I’m always looking for new ways to enjoy the outdoors. On my last trip to Santa Barbara in January, a friend took me paragliding. I was scared, but after being tasered, I thought, this should be a piece of cake.
We used this company, but I’m sure a quick google search will direct you to several companies wherever your travels take you.
As I always say, the best way to experience a new place is with a local who can show you the spots that truly reflect the culture.
Well, you’re a local, or maybe you frequently vacation to the same spot, and have a wealth of knowledge that will make our trip so much more enjoyable. So I would love for you to send in your tour guide and share your favorite spots with us!
Once you start writing you won’t know how to fit everything in, so use this outline to make your list.
Here’s what we want to know:
How many days do we need to fully enjoy this place?
Where Should We Stay:
If We’re Going All Out
If We’re On A Budget
Your Favorite Restaurants (breakfast/lunch/dinner):
Fine Dining
Trendy
Cheap and healthy
Daytime Activities:
Shopping
Outdoors
Culture
Something Unique
Nightlife:
Lounges or clubs
Culture (theater? live music?)
Anything else fun?
Send me your MTM Tour Guide at Mary@MoreThanMary.com.
As much as we all would love to stay in a nice hotel when we travel, the rate usually isn’t in our budget. The room we can afford (or the price we want to pay) is a single at The Holiday Inn Express and there is nothing fun about sandpaper sheets and plastic cups next to the sink.
So why not stay in place that feels a little more like home?
AirBnB.com lets people rent out their extra room, whether that be a room or an entire home, to travelers looking for affordable accommodations. Since affordability is all relative, the site offer everything from a room in Midtown NYC to a small island villa to a ranch estate.
Here are a few offerings featured on their site:
I know it seems like it would be a bit uncomfortable to stay in someone else’s house, or have strangers sleeping in your bed, but check out their policies before you knock it.
I’m sure you’ve noticed that part of what makes my travel so affordable is that I stay with friends all over the world. Usually I will treat them to dinner, buy groceries, clean, etc in exchange for a cozy place to lay my head. The cost of some of these rooms is equal to my expenses.
I know thousands of people are about to descend on Austin and with hotels either fully booked or inflated rates, you’re having a difficult time finding accommodations. AirBnB is ahead of the game and features rooms around big events. So in Austin, there is still availability you can compare.
This kind of reminds me of CouchSurfing.org for those of us who haven’t fully embraced our inner vagabond.
You’ve heard me mention home exchanges multiple times on my blog. We first got the idea from our neighbors Jess and Trevor who did a successful home exchange in Rome in 2008. They used a website called HomeExchange.com™ – the very same one featured in the movie The Holiday. We had a poke around the website and decided to give it a whirl.
You can send messages to listings that you are interested in and you will also receive messages from other people who have viewed your listing. Once we find people who are interested in an exchange, we set up a conference call with them to discuss logistics etc. A number of the places on the website are people’s second homes so you don’t even necessarily have to do a simultaneous exchange.
People often ask us if we are worried about theft or damage. And the answer is no because firstly, we are also staying in their house with all their stuff and secondly, our doorman would notice if they attempted carrying our 50 inch television out the door. The conference call also helps us to ascertain whether these people are ‘normal’. I think maybe in future we might ask for copies of passports just so we know exactly who will be staying in our home.
It sounds great and it is great. However, let’s be clear. It only works if:
You have a nice apartment/house that other people would actually want to stay in. If you live in a shoebox studio with wallpaper hanging off the walls I think you would have some trouble convincing someone to exchange with you.
You live in a desirable location. No one wants to go to middle-of-nowhere, New Jersey. Everyone wants to go to New York City.
There is an annual fee to list your home (around $200 I think) but other than that there are no other charges. We’ve had two really fantastic exchanges – one in San Francisco and one in Vail.
The Skype iPhone App is the best thing that could ever happen to a gypsy blogger traveler. (Also available on some Nokias and Windows Mobile)
Or if you refuse to get a land line in your house even though you don’t get cell service – gotta love AT&T.
(I qualify for both.)
It has been such a lifesaver while in Mexico because friends and family can text me for free and I can either call, SMS, or skype them back via Skype for pennies. If they call your cell , there is a minimal charge so you might as well pick up the phone and tell them you’re going to call them back from a number that looks like it’s a transmission from the moon.
The only catch is that you need access to decent wifi, which isn’t always readily available, but gypsies enjoying a the landscapes of the world can’t be choosers.
It’s funny, most of my tech savvy friends don’t use skype, but you know who does…mid-western families. Want to know why they are in the know? One word: Oprah.
The App is free so I suggest you just download it and buy the minimum $10 credit. I guarantee it will come in handy.
And btw, if you don’t have Skype on your computer, you’re a way behind. That’s ok, just jump on the freight train now so you can sit with the connected kids (and mommies).
Planning a trip to a place you’ve never been isn’t easy. So here are a few websites that will lighten your load in terms of research and scheduling.
Zicasso.com allows you to enter in your destination and budget and then generates a list of things you might like to do.
Once you’ve booked all of your reservations, forward the confirmation emails to TripIt.com which will generate your itinerary that you can share with friends via Google Calendar, G-Mail, LinkedIn, and a few others.
Neither site is very pretty, but they do a great job as you’ll see in their user reviews.
After a crazy four days in Vegas, I’m escaping to my favorite LA getaway, The Santa Ynez Inn just north of Santa Barbara in the wine country. You remember Sideways right?
Well, I was coming out here long before the movie (which did not feature the beautiful inns and quaint restaurants that take your breath away.) Because I’ve been coming here for years, I’m friends with the manager and his wife, so it will be fun to catch up.
I’m going to post pictures of the scenery, vineyards, and towns so you can see what’s only 2 hours away from your front door in LA.
Tomorrow I’m shooting another episode of Life Experiment (which to me is equally as scary, but hopefully not as painful as the taser.)
Ok, off to crack open a bottle of white, send in changes to my programmer, and take a load off for a minute. (Santa Ynez Inn room provided at a friend rate which I am more than happy to translate to a “media” rate. You are going to love this place!)
My first article went up today on CultureMap.com – a digital guide to Houston’s best all laid out for you on an interactive map (very cool!). My lists below for people who have been to LA once or twice.
It’s time to pack up your burnt orange polos and head west to watch the Longhorns roll over the Crimson Tide. With all of the excitement, you might have forgotten to plan your extra day in LA. Being a native Houstonian, I know the bright lights of Hollywood and price tags of Rodeo Drive can be intimidating, so I’ve laid out a few itineraries you’ll enjoy and be able to navigate.
Goofing Off With The Boys • Fill a grumbling tummy at The Griddle (Local tip: Pumpkin pancakes are to die for). • Take a hike up Runyon Canyon to see the city from up top. • Devour an “animal style” burger In-N-Out (just like The Dude). • Stroll Hollywood and see the stars. • Take down 2-for-1 cocktails at Cabo Cantina’s happy hour. • Make your way to Bar Marmont, Jones Hollywood or 8 ounce for a great meal. • Hit up The Village Idiot afterwards. You’ll be able to get into this bar!
I have to say, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Dallas. The city itself is beautiful! It boasts neighborhoods in close proximity to each other, streets lined with trees, restaurants filled with friendly (and beautiful) people, rich dining experiences, fun spots to hang out, a unique fashion sense, cultural offerings, and a means to relax . Truly, it was pretty close to a perfect urban existence.
My first week in Dallas I feel like I explored a lot of what the city had to offer in Highland Park and Uptown. Below, you’ll find a list of the places I went (or considered going to).
Restaurants Coal Vines - a wine and pizza bar with a fresh, delicious menu. Transitions from low-key casual dinner to trendy hot spot around 8.
Dream Cafe- a favorite casual brunch spot for locals
R+D Cafe - from the creators of Houston’s, this cafe is more casual with great sushi and interesting salads
Sprinkles - designer cupcakes from Beverly Hills that are worth every penny
Steel - ”I can never say no to Steele” – “It’s so Dallas” quotes from two local fans of the modern, pan-asian eateryVictor Tango’s- diner goes trendy for the pre-clubbing crowd. Chicken and waffles and hamburger tacos make for a fun, but fair dining experience. Stick to the sea bass skewers.
Hotels Joule Hotel- Starwood hotel that houses one of Dallas’ hottest clubs (PM) and a hip pool scene, just like the W actually
Ritz Carlton- walk into the stunning entry way and prepare for the “meat market” bar, or enjoy a cocktail on their large, well- lit terrace where you can show off your kicks and relax with friends
ZaZa Hotel- boutique hotel with a creative luxury concept and fun, young scene. A favorite for visiting celebs and locals.
Shopping Higland Park Village - beautiful outdoor mall that houses all of the major labels with a few boutiques and affordable chains
NorthPark Mall - Indoor mall with the “better” Neimans and Barney’s
——— Deno’s - locals swear this is the best shoe and leather repair place in the state
FortyFive Ten- creme de la creme boutique in Highland Park with a fantastic selection of designer pieces for men and women, plus a lovely home section. Don’t both to visit if you’re not looking to drop a few bills.
Scoop - the NYC boutique with a selection of trendy and semi-affordable casual-wear in Highland Park Village
Stanley Korshak - think Neimans meets Barneys on a smaller scale
Tootsies - one of my favorite stores in Texas. Upscale and always a pleasure to browse Nightlife/Hangouts
Barcadia - Dive bar with over-sized, adult Jenga and vintage video games
The Meridian Room - although it looks a little shady, I had a blast chugging free beers and listening to a southern rock band perform outside. I hear the food is good too.
PM – exclusive club inside Joule Hotel with pretty people who think they are pretty and djs spinning an eclectic mix that will make you want to dance
Other Stuff To Do
The Arboretum – I didn’t go, but even the locals visit when looking for a fun activity
Equinox- obviously I went and loved it. The group fitness and yoga classes were actually pretty good. I twittered that if you’re single in Dallas, you should forget the drinks after work and hit the gym for a selection of good-looking, physically fit, healthy men.
The Old Katy Trail – a running, biking trail that runs through Highland Park
Weekend Pool Hopping – the pool scene at the hotels is where you’ll find the daytime party equipped with djs spinning remixes you’d expect to hear in St. Tropez. Think Tao Beach Vegas but a lot more mellow. Check out the Zaza, Joule (where the pool extends over the edge of the building), the Ritz, the Crescent, and if you don’t mind the drive, The Four Seasons.(Photo via Jeff Clow’s Flickr)
