Washington Harbor, Washington DC, US Travel

Washington, D.C. – Part 2

On March 2, 2016March 2, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn solo travel, US Travel, Washington, D.C.2 Comments

On my second full day in Washington, D.C., I awoke early to start another busy day. My first stop was Founding Farmers, a farm-to-table restaurant downtown. I ordered the strawberries and cream waffle with a side of sausage and a latte to round it out. The food was delicious and fresh and the staff was really friendly. I ate every little bit of my meal, and it was the perfect amount to give me the energy to walk around for the rest of the day. I intended to head straight to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial, but I took a slight detour to the Renwick Gallery. I had passed it the day before and the line was down the block; this time there was no line so of course I couldn’t not go in. This gallery also had free admission, as it is an extension of The National Gallery.

Once inside, the woman at the information desk handed me a guide and sent me on my way. Each of the 9 featured artists had their own separate room for their installation, and I walked through them all in awe. The installations were beyond gorgeous and each had its own thought-provoking message. My favorite was “In the Midnight Garden” by Jennifer Angus, which was made mostly of insects a la 7^th grade bug collection.

I also really loved Janet Echelman’s colorful piece in the main room upstairs which consisted of a colorful net strung up from the ceiling.

Once I spent a sufficient time admiring each room, I headed out into the sunny day and walked towards the U.S. Holocaust Memorial.

The Holocaust Memorial was obviously a very emotional experience. I choked up immediately upon entering the actual museum, and had to run into the bathroom to fix my face. Everyone walked through the museum in silence. There were three levels that moved seamlessly in chronological order. It took about two hours to make it through, and it was heart wrenching, but also informative. I certainly left with a different perspective and gratitude. Next, I went to the National Air and Space Museum to see the Amelia Earhart exhibit. The whole museum is very impressive.

There are airplanes and miscellaneous space ships and equipment everywhere – hanging from the ceiling, coming out of the walls, stretching from floor to ceiling. Amelia is one of my favorites and I was surprised to see her exhibit was relatively small compared to others. It was still great though. I also really liked the Time and Navigation Exhibit, which detailed compasses and GPS technology in all its stages. I wandered around the museum, peaking at things that caught my interested, like walking through the full sized Space Station and The Wright Brothers exhibit. Then I moved on to the Library of Congress. The outside of the Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library is gorgeous, much like most of the other buildings in DC, but the inside is stunning.

I viewed the jealousy-inducing reading room from above and checked out Thomas Jefferson’s personal Library, as well as the Civil Rights exhibit right next to it. I couldn’t get over how beautiful the ceiling and walls were. I spent most of my time in the library looking up. By then, my stomach was telling me it was time to move on to We, The Pizza just down the street. I wanted to go there because it’s owned by Spike Mendelsohn, one of my favorite contestants on Top Chef. Sadly, he wasn’t there, but I did thoroughly enjoyed my sausage and sweet pepper pizza. The restaurant was really cute, with the pizzas all lined up in front and a large seating area upstairs.

From there, I walked the few blocks to Folger’s Shakespeare Library, where I had just missed the last tour of the day. The section that was open to the public without a tour was interesting, but small. I’d say it’s worth visiting IF

you do the tour or if you get tickets to see a play in the beautiful theater there. I took a cab back to the hotel to pick up my luggage and check into the hostel where I was staying that night. The Hosteling International DC was just a short walk away, and the lovely front desk staff checked me into my private room (shared bathroom). I noticed that the hostel offered nightly group activities, which I unfortunately had to decline but it did look like a good time! I took the bus to Georgetown, which was about thirty minutes away. I was trying to do some off-the-beaten path things in DC, but it seemed that I was stuck firmly on the path. Oh well, they’re popular for a reason. I got off the bus at M street and found myself in a very ritzy area. Shops like Banana Republic, Tory Burch and Lululemon lined the streets. It
reminded me of the Gold Coast back in Chicago. I

waltzed around a bit, stopping into Olivia Macaron to grab a latte and a champagne macaron. The macaron was delicious and the coffee kept me warm as I continued to wander. The small macaron shop was kiddie corner from Georgetown Cupcakes, a bakery made famous by TLC. I didn’t go in. I worked at a cupcake place in college and haven’t

been able to stomach them since. The houses in Georgetown were beautiful and I had fun admiring them as I walked. I wanted to make my way to Washington Harbor so I walked down Wisconsin Street towards the water. There were some cute stores along the way that I’ve not seen back home, including Redz Trading thrift store and American/Holiday, which had cute clothes, jewelry, and housewares. As I walked towards the harbor, the sun bean to set and once I arrived at the Potomac River, the sky was a mixture of blue, orange and pink. There were restaurants and a skating rink at the harbor, but I walked along the river instead of partaking in them. I had planned on going to Right proper Brewing for Dinner, so I walked along the river and then up through the George Washington University campus to get to the metro.

The ride was quick and the brewery was close to the train stop, however, when I arrived I realized it was closed for a private event. I was pretty bummed because I was looking forward to trying a local brewery, but I moved on anyways. Shaw’s Tavern was one block away, so that is where I ended up. The restaurant featured upscale bar food and a lively atmosphere. I ordered a DC Brau Public Ale and the Shaw’s Burger.

It turned out to be trivia night there, so I stayed and listened to the questions. The beer and burger were so perfect and the bar crowd was full of good vibes. I decided to walk home from there, which was a bit of an unnerving experience. However, I did arrive safely, albeit very sore and tired from walking all day. I showered in the public girl’s bathroom, which was clean enough, with thin curtains separating the showers from each other. When I finally lay down on the bed to read, I realized that it squawked every time I moved even a tiny bit. This set the tone for the rest of the evening; I didn’t get very much sleep, especially because I very stupidly got to thinking about the movie the Babadook (have you seen it? Don’t watch it, it’s scary). Anyways, the next morning I opted out of the complimentary hostel continental breakfast and walked over to Astro Doughnuts.

Mapple Bacon Doughnut - Astro Doughnuts.jpg

It was rainy and cold, but luckily it was a short walk. I got a maple bacon doughnut and a coffee and sat under the awning to enjoy it. The doughnut was a perfect combination of sweet and salty. It was so good. The rest of the morning was a chain of unsuccessful attempts to see one more thing before leaving. Everything was closed, not reopening until it was time for me to head to the airport or under construction until 2017 (thanks a lot Trump). So I wound up at Momfuku Milk Bar for some of their famous crack pie and yet more coffee. The pie was aptly named and so delicious. It was sweet and caramel-y and almost too rich to finish, not that I didn’t.

Soon it was time to check out from the hostel and take the blue line to DCA. It took only 30 minutes to make the trip, only to be delayed for three hours. By the time we finally boarded, there were only twenty people who waited it out. On the other side of the flight, I took a different blue line back home, happy to be home but grateful for a fantastic trip.

Thank you, DC, for a wonderful time!

Have you been to Washington, D.C.? Where was your favorite place there?

Washington, D.C. – Part 1

On February 27, 2016February 28, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn solo travel, US Travel, Washington, D.C.9 Comments

I arrived at O’Hare obscenely early as per usual; I’m always early. I was afraid there would be a long line for security (there wasn’t), so I wound up sitting at a bar near my gate with a mimosa, a full hour before I was due to board.

The plane landed twenty minutes ahead of schedule and it took me forty minutes and two trains (one yellow and one red) to reach Dupont Circle. I was to walk to my hotel from there. Unfortunately, I walked to the wrong one. Who knew there were two Courtyard Marriotts within twenty minutes from each other? Once I was checked into the correct hotel, I quickly changed out of my plane clothes and headed back out. The National Geographic Museum was just around the corner from the hotel, so I figured it was a good place to start. The museums was housed in a large building emblazoned with National Geographic Society above the doors.

The entry fee was $15 and there were three main exhibits. One was The Photo Ark, which included many photos different species of animals, many of which had been endangered at some point in time. Another exhibit featured the history and lives of Crocodilians with live reptiles and interactive croc facts. The last was ocean related and included photography and videos from numerous deep sea exhibitions. The museum was very visually appealing, but I wish there was a little more to see. The exhibits were beautiful and informative though, and there was a great gift shop. From the museum, I walked back over to Dupont Circle to check out Kramerbooks & Café. They had a great selection and unique layout (plus a lot of travel books which you know I loved!). I ended up getting an Anthony Bourdain book because I couldn’t help myself. Though I could have browsed for a few more hours at least, my stomach was telling me it was time for dinner, so I headed down the brown stone lined Q Street towards Le Diplomate. This French restaurant was everything I wanted it to be.

The beautifully lit atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Despite being decidedly less fancy than the other patrons, I felt 100% at home. I ordered the Scallops Nicoise and stuck with water to cut costs, their wine list was quite expensive. A bread basket appeared soon after I placed my order, which I dug right into (the cranberry bread was delicious!). I happily read “Medium Raw” until my meal arrived and I could no longer concentrate on anything other than the scallops. They sat atop a bed of orzo, tomatoes, onions and peas, with a pesto sauce underneath. It was a lemony and salty and the scallops were perfectly cooked. I loved it so much. When the waiter came back, I could only nod in blissful silence as he removed my now empty plate from the table. After I had paid and left, I walked around the area for a while, taking in the pretty houses and cheerful restaurants.

Eventually I wandered back to Kramerbooks, this time to try the café. I ordered a glass of wine and a slice of apple crumble pie, which they served with 2 spoons, making me miss Mike instantly. The pie was good and I enjoyed it on their covered porch. Once I was
thoroughly stuffed with pie, I walked back to the hotel. I was feeling a little melancholy on my first night in this new city, so I felt the best way to remedy this was a bubble bath and to make big plans for the next day. I started early, leaving the hotel at 8:30am and hopped on the blue line towards the Eastern Market. When I arrived, the market wasn’t quite bustling enough yet, so I grabbed an iced latte from Pelegrine Coffee and walked around the neighborhood. Fortunately, I ran into the Capitol Hill location of Ted’s Bulletin, a restaurant I really wanted to try. One may be a loneliest number, but it is certainly a convenient one when trying to be sat at a popular breakfast restaurant on a Sunday Morning. At my tiny table for one, I ordered coffee, bacon, hash browns and a salted caramel (homemade) pop tart, on the waiter’s recommendation. The “Ted Tarts” are what drew me to the restaurant in the first place, so I was very excited to try it. The bacon and hash browns were pretty run of the mill, but the ted tart was amazing. The outside was flakey and delicious and the filling was rich and caramel-y. It went with the coffee perfectly and I relished every bit.

After I finished, I walked back to the market, which was a little livelier at that point. I love rummaging, so the flea market portion was exactly what I wanted it to be. There were knickknacks, art, antiques, clothing, and food stalls both inside and outside. Inside the market building, there were butchers, fruit stands, bakeries, and fresh flowers. Locals and tourists alike were doing their grocery shopping and haggling over steaks and dozens of baked goods.

Capitol Hill Books stood next to the market and I was drawn inside by its front window, which was literally stacked with books. The inside of the shop was no different. The shelves were chock-full of books, stacked every which way, but somehow still organized. It was two levels of systematic chaos with nooks for reading and a great used book selection. I was particularly drawn to their Graham Greene selection, which required patience and a balancing act to get through.

I was only a twenty minute walk from the National Mall and the Smithsonian Museums, so I headed that way. The first thing I came upon (that was open on a Sunday) was the U.S. Botanical Gardens, so I went in. One of the best things about D.C. is that all of the Smithsonian Museums and Galleries and all of the Monuments are free. The Botanical Gardens was no exception. The gardens were split into categories, my favorites were the orchids and the desert plants. It really is a gorgeous place to walk around.

As soon as I started to head towards the Mall, it started pouring. Luckily, I was very near to the National Gallery, which is where I sought shelter from the rain. What a beautiful place to spend a rainy afternoon! I’m no art buff, but I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the galleries. Needless to say, the artwork was breathtaking and the building itself was gorgeous. I especially loved the Van Gogh paintings, as well as this painting by Hendrik Willem Mesdag:

One of the museum guides pointed me in the direction of sculpture garden, so that is where I headed next. It was a fun walk through, with a cute café and ice rink at the center. I made my way through, stopping to take in each sculpture. Once I came to the end, I walked down the street to the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of American History. One of the benefits of free museum admissions is that you can pick and choose which exhibits you see without feeling like you have to see every single one because you didn’t pay for them. At the Museum of Natural History, I very much enjoyed the dinosaur exhibit and the “Wilderness Forever” photography exhibit that showed many of the National Parks. At the American History Museum, many of the exhibits were closed for renovations unfortunately. However, I did love the First Lady exhibition, which featured fashions and facts about the nation’s great women. The National Mall is just beyond the Smithsonian Museums, so I kept walking towards the Washington Monument.

From the top of the hill where it sits, I took in the city sights, and got my first glimpse of the Lincoln Memorial. However, by the time I made it over there (it’s a deceptively far walk) I was hungry and getting crabby. I had been walking for hours at this point, which really is the best way to see a city, but also builds up an appetite. There were no
restaurants to be seen, so I settled for a hot dog from one of the nearby refreshment stands. After I stuffed my face, I climbed the marble steps to see Abe. The upside of travelling to D.C. in the slow season is there aren’t as many tourists, however the downside, for me at least, was that a lot of things were under construction to be ready for the summer. For example, the reflecting pool was drained, the World War II Monument was under construction, some of the exhibits were roped off, the list goes on. Luckily, I had seen some of these attractions the first time I was in D.C. in 8^th grade, when our teachers dragged us to every single memorial and monument, our disposable cameras in hand. This time around, I was taking pictures with my iPhone, having strangers get a few shots with me in them. The Lincoln Memorial was humbling and inspiring. I walked around the top, taking in the view from all angles. This was one of the things I really didn’t want to miss, so I’m glad I was able to see Mr. Lincoln.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and FDR Memorial were just a little ways away, so that’s where I headed next. The MLK Jr. Memorial was simple but moving, including only a statue carved in stone and a single quote on the side: “Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.”

I moved on down the path to the FDR Memorial, which was recommended to me by Rebecca of Curiosity and a Carry On. It was one of my favorites of the day, being less crowded and peaceful. There were quotes and statues throughout the memorial, including a statue of Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt (the only one dedicated to a first lady). Unfortunately the supposedly beautiful fountains were turned off for the season, but I still very much enjoyed wandering through the memorial. My favorite FDR quote was: “In these days of difficulty, we Americans everywhere must and shall choose the path of social justice… the path of faith, the path of hope, and the path of love towards our fellow man.”

I walked back to the hotel from there, passing the gorgeous Eisenhower Executive Office Building, as well as the White House. It is awe-inspiring to walk through this city of such regal architecture. Everywhere I turned there was a gorgeous building with columns and flags, or a stately statue depicting men on horses or famous generals. It made each walk an adventure in itself.

Once I got back to the hotel, I showered and rested up for a night out in Adams Morgan, which was described to me as a hip, up and coming area. My first stop was Smash Records, a punk record store, where I bought Mike a Bad Brains (a famous DC punk band) Album and browsed their small selection of soul records.

From there, I moved over to Idle Time Bookstore. This dual level used books store has a great selection of used books and gifts and a friendly staff. I browsed through their shelves for a while before rushing off to catch the happy hour specials at Mandu. Mandu is a Korean restaurant, and they have happy hour 7 days a week from 4pm-7pm that offers half priced beer, wine, sojutinis and mandu dumplings. I ordered an assortment of the dumplings, 2 each of pork, shrimp and vegetable. They were pan-fried and so scrumptious. My entrée was chap chae, potato noodles with vegetables and beef. It came with a mound of something interesting on top, and when I asked the waiter, he confirmed my worst fears: eggs. I calmly scraped them to the side and dug into the delicious noodle dish, which was served with traditional Korean condiments. It was a pretty cheap dinner, thanks to the happy hour, so I decided to take myself out to a jazz bar I spotted back in Adams Morgan, called Columbia Station. At first, the bar was a little empty. The band, The Peter Edelman Trio, was on a break, but the bartender assured me they’d be playing until 1am.

I ordered a glass of wine, and he poured it up to the brim, which is precisely how I like it. It was quiet before the band started playing again, and I could hear the chef watching TV in the kitchen. Eventually though, once the music started, people filed in and the tables filled up. The Peter Edelman Trio are at Columbia Station weekly and I completely understand how they earned this regular gig.

They were fun and talented and what started out as a drums, saxophone and organ trio slowly morphed into a piano, drums, saxophone, clarinet and bass as the evening went on. New instruments magically appeared as the bar grew more crowded. Fast forward three glasses of wine and I’m making new friends at the bar and grooving to the music. I left there happy and tipsy, walking back down 18^th street, jazz riffs echoing in my brain.

My Current Bucket List

On February 17, 2016February 17, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel Goals, Travel Tips4 Comments

If you’re an avid traveler, chances are good that your bucket list is an ever-changing thing. I get it, it’s hard to nail down places you want to go in an orderly fashion when there is a constant stream of new options coming at you at light speed. It doesn’t take more than a pretty photograph or a good write up to make me when to set oof to whatever destination is being advertised. I suppose that’s what they mean when they say wanderlust. There are some constants, but the destinations on the low end of my travel bucket list get swapped out daily. If I had to choose, absolutely had to, my current travel bucket list would include the following:

Machu Picchu, Peru – Hopefully, I will be crossing this one off my list this year! I would love to spend a month or two exploring Lima, Cusco and hiking to Machu Picchu. Peru is such a beautiful country, and I can not wait to explore it.
Photo Courtesy of the Peru Travel Website
Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada – There are seriously no bad photos of this place. Every single one I see makes me want to jump in and climb those mountains. Banff National Park would be the perfect endpoint to a road trip across Canada.
Photo Courtesy of Canada’s National Park Website
Paris, France – Paris is always the dream, isn’t it? Not only is it a gorgeous, historic and cultural destination, but I would love to just eat cheese and baguettes and drink wine for every meal, always. I’ve been day-dreaming of getting a one way ticket and wandering around Paris until I’m good and ready to come home.
Photo Courtesy of The Paris Tourism Website
Halong Bay, Vietnam – Vietnam in general has fascinated me for a long time, and Halong Bay, specifically, is drawing me in. This beautiful paradise in the north of Vietnam seems like the perfect escape. Jungles, Caves, Cruises, Kayaking… I am in.
Photo Courtesy of The Halong Bay Tourism Website
Marrakech, Morocco – Ever since I read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho a few years ago, I have romanticized Morocco. It’s so colorful and different than any other place I’ve ever been. I want to try all of the cuisine, shop the markets and I’m determined to ride a camel. I need to go there actually, it’s a must.
Photo Courtesy of The Morocco Tourism Website
Copenhagen Denmark – Is there anything more charming than the architecture in Copenhagen? In fact, the whole city has me so enchanted, I feel like I should buy the plane ticket right now. The colorful buildings, the boats in the canal, the castles… sign me up!
Photo Courtesy of The Visit Copenhagen Website
Acadia National Park, Maine –I am a little bit obsessed with Maine. It looks so beautiful and I love seafood and I LOVE Stephen King (most of his stories are set in Maine). Acadia National Park is gorgeous and I’d love to set myself up in a cabin by the sea there and write.
Photo Courtesy of The National Park Service Website

I’m sure they’ll be different tomorrow, or joined by more choices, but for now I will continue to dream about them. Stay tuned for more bucket list ideas in a new installment on rebeccawanderlusting for Wanderlust Wednesday.

What destination is on your bucket list? How often do the destinations change?

14 Gifts for Your Travelling Valentine

On February 4, 2016February 7, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel Tips1 Comment

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching (11 more days, oh my!) which means it’s time to shower those you love with, well, more love. Last year, I happened to be away from home at this time, celebrating Valentine’s Day over FaceTime with Mike. He handled it very well and gave me the perfect Valentine’s Day gift to support my choice to travel, even if it meant spending the day apart. If you and/or your valentine happen to be of the nomadic variety, here are a few (14 to be exact) suggestions for tokens of your affection:

Vintage Postcards to stay in touch with while you’re apart. Bonus points if you include stamps! ($7 for the set)
Photo Courtesy of Amazon.com
FujiFilm Instax Mini Camera to add some whimsy to the no doubt endless amounts of photos they’ll be taking. ($70.00)
A Pretty Notebook to journal their adventures. ($19)
Photo Courtesy of Anthropologie.com
Scratch Off Map to chronicle the places you’ve been together, plus some fun home décor. ($36)
Photo Courtesy of UncommonGoods.com
A Toiletry Bag to help them carry the essentials. ($38)
Photo Courtesy of Flight001.com
A Book to keep them company on a long flight without you. ($10)
A Rollerball Version of Their Preferred Perfume to help them carry-on only with their favorite scent. ($20)
An iPad Travel Case to help them travel with information and style at their fingertips. ($13)
Photo Courtesy of Amazon.com
Luggage Tag to save time at baggage claim. ($10)
Photo Courtesy of Flight001.com
Shadow Box Frame to hold their plane tickets, train passes and polaroids. ($35)
Photo Courtesy of HipLittleSquares on Etsy.com
Cozy Socks to keep them comfy and warm on their travels. ($10)
Photo Courtesy of Stance.com
A Beautiful Scarf to liven up their outfits and keep them cozy on their flights. ($65)
Photo Courtesy of Aritzia.com
Solid Headphones to fill their head with music and drown out annoying passengers. Bonus points if you include a playlist. ($180)
Photo Courtesy of Amazon.Com
A Globe to help them map out their next adventure. ($129)
Photo Courtesy of UncommonGoods.com

Now that you have my best recommendations, go forth and make your better halves’ wandering hearts soar. Bonus points if you can sneak it into their luggage before they leave (unless it’s a bottle of wine in their carry-on). If you’re out a significant other, buy yourself all of these trinkets because, damn it, you deserve it. Happy Early Valentine’s Day!

What’s the best travel-related gift you’ve received? How or where do you plan on spending your Valentine’s Day?

Hiking by Candlelight

On January 20, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn US Travel, WisconsinLeave a comment

Last month, my parents asked me if I had any interest in going on a candlelit hike with them in Kettle Moraine State Park. Of course I said yes, it sounded so intriguing. So this past Saturday, the time came to take the Metra train out to Fox Lake and, from there, drive the 30 minutes north to Kettle Moraine.

I love Wisconsin. Life seems simpler and more genuine there (yeah, I know, we are all watching “Making a Murderer”, but don’t let that ruin the whole state for you, ok?) After the sun set, which happened as we drove, the temperature dropped a good ten degrees. We bundled up in the car before going out to brave the icy weather for the hike. At the start of the trail, there was a small lodge, surrounded by candles that were nestled into cylinders of ice.

The lodge offered some respite from the cold as well as hot chocolate and other goodies. Around back, a bonfire burned, warming people’s fingers and lending some more light to the area. Just beyond the hot chocolate house was the trail head, which was lined with twinkling lights. The trail itself cut through the forest and was lined down the middle with candles in white paper bags. It was fairly dark along the trail, save for the light coming from the interspersed candles. The snow crunched beneath our feet and cross-country skiers whizzed by us, headlamps lighting their way.

Favorite U.S. Hikes, RebeccaWanderlusting

One of my favorite things about getting out of the city and closer to nature is how crisp and clean the air is in the country. It smells so delicious, and I breathed as deeply as I could, despite the cold I was (and still am) sporting. About halfway through our walk, we came upon another bonfire, where we stood around to try and warm our freezing fingers. It seemed that all the other hikers and skiers were as happy to be there as we were and there was a nice sense of community, especially around the bonfires.

We moved on down the path and came to a little clearing in the trees where the half-moon shone brightly. It was an absolutely gorgeous evening and the candlelight added a whimsical touch. After about an hour’s walk, we reached the end of our hike. It really was a wonderful experience that I would absolutely recommend to anyone. The candlelit hikes go on through the end of February in different State Parks all across Wisconsin. You can find the complete schedule here.

After we left Kettle Moraine, we stopped by Holi Canoli in Elkhorn, WI. Their coal-fired pizza is so damn delicious. We had the Margherita pizza with prosciutto and kalamata olives paired with some Montepulciano wine. It was perfect. So, if you do find yourself catching one of the candlelit hikes in Wisconsin and it happens to be at Kettle Moraine State Park (the next one is on February 6), stop into Holi Canoli too, and you won’t be disappointed.

A big thank you to my parents for taking me along with them on what has become their yearly tradition. They are the original wanderlusters, and without their adventurous spirits I’d never be the travel-crazed woman I am today. So, thanks guys – for everything.

Frontier Airlines: A Review

On January 5, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel Tips, Trip Planning1 Comment

I booked our flight to San Francisco through Frontier Airlines, because….well, because it was cheap. All told, it was $160 round trip for each of us, which is a pretty good deal. I’ve flown with them once before and had a not so great experience, so this time I wanted to document the flight and see whether the great price is really worth the trouble. The last time I flew Frontier, it was to Salt Lake City in November 2014. That time, my flight was delayed over an hour because one of their flight attendants didn’t show up for work that day. To make it up to us, they gave us a $15 credit, which I didn’t have the opportunity to use because it expired three months later. This plus an unpleasant interaction with their customer service team when I had to change my return flight just left me with a bad overall experience. So although their tickets are cheap and they fly places that I want to go, it took me over a year to book with Frontier again. This time around, the flight was on time and the service was much better. Here’s the breakdown:

Pros:

The flight attendants were friendly and were all on time for work
The boarding process was quick, with the seats pre-assigned at check-in
Cheap airfare, especially when you catch a good sale
No muss, no fuss travel

Cons:

The luggage fees are almost as much as the cheap airfare
There are no free refreshments during the flight
The standard seating has very little leg room and there’s a fee to pick your seat ahead of time
The flyfrontier.com website is not very user-friendly and sometimes goes on the fritz

Tips:

Check your bags instead of carrying on (it’s $5 cheaper), and choose to do so ahead of time to save some money
Don’t pick your seat unless you are super choosey, they’re pretty good about putting you next to who you booked your flight with
Bring your own snacks and water so you don’t have to buy them on the plane

Overall, Frontier is a cheap way to get from point A to point B if you plan ahead and aren’t picky about where you sit. I wouldn’t book this airline if I was travelling outside the continental U.S. (they do offer flights to Mexico and The Caribbean), but it works just fine for short flights. In my humble opinion, it works best if you don’t have a set destination in mind and you book based on the sales that run frequently. I’d definitely do it again, if everything fell into place like it did for San Francisco. So, if the question is to fly Frontier or not to fly Frontier, flight time and budget should be your deciding factors.

Have you flown with Frontier before? What was your experience like? Is there another budget airline that you prefer?

26 in 26

On December 3, 2015December 3, 2015 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel Goals, Travel Tips3 Comments

My 26^th birthday is tomorrow, December 4. I will be entering into the mid-to-late twenties bracket of life. I feel pretty good about it, actually. I’m only having a quarter-life crisis every other day, and I’m trying not to question what I’m even doing with my life more than once a week. I’m kidding…mostly. I am really very grateful for everything I’ve been able to accomplish in the past year, with this blog, travelling, and other miscellaneous personal accomplishments. However, I am eager to do more this year. Maybe not more in volume, but more in the sense that I’m taking steps to put myself on the path I actually want to be on. Last year, I made myself a list of 25 things I wanted to achieve, and I did pretty okay I think. I missed a couple of things, like “go camping”, (which I really wanted to do but couldn’t fit it in anywhere) and “Chicago Boat Tour” (no excuse for this one, it’s literally just a CTA bus ride away), but I also accomplished more than I thought I would. I checked off “get published” with my short story in Sheriff Nottingham Holiday Harold, I went on my first ever solo road trip to North Carolina, I saw a concert I never would have picked for myself (aka – Metallic at Lollapalooza), and I got the opportunity to go to China for work. This year, the list is 26 items long of course, and I fully intend on completing each and every task on this one. After all, now that I’ve written about here, I’m holding
myself accountable to finish it. This year I want to write more fiction and more on travel, I want to go on more trips (even if they’re little ones), I want to read more, I want to do a cross-country Amtrak trip, learn French (Bonjour!) and so many other things. I’m hoping this will be a big year (though, I do say that every year…) and I promise to keep this little ol’ blog updated through it all.

In the immortal words of the Doors, “the time to hesitate is through”.

Cheers to 26!

Planning the Perfect Staycation

On November 4, 2015November 4, 2015 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel Tips, Trip Planning1 Comment

I firmly believe that it’s really important to explore your own city. It would be such a waste of a perfectly good destination if you didn’t. This is where the staycation comes into play. It’s a great way to get the feel of a relaxing vacation when you don’t have the time or funds for one. While travel is obviously something that I’m passionate about, I have a fondness for staycations and the vacation vibes they provide in between big trips. There are two ways to plan a fantastic staycation: 1.) think of yourself as a tourist in your own city and venture to unchartered territory (to you, anyways), or 2.) book a hotel with some sort of spa/pool facility, get yourself a good book and chilllllllll. When my boyfriend and I staycationed at The Freehand earlier this year (see staycation blog here), we chose the first option. We went to a popular restaurant we’d both never been to and wandered around the city, popping into bars and enjoying the River Walk. I have to say, staying downtown and enjoying the city lights and attractions definitely made me love Chicago even more than I already do. It’s about time we try the second option, but more on that later. Whichever option you choose, you are sure to have an amazing time and a whole new appreciation of your hometown. Plus, you get the added bonus of having the knowledge and experience to play concierge to your friends and family when they ask for accommodation or restaurant suggestions. Below are my best tips for planning the perfect staycation, take them as you will and let me know what you’re favorite staycation plans are in the comments!

Choosing the hotel: This is most likely your first step in planning your staycation. Base this decision on what kind of experience you’re looking for, i.e.- if you want to relax, book a hotel with room service, a pool and/or spa and a comfy bed, or if you want to explore, choose a hip hotel in the center of the action. If you live in a big city like I do, the options for hotels are endless and can get a little pricey. As I am not made of money, I usually check if there are any deals on LivingSocial or Groupon first.
Planning activities: Since you’re familiar with the lay of the land, I’m sure you already know exactly what you’d like to do. Choose something that you’ve always had on your hometown bucket list, but haven’t made time for yet. Maybe it’s finally caving in and checking out that city attraction all the tourists rave about, or seeing a play at the local theater or even trying out a trendy bar. If you aren’t planning on venturing out, make a spa appointment or check if your hotel has any special in-room features you can utilize.
Doing dinner: Whether you’re relaxing or exploring, you gotta eat. For the relaxing type – kick back in your hotel room with some room service or order delivery and eat it in your robe. If you’re feeling adventurous, go out to a restaurant featuring a style of cuisine you’ve never tried. Either way, order decadently and enjoy.
Sleeping in: I don’t really have a whole lot to say on this topic, other than, if you are staycationing, it’s imperative that you sleep in at least a little bit. Bonus points for you if you order breakfast in bed.
The morning after: Take your time in the morning and don’t rush to leave the hotel. Go for a dip in the pool, go out for breakfast, have a morning shopping spree… whatever you want! Squeeze every last bit out of this staycation, and don’t even think about checking out early.
Going back to reality: Of course returning from any sort of vacation is always rough, but since you were only a few miles from home, it should be easier to get back into the swing of things. Take the rest of the day to soak up all the good staycation vibes and go back into your weekly routine feeling refreshed and happy to know your city a little better.

Top Five Friday #6

On October 23, 2015December 1, 2015 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Tennessee, Top Five Friday, US TravelLeave a comment

Memphis Attractions

As you could probably tell from my previous blog posts, I’ve just returned from Memphis. Though my boyfriend and I only spent four days in this Southern city, we enjoyed our time there immensely. It truly is a magnificently musical city with history to spare. There were many aspects of Memphis that we really loved, but below are our top five favorite attractions:

Beale Street: Beale Street is the epitome of Memphis’s Blues music scene. Every bar down this strip has music pouring out of it. It’s one of the main attractions in Memphis and it certainly lives up to the hype. The street is completely lined with bars, gift shops, restaurants and clubs. We tried to stop into most places, and hit a lot of them. Our favorites were: Club 152 (really good music and cheap drinks), Absinthe Room (great second-story dive bar with billiards), King’s Palace Café Patio (home of the Beale Big Ass Beers and amazing Blues music), Rum Boogie Café (we had an excellent lunch here and the staff were awesome) and A. Schwab (a kitschy gift store with three levels of souvenirs).
Sun Studios: This recording studio/historic music icon was Mike’s favorite place that we visited in Memphis. A lot of amazing artists recorded here and add to its famous history; to name a few: Ike Turner, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Howlin Wolf…the list goes on. It’s still currently an active recording studio where many big musicians stop by (U2, Bob Dylan…). The tour is well worth the $13 and includes a history on the studio, information on its big musicians, and a glimpse of the actual recording studio, which still has all its original features. Our tour guide was amazing and full of fun facts about the studio and the musicians. The studio/museum is connected to a café and record/gift shop, which is worth a look around.
National Civil Rights Museum: Set in the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, this museum is too poignant to pass up. After you pay the $15 entrance fee, you start the tour with a short video outlining the purpose of the museum before heading through the exhibits. Each exhibit is purposeful and intriguing, and most are interactive as well. The museum is well laid out, taking you through the history of racial tension in America from the beginning. It does take quite a while to make it through the entirety of the museum and the boarding house across the street, which focuses on the life and motives of James Earl Ray. Plan to spend at least two hours here.
Stax Museum of American Soul Music: It is no secret that I’m a big fan of soul music, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that I instantly fell in love with this museum. The history of Stax Records is so rich, and the musicians connected with the company are too many to name (again, to mention a few: Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, Booker T and The MG’s…). The flow of the museum starts with a short film, and then moves through the exhibits, which range from the influence of Gospel Music in Soul to a video of Chaka Khan singing on Soul Train to Isaac Hayes’s custom gold Cadillac. The old recording studio is still intact, along with the original mixing console, and is preserved for your viewing pleasure. It really is worth it to check Stax out, I promise you’ll be glad that you did. (Entrance fee is $13.)
Mid-Town: I really wish we could have spent more time in this hip slice of Memphis. We had two great meals in this neighborhood: breakfast at Otherlands Coffee Bar, and lunch at The Beauty Shop. Both restaurants were a joy to be at, and both meals were phenomenal. We walked past cute shops and boutiques in this area and I really regret not exploring it more. We also heard from a couple of Memphis locals that this is the place to be for unique bars and restaurants away from downtown. Unfortunately for us, we received this advice too late in our trip. Oh well, all the more reason to go back, right?

If you’ve been to Memphis, what was your favorite place to visit? If you haven’t, what would be on your checklist to see there?

10 Tips for Planning a Trip from Scratch

On September 3, 2015September 25, 2015 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel Tips, Trip Planning1 Comment

Sometimes when the travel bug bites, you don’t feel pulled in any one direction. This can prove to be a fantastic opportunity. To plan a trip from scratch, meaning with no destination in mind, can be a beautiful thing. Picking a destination through throwing out a wide net and finding what deals are out there is a great way to start planning a trip you may not have been able to imagine before. I’ve tried this tactic a few times with amazing results. This is actually how I planned my trip to North Carolina earlier this summer. Below you can find my top ten tips for completely planning a trip from scratch:

Budget, Budget, Budget: This may be a boring first step, but it’s necessary. Set a budget for how much you want to spend on your airfare and hotels to help narrow your options. I’m not saying you should shoot for budget travel, but just try spend within your means or credit card limits.
Explore your options: Use the Kayak Explore function, or something like it, and see where you can go within your budget. You can put in your home airport and check flights to anywhere. Don’t rule out a road trip! Check mileage with google maps or try roadtrippers.com to help plan the ultimate road trip to wherever you choose.
See what each option has to offer: Once you have options, check out the attractions in the area to see which you find most appealing. I like to use Pinterest to have good visuals and links to the top lists of attractions in each list.
Check Transit: Another thing to check before making any decisions is your destinations transportation options. Is it a walkable city? Is there public transportation? Will you need to rent a car? And those are all things to think about budget-wise, as well.
Lodging: Check hotel prices in the area. I like to use Tripadvisor for reviews and pricing, but I also use websites like Livingsocial or Groupon to find any deals on hotel rooms. Trivago and TravelZoo also have good deals to be found.
Ulterior Lodging Options: If the hotel prices are too high for your budget, take a gander at Airbnb.com or check out if there are any hostels in the area. For me, hostels are always a great budget option with great locations.
Book it!: Once everything fits the way you want it to (locations, prices, attractions), start booking! I usually book airfare, then hotel and finally choose any additional events or attractions (tours, boat cruises…) later on.
Take note: Be sure to write down all of your important dates and times, as well as cancellation dates to avoid charges should you need to cancel any portion of your travels. Having all the details in one place will help you keep organized.
Loose Itinerary: Make a rough plan of things you want to do while you’re there. You should make sure to take note of any special events happening in the area or days certain attractions may be closed.
ENJOY!: You planned this whole trip from start to end and you deserve to enjoy every minute of it. Don’t forget to relax and take in all the amazing details. You earned it.

Have you tried this before? Where did you go?