the kitsch) is closer to the Hornblower side.

We didn’t want to go on the boat tour in the rain, so we bought our tickets for the next day and then went in search of some dinner. This proved to be a difficult task in this neck of the woods on a Monday evening. We stopped into Niagara Brewing Company for a beer and a snack so we create a game plan for the evening.

We ordered a cheese plate that featured local cheeses and fruit and contemplated our next move. It was rainy and we were surrounded by restaurant chains and tourist attractions. We decided to lean into the kitsch. On our way back to the hotel, we stopped into gift shops, and took pictures with the wax museum statues and the haunted house monsters. We took a wrong turn somewhere and somehow ended up in a very seedy area with deserted restaurants and broke down motels. Running through the empty parking lots in the pouring rain, Mike gave me a look I knew well. It said “why do I let you lead me into these situations”. Once we were finally back within the very warm and dry lobby of the collective hotels, we let the bright lights of the casino lure us in.

We decided to gamble $10 each. Mike lost his right away, but I kept winning and splitting the winnings to bet more. It was thrilling, but I can only spend twenty minutes max in casinos or I’ll gamble my life away so we moved on to Shoeless Joe’s (as I said, really leaning into the kitsch) for dinner. The food was meh and the atmosphere was meh, but it did the trick. We decided to be a little bit fancy and headed to the top of the Hilton Niagara Falls for a nightcap and a view of the brightly lit falls. We got martinis and stared out the window for quite a while, rebuffing the very sweet waiter’s frequent offers for a refill. Once our glasses were empty and we had our fill of the view, we headed back to our room to sleep.

The next morning, we got an early start to fit in as much as possible on our last day in Canada. After a quick breakfast, we walked back down the path from the hotel to the falls and straight to the line for the Hornblower boat. They run every fifteen minutes, so we were able to get on-board fairly quickly. As we moved through the line, we were given short sleeved ponchos to protect against the spray of the falls. The boat was fairly full, with most of the crowd up top. We chose to stay on the bottom level. Once we got going, there wasn’t a bad view to be had: the first waterfall was to the left, the small skyline to our right, the second falls ahead of us and the bridge connecting the U.S. and Canada.

As we pulled up to the first set of falls, the wind brought the mist into the boat and we were soaked everywhere the poncho didn’t cover before long. Being that close to the falls was exhilarating, and the combination of morning fog, mist and circling birds made it feel like an Alfred Hitchcock film. The boat moved on and mike and I clung to the railing, taking in the views and approximately 1,000 photos. The second portion of Niagara Falls was a different experience entirely. The boat could only get so close because the current was strong, but we were certainly close enough to feel the force of it and, again, get soaked through. We weathered the spray to get a glimpse of the falls up close. It was one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever had the pleasure of beholding. No photo could do it justice, but I’ll try:

Everyone else on the boat was comically running back in forth, trying to get the best view and the best selfies. The boat stayed put for awhile, allowing everyone to take it all in. Once we started heading back, I kept my eyes fixed on the falls. Once we docked, Mike and I decided to check out the Journey Behind the Falls experience, which was on the other side, near the horseshoe. The tickets were sold within the welcome center, which also was the entrance to the experience. It started with a hallway of informational posters detailing the history of the falls, which led to the elevator down to the tunnels. Once off the elevator, we were handed two more ponchos and directed to an overlook that was positioned right next the falls.

It was the best view from the Journey Behind the Falls by far, as the other overlooks just included the running water passing over the holes in concrete walls that separated us and the waterfall. It was a cool experience, but perhaps not quite worth the entry fee, which was $14.

We got a quick, cheap lunch from the cafeteria and slowly, slowly made our way back to the hotel. We were due to check out at 1pm. The sun had finally come out, changing the water of Lakes Ontario & Erie from dark gray to a brilliant turquoise. It was absolutely stunning. I stopped every couple of feet to take photos, which made our progress back to the hotel even slower. I found it so hard to leave, but we had to head home. Niagara Falls will forever be one of my favorite views of all time.

Have you ever been to Niagara Falls? Were you on the American side or the Canadian Side?

Top Five Friday #25

On November 3, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Top Five Friday, Travel TipsLeave a comment

In Flight Comfort Essentials

There are few things I enjoy more than cuddling up in a window seat en route to an exciting destination. I’m pretty easy to please and don’t need much, but there are a few key items I require to be comfortable on a flight (my in flight comfort essentials, if you will). Due to it being almost that wonderful, magical holiday season, I thought now would be a good time to share them to provide some gift ideas for the frequent travelers in your life. So, without further ado, here are my must-have items to be my utmost comfy on airplanes:

A Good Book: I love to read, I know I’ve made that plenty clear on this blog. Lately, I’ve been reading a lot of non-fiction but my favorite thing to read on a flight is a captivating novel. For me, it’s one of the things that makes a long-haul flight more enjoyable. If you’re in need of a good suggestion, of course I am ready and able to provide a few: 1. Night Film by Marisha Pessl 2. The Goldfinch by Donna Tart, 3. The Red Book by Deborah Copaken Kogan 4. Horns by Joe Hill
A Blanket Scarf: It may be overplayed, but a blanket scarf is truly one of the things I will not fly without. I mean come on, it’s a scarf that doubles as a blanket for when your on a short flight that doesn’t provide blankets or your neighbor stole yours or you need an extra. It’s great, and it makes the flight so much cozier.
Comfy Sweats: I am most certainly one of those people that wear sweats/leggings on planes and I am not at all ashamed. If I have to sit for that long in one chair, you better believe I’m going to be wearing stretchy bottoms. We actually came across a really cozy brand when we were in Toronto that I’m a little obsessed with now, Roots Canada. No matter the brand, sweatpants are a must.
Solid Snacks: No matter how long the flight is, snacks are necessary. I also need lots of gum because my ears pop and the gum helps (this could be a myth, but it’s always worked for me). As far as snacks go, I prefer granola bars, Shock Tarts, Chex Mix and white cheddar popcorn.
Headphones & A Good Playlist: When I need a break from reading, I need a good playlist to occupy my time. I don’t have fancy headphones (though I am in the market for some – like these), just the normal little earbuds, but they are essential for flights of any length. If you’re in need of a fantastic travel playlist, I’ve shared my favorites below: