What would you say to an evening of tasting local cocktails paired with tasty bite-sized snacks, followed by a class on how to make traditional empanadas, then a damn fine steak and some great wine, and then you wrap up the evening with a delicious dessert. How’s that sound?
Riu Palace Las Americas, Cancun
One of the nicer, but still wallet friendly, options in Cancun, the Riu all-inclusive chain offers a lot for a reasonable rate. The Riu Palace Las Americas property is located well outside of downtown Cancun, roughly a 30 minute shuttle ride from the airport.
Don’t Use Expedia! Click here to find out why!
Sorry about the click-bait title. I just couldn’t think of anything better for this post. I actually don’t have any issues with Expedia or similar services; I use them all the time when I’m researching and planning a trip. But there are some significant downsides.
Schlitterbahn
The Schlitterbahn water park is a family friendly destination about an hour south of Austin, Texas. Located in the heart of German country, this 65 acre water park is the go-to destination for local families during the heat of the Texas summer.
Wurstfest
In the late 1800s, a German nobleman bought a large plot of land about an hour south of Austin, Texas, and made it available for German citizens to live in if they wanted to. Following the naming conventions of New York and New Jersey, the immigrant population named it New Braunfels after their home near Frankfurt. Nearly a century later, a local sausage contest grew and gathered national attention, and Wurstfest was born.
Finding Restaurants
Whether you travel for work or fun, to seek adventure or to get away from your troubles, some things are always necessary: You need a place to lay your head and you need food in your belly. There are hundreds of articles on finding good lodging, as well as dozens of websites dedicated to helping you find the best deals on a hotel. Finding good restaurants isn’t quite as easy. But then again, it’s really not that tough….
Unlimited Airport Wifi
It is a simple fact that, in today’s society, we need to be connected. We may travel to get away from work, but most of us will still check our email and Facebook, stream media, and use our smartphones or tablets while we travel. At the very least, it helps to be able to check in for flights or see when you’re going to be delayed. Not all airports have free wifi, but now there’s a possible solution.
Wandering Around Brussels
Despite being in the headlines lately for all of the wrong reasons, Brussels is still an interesting place to visit. An easy 2 hour train ride from Amsterdam, this charming city lies in the heart of Belgium and is home to the European Union’s unofficial capital.
Gebroeders Hartering
Do you know how I know that Gebroeders Hartering is a good restaurant? If you search for them on Google, their website is the 5th result listed, after all of the Yelp, Trip Advisor, The Fork, and other rating websites. This little restaurant is a true gem. Tucked away on a side street on the east side of the city, overlooking a canal, even the taxi driver didn’t know where it was. The first problem was that I kept calling it “The Brothers Hartering” which is technically how it’s translated, but it confused the guy. But it’s also a fairly small venue, so he had to stop and ask someone where it was. As for the restaurant itself, make a reservation and go. It’s worth it.
Emergency Contact Information
This is one of those topics that nobody wants to think about until it’s too late: Emergencies. What happens if you’re traveling and something happens? In fact, what happens if you’re on your way to work in your own home town and something happens? Not all emergencies will wait until you’re safely out of the country. Do you have all of your medical information readily available? What about your emergency contact information? Sure, you may have it all safely stored in your head, but what if you’re unconscious? Who’s going to tell the paramedics that you’re allergic to penicillin?