Happy Holidays!

So, due to the hecticness of December in general and particularly in my line of work as a Corporate attorney, there will be no blog posts for the month of December. The next new post will be the first week of January. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and I look forward to posting again in the new year!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I will be spending the rest of the week in New Orleans with my family, so there will be no posts this week. Hope everyone has a fantastic holiday week! Happy Thanksgiving!!!

PS -- This picture was by far the best (ie. most ridiculous) one I found when I searched Thanksgiving images through Google.

Ti Kaye Village

Last weekend was my husband and my 4th year wedding anniversary (cue the "awwws"). Remembering that day made me nostalgic for our honeymoon on St. Lucia and the wonderful resort we stayed in -- Ti Kaye Village in Anse Cochon.

Ti Kaye is an adorable little resort situated on the coast of St. Lucia high above the ocean. Everything about this resort just screams honeymoon. Each "room" is actually a small cottage. Ti Kaye translates into "Little House" and the resort is basically a village of little houses. All the little houses face the ocean and have huge French doors. Each cottage includes an outdoor shower, a hammock and a large balcony. Our cottage also had a plunge pool. It was relaxation paradise.

The grounds are lovely. Each cottage is spaced far enough away so you do not hear your neighbors' conversations, but close enough that it does not feel like you are alone in the jungle. The main house includes a small gift shop, the front desk, a bar and a restaurant called Kai Manje. The bar and restaurant were awesome. They are covered, but had no walls, so you were protected from rainstorms but were able to soak up the beautiful weather. The bar specialized in a rum punch dusted with nutmeg that was just awesome. The drink menu as a whole was crazy -- it was huge and all of the drinks were so inexpensive. It was a little dangerous to tell the truth! We ate dinner at the restaurant every night and every night we were thrilled with our dinners. The food is continental with an island twist and also includes some St. Lucia specialties. They even have a pretty good wine list. Since the resort was fairly secluded, they entertained their guests at night with various bands and other fun surprises. Even though I am usually a big fan of variety, I did not mind eating at their restaurant every night!

Next to the main house, there is a small pool for those not interested in going to the beach. But, really you go to the Caribbean to go to the beach. As I said earlier, Ti Kaye is basically located on a large cliff. You have to take these kind of old scary steps down to the beach, but once you get down there you don't want to leave. Ti Kaye has a private beach that is only interrupted by the random snorkeling excursion. They have chairs and umbrellas for their guests to use along with snorkeling equipment and kayaks. My husband and I took advantage of all those items! The snorkeling at Ti Kaye is great because you do not need to go anywhere, you just step off of the beach into the ocean and there are reefs right there. Pretty cool stuff. In addition, you can take the kayak out to see a little shipwreck. Also, pretty cool stuff.

On the beach, Ti Kaye also has a casual restaurant called Ti Manje where you can go for lunch (and mid-afternoon drinks of course). They will also schedule excursions for you around the island, including scuba diving. There is actually a dive shop -- Island Divers -- on property. There is even a spa now named Kai Koko, which they didn't have when we went there.

I had a wonderful honeymoon at Ti Kaye and I would highly suggest honeymooners or other couples to go there. Heck, they even have a little song "Ti Kaye honeymoon...fly me to the moon!"

Ti Kaye Village Resort
P.O. Box GM 669
Castries
St Lucia
Telephone: 758-456-8101
Fax: 758-456-8105
General Information: info@tikaye.com
Spa enquires: spa@tikaye.com
Diving enquires: diving@tikaye.com
www.tikaye.com

The Aububon Institute

I spent last weekend in New Orleans at a wedding event. As is often the case in New Orleans, we spent most of the weekend eating and drinking. I often find that most (if not all) of my New Orleans recommendations are food and drink related. However, there is so much more to New Orleans than food and alcohol. So, this week, I am focusing on a different type of New Orleans treasure -- the Audubon Institute and the great attractions it runs in New Orleans. The Audubon Institute (named after naturalist John James Audubon) is focused on conversation and education and it really is a fantastic organization.

The most famous Audubon attraction is the Audubon Zoo in the Garden District. This is consistently rated one of the best zoos in the United States and you can see why as soon as you step in. The Zoo is huge! Even adults get tired trying to walk around the entire area. There is a little train that runs through it now, though they definitely did not have that when I was a kid! There are tons of different types of animals and each one lives in its own specialized habitat. The Zoo itself is separated into different areas based on habitat, which is a really great teaching tool. Speaking of teaching tools, there are always great learning opportunities for kids scattered throughout the Zoo. I remember riding elephants and camels there when I was a kid! Some of the highlights include the Asian elephant exhibit, Monkey Hill (which rumor has it is the highest point in low-hanging New Orleans), the Louisiana Swamp exhibit and the Dinosaur Adventure. All of this is situated in the middle of the beautiful Garden District, a far cry from the hustle of the French Quarter.

However, if you are in the French Quarter and need a break from eating and drinking, I would highly recommend a visit to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. The Aquarium is also run by the Audubon Institute and it is also fantastic. It is a huge aquarium with different rooms for the various climates represented. Like the Zoo, there are different interactive exhibits scattered throughout the Aquarium. Some of the highlights include the African penguin exhibit, animal feedings, and the Gulf of Mexico exhibit. There is even an IMAX Theatre located next door. I remember seeing a Rolling Stones concert there, though I think it it usually focused on nature-type movies. It is definitely a great place to go to escape a hot summer day!

In 2009, the Audubon Institute opened the Audubon Insectarium, which is America's largest museum devoted to insects and its relatives. It celebrates the world of bugs with 13 gallery rooms containing more than 70 live animal enclosures, 30 mounted specimen cases and a multisensory immersive theater experience. You can experience live insect encounters, discover cultural aspects of insects, sample exotic insect cuisine, shrink in size to see the world from a bug’s perspective, and enjoy the tranquility of a Japanese garden with hundreds of butterflies!It has gotten amazing reviews, but I am honestly too creeped out by the insects to go. But, if it is anything like the rest of the Audubon attractions, I would highly recommend it!

TIP: There are many different combo packages you can buy to help conserve money. The best package is
the Audubon Experience Ticket which includes one visit to each facility; ticket expires five days after first use, excluding Mondays when all facilities are closed.

So when visiting New Orleans, either with kids or without, I would take time to visit one of the Audubon Institutes's attractions in order to see a different side of the city!

Audubon Zoo
6500 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70118
(800) 774-7394 or (504) 581-4629 

Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
Canal Street at the River
#1 Canal Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
(800) 774-7394 or (504) 581-4629

Audubon Insectarium
423 Canal Street
U.S. Custom House
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
(800) 774-7394 or (504) 581-4629

www.auduboninstitute.org

Vizcaya Musuem and Gardens

Last weekend was Halloween. I am not personally a big Halloween person -- I love the little trick-or-treaters, but the scary movies and the haunted houses are not really my thing. However, one year in Miami I did go to an amazing Halloween party at an amazing historical site -- Vizcaya Musuem and Gardens in Coconut Grove.

Vizcaya is a National Historic Landmark and museum in the heart of Miami.  Built by agricultural industrialist James Deering (of John Deere fame) in 1916, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens features a Main House, ten acres of formal gardens, and a rockland hammock (native forest). The house was intended to appear as an Italian estate that had stood for 400 years and had been occupied and renovated by several generations of a family.  It has 34 decorated rooms with 15th through 19th century antique furnishings and art objects. The house appears to be only two stories high but between the main public rooms and the bedrooms, there is an intervening level with 12 rooms for servants and service. The expansive gardens combine elements of Renaissance Italian and French designs.  Key features include the many fountains, a central pool surrounding an elevated island, the elevated Mound with its small house, or “Casino,” statuary, and several themed gardens.

Vizcaya hosts numerous events throughout the year including tours, talks and movie showings. You can even rent it for events, but you have to be pretty wealthy in order to do that!

One of the big events of the year is their Halloween Sundowner which takes place on the Saturday closest to Halloween. This party is awesome! It reminds you of one of those cool parties in a movie that you always think..."who goes to parties like that?" The grounds are decorated to the nines and all the party-goers come in costume. Very elaborate costumes usually. There are open bars scattered around the grounds and a few places to buy food, if interested. There are usually a few dance floors and the accompanying bands and DJs. At the end of the night there is a costume party where people pull out super-elaborate costumes. It is a huge party that typically sells out every year. So, if you are in Miami over Halloween, I would definitely recommend attending this event!

TIP: Take some time to plan a great costume -- you will have a much better time if you are dressed to the nines! It is the perfect time to pull out that elaborate costume you have always wanted to wear!

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

3251 South Miami Avenue

Miami, Florida 33129

Main: 305-250-9133

Fax:   305-285-2004

http://www.vizcaya/musuem.org

The Great Barrier Reef

Last week's post discussed the third largest coral reef in the world -- this week's post discusses the largest coral reef in the world -- the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the natural world and the only living thing on Earth visible from space. The Reef contains the world's largest collection of coral -- more than 400 different types. There are also over 1500 species of fish. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has existed for approximately 20 million years.

Since the Great Barrier Reef is so large, you can see it in any number of ways and in any number of places. You can either stay on one of the many coast towns or actually stay on one of the islands in the Reef. I chose to snorkel and I chose Cairns to be my home base.

Cairns is a very cute city -- a typical port town with boating and similar activities dominating the city. There is an airport in Cairns, so you can go directly there from Sydney or any of the other large cities in Australia.
I would highly recommend the hotel we stayed in -- the Cairns Colonial Club Resort. It is a beautiful resort with tropical gardens and lagoon-style swimming pools. It is a great home base to see the region and very reasonably priced. 

I would also highly recommend taking a tour through the rainforest that abuts Cairns. We used the Wait-a-While Rainforest Tour group. We took a night tour and saw a ton of animals. Apparently, the rainforest animals are mainly nocturnal. It was a great and pretty spooky adventure.

There are a diverse range of tourism operations in the Great Barrier Reef including day tours, overnight and extended tours, snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing charters, long range roving tours, aircraft or helicopter tours, bare boats (self-sail), glass-bottomed boat viewing, semi-submersibles and educational trips, cruise ships, beach hire and water sports, passenger ferries, whale watching and swimming with dolphins. Tourism on the Reef reaches as far back as the 1890s!

The trip my friends and I took was a day tour consisting of a boat ride to and from a small deserted island. We used the company Frankland Islands Cruise and Dive. This company is the only company that takes folks to the Frankland Islands. We liked the tour because it was fairly small -- up to 100 people maximum. Once on the island, we could actually swim right into the Reef -- the Reef was very shallow and your swimming abilities did not need to be that great to have a great experience. They even served us a beach lunch!

When you snorkel the Great Barrier Reef obviously you have very high expectations. I have to say that the snorkeling lived up to all of my expectations! The water was shallow so there was high visibility. Both the coral and the fish were plentiful.  And the colors were otherworldly! I could not believe all of the colors and species that were living so close to the surface. It really is another world down there.

I think it goes without saying that snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef is a must-do experience. If you find yourself in Australia or New Zealand, I would definitely recommend tacking on an excursion to the Great Barrier Reef!

Cairns Colonial Club Resort
18-26 Cannon Street
Cairns, Queensland, 4870, Australia

Telephone: +61 7 4053 8800

Fax: +61 7 4032 1031

reservations@cairnscolonialclub.com.au

Wait-a-While Rainforest Tours
PO Box 1471, Cairns 4870
Phone: 0429 083 338
Phone International: +61 7 4093 8414
Fax: 07 4093 8414
Email: bookings@waitawhile.com.au

Frankland Islands Cruise and Dive
PO Box 1938
Cairns Qld 4870
Australia
Telephone: 07 4031 6300
Fax: 07 4031 4777
sales@franklandislands.come

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Last weekend, I had friends in town and while we were mostly beach bums, I did take them to the best place to snorkel in the continental U.S. -- the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, Florida.

Established in 1963, Pennekamp is the first underseas park created in the US. The park, combined with the Florida National Marine Sanctuary, encompasses 178 nautical square miles of coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove swamps. These areas were established to preserve and protect the only living coral reef in the continental United States (and the 3rd largest in the world). In case you were curious, Pennkamp was a Miami newspaper editor who was also instrumental in preserving the Florida Everglades. 

Pennekamp is about an hour from Miami and about 3 hours from Key West. Per the name, it is a Florida state park and is set up similarly to other state and national parks. There are spots available for camping, picnicking, fishing and swimming. It also provides numerous options of excursions to see the Coral Reef. Namely, diving, snorkeling, glass bottom boat tours and kayak rentals. The park provides the necessary accouterments to each such excursion. We chose to snorkel.

This park is run extremely well. The price is very reasonable (approximately $30 for a 2 and 1/2 hour tour and approximately $10 for park entrance fees) and you get to keep your snorkel, so you know they are clean. All of the people that work there are extremely nice and helpful. You take a 1/2 hour boat ride, snorkel for approximately 1 and 1/2 hours and then take a 1/2 hour boat ride back. Departures are currently at 9 AM, Noon and 3 PM. You can make a reservation which is recommended or you can just take a chance and show up. Very easy!

What makes Pennekamp so special is the quality of the snorkeling that takes place there. There are approximately 7 different places where you go on your tour depending on the visibility and weather. I have not been to all of such snorkeling places, but the ones I have been to are all fantastic.

Many of the spots are very shallow and so you do not need to swim below the surface in order to see great fish and coral. Some of the coral is actually so close to the surface that you have to be pretty careful not to touch it.

TIP: It is illegal to touch or break the coral and it may physically harm you as well. Please please be careful not to touch the coral.

The coral is absolutely beautiful and very colorful. It is also very plentiful as well. There are over 80 varieties of coral to be found in these waters. The fish themselves are also plentiful. There are over 260 different varieties of fish you can see and many of them are very colorful. You see so many different schools of fish that you are sometimes looking at 50 to 100 at a time. The last time, we even saw barracudas and nurse sharks!!! But, don't worry, if I was not scared, you should not be scared. 

There is also a famous Christ of the Deep statue which you can sometimes see on your tour, but don't get your hopes up because I have never been to the part of the park with the statue.

If you find yourself in the Florida Keys or Miami, I would highly recommend taking a drive to Pennekamp and getting your snorkel on!

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Mile Marker 102.5
Overseas Highway
Key Largo, FL
305-451-6300
www.pennekamppark.com

EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival

Last weekend my husband and I and another couple went to the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival. This was our second time attending this event and we cannot wait to go back. This is a fantastic event, which I encourage everyone to attend.

I do not need to go into detail regarding what Disney World is, or, in fact, what EPCOT is.  I am a huge Disney fan and have enjoyed one of the great perks of living in Florida -- Florida resident discounts at Disney World! Awwww yeah....

But, even if you can't get the discount, Disney World is obviously a well treasured national and international landmark. So, the big question is, why make a trip there during the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival? Oh sooo many reasons!

First, the festival runs during October and November, which is a really nice time to visit central Florida. It is still very warm, but not oppressively hot. I wore short sleeves and shorts/skirts and was mostly comfortable. 

Second, it is a wine and food festival. I know that is an obvious statement, but how can you beat a day walking around in the sun noshing on appetizers and alcohol? The festival booths are scattered throughout the World Showcase portion of EPCOT. Each booth is focused on a different country (with a few random booths, like "Desserts and Champagne" thrown in for good measure). There are 2-3 food options and 3-5 drink options (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) at each booth. Like everything at Disney, the quality is incredible. This year I had sauteed barramundi with greens at the Australia booth -- it is amazing how a small outside booth can make perfectly cooked fish. I was blown away! The festival does not focus on a specific region, but instead, makes a wide sweep of the globe. We ate food from France, Mexico, South Korea and Singapore to name just a few. It is a great way to try many different types of food from many different regions. I tried pierogies for the first time (and of course loved them)!

In addition to the booths scattered around the World Showcase, there are numerous other events occurring during the Festival. There are concerts with family friendly acts. There are cooking demonstrations and wine tastings, which usually costs extra. At night, there is the Party for the Senses -- a huge cocktail party-type event, which also costs extra. There are also book signings and various other random activities, such as a chocolate tasting. Depending on how much money you want to spend, you can really partake in a wide range of activities. For those who are heat adverse, you can sign up for enough activities to even skip the outdoors. There is even a half marathon for those who want to try to burn off all the food and alcohol they consumed.

TIP: You can purchase a gift card at the beginning of the day which is attached to a wrist band that you can use at the various booths. It makes both purchasing and watching your funds so much easier. Because while I do not find the food outrageously priced, it can really add up.

The EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival is a fabulous event and I highly recommend planning a Disney World vacation around it! It is definitely a way to squeeze some adult time into a very kid-focused vacation. 

Disney World
Orlando, Florida
(407) 939-6244
www.disneyworld.disney.go.com

Musee D'Orsay

In looking back through the blog posts I have written thus far, I realized that I have not yet recommended any museums. What a travesty! When I travel, I always try to hit as many museums as possible to see both the new and old treasures that a specific city and country has to offer. My favorite museum in the world (so far!) is the Musee D'Orsay in Paris.

I must caveat this recommendation by disclosing that I am a huge Impressionist fan. It is my favorite style and period of art. So for me, the Musee D'Orsay is like mecca.

First, the Musee D'Orsay is housed in one of the most beautiful and interesting buildings for a museum. It is an old train station built in 1900 for the World's Fair and when you stop and look around you can see the bones of a train station. At the far end of the museum there is the original clock for the station and it is basically a work of art in itself.

Now moving on to the art. It really is Impressionist and Post-Impressionist heaven. It covers the period from 1848 to 1914. You can see Degas, Monet, Manet, Renoir and Van Gogh, Gauguin, Seurat...all of the super-stars from that period. There is also a great sculpture section on the first floor. Most of the Impressionist masters were French, so it makes perfect sense to have this museum in Paris. It just fits.

Finally, since you will be worn out and totally overstimulated by all the masterpieces, you have to check out the restaurant. I usually am not a big fan of eating in a museum. It is usually crowded with people and junky food. But, the Musee D'Orsay is different. First, the restaurant itself is gorgeous. You feel like you are sitting in the salon of a French king. The food is fantastic and the prices cannot be beat. It is actually extremely reasonably priced considering the ambiance and the quality of food. I would highly recommend making a stop there. As you can see from the picture below, my husband was very happy at our lunch there!

TIP: Buy the Paris Museum Pass -- http://en.parismuseumpass.com/. It provides discounts and you can pop to the head of the line. Which for impatient people like me is a godsend!

One other aspect that I love about the Musee D'Orsay is that it is not so big as to be overwhelming and it is not too small that you think "that's it!" It is really the perfect size -- just enough to quench your thirst for art without causing your head to spin.

If you are in Paris, I would highly recommend spending a few hours in the Musee D'Orsay. It truly is a transporting experience!

Musée d'Orsay
62, rue de Lille
75343 Paris Cedex 07
+33 (0)1 40 49 48 14
www.musee-orsay.fr/en

Pat O'Brien's

Last weekend, I went to New Orleans for a bachelorette party. Every time I go out in New Orleans, I inevitably end up at Pat O'Brien's and I always have a great time when I do. Pat O'Brien's (or Pat O's as the locals call it) has been around since 1933. The building has been around since 1791! It is a true New Orleans original, though now there are locations in Orlando, San Antonio and Cancun. But, if you come to New Orleans and you want to experience the night life, you have to go to Pat O's.

Pat O's consists of four areas: the Piano Lounge, the Main bar, the Patio and an area with private rooms. If it is a nice night, I would head straight to the Patio. You will definitely not be able to miss it -- there is a huge flaming fountain in the middle. That's right -- a fountain with both water and fire. Again, you can't miss it. As soon as you get to the courtyard, you have to stalk a table. This is not a civilized place where a waitress seats you. Uh uh...this is New Orleans...you gotta fight for your table!! Once you are seated, order a Hurricane. I know there are other drinks on the menu, but order the Hurricane, I promise you will not regret it. Well, I take that back, you might regret it in the morning! A Hurricane is a rum-based drink created when rum was the easiest and most plentiful liquor to come by. The signature glass is shaped to resemble a hurricane lamp. Once you get your hurricane, just chill, drink, and check out the sights. I promise you will see lots of interesting sights!

If you want to try something different, instead, head to the Piano Lounge. You will notice it because of the long line snaking out. The piano bar is very popular, so you may have to wait. But, you can drink while you wait, so it is not a big deal. Once you are seated, you will get to listen to dueling piano players go through song after song with the audience singing along. It gets very rowdy and is super fun. Again, stick to the Hurricane, that is the best way to get a real New Orleans experience.

TIP: You will notice they have a roaming photographer taking pics of all the guests. Though this may seem cheesy, get one --  most young New Orleanians have a Pat O's picture somewhere in their house. I know I do! It really is a great souvenir.

ANOTHER TIP: The souvenir glasses the Hurricanes come in can be kept as souvenirs or they can be brought back to the bar for cash. A true local will grab all the glasses left behind by tourists, to try to drink for free all night. So, do not leave an empty glass behind. Either take it home as a souvenir or take it to the bar for cash (so you can drink more of course).

Pat O's is, in my opinion, the best bar in New Orleans. I even went there after my wedding! I would highly recommend stopping in the next time you are in the Big Easy.

Pat O'Brien's Bar
718 St. Peter Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
Phone: (504) 525-4823
Toll Free: (800) 597-4823
Fax: (504) 588-2752
www.patobriens.com

Maison Kayser

This weekend my husband and I went to brunch at a French bakery in town. Every time I eat a French pastry it brings me back to Paris and my favorite Parisian bakery -- Maison Kayser.

Maison Kayser is both a boulangerie and a patisserie with locations throughout Paris and the world. I was lucky enough to stumble upon their original location a short walk from Notre Dame Cathedral. And once I stumbled in once, I was addicted!

Maison Kayser is an artisanal bakery through and through. The founder, Eric Kayser, is devoted to being a craftsman baker. All of their breads and pastries are obviously made from scratch and dear God are they good. Their breads are just perfect -- they are crispy on the outside and soft and scrumptious inside. Maison Kayser serves 60 varieties of bread, 50 types of cakes, and 25 types of pastries. Though it seems like the shop has been around forever, Maison Kayser was only opened in 1996. Since then he has opened 69 other shops around the world.

Kayser, a fifth generation baker also invented the Fermentolevain, a machine marketed by Electrolux Baking that creates and maintains a liquid leaven that he uses in his breads in lieu of yeast. The liquid leaven causes a lactic fermentation giving hints of milk, hazelnut, and honey to his breads.

Though the bread is phenomenal, the pastries are what I remember most about this charming little shop. Chocolate tarts, croissants and every other type of pastry you can imagine are all lined up like lovely jewels. The hardest part is actually choosing one! But once you do you pretty much are guaranteed to be happy. I especially like their chocolate-hazelnut tart -- it was a perfectly prepared tart shell with the most amazing chocolate ganache filling. It was like Nutella on steroids!!! I still have dreams about this tart!

The original locations, where we went, are side by side. One of which is the boulangerie, which also sells pastries, where you just walk in, grab and go. The other is more of a patisserie where there are a few seats and where you can also grab a beverage. Both of these locations are absolutely charming. They are small store fronts with tons of Parisians bustling in and out at a rapid speed. We definitely had to use our French language skills! When you walk in, you can just tell the goods are made from scratch and with real, full fat butter. Yummm!!!

I would highly recommend finding time in your trip to Paris to find a location of Maison Kayser and grabbing a baguette or a pastry. It is a true Parisian experience.

Maison Kayser
8 Rue Monge (and 14 Rue Monge)
Paris 5e
01-44-07-01-42
http://www.maison-kayser.com/

Trattoria Sostanza

This past weekend, my husband and I had a nice dinner at an Italian restaurant in town. I ordered a cocktail that had Italian wild strawberries floating in it. I had never seen these tiny strawberries outside of Italy, so I was reminded of the first time I had these delightful little fruits -- the Trattoria Sostanza in Florence.

Trattoria Sostanza is a casual restaurant in Florence serving very traditional Tuscan fare that has been around since 1869. Its nickname is "Il Troia" -- "The Trough" -- due to the large wooden tables and benches lining the restaurant. This is not the place to come for cutting-edge cuisine, but if you want to taste authentic and amazing Tuscan food, Trattoria Sostanza cannot be beat.

It is definitely a "touristy" place -- they sit you at a big table with others that speak your language. My husband and I were at the American table, which was next to the Japanese table. However, across from us was the Italian table, so there definitely will be locals to mingle with as well. But, honestly, you will not care that you are seated with only Americans once you taste the food. It is simple, rustic and just unbelievably delicious.

The specialty of the house is the Petti di Pollo al Burro, which is simply chicken breasts fried in butter. But, wow is this dish amazing. It comes served on a cast-iron skillet, so it still piping hot when it reaches the table. The chicken is perfectly cooked inside and has got a great crispy crust. Your chicken sits in a bubbly pool of butter that is someone not nearly as greasy as it sounds. All in all it is a fantastic dish.

All of the other food items ordered by my husband and I or others at our table were fantastic. Plump little tortellini in a rich bolognese sauce. An artichoke pie with an amazing egg crust. A traditional Florentine T-bone. All of which come in generous portions.

Then, there is that wild strawberry dessert. Italian wild strawberries are tiny -- half the size of a raspberry -- and delicious. At Trattoria Sostanza, they are served as part of a meringue cake with tiny chocolate chips. Though you likely will be full by the time dessert comes, try the cake with the wild strawberries. I promise you will not regret it.

TIP: Trattoria Sostanza is small and is closed in August, so I would highly recommend making advance reservations. In addition, be aware that the restaurant is cash-only, so be prepared.

Trattoria Sostanza
Via Porcellana 25r
Florence, Italy
39-055-212-691

A University of Texas at Austin Football Game

So, last week began college football season (and all the men of America rejoiced)! During college football season, I am always nostalgic about college and the great city of Austin, Texas. While there are many amazing things to see and do in Austin (many of which I will cover in upcoming posts), I wanted to focus now on college football because attending a University of Texas football game is an experience that should not be missed.

First of all, the Darrell K. Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium is awesome. It is huge and loud and really just personifies the State of Texas. The stadium opened in 1924, but has obviously undergone numerous renovations. It now seats over 100,000 people and trust me, it is always packed. It is smack dab in the middle of campus, so people stream in from all over the campus and the city (and, let's be honest, the state) to attend the games.

And the games are SO MUCH FUN (even when the Longhorns lose). There is a great mixture of students, alumni and "townies." Everyone is dressed up in their best burnt orange and cowboy hats. And everyone is psyched about the game. There is definitely a good bit of tailgating that goes on, but for Longhorn fans the game is really the main event.

UT also has a ton of great traditions associated with its football games. Bevo, the mascot, happens to be a true Texas longhorn and is escorted onto the field by the Silver Spurs, a student organization. Though Bevo really does not do much, he is always there to represent the school. Every once in a while he makes a "mess" on the other teams' sideline, but that is just good fun. There is also Smokey the Cannon, a (you guessed it) cannon which is shot every time Texas scores any points. Smokey is handled by the Texas Cowboys, another student organization. Yet another student organization brings out a Texas flag that covers the entire field during pre-game. Supposedly, this is the World's Largest Texas flag. The most important tradition throughout the game, though, is flashing your "hook 'em horns" pretty much every 5 minutes.   

So the big question is, how do I purchase a ticket? Your best bet may be through StubHub or another reputable ticket agent if there is not much time before the game. The more official way is through TexasBoxOffice.com. However, if you want these tickets you do have to buy them way in advance.

TIP: Before game day, stop on Guadalupe Street -- the "Drag" -- and buy some Texas garb. Not only will you fit in but wearing burnt orange will get you in the spirit as well. Plus you will have a great souvenir to remember your trip (once you wash out the beer of course). Be aware though that the games are usually quite hot, so keep this in mind when packing. This may not be the best day to try out your new wool pants.

I think that attending a University of Texas at Austin football game is a great way to spend a day (or evening) in Austin. I also think this recommendation not only applies to UT -- attending a Michigan game in Ann Arbor, an LSU game in Baton Rouge or a Notre Dame game in South Bend, Indiana would probably provide you the same unique experience. But, since I am a Texas Ex, I am recommending Texas!

HOOK 'EM HORNS!!!!!

Darell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium
2100 San Jacinto Boulevard
Austin, TX 78712
(512) 471-4602
http://www.texassports.com/

South Beach Hotel Bar Hop

Especially during the winter time, my husband and I often receive house guests. Spending a few days in sunny Miami is very appealing to our friends and family, especially those that live in chilly places. Whenever these house guests descend on us, there is one activity we almost always partake in -- a bar crawl through the various hotel bars on South Beach. This is the prototypical South Beach experience -- even if our guest is not typically a bar person, everyone likes dressing up and going out on the town every once in a while. Now, depending on who we bring with us depends on what bars we would go to, but there are so many hotels and so many corresponding bars, that you can really find a bar to suit all tastes and preferences (even if they do not drink alcohol!). Here are some of my favorites:

First, the classic (and one of the first) South Beach hotel bars -- the Delano. Some may argue that the Delano is not as chic as it used to be and is past its prime. That may well be the case, but for the classic South Beach experience, it cannot be beat. When you walk up to the Delano, like all the hotels you will see, there are ridiculous cars parked outside -- Bentley, Maserati, Ferrari -- cars you usually see exclusively on television. When you walk inside, you quickly realize this is not your ordinary hotel. There are sparse furnishings and white fabric blowing in the breeze. You walk straight through the lobby and do your best Tyra Banks walk down the stairs to get to the pool area. That is where the action is. The pool is long and skinny (like most of the clientele) and there are beds along one side and cabanas along the other side. Depending on your budget and how long you are staying at the Delano, you may want to reserve either a bed or a cabana. Once you find yourself a seat or a place to stand, get a drink and enjoy the people watching. You may even see someone famous!

Another hotel bar that is a must-see is the Setai. The Setai is slightly more-low key and upscale than the Delano, so this is the place to take an older guest or someone who is not really a big partier. The design of this bar is absolutely insane (and I mean that in the best way possible). It takes some time to even figure out if the bar is inside or outside (the answer is outside by the way). Your group can grab a seat, order cocktails (or food if you like) and just marvel at the architecture and interior design. The Setai will truly take your breath away.

Another great hotel bar with a much different vibe is the Raleigh. At the Raleigh, there is space to drink inside, but the outside area, which is part of the restaurant, is where you should head. It is a calm, peaceful oasis from the South Beach madness. You will sit under huge trees with really cool lanterns hanging from the branches, enjoy your cocktail and just enjoy being so close to the beach and (hopefully) on vacation. A fun fact is that the unusually shaped pool used to be featured in the old Esther Williams movies. So, not only is the Raleigh a great place to chill now, it has a great history behind it.

Another more lively spot is the Shore Club. This is definitely a place to go if you want to really party. There are actually numerous bars located throughout the Shore Club all under the Skybar brand. There is a DJ and bars set up around the large pool area which is called Rumbar. There is also a smaller outside bar next door to the pool called the Redroom Gardens. Inside the hotel is the Red Room which is exactly as it sounds. The Shore Club is often packed and you can sometimes hear the noise from the street. If it gives you any idea of what kind of place this is, I started my bachelorette party here before hitting a South Beach club!

If you are seeking a killer view, I would recommend trying Plunge on the rooftop of the Gansevoort Miami Beach. As the location suggests, this is a lounge on the rooftop of the hotel surrounding the rooftop pool. The view from this bar is absolutely amazing and there is pretty much always a nice breeze. I truly would try out this bar for the view alone though the people-watching here is certainly great also. I think they named the bar after the low-cut tops most of the girls wear (hehe).

TIP: Before embarking on an excursion to any of the above locations, please check online or call to make sure they are still open. Bars and hotels open and close very quickly and regularly in Miami. Also, check with the concierge at your hotel or ask around with the locals to see whether there are any new spots you should check out.

No matter what your age (well as long as you are 21 or can fake it well), I think a bar hop to the South Beach hotel bars is a great way to see gorgeous architecture, cool interior design and interesting people. Plus, you get the added bonus of drinking a cocktail al fresco...and really, what could be better than that!

Delano Hotel

1685 Collins Ave.

Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 672-2000
http://www.delano-hotel.com/

The Setai Resort & Residences
2001 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 520 6000 or (888) 625 7500
http://www.setai.com/

The Raleigh Hotel
1775 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
(800) 848 1775
info@raleighhotel.com
http://www.raleighhotel.com/

Shore Club
1901 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 695 3100
http://www.shoreclub.com/

Gansevoort Miami Beach
2377 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 604-1000
http://www.gansevoortmiamibeach.com/

Cafe Du Monde

My husband and I  were both born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. Since New Orleans is such a big tourist destination, we are constantly receiving inquiries regarding what to see and do in New Orleans. One spot that is always on our list is Cafe Du Monde in the French Quarter. Now, most guidebooks on New Orleans recommend Cafe Du Monde as well, so this is not quite a hidden treasure. However, I really do think that Cafe Du Monde represents most (if not all) of the unique aspects of New Orleans and is well worth a visit.

So, what is Cafe Du Monde? It is simply a cafe established in 1862 that serves beignets and coffee around the clock. That's it. It serves no other food and its drinks options are limited to coffee, milk, orange juice and soda. But, it is so much more than a beignet shop...

First, let's talk about the beignets. For those unfamiliar with beignets, they are squares of fried dough drenched with powdered sugar. They are French in origin (they were brought to Louisiana by the Acadians), but have been made famous in New Orleans. You can find them all over New Orleans, but the ones at Cafe Du Monde are the best. They are always fresh and hot...always, no matter what time of day you come and how busy or slow the restaurant is (though it is rarely slow). When you bite into one, you get a mix of the crispiness and softness of the dough, then the sweet sweet powdered sugar. TIP -- do not wear something super fancy to Cafe Du Monde -- you WILL get powered sugar all over your clothes. But people, that is part of what makes this place so awesome! Just roll up your sleeves and bite in! You did not come to New Orleans to be worried about a little dirt or calories.

Cafe du Monde would not be Cafe du Monde without the coffee. This is not just normal coffee though. This is coffee and chicory -- another delicacy brought to Louisiana by the Acadians, but made famous in New Orleans. Chicory is the root of the endive plant. It adds such a depth of flavor and almost a chocolate taste to the coffee -- trust me, once you have tried it, you will be hooked! The best way to try the coffee and chicory is in a classic New Orleans cafe au lait, which consists of the coffee and chicory mixed half and half with hot milk. And it is fantastic -- the hot milk takes away the bitterness of the coffee and leaves you with a still quite strong, but much more smooth cup of coffee. However, if you are bold, go ahead and order the coffee black. At the very least, it will put hair on your chest! If you bring kids, don't worry, all New Orleans kids drink milk (chocolate or regular) with their beignets, so no need to dose your kids with caffeine just yet. Cafe Du Monde also serves Iced Coffee for those New Orleans days that are too hot and humid to drink hot coffee.

The final component that makes Cafe Du Monde great is the atmosphere. As in many great places in New Orleans, this place is old and as you can see in the pictures, looks pretty darn similar to how it has always looked. It is open 24-7 and it is located on Decatur Street in the French Market right at the edge of the French Quarter. It is only closed on Christmas Day, which is pretty perfect considering what a strong presence Catholicism has in New Orleans. No matter what time you go, there is great people watching to be had. I would highly recommend sitting outside as close to the street as possible. From that vantage point, you can watch the city go by. Regardless of where you sit, though, you certainly will be surrounded by interesting people. Not only is this a big tourist destination, but it is a big locals spot as well. So, if you listen carefully around you, you may pick up some tips as to the restaurant you should go to for dinner or the bar you should go to after dinner. My favorite times to go are in the morning for breakfast -- beignets and coffee make GREAT hangover food, which face it, you will need --- or after a night out on Bourbon Street so you can try to squash the hangover.

Cafe Du Monde is a "must-see" for anyone traveling to New Orleans. I love this place so much that I even had my post-wedding brunch there. And trust me, all of my hung over guests were more than happy with that choice!

Cafe Du Monde
1039 Decatur Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
http://www.cafedumonde.com/
1-800-772-2927
Note: there are other locations around New Orleans, but I would strongly recommend visiting the original first.

Welcome!

Welcome to ViaggiDiDolce -- which loosely translates from Italian into "Sweet Travels"! I am a corporate attorney living and working in Miami, Florida, but my true passion lies in traveling. When I am supposed to be participating in conference calls or drafting purchase agreements, instead I am dreaming of strolling the Seine, eating gelato in Florence or lying on the beach in St. Lucia. I travel as much as I can, and when I am not traveling, I spend my free time reading about all the new places I am dying to go. Over the years, I have cultivated a mental list of the great places I have been both in my hometowns and abroad.

I have always been excited about sharing the contents of this mental list with my friends and family and I am starting this blog in order to share my recommendations with the world. Each week I will recommend a new "must-see" site that I think truly reflects the essence of the city or country where the site is located. I will also focus on sites that I think are easily accessible for the average traveler.

Hopefully my little recommendations will help to make your travels just a little bit sweeter!

ViaggiDiDolce!!!