Vacation Anticipation

I never really thought about the before and after of a vacation until tonight. As I think of writing this post, numerous "to do" lists go through my mind for our Saturday departure to Maine. Bags are beginning to get organized, laundry stacked for packing, doggie care arrangements, haircuts, bank trips, the emptying of fridge perishables, mail and lawn favors, electronics' battery charging, oil change and car cleaning, last minute projects at work, and so on… 

Last summer was my first two week trip since the year I flew back mid stream to pitch an account about 10 years ago. This is my second. As we move into our second decade in business together with 20 years in the industry, my biz partner and I know we can rely on each other to hold down the fort, forge ahead with confidence and let our individual knowledge and instincts give the other complete freedom to rejuvenate with our families. Being in tourism, isn't it apropos that we should also enjoy the healing powers of vacationing?

The anticipation of going on vacation is a climatic one. Mind wanderings of discovering a new place, spending time with family and friends, going to bed early and sleeping late, hiking and biking for miles, photographing the beautiful countryside, reading books for hours, tasting new flavors, and making new memories creep into your every thought. The return is as anticipatory, when you share photos with coworkers, along with the little mementos and stories you bring back of where you've been, who you've met and how a place touched your heart.

I ask you, how could there be anything about traveling you don't love???

I'll be sitting in that Adirondack chair much of the time

The Atlantic Ocean at our rental - heard the water is coooold

I hope that's the view from my room

I'll be sitting here too - see the "relax" sign on the shelf?

Baby Meet and Greet

We are starting to count the days until our road trip to Maine. 10 days and counting. We will be stopping in good 'ole Dutchess County for a couple days before our vacation rental is ready in Owls Head, Maine. First order of business will be pizza night at my sister-in-law Lynne's, where she has agreed to host a baby meet and greet for us so we can see the new crop of bambinos. 

Of Gene's 3 dearest childhood friends, 2 of them have just added new family members. First to the home plate was Rob Wilson and wife Carol, who, along with big sissy Ella, welcomed Connor on January 30th. Next up, Nick Mastrantuono, who's wife Francine gave birth to baby Jamie Joan on April 8th. Jamie joins older sister Shea, and much older siblings Shannon and Nick. In May, our nephew Buddy and his domestic partner Lisa were the youngest to make the plunge, with their first little girl Skyler. I know what you are thinking, I look way too young to be a great aunt! And for my John Jay pals out there, this is the grandchild of my sister-in-law Kim Cushing!!!!

Last night, I attended the 11th birthday dinner of my Godson, Nathan, and afterwards, Taryn and I stayed up for a little mommy/daughter gab session until about midnight. Today I feel like I've been run over by a mack truck. So the thought of night time feedings, baby strollers, car seats, diapers, and rattles is exhausting! To the young parents I say, "Good thing you're doing this now." To the more seasoned parents I say, "I'm duly impressed!"

Nick, Baby Jamie, Shea and Fran Mastrantuono

Baby Skyler, definitely has the Cushing "look"!!

Robert and Connor Wilson

Have Dogs Will Travel

This morning, I was on the floor playing fetch with Taryn’s chihuahua Cheyenne while she enjoyed her first day of summer. It occurred to me that when we head to Maine later this month, we need to remember to pack Cheyenne her toys. Then I started adding up all the items she would need – like the little blue coat we bought her for chilly Maine nights; her assortment of favorite toys including her beanie chihuahua, her whale, her stuffed bones, and her cheerleading bear; her puppy food; her leash and harness; her travel carrier; her sleeping cage; and her kitty cat bed, to name a few. Is it true that even girl doggies over pack? 

For goodness sake, Cheyenne would need her very own suitcase! So much for trying to travel light this year. When Taryn woke up (at 11a.m.), she and I found a little kiddie suitcase in her closet for her little princess to use. It was designer chic with a purple zebra pattern. We placed it on the bed and began assembling Chey’s loot. She wasn’t thrilled with the trying on of the organic dress or the new coat, and she was especially not happy with her play things being put in that big 'ole box of ours!

So she painstakingly removed them from the bag and dragged them to the other side of the bed where she practically sat on them to keep us away. From one woman to another, I completely got her point. I guess we’ll have to wait till the night before.

Hey, what're ya doing with my toys?

No one puts Baby's stuff in the suitcase, no one!

That's MY bone!

I got it.

This one is Isaac Mizrahi!

I'll save you, brother!

Mom, get this stupid coat off me.

Wow, this packing business is exhausting!

Visiting College Towns

This month has brought with it an onslaught of high school graduation parties and lots of talk of colleges to our home as many of my daughter Taryn's friends prepare to fly the coop. Next month, we are hitting the road for our annual July vacation to a cooler, northern climate. This year, we’ve decided to take the time to stop in Gainesville, home of the University of Florida Gators, where Taryn has set her eyes on medical school in a couple years. We’ve never been.

In thinking about taking a self-guided tour and having an impromptu lunch on campus, I pondered the subject of college town tourism. I was reminded of one of our most memorable family trips - the year we spent the day at Harvard in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Seeing the chairs being set up for commencement on the lawn and Taryn's look of awe will stick in my mind forever. Our agency's partner Jennifer works with Auburn, where college life and tourism are centerpiece to Tiger football and great golf. I did a search for “visiting college towns” and read a couple travel-related articles on college cities that intrigued me. They spoke of cafés, bookstores, historic buildings, cutting-edge music and art scenes, a youthful vibe and a melting pot of individualism. They mentioned places like Boulder, Colorado; Berkley, California; and Burlington, Vermont - and I began to think, is it wrong to think about what’s in it for me when Taryn chooses a college?

Then I thought, yes it is, but that won’t stop me from planning some college town vacations of my own. She’ll be away in college, what’ll she care?

Blue Water & Happy Teens

The first time I truly discovered the magic of Anna Maria Island wasn’t on my first visit. I had, in fact, already been working on the tourism account for the County (Manatee) for quite some time. It was October 2006, and my first “personal” visit to the destination, in which I took my family to the island - to see what they thought and to experience it as a leisure traveler, not just through the eyes of a brand marketer.

I have to tell you, I was a little worried. Reason being, the campaign we had developed for the destination of “TIME” was authentic. This was a far cry from Disneyworld or Busch Gardens, and I feared my 15 year old and her cheerleading friend would be bored to tears in this laid back, sleepy beach town.

The first thing you notice on Anna Maria and Longboat Key is the blue water. The amazing shades of deep blue to aquamarine make you feel like you’ve just arrived in the Caribbean, or way down south in the Florida Keys. But this unspoiled location is only one and half hours from home, tucked between Tampa and Sarasota Bays. It was also the weekend of my cousin’s birthday, and her husband and I surprised her with an adjoining two bedroom suite to ours at the Tortuga Inn. Proprietor and developer David Teitelbaum gets my kudos for creating a luxuriously appointed resort with a most unpretentious, flip flop character.

The teens spent plenty of time in front of the mirror doing their hair each day before walking the few steps across the street to the private beach. Only to lay out for about 10 minutes before they decided they had enough sugar white sand for awhile. They toggled between the air conditioned apartment and the resort’s main pool, eating snacks, watching t.v. and texting their friends. Oh well, I thought, at least Cheryl’s two young boys are entralled with the place, the pools, the piers, the beach. The girls did seem to enjoy the food on the island, especially the calamari at the Beachhouse, the ice cream at Joe's and the ribs at Mr. Bones.

To my surprise, as we were packing to leave, my brace-faced daughter took me aside to thank me and tell me this was just what she needed, a relaxing weekend doing nothing in an incredible place, because she was “way too stressed out” recently. She wanted to know when we could come back. My first thought, “What could a 15 year old be so stressed out about?” and my second, “I’ve just found heaven on earth!”

"Where are we going?"

Unobstructed views every which way

"We're ready!"

The ten-minute sun worshippers

Time for the two of you

Maybe I should call this post "time for some shameless self promotion." My agency and our partners at Jennifer Barbee, Inc. have collaborated on yet another web promotion for the wonderful destination of Florida's Gulf Islands. Our last campaign produced two happy winners of complete family vacation packages and an incredible boost in registered users to our newly launched website, www.FloridasGulfIslands.com. 

I love it when people get to discover a new place to vacation! And it's even better when it's free. This new giveaway is a trip for two, including a two night stay at a landmark resort, island spa treatments, Zagat-rated gourmet dinner and tickets to a world class aquarium. Just click here to register, then browse the destination website to learn more about one of my favorite places in Florida.

My First Request for Advice

How exciting! I got an email today from the daughter-in-law of a friend who shared my blog. She is going to NYC in June and wanted some hotels suggestions. My biz partner (and most often, my personal advisor) Kimberly taught me all about never giving people advice unless asked ("unsolicited"), so when asked for advice… my flood gates open!!!!

This new fan of my blog (okay, gross exaggeration) noticed I like 70 Park Ave in my Top 35 list, but what about The Muse? I told her they were owned by the same company, the Kimpton Group, and from my experience always do a nice hotel. A few of my friends have stayed there and liked it, but I did warn her of the extremely small rooms associated with Manhattan if you are a newbie. I always suggest asking for square footage. FYI - a 100 square foot room looks like a walk-in closet, just ask Paul, our agency Senior Art Director, who had the "single" room at The Paramount one year. Kimberly and I still are still brought to tears when thinking of poor Paul trying to maneuver between the bed, the wall and the microscopic bathroom. My rule of thumb, if two people are in a room, look for a minimum of 200 square feet, 3-4 people go for at least 325-400!

Once a year, our agency trekks to the big apple to collect our loot at the annual Adrian Awards for tourism marketing. This has given us a chance to explore hotels from Times Square to the east side, boutique to chain. So far our take - not really to The Paramount, yes to Marriott Marquis, Grand Hyatt, Courtyard Midtown East, and anything Kimpton. That's all we've gotten to so far, but next on our list is something artsy in Soho. So stand by for next January's trip.

January 2008 Adrian Awards - Paul, Susan, Kim, Me and Larry

Kimberly and Paul, my cohorts

Girls, Girls and More Girls

Ahead of my time or just one of the girls? It's all over the news… girlfriend getaways are booming. Search the internet and you will find articles proclaiming such as recent as last week, to 4 and 5 years ago. The deduction is simple, women like to travel and women like to spend time with their gal pals. A match made in heaven.

I have been one of those women for as long as I could afford to get out of town! Some of my trips… My 30th birthday with the girls in South Beach,… reconnecting with 2 high school girlies in NYC after finding each other on classmates.com,… my Tuesday night dinner group escaping to the Florida Keys,… my sorority sisters converging after nearly 20 years (again in NYC),… and my daughter's 14th (okay, and 16th) birthdays (you know where).

According to Stephanie Oswald, editor-in-chief of travelgirl magazine,"…this is a phenomenon and not a trend. It's here to stay." A recent AAA survey found that 24 percent of American women have taken a girlfriend getaway in the past three years, and 39 percent of American women plan on taking one in the next three years. So if you are wondering if I have one on the books, of course! This September at my alma mater, Syracuse University, with the afore mentioned sorority girls… we're planning a weekend of football and reminiscing among the collegians during homecoming.

My idea of some great places for a girls only trip – New Orleans, Bahamas, Boston, Miami Beach and it goes without saying, my all-time favorite, NYC.

Cheryl, Annie, Taryn, Me and Chris at Ruby Fu's

Chi Omega Alumnae in the upper west side

Courtney, Taryn, Alyssa, Karen, Me and Chris at Ono

Connecticut Christine, Me and Florida Christine in NYC

To Bike or Not to Bike

As I prepare for our next summer trip - this time to Maine - I am busy finding bike routes online. Last year, we vacationed in Norwich, Vermont… which is now at the top of the list for a second home. We found a charming, organic farm in East Thetford having its annual strawberry festival, and it soon became our favorite stopping place on our ride up and down the Connecticut River. 

When you find a ride you like, you have a tendency to claim it, and the places you stop, as your own. By the time we left Norwich, not only was Dan & Whit's ("If we don't have it, you don't need it") our personal general store, the farm by the bridge was ours too. The route we took was through the village of Norwich toward the river, turning left before Ledyard bridge and heading north on scenic Route 5. We hung a right onto Pavillion Road, and made a half way stop at the Cedar Circle Farm for a piece of fresh fruit. After refreshing and chatting it up with our farm friends, we head east over the Fairlee-Orford bridge and travel south through Lyme, along River Road on the New Hampshire side. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking until you hit the more populated town of Hanover by Dartmouth College. (I have to warn of a pretty steep hill that caused me to turn into a hotel parking lot about midway up and do a couple flat land loops before finishing the ascent.) We ride into town on Route 10 and it's a little ordinary for a bit until you arrive at the center of the campus, where students and visitors are a civilized juxtaposition to the past 25 miles of river views. A bit of relief is found exiting the campus on a downhill glide back toward Norwich. Riding on vacation is, for the most part, indescribable - it gives you an up close look at the destination in a way a car can never do. And somehow, it becomes personal.

Small Gestures Mean Alot

I was thinking about typing the next journal entry I wrote from our trip to Charleston, and I remembered the special gesture the Governors House made for our anniversary. They had made reservations for us at a restaurant called Slightly North of Broad, commonly known as SNOB (which, incidentally I heard they also own another called South of Broad - SOB). Upon being seated and then greeted by a very friendly waitress, who happened to remind us of my college pal Gwen, we were congratulated with two glasses of champagne compliments of the Governors House. Awwww! 

This isn't the first time we had been on a special occasion trip (my agency calls this niche "Splurge Travel") and been touched by the extra efforts of a hospitality professional. On our ten year anniversary, we arrived at the airport without my husband knowing where we were headed. When the airline employee at check-in asked him what his destination was and he said had no idea because it was a surprise (thanks to my biz partner Kimberly), she was so touched she upgraded us to first class! In Taos at the abode style bed & breakfast, the young lady Consuela - 17 year old girlfriend of the owners' son, secretly placed a homemade carrot cake on our dresser for us to find after a day exploring.

These gestures, some small and some large, all happen to make a huge impact, and I hope I always take the extra time to thank the people and businesses for their gestures. It makes for special moments that burn a memory in my heart.

NYC Top 35

I opened my crisp new June issue of Budget Travel this morning and found their "Top 50 Reasons You Love New York City". Of course, I dove right in to see if they had any of my top reasons on their list. Only one - #17. Which is why this is my FAVE city. There are always more reasons to go back! So here's my own Top 35 Reasons (random order):

1. WoHops downstairs, Mott Street, must have: wonton/eggdrop soup

2. 70 Park Avenue, Kimpton Group, fresh green apples in the lobby

3. Top of the Rock, Rockefeller Center, must see: view of Central Park

4. Carmine's, W 44th Street, by Times Square, must have: stuffed artichoke

5. The Subway, fastest way around NYC, must buy: combo pass

6. MOMA, W 53rd between 5th and 6th, like Disneyworld each floor can take a day

7. Trump Tower, 5th Avenue, must have: $16 chocolate martini in the bar, just to say you did

8. Mark Joseph Steakhouse, Water Street, must have: slice of Canadian Bacon and Steak!

9. Brother-in-law Billy's office, listening to these real New Yawka's trading money

10. Angelo's of Mulberry, Little Italy, must have: their sauce, you can take home a jar

11. Carriage Ride, Central Park, must see: ice skaters on the pond

12. Brandy's Piano Bar, E 84th between 2nd and 3rd, must see: Kenny and Bobby

13. NYC Marathon, November annually, must see: the inspiring handicapped athletes

14. 5th Avenue, Tiffany's fo sho! must do: make over at Mac Makeup

15. Saint Patrick's Cathedral, 5th Ave between 50th and 51st, must do: light a candle

16. Today Show, Rockefeller Plaza, must do: act like an idiot to get on TV

17. The Theatre, TKTS South Street Seaport, must do: half price tickets shorter lines than TS

18. Blockheads Burritos, multiple locations, must see: giant sock monkey murals

19. Ellen's Stardust Diner, Broadway corner of 51st, must see: singing wait staff

20. Late Show with Letterman, must do: clap loudly and follow all instructions

21. China Town purse shopping, only IF you must! must do: go upstairs with them

22. Max Brenner's, Union Square, must have: make your own smores

23. Strand Bookstore, Union Square, must do: get lost in books

24. Swarovski, Rockefeller Center Shops, must do: buy something shiny

25. Dean & Deluca Soho, Broadway at Prince St, must do: marvel at the cheese

26. Balthazar, Spring St between Broadway and Crosby, must have: breakfast

27. Back & Foot Massage, China Town or Soho, must do: 10 min massage between shopping

28. Radio City Rockettes, 6th Ave between 50th and 51st, must see: Christmas Spectacular

29. Stage Deli, 7th Ave between 53rd and 54th, must have: an overstuffed sandwich

30. Metropolitan Museum of Art, 5th Ave at 82nd, must see: the art and the neighborhood

31. Pearl Art & Craft Store, Canal St, must do: don't go to the top floor after a late night

32. M&M Store, Times Square, must do: sample the colors till you are ill

33. Oyster Bar & Restaurant, Grand Central, must try: oysters from all over the world

34. Junior's Diner, Times Square, must have: piece of cheesecake and a "bowl" of coffee

35. Strawberry Clothing Stores, multiple locations, must do: if you have a teenager

Time to be a foodie

Whenever I am tempted to over indulge in the culinary arts, my very healthy husband says, "You should eat to live, not live to eat." He's done a great job of working that philosophy the last few years, but I, on the other hand, am not as quick to convert. 

One of my favorite parts of my job is that I get to spend every day strategizing and being creative about my favorite topics, travel and food. With more than 50% of travelers inclined to consider culinary-driven vacations, our clients at Florida's Gulf Islands were the perfect candidates for a culinary niche initiative. What I love about this place is that on the 7.5 mile island of Anna Maria, there is only one chain restaurant (Shells next to the Publix) on the island. There are more than 50 independent restaurants in the destination - many boasting award-winning chefs and one-of-a-kind cuisine and atmosphere. Among my favorites, Mr. Bones BBQ, an eclectic little joint with a skeleton on the sign and a self-serve coffin filled with beer inside. The mix of creole style ribs and Indian dishes are totally unique and unforgettable. Another notable visit, the lobster bisque at the end of the Anna Maria pier - to die for. Gotta stop now, I'm getting hungry. Check out the latest brainchild of our gang at Insight, www.TimeToBeAFoodie.com. My favorite parts… my friend Doug at Van Gogh Vodka mixing up the official cocktail of the destination, the Gulf Islands Blue, in the ingredients video, the recipes we accumulated (so I can give to Gene to make for me), and the very awesome vacation packages our industry partners whipped up for the months of May and June!

South Beach Insanity

I'm taking you back to September 2006 for a contrast to the quiet, romantic weekend in Charleston in my first post. This is "the crew" and we are standing in front of Miami Ink in South Miami Beach. We are here for my 40th birthday bash, and our first order of business is the obligatory mid-life tattoo from my favorite tattoo artist on t.v. Chris Garver.

After waiting in line (on line for New Yorkers), a less than enthusiastic employee unlocked the door (10 minutes late) and the crowd filed in to the tiny shop and signed up for tattoos. With no celebrity artists in sight and a $200 minimum, we decided to find a place recommended to me called Lucky Tattoo. As luck had it, it was around the corner and empty - which worried us at first. But after meeting Lucky himself and seeing the extremely clean shop, the bravest of us began working with Lucky. I had already planned a very small chinese symbol of friendship to be placed on the back of my neck under my hair, where I could hide it when circumstances deemed "appropriate". Two of the girls, Cheryl and Chris, joined me with the same tattoo (in varying locations), which had been hand drawn by the father of one of my dear friends, Kai. And so the artistry began. We took over Lucky's shop with tattoo after tattoo, and you can see from the photos the progression of my daughter's waning interest.

Later that weekend we ran into Lucky on the street heading to a little Cuban restaurant Craig's mom recommended. Craig is our Miami Beach raised buddy and knows all the ins and outs. He taught Gene how to properly load and eat a bagel on this trip. If you'd like to know the secret, just ask and I'll find out straight from the source. Lucky checked on all our tat's, it's funny how a few thousands penetrating needles bonds you with a person.

We got an insane price at the Miami Beach Loew's, a Florida resident special. I think the rate was about $199, which I have tried since to find again, to no avail. Those days seem to be over. But it still is a favorite of mine, especially the proximity to Lincoln Road, and the memory of a fabulous red gown with Swarovski crystal straps that mysteriously made it into my suitcase.

There are a few questionable moments, which we won't mention… but that is par for traveling with "the crew". You know who you are and what you did. I just want to know, who put those drink charges on Chris and Mike's room?