I’ve been gathering so many great links for my upcoming NYC trip that I thought I’d share.
This video is in um… Portuguese? But you get the drift How to Buy a Metro Card
I’ve been practicing my technique whenever possible!
Very excited about our hotel!
I can’t wait until it’s Coney Island day!
I’ve found a site that features videos from the ever amazing, always chic Ines de la Fressange. I’ve been glued to them for hours a while as Ines shows us all her favorite spots and treats in Paris.
C’est tellement génial! Aimez-la!
When I was last in London the Shard was just being built. Next time I’m “in town” this is definitely on the list of where to go!
It’s worth it to plug-in your headphones to get the full immersive experience!
When we decided on New York for our family vacation I asked for a list of things each person wanted to do…
Empire State Building
Lunch at Les Halles
Rockefeller Center & Top of the Rock
See a Yankee Game
Shop at Supreme (Gavin)
Have photo taken with The Wall Street Bull (Kellen)
A day at Coney Island
Natural History Museum
Have an authentic New York Pastrami Sandwich
Picnic in Central Park
Check out Grand Central Terminal
Dinner in Little Italy
Visit 911 Memorial
I must say, this is why I love planning trips so much! Scouring the Internet for places to go and see and things to eat! Very excited!
If your friend travels frequently, or is planning a trip in the near future why not stock them up with all those travel sizes that are essential for plane travel.
Start with an inexpensive quart size make-up bag and fill with as many travel size goodies you can squeeze in. Lip balm, hand sanitizer, pain reliever, travel candle, eye mask, snacks and, my favorite, Loo-Pourri air freshener! Essential on a long flight, am I right?
For more info on the products in this post click here!
Okay enough of the re-blogging stuff! I did throw in a few new recipes though.
I’d like you to meet Carol Gillott! She’s the painter, traveler and Francophile who writes the most superb blog Paris Breakfast
Carol bounces around Paris with her trusty camera and long-suffering mascot Bear, snapping pictures of shop windows and street fashion. If you want to know what’s going on in Paris, what to wear or are planning a trip there Paris Breakfast is the place to start.
Her paintings are fantastic, go check out her wonderful watercolors!
It’s always fun to read Carols adventures, especially when I recognize someplace she’s writing about. Makes me get the travel bug big time!
So go check out Paris Breakfast and have a macaroon or two while you’re there!
All pictures by Carol Gillott
After lunch and, a visit with the “Emperor”, I guided my husband down a narrow alley in Chinatown for a special treat.
“Uh, where are we going again?”
“It’s just this way, c’mon you’ll love it!”
“Ohhhh Kaayyy”
Finally we ducked into a tiny, I mean teeny tiny, shop, and the owner greeted us like he’d been waiting for us. We had arrived to see The Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory!
The machines clanked and whirred and the ladies operating them did so at lightening speed. The owner grabbed a still warm cookie from the press and offered us a taste. Fresh fortune cookie is a revelation, guys!
The next day we had brunch a Yank Sing.
The nice ladies bring carts with all manner of tiny baskets full of pretty things to eat and it’s so hard to not want to try everything!
After, we waddled (literally) down the street to Embarcadero, where we took in the splendid bay views.
Then we crossed over to the Ferry Building. It was a shame we had already eaten because it’s food heaven there! We did go back for lunch the next day though.
You know, this might have to continue into a part three. I still have so many things to tell you about! Okay, till next time. Stay tuned!
It’s one of our favorite cities! I suspect we could go back every year and not do the same things twice. This time we revisited a few of our favorite places plus had a few new adventures.
We treated our selves by hiring a car for the drive from the airport. You know the guys in suits and shades who hold the signs with people’s names on the card? So cool!
I should have made our driver pose for a cheesy thumbs up photo. Alas I didn’t want to ruin the “I’m pretty cool!” vibe of having a driver.
We stayed at the Sir Frances Drake Hotel near Union Square
Jef and I love the historic location and were very well taken care of.
Our favorite place at the hotel was the bar in lobby where, after an afternoon of site-seeing, we had a lovely beverage made by the charming bartender.
First thing we do upon arrival in San Francisco is high-tail it to Chinatown and our favorite lunch spot.
The Far East Cafe is.. okay, can I be honest? It’s pretty touristy, being right on Grant Ave and the food is American style Chinese. I’ll wager it’s not terribly authentic as far as Asian cuisine goes.
But guess what? I don’t care! The proprietor himself greets you with a big smile as you walk in and seats you right away.
The atmosphere is everything a Chinatown restaurant should be, combined with a nice cold Tsingtao beer and a big plate of something fried and covered in sweet and sour saucy stuff…that’s my idea of a great start in San Francisco!
After lunch, if you’re very lucky you could meet the Emperor of Grant Ave.
He likes a nice scratch behind the ear.
More SFO in a bit, stay tuned!
San Francisco is about 10 to 15 degrees cooler than Eugene in the summer. It was weird packing jeans and sweaters and jackets, I had a few doubts along the way, but I put my faith in the forecast and did it.
So, happy I did! The mornings were chilly, afternoons sunny but not too hot, and the evenings were perfect.
The best thing I had this trip was my big fat leather tote bag. I could take off my sweater and stow it away and still have room for lots of souvenirs, plus a picnic lunch. I’ve nicknamed this bag the Tardis!
Is the summer travel bug not gone yet?
The ever clever Wendy from Wendy’sLookBook has an excellent video on packing for warm weather!
