DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

I have been known to do some crazy and impulsive things.  A blind date in the Dominican Republic falls into that category.  It wasn't entirely blind as we were introduced through a close friend.  I wasn't sure we would hit off, but I was pretty sure it wouldn't turn into one of those nightmare dating stories.  

It was one of those NYC winters that seemed to be an endless dump of snow and chilly temperatures so when the option was thrown out there to join him on a tropical island, I took the option for an escape.  Plus, I knew it would be a good story if nothing else. 

Jet Blue flies direct from JFK to Punta Cana.  I booked my flight, boarded the plane and only really got a case of the nerves on the shuttle from the airport to the resort.  Fortunately, the man I was meeting had a great sense of humor as well as great taste in accommodations.  The staff created a very romantic welcome with rose petals, which served as the perfect icebreaker.

Playa Bavaro is beautiful and Iberostar has an amazing, all-inclusive resort.  If you visit the Dominican Republic, I highly recommend you opt for an all-inclusive.  It's not the sort of island for self-exploration.

Before I arrived, he opted for a Zipline tour of the rainforest area.  While I was there, we enjoyed the spa services at the resort.  We also went on an excursion with Marinarium on a party barge with a stop for snorkeling, a swim with nurse sharks and sting rays. 

All in, it was a great weekend.  While we didn't find true romance and happily ever after, we did have a wonderful time and I will always remember this as one of the best dates ever!

WEST HARTFORD, CT

One of the things I love most about my job is the opportunity to visit new places and explore.  West Hartford, CT is a charming New England village just outside the state capital.  

It is filled with historic sites and is home to The Noah Webster House.  Named for the famous Blue Back Speller, Blue Back Square is home to national restaurant chains such as Cheesecake Factory and Starbucks as well as a movie theater. And of course, there is a Whole Foods.

The real charm is West Hartford Center.  It is the perfect destination for a stroll with its tree-lined, brick sidewalks and variety of shops and restaurants.  On my first visit, I had a delicious falafel from Sam's Gyro.  With a full belly, I wandered the streets popping in and out great shops such as BK & Co, LUX Boutique and amazing consignment at 2nd Time Around.

With a Bella Bridesmaids right on Farmington Avenue, this would be such a great destination for a bridal party excursion with all the great restaurants to choose from for lunch and the option of spending the day at Elizabeth Grady or FaceRx for a little pampering.  

The restaurants options are fantastic.  You will be drawn into Arugula from the street as their food smells so amazing, you will hardly notice their inviting atmosphere.  For a bird's eye view of all the action, head on over to The Elbow Room and ask to be seated on their rooftop.  For something casual, there is McLadden's and it's a good thing they have such an extensive list of craft beers as you may need a few minutes to peruse their menu.  It's definitely not your typical Irish pub.  Outdoor dining at Grant's and Treva are the perfect way to spend an evening people watching and enjoying the charm. 

FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA

Yes, I've seen the movie.  And no, I probably wouldn't have visited if my favorite copywriter had not moved back to North Dakota from NYC.  I am definitely glad I made the trip.  It was not at all what I expected.

It's definitely a place to visit during the summer months as the winter's can be pretty brutal.  It is typical of most cold-weather cities in that the thaw brings energy to everyone.  But the cold is clearly not scaring everyone off, Fortune Magazine recognized the city as America's Most Undervalued Tech Hub.  

The area is home to three universities.  I am sure the students at Concordia, North Dakota State University, and MSU Moorhead certainly support the local sports bars and pubs, being a college town also adds to the eclectic charm and arts scene.  There is some great street art and quite a bit of playful art to dress up the trash bins in the back alley areas behind the restaurants. And there are many opportunities to see live performances if you like musicals, opera, live bands or theater.  You can also find zen at a yoga class within an art gallery.

We enjoyed a cocktail at Sky Prairie at the top of the Donaldson Hotel.  The drink menu is great and the view is a great way to kick off the visit and get a sense of the surroundings.

The food scene was not at all what I expected.  We had a delicious meal at Mezza Luna.  I may have had the best pretzel and cheese dip yet at Wurst Beer Hall.   And there are also some great Mexican places.

Fargo and Moorehead are sister cities.  Fargo is on the Minnesota border and you can easily walk across a small bridge from one city to the other.  Right there at the border is a unique structure just begging you to visit.  After visiting, it is clear what that white structure is guarding.  Lots of interesting history from the tour guides at The Hjemkomst Center. 

There are also a number of great places perfect for a road trip.  We did a day trip to Detroit Lakes, but I was also told that Grand Forks Greenway is also another fun option.  If we had a few extra days, we could have ventured to The Badlands in Medora and visited Theodore Roosevelt National Park.   

Would I go back?  You betcha!

Ghent, Belgium

A few years ago, I had some time between leaving one job and starting a new one.  I was itching to go someplace, but was planning travel at the last minute and had no one who was able to join me.  Fortunately, a friend of a friend in Ghent offered to let me stay in his guest apartment.  

Last minute travel can sometimes be expensive, but a little creativity may resolve that problem and add to the adventure.  I was able to get a great deal on flight from NYC to London.  I spent some time visiting friends and family in London before catching the EuroStar train to Belgium. The train allowed me to enjoy the views as we traveled through a bit of France before making it to Brussels where I changed trains for Ghent.

My host didn't live too far from the Gravensteen Castle so the gorgeous building served as my guide during my stay.  I love architecture and history so I had plenty to explore around the city. This website does an excellent job at outlining the historic points of interest.

And the city is not limited to history buffs.  There is The University and the area surrounding it is filled with interesting shops, colorful street art and interesting characters.

It is a very walkable city with plenty of places to stop and explore along the way.  I am used to city life so my idea of walkable does not always find agreement.  The city is also well known for bicycle travel.  

Most everyone speaks English so it is a great place to visit for lazy Americans such as myself who never bothered to become fluent in any other language.  Dutch is the official language and this is a pretty interesting article explaining the difference between Flemish and Dutch dialects.

OK.  Let's get down to chocolate and beer.  I had to sample a bit each day.  Leonidas was already a favorite and their creamy milk chocolate definitely tastes even better in Belgium.  I did fall in love with this shop and took my share of their chocolates home.  I especially adored their dark chocolate.  As for beer, I found myself stopping here and there to enjoy a beer outdoors throughout each day.  This place is great for enjoying a beer and people watching with the market as a backdrop. You really cannot go wrong anywhere, but my absolute favorite stop had a very friendly bartender who made suggestions and poured me some interesting brews.  I must admit, I stumbled a bit on my way out!

I am a vegetarian so sometimes finding good food while traveling can be tricky.  I found a market where I picked up some fresh bread and cheese.  Since I was traveling alone, I mostly snacked around rather than sitting for a formal meal.  I did find this amazing place with a piano and lounge feel and the most amazing asparagus soup, but I cannot remember the name for the life of me.  I can tell you that you will find Le Pain Quotidien in Belgium so if you visit the ones in the city, it is authentic.

Long Island Wineries

A few years ago, a group of us woke up early on a Saturday and piled into a extended limousine to head out to the North Fork of Long Island for a tour of the wineries.  It is about a two hour drive from Manhattan.  There are a number of car services who specialize in these tours and will help to plan your trip.  

One of our first stops was Water's Crest.  We were a bit taken aback when we pulled up as our expectation was to visit a vineyard as opposed to a strip mall.  Looks can be deceiving, though. Their tasting room quickly changed our opinion.  The owners are knowledgeable and were especially friendly to our group.

Sadly, I have come to learn that our favorite spot along the tour is now only open for private events.  They may have closed operations entirely as indicated by the Yelp listing and it looks as though there hasn't been much activity on their Facebook page.   

Another great spot along our tour was Pellegrini Vineyards.  Their tasting room is spacious and they have a beautiful courtyard with views of the vineyard.  

There are a number of great wineries and the landscape is absolutely beautiful.  It is a great trip idea for birthdays or celebrations of any sort.  It's also just a great reason to get friends together for a fun day!

Yoga & Spa Retreat in Dahlonega, GA

A friend and I were in need of a little getaway for some relaxation and rejuvenation.  We came across this adorable spot in Dahlonega, GA.  We flew into Atlanta, rented a car and headed to the hills.  It is about an hour or so outside of Atlanta.  You literally travel a dirt road to get to the location.  There is a beautiful farmhouse with a bed & breakfast feel.  We stayed in one of their rustic cabins, but the beds were comfy and we enjoyed the flashback to summer camp.  The resort offers a number of packages.  We opted for the 3-Day Mind, Body & Spirit, which includes daily yoga classes as well as two 60-minute spa treatments.  Meals are also included.

We had a fun a time exploring the area as well.  Who knew Georgia had wine country?  We strolled around the quaint downtown area popping into the shops, art galleries and enjoyed some wine tastings as well.

We both love a good hike and what better way to balance out the wine tasting.  There are a number of great hikes with beautiful waterfalls in the area.  We opted for Raven Cliff Falls as it was a decent trail, but didn't require any special footwear other than sturdy sneakers.  The pay off to the hike was a beautiful waterfall and a serious fresh air fix.