Today I have a guest post from a recent friend, Sue Henly.  Sue and I met at a travel event, and charmed me with her Australian accent.  I think she’ll charm you with her writing as well.
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In the soft grey light of early morning, we sit quietly on a bamboo mat, wicker baskets of sticky rice beside us, across from a shuttered colonial mansion heavy with bougainvillea.  Birds chatter in the flame trees until a gong sounds, momentarily startling them into silence.
Around a corner, dozens of barefoot monks and novices appear in a swish of saffron, golden bowls hanging …read more

Serving up steaks to Portland (Oregon) residents since 1944, the RingSide has been continuously owned by the Peterson family for over 60 years.  The restaurants has received award from local and national wine, fine dining, and steakhouse organizations.  Portland residents frequently list it as one of their top special occasion restaurants.
While smoking at the restaurants is a thing of the past, enjoying their great steaks is not.  With two locations, downtown at  2165 West Burnside and Glendoveer at 14021 NE Glisan, RingSide is not far from wherever you are in the Portland area.
Do you have a matchbook that you’ve …read more

When I’m on the road there never seems to be enough time to follow all my favorites travel bloggers, let alone find new ones.  This week, with travels to Las Vegas for five days, followed by a quick trip to Dallas,  was one of those weeks!
Here’s some posts you won’t want to miss:
The New York City Traveler combines two of my favorite food groups, bacon and beer, in his post about a limited production beer at the Brooklyn Brewery.  Another reason to make the trek across the bridge!
Nerds Eye View takes us along her road trip – in a …read more

Food expenses are a major budget consideration when planning your vacation, and while you can’t eliminate the expense, there are lots of things you can do to keep it as low as possible.  Here are some ideas to keep in mind:
Book accommodations that have a kitchen.  Whether it’s staying at a condo, an extended-stay property, or maybe just a room with a coffee maker and refrigerator, these will all presents ways to help you save on food expenses.  With a full kitchen you can stock up on supplies so that you’re not dining out for every meal, while still keeping …read more

It’s been a busy week of travel for me, with overnights in Vancouver BC and Chicago, but I still managed to find some great travel posts to share with you this weekend.
Velvet Escape tackles the weighty topic of. . . refrigerator magnet.  I love them!  And now, I think I’ll start a collection of my own.
The Paris Traveler shares a whiff of the Paris exotic with information about how to get your very own custom French fragrance.  What a delightful, and practical memory of a great vacation.
The Trends explain about a sort of reverse pick-pocketing going on in London.  Instead …read more

Today’s matchbook comes from reader Jeff Williams.  Jeff runs the website Matchbook Traveler, and attempts to keep travelers up to date about places where you can still pick up matchbooks.  With our ever increasing No Smoking world, those locations are getting fewer and fewer, but Jeff manages to list a pretty good selection of spots.
Like me, Jeff enjoys using matchbooks as a bit of a souvenir of a special place and occasion.  He’s provides this matchbook from the Twin Oaks Restaurant in Cranston, Rhode Island.  Back in the 70’s this was considered one of the top restaurants in the state, …read more

I’ll be heading off to Las Vegas tomorrow, and exploring the family-friendly side of Sin City.  While the city once promoted itself as a family-friendly destination, it has long since abandoned that idea, and has had great success (and fun) with “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.”
With so many families wishing to vacation close to home this year, and often trying to find a destination that keeps both adults and kids satisfied, Las Vegas seems to be cropping up as destination that’s starting to appeal to families once again.
Las Vegas offers bargains galore, on food and accommodations, has shows …read more

Another iPhone app that I’ve discovered!  And you know how I love my apps.  This one is handy for use at home and while traveling, and appeals to the foodie and wine lover in me.
The new Drinks Matcher, from Nat Decants, is a combination wine sommelier and bartender, all in the convenience of your smart phone.  You can quickly choose a wine whether you’re sitting at a restaurant, lounging poolside, or shopping at the supermarket or liquor store.  Since the app doesn’t require an internet connection, you can even use it when you’re dining on the patio and some …read more

Today I have a guest post from travel blogger, foodie, new friend, and South Florida resident, Katherine Lynch.  Katherine and I had the chance to meet in Miami last month, and I loved hearing about all the great good choices in that area.
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I keep hearing it over again  – relaxation is what your body needs. Nourishment, renewal and balance are so important, yet I often put them on the end of my list of things to do. It’s almost like a need to force myself to do those things. When it’s time to focus on some self-love, it’s time …read more

It seems like there are certain constants no matter where you happen to be.  No matter how far I go, it seems that I can’t escape McDonald’s and its golden arches.
Needing a bit of a stretch break, along with wanting some coffee and a bit of nourishment for the road, our band of travelers stopped at the “ristop” just off the autostrada (A-1) south of Milan.
I’m not a McDonald’s kind of gal.  No apologies – it’s just not my fast food preference.
Fortunately for me, right next to the burger and fries counter was a wonderful selection of pastries, paninis …read more