Destination D.C.

March 30, 2016 Allison Graham

Washington D.C. is one of my favorite towns. Beautiful architecture, clean, close proximity to Georgetown, and a fabulous running spot. My first few trips to D.C. were spent running the Mall, then to Arlington National Cemetery, out to the monuments and circling back around the White House. I was trying to gauge where everything was and thought this was the best way to do it. I was right!

Grab your camera and walk- walk everywhere, you won't believe how much exercise you get. Walking will also lead you to the all the other buildings not on your list of to-dos. The history and beauty of this city is extraordinary. D.C. is a weekend trip-2 to 3 days top, I like to look at long weekends to come and visit.

Museums: *Fun Fact, if you are looking to get your money's worth--check out the Smithsonian Museums; most of them are free and opened daily except December 25!

These are some of my favorites I've been to:

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum:
International Spy Museum: This is right near China Town, so maybe plan to grab dinner after going. My favorite part is the Evil Villain quiz: Shows you how you rack up amongst Bond Villains.
National Museum of Natural History
National Air & Space Museum
National Museum of American History
National Museum of African American History & Culture (this was being built my last trip)

Monuments & Musts:

The White House: You must see the White House from both the front and the back! From the front it is gorgeous, from the back it is WOW! You can continue to walk from the White House to the National Mall.

United States Capitol: When standing on the opposite end of the boulevard, you will see the Washinton Monument perfectly centered between the Capitol Building.

National Mall: This is a 2 mile, tree-lined boulevard with monuments and memorials. Consisting of The Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson, Martin Luther King, Jr, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Also included Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, The National World War II Memorial and the Korean War Veterans Memorial.

Washington Monument
Arlington National Cemetery

Veteran's Day 2014, Heading towards the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

There are obviously many great times of year to visit DC. It is a walking city, so pay attention to the weather. In the spring, you enjoy the beautiful Cherry Blossoms, and in the fall, if you plan accordingly, Veteran's Day is a great time to be here.

Hotels:

Intercontinental The Willard: Extravagant entryway with high ceilings, and ornate detailing. You will think of a different time. This hotel is a 6 minute walk to the White House, 0.9 miles to the National Mall, and 2 miles from the Lincoln Memorial. Do enjoy a cocktail at the Round Robin & Scotch Bar, which remains a lively meeting place.
Watergate: Newly renovated iconic riverfront hotel with a luxurious rooftop bar.
W Hotel: Modern interior, located next to the Willard just blocks away from the White House. Cosmopolitan lobby bar with a great rooftop bar: POV.
Four Seasons: 5 star, 5 diamond luxury hotel nestled in Georgetown. Unparalleled service as you can expect with the Four Seasons. OfferingBourbon Steak, Seasons, and the ENO Wine Bar restaurants on site.

Washington D.C. can be a pretty pricey place to stay, so I suggest looking at where you can use or earn points. I've stayed at even the Hilton Garden Inn downtown once, because there was a huge convention in town, and it was fine. Other notable hotels to mention: The Hay-Adams & The Jefferson.

Bars:

POV rooftop bar at the W Hotel has a fantastic view of the White House, just make sure to be dressed up a bit-not super fancy, but smart casual.
Rí Rá Irish Pub in Georgetown is a fun spot to drop into after some shopping or to catch a football game.
Along this street there are plenty of fun pubs to stop into. I just love my Irish Pubs!
Round Robin & Scotch Bar, as mentioned earlier, located in the Willard Hotel. (Intercontinental)

Restaurants:

Café Milano: Spent my first anniversary at this Italian Restaurant. For a lively atmosphere, I recommend the downstairs, but for a romantic night out head upstairs.
Jardenea: High-end American Menu, located at the Melrose Georgetown Hotel.
Old Ebbitt Grill: This is an iconic tavern with an American menu. Yes, this is a bit of a tourist trap, but it's also kind of a must--plan on grabbing a bite before or after your visit to the White House. *If you go next door, you can get your picture taken in the "Oval Office" it's pretty fun if you like to goof-off.. I don't. I'm super serious.
In DC Proper head to China Town, maybe even catch a Washington Capitals game!
Sushi: Sushi Capitol, Sushi Taro, and Kotobuki (this is a bit of a drive, on the 2nd floor)
Rose's Luxury & Pineapple and Pearls, new hot spot by chef Aaron Silverman.

Brunch Extras: You must go to Georgetown. It's such a fun, vibrant town with shops, restaurants, and pubs. Favorite outdoor brunch area is Sequoia, but there are several restaurants in that area, and from there you can hit up some shopping.

I hope you enjoy D.C. as much as I do. It's a very active, healthy and naturally beautiful town. Enjoy the outdoors, take lots of photos, and learn about the history of our great country!

Until Next Time, Safe Travels!

"Land of the Free and Home of the Brave!"

Block Island, A Slice of Heaven

March 28, 2016 Allison Graham

With the summer coming up, I’m going to dedicate a few extra posts to the gorgeous East Coast! I am biased-since i’m a girl from the 603, but there is no better place in the world to visit in the summer than New England.

Kick back, enjoy the ocean, cookouts, and weekend getaways to Cape Cod, Block Island, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, or the Hamptons. Growing up, the Cape was my love. A very big love. I enjoyed day trips to the Vineyard and was lucky enough to have good friends in Edgartown-which might be one of my favorite spots and I highly recommend.

My husband loves Block Island, and I am now fortunate enough to vacation here in the summer. As i’ve mentioned, in my “About Me” section, we have two maltipoos—They LOVE BLOCK ISLAND.

If you are looking to disconnect from the world, this is your spot. Unlike many different vacation destinations that have become over populated and built up—this is the opposite. You can either take a 10 minute flight from Westerly, RI or Cape Air (via Hyannis) or you can take a ferry from Pt. Judith, Newport, or Fall River. In the summer, having the option to go to Montauk as well. Just like Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, there is a high speed and traditional speed ferry. Dogs are allowed on all modes of transit FYI!

To protect the land on Block Island, they have made it so your house must only be 4% of your land. So, think Ireland in the states. From any house on the island, you see land… not into your neighbor's house. Green grass, stone walls, blue ocean, blue skies… it's a Slice of Heaven! Block Island is the perfect relaxing island. The small airport does not allow private jets— which means, we don’t get the crazy.. in your face money and also no golf courses.

Am I painting a picture?—it’s perfection. Very low key: the opposite of a pretentious spot. The Nature Conservatory added Block Island to its list of "The Last Great Places"; the list only consists of 12 places in the Western Hemisphere. About 40 percent of the island is set aside for conservation.

If you don’t have a car on the island, you can easily bike the whole island without an issue. The Island is only 9.734 sq miles, located 14 miles east of Montauk Point and 13 miles south of Rhode Island mainland. However, if you are looking to rent a jeep or moped, that is readily available right off the ferry.

Block Island is a very family friendly island—actually it’s also a very friendly dog island. Dogs are allowed on the beaches here.. yes, you read that correctly.... The WHOLE family (even our non human friends) are welcome to the beach.

What to do: Besides enjoy the natural beauty of the island?!

Walk the trail at Mohegan Bluffs: You can find this by looking for the Southeast Lighthouse.

Block Island Southeast Lighthouse: This is a fun spot to bike to, but you can get here by all means of transportation: moped, driving, taxi, biking, or walking.

Block Island North Lighthouse: If you come out here, there will be a little slushie station! Also, at some points you can see seals off the point.

Rodman’s Hollow Trail: Great walking trail on the way to the west side of the island. Feel free to bring dogs, but there are a few spots that you may want a leash for: cliffs-lookouts.
Walk the Clayhead Trail: This is towards the north part of the island near Mansion Beach. Nice walking trail with beautiful cliff views down to the ocean. These are the cliffs you see when arriving by ferry on the right hand side.

Clamming: I would recommend going to Andy's Way, but make sure you have your clamming license which you can get right next to the OAR. This is also a good location for kayaking and kite surfing.
Bonfire: This is a great spot to enjoy one on the beach with friends at night. You can go to the fire station and get a permit.

Pet Feeding Farm: This is right next to the Manisses Hotel, there are lots of animals to pet and feed. Fun activity for the kids.
Rent a fishing Charter at Block Island Fish Works with Chris Willi

Surfing : Depending on the breeze, you can catch waves on the East side and South side. There are shops on the island to rent surf boards and paddle boards! Diamond Blue Surf Shop
Downtown: all sorts of shops, candy stores, ice cream. If you are looking for a theater, you are in luck. The downtown area has an old theater that changes movies every night.

Beaches: Well, because it's summer and that is what we do!!

Scotch Beach: A little further up the road from State Beach
Vail Beach: Southeast side of the island, right near the painted rock. *The painted rocks changes color (sometimes daily) Anyone can stop by and paint the rock.
Mansion Beach: This is located near Clayhead walking trail. Might be the more difficult beaches to get to without a car distance wise, but like I said, the island is only 9.347 sq. miles.

State: Short walk from town, located across from Beachhead restaurant.
Coast Guard Beach: Great spot for kids and people learning to fish on land. This is where you see the boats coming in and out.

My Favorite Restaurants:

The Oar: This restaurant has outdoor and indoor seating overlooking Great Salt Pond, great place to grab a cocktail or some seafood and watch the boats come in and out. The restaurant is covered in Oars made by all the customers. This is the one-need-to-visit spot.
Springhouse: One of the best views of the Ocean. located on a slight incline with seating all overlooking the ocean as well. I recommend coming here for a cocktail on the lawn right before sunset.

Beachhead: Across the Street from State Beach. Great views of the Ocean with a great sunset on the backside of the restaurant. You can enjoy cocktails and a great menu.
Dead Eye Dick’s: If you are looking for a lobster roll, especially a hot-buttered one, this is your spot! This is located right near Payne's Dock.

Manisses Hotel & Restaurant: This is my favorite finer-dining experience on the island. If you want a romantic night out--the menu is great and the setting is a bit more intimate.

Easy Breakfast Spots:

Payne’s Dock: You must get the killer donuts. They are freshly made for you as you wait. Honestly, I’m not a donut eater… these donuts are deadly and delish! Also, this is a great option to bring home to your family to save on eating out costs.
Bethany’s Airport Diner: Diner at the airport (just like the name suggests) but its great for breakfast, located in the center of the island, so based on where you are staying on island this may be a good choice.
Rebecca’s: Two locations, one in town and the other at Payne's Dock. This is a great take-out option. Think Clam rolls, chicken fingers, wraps.. etc! It's a great menu for lunch. Also opened for breakfast.
National Hotel: Located right in the center of town. You can sit on the front deck and watch the ferry come to dock, or sit on the back with your pup. This is a great option both because of location and food options.
Surf Hotel: Right downtown with views to town and also State Beach. You have the feeling of outdoor seating even when the clear shades are down (which are lifted when the weather is clear.) The back side bar is a great spot for cocktails after a day at the beach.

Grabbing a Mudslide after a day at the beach: Surf Hotel

Late Night Spots:

Captain Nick’s : Right next door to Poor People's Pub. Live music at night with lots of dancing.
Poor People’s Pub: Might be a fun spot to watch a sports game, it's more low key. You can play bags outside on the lawn.
Yellow Kitten’s: Located right near town, great late night dancing. A fun spot to let loose.
Ballards: Probably the most wild spot on the island. People sometimes just take the ferry over for the day and enjoy live bands and day drinking.
Club Soda: Social Spot to grab drinks.

Where to Stay

Rent a House for the week: Block Island Realty
Springhouse
Manisses Hotel
Atlantic Inn
The National
The Surf Hotel
Tons of B&B's as well

If you are looking to relax and take advantage of all that beauty nature has to offer, I highly recommend Block Island. You will not find a place better fit for a family or even a couples retreat.

Until next time, Safe Travels!!

You had me at Vacation, Bermuda Baby!

March 23, 2016 Allison Graham

Planning a trip to somewhere I've never been. This will actually be fun because I can walk you through how I plan a trip. For all of us living in the Northern climate, I know we are all thinking the same thing. When is it going to be warm, and if its not going to come any time soon, where can I take a getaway?

This might be because I'm from the East Coast, but I've always saved vacation days for the summer, because the East Coast has the best summers on the ocean. I used to be in the habit of giving up one or two days of vacation days to have long weekends-but it would be criminal of me to waste summer vacation time off for an escape before then.

You will notice, I like to take long weekends or 5 day trips through November to May, then I take longer trips in the summer. I pull up a a calendar of the year and map out all the holidays creating long weekends and build those up to make a longer trip without using vacation days.

Itinerary: Bermuda in the end of April--Perfect! Thursday-Sunday Long Weekend, plus a day getaway! Just what I will need by April! To ensure I don't waste a day of travel from Chicago, I've made it so I'm flying from NYC, and will spend days on either end in the city.

Where to Stay:

After looking at Conde nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure, and Tablet, I've nailed down some places that seem to be trending hotels. Now, if you are looking for the best deal, I recommend Kayak-which will search for you to find the lowest price, or even Trip Advisor.

I prefer boutique hotels, but I also search for the highest quality hotels, then I decipher based on my budget for the trip and decide what I'm going to spend. This is why I rely on magazines like Conde nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure, and Departures. I trust their insight and this is why I use them and the site Tablet (focuses on luxury boutiques) to start my research. It's always good to find inspiration! I follow them on instagram as well, always giving me trip ideas on new desitinations

Elbow Beach
Rosewood Tucker's Point
Pompano Beach Club
Pink Beach Club
Reef's Resort & Club
Fairmont Hamilton Princess
Fairmont Southampton
Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa

Why Bermuda?

This is an easy trip from the East Coast. Protected beaches from the Coral Reef, Pink Sand Beaches, and a caribbean like blue ocean escape. Seems perfect. I haven't been, so there isn't a better time to check it out. Plus the Beach Boys have a song about it.. how bad could it be...

"Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I want to take you to
Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego, baby why don't we go"

Exactly, pretty mama, why shouldn't we go!!

What to do:

Snorkel, Swim, Golf, Sail, Horseback Ride along the beach, Rent a Party Boat in the Harbor, Scooter around the island, enjoy the Crystal & Fantasy Caves... most importantly, enjoy a Dark & Stormy overlooking the caribbean blue-like waters.

Horseback Riding along the Pink Sand Beaches

The island is surrounded by a coral reef which protects the beaches, creating a very calm snorkeling experience.

Most Beautiful Beaches:

Horseshoe Bay Beach
Warwick Long Bay Beach
Tobacco Bay Beach
Elbow Beach
Hog Bay Beach
John Smith's Bay Beach
Jobson's Cove
Astwood Cove
Shelly Bay Beach
Clearwater Beach

What to pack:

Yes, you may think this is a funny factor. It's an island right? Well, it is; however, this is a dressier island. Think Bermuda Shorts, colorful shorts for men, that is where the term comes from.

I always want to make sure when I travel, I'm dressed respectful I don't want to be "that American slob" in yoga pants and sneakers-- I would stick out like a sore thumb. On the other end of the spectrum, I don't want to look like I tried too hard and end up being over dressed. I take pride in my appearance and I promise you I'm treated better because i'm not slacking around in gym clothes. *I've actually spoken to many people in the service industry who will admit to this.

What you will want to pack: More conservative bathing suits and cover-ups. This is probably not the island you want to show up in short-shorts and mid-drift showing tops.

Not necessarily formal, but more cleaned up. *Think golf attire. In the cooler months, bring sweaters and rain gear in case of a storm. When unsure of the weather, focus on layers. This will also help with your suitcase weight and not having to overpack. Ladies-a cute dress with a cardigan. Gentleman, think linen or khaki pants (shorts) with a collared shirt and a sport coat.

I will be there in a few weeks and will be able to tell you exactly what I've experience. ie. dining, hotels, excursions in case you want to take a trip for yourself.

Get excited! It's officially Spring and time to escape the cold! I will be posting a few Spring Getaway ideas in the upcoming week.

Until Next Time! Cheers!

Just the Right amount of Wrong

March 20, 2016 Allison Graham

I'm sure what you want to read about after recovering from the weekend and St. Patrick's Day is further debauchery in Vegas. Luckily for you, thats exactly what i'm going to do.

Vegas is a different animal all together: You don't need to be in Vegas longer than 3 days. What seems appealing Day 1, seems draining Day 4. Believe me, I've put in the time!

In the next few weeks, I will be back in Vegas and this will mark my 12th visit to Sin City, and the 2nd time in the past month ( MY POOR BODY) but don't let me fool you, I love Vegas. Some people can't handle Vegas... and I... kind..of understand that, but it has always agreed with me.

Throughout the years, I have had the opportunity of staying at various resorts and no matter where I stay, I'm biased to the Wynn. I always tell Scottie that I could live at the Wynn... although, I say that about everywhere I go and love. I'm a love it or hate it kinda gal. All or nothing--which has really improved my gambling game!

The strip is huge, so based on what you are looking to do in Vegas, and obviously the price, will probably help you decide.

Heading to Vegas, What are you looking to do?

Shop, Pool Party, Club, Gamble, or head to the Shows? Honestly, all of this will help determine where you should stay. If you or your hubby likes to golf there are definitely some great courses in the area. As well as helicopter tours to the Grand Canyon and day trips to the Hoover Dam.

For example, last trip, 3 weeks ago (cough) I went to the Britney Spears Show, don't judge me, it was fantastic, and I face planted running with excitement into the auditorium- minor detail.

The show plays at Planet Hollywood, which is across from the Cosmopolitan and Aria. It didn't make sense to stay on the complete other end of the strip when everything I had planned was elsewhere, so we stayed at Aria.

Aria & Cosmopolitan are both clean, new resorts with a younger feel. Cosmo has some fantastic restaurants and also Marquee (night club), which coincidentally, I went to the opening of.. back in my single-lady days.

Few favorite restaurants in Cosmo: STK, Blue Ribbon Sushi, and Scarpetta. Blue Ribbon is my favorite in Soho.. and I definitely ate here 3 times in a 5 day time span... oops! Before your reservation, make sure to grab a drink at the Chandelier Bar. For a lunch time spot, I recommend Todd English Pub at Aria.

Now, if you are staying on this end of the strip, make sure and walk to the Bellagio and catch the water show. It generally goes on every 30 minutes. For a first timer, spend a day walking the strip. Literally, just plan on walking through the resorts and checking everything out. You will find some of the best people watching.. maybe ever.

Speaking of the Bellagio, if you walk through, you will most likely get picked up by a club promoter and offered two free drink tickets to The Bank. This is kind of an older scene, but if you are looking to get drinks it's pretty fun. Plus, like everything in life, it's only as fun as you make it.

Venetian & Palazzo: I have stayed at both and honestly, they are on par with the Wynn/Encore. I loved my room... and my very extravagant bathroom. hehe! Literally it is the size of the room. But, all in all great experience.

Ok, so lets be honest. Some of us may never go to Venice...scratch that, even Italy, but the Venetian does a pretty amazing job recreating the feel of old Italy. (If you want to do a world tour, there is even a Paris Resort...complete with Eiffel Tower.)

The Venetian is complete with a gondola that romantically glides through the resort...think: Serenade your girlfriend.... last time, we saw a couple get engaged.

The Wynn & Encore: Style, Luxury, & arguably the best Nightlife offerings on the strip... Umm.. Sign me UP! As you know, The Wynn is my favorite resort for multiple reasons. The Wynn does not skimp on any aspect; luxury gambling scene, restaurants, shows and shopping are all top tier. You will not find better quality or experience than from the Wynn.

One of my favorite perks to the Wynn is the pool scene, but not for the obvious reason you are thinking. Yes, of course I spend my days by the pool, but the Wynn opens gambling tables up by the pool.

When I don't want to leave the pool during the day, I can still grab a drink and play a few hands of blackjack or even test my luck with craps.

If you don't get the chance to stay at the Wynn or Encore, I highly suggest a visit. The attention to detail is on point. Even the smallest spaces are decorated incredibly. The flower Merry-Go-Round for example and the entranceway with flowers!

Other Resorts: Now, there are several resorts to try and based on your budget and like I mentioned earlier-shows or experiences which is how I recommend choosing your spot. I have stayed at the Palms & Rio which are both slightly off strip but have their upsides as well. I would recommend on a first visit staying right on the strip--more convenient. If there is a particular resort you want more information on-shoot me a comment because chances are i've stayed there or spent time there.

*Travel Tip for Club Seekers: if you are looking to go to a night club or even Pool Party: ex. Encore Beach Club, you will have the best luck if you reach out to them via: Twitter, Instagram, or if you look fabulous walking down the strip. Sorry boys, this may not include you, unless there are more girls than boys in your party. But, it's worth the try.

Best Night Clubs: You will notice a trend, 3 of my top clubs are at the Encore/Wynn

XS at Encore/Wynn
Hakkasan at MGM
Tao at the Venetian
Haze at Aria
Intrigue at Encore/Wynn
Surrender at Encore/Wynn
1 Oak at Mirage
Marquee at the Cosmopolitan

Favorite Restaurants (mine, so take with a grain of salt) use Open Table or ask Concierge to arrange: STK, Nobu, Blue Ribbon

Pool Parties: Most of the Pool Parties start March/early April and end October-ish. Also keep in mind certain days are bigger than others. Rehab at the Hard Rock used to be THE place to be on Sundays.

Here is my vote for best pool scenes:

Rehab at the Hard Rock Hotel
Encore Beach Club at Encore
Tao Beach Club at the Venetian
Marquee Day Club at the Cosmopolitan
Wet Republic at MGM Grand
Drai's Beach Club at Cromwells
Daylight at Mandalay Bay

Getting into trouble at Encore Beach Club... Running into David Guetta

Shows: Now, shows are definitely a personal choice, I've provided my favorite experiences. I think it's a nice change of pace to try a show.... believe me, you may want a little down time in Vegas.

*Fun Fact, my mom bought 4 tickets to Elton John, day of show ($500 a piece tickets for $100 a piece) and they ended up on stage with him. Experience of a lifetime.

Celine Dion at Caesars Palace
Le Réve- The Dream at the Wynn
Cirque du Soleil (multiple shows) I would recommend Beatles, Zarkana, and O.
Britney Spears at Planet Hollywood (she is currently taking a break)
Pitbull at Planet Hollywood (will be seeing him twice next trip.. eek!)
JLO at Planet Hollywood

Pretending to be Britney at Britney Spears Show, Planet Hollywood

This is my guide to Vegas, enjoy, like I said, 3 days is about all I can handle--Until Next Time!

Feelin' Lucky?

March 17, 2016 Allison Graham

Happy St. Patrick's Day Ladies, Here is some Eye Candy for you.

Going back to the Homeland

March 16, 2016 Allison Graham

Planning my Trip to Ireland Next Month

Chic & Elegant Palm Beach

March 15, 2016 Allison Graham

Talk about wanting to escape winter in Chicago and enjoying some Palm Trees and 80 degree weather--Palm Beach here we come!

Remember in my last post--about earning frequent flyer miles... well case in point- Scott & I were upgraded both to-and-from Palm Beach. We are loyal United Airways travelers, so for free, we were sent up to first class (bigger seats, tv, food, and endless drinks!) Seriously, it is the best travel perk-look in to it!

We arrived here Friday night for a destination wedding (couldn't have picked a better spot I might add.) Even though this was not my first trip to Palm Beach, it reminded me of how much I love it here. Every turn you take, makes you fall in love with it....even more (I'm not sure if that's even possible.. but it happens!)

Friday night we arrived at our hotel, The Brazilian Court, and enjoyed dirty martinis in the courtyard at Café Boulud. This is a French Classic restaurant with inspired dishes from the chef's, Daniel Boulud, other restaurants around the world.

We are in Palm Beach for a wedding--great spot, right?! Not only do we love the couple, but we love the location so we are definitely taking advantage of the town.

After drinks, we headed to the Palm Court at The Colony hotel. The place was rockin'. We arrived at 10pm -- live music, couples dancing, and people gathered in the courtyard adjacent to the blue fluorescent pool. Everyone was having a fabulous time & dressed fashionably chic.

The vibe down here is positive, carefree, and a fashionistas dream spot. People of all ages take pride in their appearance down here--which I admire!

Saturday AM we enjoyed breakfast in the courtyard, then strolled to town. A car lover's dream is Palm Beach- Ferrari, Bentley, Maserati, Rolls-Royce, and Aston Martins as commonly driven as a VW anywhere else.

Where to Shop you ask? That would be Worth Ave. Luxurious shops and restaurants lined on either side.

We noticed a crowd in one of the side streets, so we followed--to our amusement we found little dogs and cats dressed up for a dog (pet) show!

Saturday evening was spent at the wedding-which was amazing, but for the privacy of the couple I am going to skip forward to Sunday Brunch!

Brunch was at Nick & Johnnies, which I highly recommend!

After Breakfast, we walked 5 minutes down the road and enjoyed a cocktail at The Breakers in the Seafood Bar overlooking the ocean--extra fun, the bar is a fish tank!

So, we obviously fell in love with this fish tank... thinking of getting one? You may want to think again. It apparently cost 80k to build and 28k a year to maintain... OUCH! But it is pretty amazing :)

Palm Beach is the perfect getaway- great restaurants, nightlife, shopping, and a pool scene. Actually, everything is a scene--It's FABULOUS!

There is a convenient airport in West Palm Beach; however, we chose to drive up from Ft. Lauderdale which is only a 45 min drive (and saved quite a bit by doing so)

Plenty of boutique hotels available-will cost a bit more, but if you are looking to save on hotels you will find major hotel brands located near the city centre as well.

Please ask if I am missing anything--but this was my trip over the weekend. Spent the remaining hours on Sunday afternoon by the pool enjoying cocktails and meeting new friends.

One of my favorite parts of travel is the people you meet along the way. There is always something to learn and leads me to my next destinations based on tips I never would've thought of.

Welcome

March 14, 2016 Allison Graham

Hi!

Welcome to Travali Lux, my name is Ali and i'm here to introduce you to my travels and try to give some pointers I've picked up along the way.

Starting will take some time, so please be patient (i'm not patient at all.. so I understand) I've started some destination pages I've traveled to and will continue to add. What I want to accomplish today is introduce myself and give you some advice on traveling before you take too many adventures.

1. TSA: You know when you are waiting in the long security line, lets just say OHARE, and you are having an anxiety attack because you went out the night before, hit snooze, and now waiting in a line that looks like ...hmm... an hour long... and you are cutting it pretty close. (Not that this has happened to me) But then out of the corner of your eye, you see people going through the non-existent line, straight through security.. Yeah, that is TSA. AND YOU NEED IT.

This will also save you hours of lines coming back into the states for customs. I'm telling you, you CANNOT be an avid traveler with TSA. Here is the site to get started: http://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/how-apply

2. Frequent Flyer Miles: I fly United, mainly because my hubby is a travel guru and gets the royal treatment through them. My status with United provides me with complimentary upgrades and I accrue 8x the miles more than not having it.

Scott, on the other hand, receives global upgrades, domestic upgrades, and accrues 11x the miles.. Believe me, it adds up. United has a hub in Chicago, which is why we fly United. You need to find an airline you like and provides a lot of flights through your airport of choice. If you prefer to buy the cheapest flight regardless of airline, then at least use a card that will help get flights with points.

3. Loyalty Programs with Hotels: If you travel for work, get into the habit of signing up for hotel loyalty programs, so you can accrue points and also achieve status. Whoever says status doesn't matter, hasn't had status. It pays to be loyal.

Being upgraded, Early Check-in, Late Check-out, Free Weekend Nights, the perks continue. We have Ambassador Status-Spire Elite through IHG (Intercontinental) and to the extent, we are offered free mini-bar during our stays.. yes, refilled every day. Take advantage. It's the smart way to travel, why not get the most out it. You will find, I'm all about accruing points... AMC movies, Lettuce Entertain You, Open Table etc. If there is a loyalty program, I'm enrolled.

4. Credit Cards with Travel Perks: If you are in the market for a card, find one with good travel perks. We are an American Express family and also use Chase Mileage Plus (United).

Along the way if you feel I'm missing something, please add or message me at travali-lux@travali-lux.com. I'm not a major company, its just me, Ali.

Will there be better restaurants & hotels than the ones I'm suggesting? Yes, I'm sure, but I'm here to provide you with my experiences and tips through word of mouth.

Some trips I take will be a bit more lavish, some not so much, but this is what I like. This is life. Not every trip is going to be your honeymoon, if it is for you--hats off to you, but I need to prioritize trips and spending, so travel doesn't negatively impact my savings account and future planning.

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