IDEA278: Inspiring Views & Tips for An Enjoyable Hot Air Balloon Ride in Napa Valley

You'd think that a little basket and some fabric would make for a bumpy ride. But before I could look up while fumbling with my camera bag, we were already floating up into the air! Our lift off was so gentle. Despite being able to visually see that we were getting higher, I could barely sense that we were moving. I had always heard that going on an hot air balloon ride was a must in Napa Valley...and now I know why. 

We were lucky enough to get the one clear day out of a series of rainy days and up in the open air, it was peaceful and breathtaking. It's a rare occasion, where 360 views are part of the whole experience...we could see all the way to the ocean and spotted many of the small wineries and homes that make up this little piece of sanctuary in northern California. After challenging ourselves to try this unique form of transportation, we celebrated with the rest of our balloon companions at Domaine Chandon with bubbles and breakfast!  
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PHOTOS: MU-HSIEN INC

3 Tips for an Enjoyable Napa Valley Balloon Ride

1 - Go for the early morning rides. There's less wind and it makes for the smoothest experience.

2 - Go with the company that offers pick up from your hotel. Especially convenient if you're going for an early balloon ride and if you've had a few glasses of champagne after the ride!

3 - Bring an extra layer or hat, it can be much cooler up in the air. 

To experience this for yourself, get in touch with Napa Valley Balloons Inc. who happened to be the top recommendation from our concierge at Auberge du Soleil. 

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Get everyday ideas to create a sense of wonder @LiveLikeYoureTraveling  

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IDEA172: Go on a Food Tour to Travel your Own Backyard

As travelers, we sometimes forget to discover our own backyard. We are caught up with work, family, and getting things done around the house.  I live in Washington, DC and there is no shortage of things to do in the city. From free access to Smithsonian museums to new exciting restaurants there is always something interesting to experience. A food tour sounds like something that may be reserved for tourists. I beg to differ. I recently took a tour with Carpe DC Food Tours and I learned as much as I savored.  Now about the tour...

One of the most popular areas in DC right now is U St NW in the trendy Shaw Neighborhood.  Locals Mary and Stefan offer a food tour of this busting area via their company, Carpe DC Food Tours. Many can tell you that a trip to the District is not complete without a trip to the famous Ben’s Chili Bowl. Mary and Stefan know this and this is why the tour begins at Ben’s Next Door, the sit down version and neighbor of this iconic restaurant that has witnessed the many changes of the city.  Of course we start the tour with the famous “half smoke”, a sausage topped with rich chili. Delicious.  This is paired with local beer from DC Brau.

What makes the tour remarkable is that we’re not only popping in and out of the eateries, but getting to know what surrounds us.  DC has gone through many changes throughout the years and it is consider by many the epicenter of African American culture. The U Street neighborhood tells those stories on the murals, in places such as Ben’s Chili Bowl, and at the neighboring Howard University. Stefan, our tour guide and Carpe DC’s co-founder knows the history of this neighborhood thoroughly as he is currently pursuing his PhD in archeology focusing on neighborhoods such as Shaw.

We enter the beautifully designed Eatonville Restaurant where we indulge in a beautiful dish of a fried green tomato topped with avocado. (Pictured at the top) I devour this beautifully presented dish as we watch the DC brunch (Brunch in DC is a religion) crowd come alive at the openly colorful dining room.  The merge of fine dining with fast food comes together at out next stop, Fast Gourmet. This locally owned fast food restaurant is located at a gas station. Some of the nonlocal guests were a little hesitant but all worries faded away as we bit into the savory Colombian style corn empanada.

I don’t want to give away all the tour secrets so I will not divulge about the other food offerings. This is just a sneak preview.  What I will say is that the four hour tour is a cultural and edible snapshot of Washington, DC, past and present. You can see this through the contrast of the food that we eat, the streets we walk by and the coexistence of new and old DC.

In speaking to Stefan and Mary at the end of the tour, one thing is evident:  they are all about sharing the local DC experience with visitors and locals alike. As he enters into each eatery, you can tell he has a personal connection with the staff.  They also strive to be socially responsible with their sales. A portion of each ticket sold goes to feeding a homeless person via the local charity, Bread for the City.

Our tour group was diverse: a local couple on a date, two ladies in their late sixties, an Australian tourist, and myself. One thing is for sure, we all learned plenty of new things about the city and its consistent evolution. Carpe DC Food Tours is a delicious learning experience whether you are a local or a visitor. 

No matter what city you call home, food tours are a fun way to try many new tastes and see your town with fresh eyes!  

PHOTOS: JESSICA VAN DOP DEJESUS

Jessica van Dop DeJesus is a Washington, DC is a travel media specialist and the editor of the foodie travel blog The Dining Traveler. She began traveling as a young US Marine 18 years ago and has been to 42 countries on and off duty. Her content has been featured in publications such as Travel Channel, USA Today, Budget Travel, Edible DC, Telemundo, Hipmunk, and INK361.

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Get more travel your backyard ideas @LiveLikeYoureTraveling  

IDEA175: Amanda Blakely's 5 Favorite Ways to Live Like You're Traveling with Kids! [Toronto]

To live like you're traveling everyday takes determination, planning and lots of inspiration. Having two kids, I know, requires double the planning and double the inspiration since you're thinking how to take the whole family on a 'tour'. Luckily kids happen to be naturals at this whole adventure thing and ANYTHING you do as a family is hysterically exciting even a supermarket run! Bless their little hearts. I however, am not so easily amused and so I'm always on the lookout for travel loving parents that instil a sense of wonder in their kids and live like they're traveling as a family! One such role model is Amanda Blakely of Petits Genoux. Amanda together with her handsome boys recently took us on a virtual weekend getaway to her town Toronto, Canada.  

Meet your Toronto Neighbor, Amanda! 

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As a seasoned traveler, my wanderlust runs deep (from backpacking to business travel, I have circled the globe numerous times). Now as a mother of two, I am passionate about cultivating and passing along this love of travel to my children by placing an importance on collecting experiences, not things. Our first son, Atticus, was conceived in Australia and when my husband and I found out we were expecting, we hatched a master plan to spend a paternity leave traveling Central and South America with our new babe. It was an unbelievable experience to have as new parents.

We had the opportunity to expose Atticus to new cultures, cuisines and customs, while we got to practice this whole parenting thing together as a team (in some foreign lands no less). Fast forward almost four years and we've added another little boy to our growing clan and have been on many more adventures together. Some of our most treasured memories have been made while on the road as a family. BUT, for obvious reasons a nomadic lifestyle is not realistic for most families. So we're excited to share with you some of our favourite ways to live like we're traveling { as a family } in our own city. 

Traveling does not mean you must stray far from home or spend a ton of cash. To me, living like I'm traveling is about celebrating each day (wherever I might be - home or abroad) and approaching it with an adventurous heart and an open mind.

To our family, it means trying out a different park on the weekend, visiting a new coffee shop or a pop-up market. Allow yourself to be awed, surprised or humbled by what you uncover. It only takes a shift in perspective to walk the same road we have already walked a thousand times to really look up and notice the beauty that lies before us. Like most families, we spend a ton of time at our local parks, but sometimes you just need to break out of the routine and do something else equally kid-friendly. Toronto has the friendliest firefighters who always welcome little visitors to the station if they aren't out on a rescue. Here we are on one of our recent visits with @babybrainorganics.

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1 - Get out of the city. -  A Toronto tradition every Fall is to visit a local farm.

Not only is it the perfect opportunity to take in the colourful vistas of autumn (red, yellow and burnt umber leaves as far as the eye can see) but Ontario has an abundance of agriculture and with the harvest comes a bounty of delicious fruit and vegetables. We picked up a pumpkin and a bunch of apples to bake a galette on our recent visit to Whittamores farm.

2 - Explore the many neighborhoods of Toronto

We like to visit all the ethnic Burroughs for authentic treats (from little India to little Italy). But this little storefront belongs to Mean Bao Queen West outpost and is the home of our favorite Pulled Pork Bao.

3 - Attending a book reading and supporting a local or visiting author is a great way to feel like a tourist in your own town. 

Check Now Toronto for listings of readings (or other such events) from week to week. Here we are at my friend Lindsay Mattick's launch of #FindingWinnie last weekend. On Instagram: @LindsayMattick and Photo by @textstyles

4 - Jump on the bandwagon and become a sports fan. 

For the first time in over 20 years our hometown baseball team Blue Jays are making us proud. Visit a pub or try and get your hands on a ticket to witness history in the making as the Jays attempt (again) to win the World Series.

5 - Visit a new coffee shop and watch the world go by... 

(for the 5 glorious minutes it takes your kid to eat his bribe muffin) while you feel like you're a backpacker again.

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Thanks Amanda and family for letting us hang out (virtually) for the weekend! And a special thank you to the handsome guys Archer and Atticus!! 

Get more everyday ideas @LiveLikeYoureTraveling 

IDEA170: Throw a Surprise to Renew your Sense of Wonder

When we travel, a big part of the experience is the discovery of something new, never before experienced, seen, tasted, felt. Through this, our perceptions change and our preconceived notions dismantle. We grow. But how can we continue to learn and see things in a new light, when our surroundings and the people are more or less familiar? Is a journey to faraway exotic land the only way to stretch our minds? How can we infuse the elements of surprise into nearby travels? We asked our global neighbor Laura of Travel by Surprise to reveal the essence of a great surprise. Elements that we can borrow to create a sense of wonder in our everyday lives. 

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If life is about the journey and not the destination, we give that concept new meaning at Travel By Surprise: we take the destination out of the picture entirely. We send our clients to surprise destinations; they don’t know where they’re headed until we send them off. We worry about the details so that they can be fully present on the journey.

Recently, I planned a surprise getaway for my girlfriends. Without batting an eye, they all took off from work, packed their bags, and patiently waited for me to tell them where we were going. Behind the scenes, I had an amazing time meticulously choosing what each of my friends would enjoy, the sorts of design elements that would inspire them, and the activities that would allow us to really savor our time together.

Planning a surprise getaway—even a short jaunt in your own backyard—
allows you to get outside of yourself, to see the world from a different perspective, and enhance your sense of wonder. 

The surprise was wonderful. We were all squeals and giggles and laughs and hugs. The best part, though, was that I got to live with that delicious sense of anticipation for weeks—months, even—while I planned our trip. Anticipating that excitement and sharing in that joy allows me to live like I’m traveling every day, and what I love best about planning surprise trips for others.

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What are the elements of a great surprise? 

Not all surprises are equally epic. I’m sure we’ve all been to a flop of a surprise party, or had a well-intentioned prank go horribly, horribly wrong. Fortunately, my surprise trip for my girlfriends went off without a hitch. We had the most delightful weekend together, exploring our backyard in Northern Michigan’s wine country. To ensure that we had a spectacular surprise, I kept a few things in mind when scheming and dreaming about how to sweep my friends off their feet. 

1 - Personalize

Personalization is so important to an excellent surprise. Don’t just think about fun things to do, or what you might enjoy: truly consider what brings your friends joy, what makes them come alive, and what will foster genuine connection. Draw inspiration from their hobbies, interests, and personalities. It ensures that they will feel cared for, and that they will love what you’ve planned for them.  

For instance, my friends care a lot about beautiful design. My friend, Lauren, is an aspiring interior designer, and Kelly dreams of living on a farm. I took a cue from my friends and rented a design-focused farmhouse, the Honor and Folly Cherry Orchard Farm, built in the early 1900s, sitting on 20 acres, and neighboring a cherry orchard. Everywhere we looked were inspiring, handcrafted details that captured our imagination from the start. We stayed up late into the night telling ghost stories, and we took a leisurely morning sipping coffee. 

2 - The Extra-Ordinary

One of the joys of planning surprises is the “wow” factor. Kick off something magical and really solidify that you’ve embarked on something special by doing something extraordinary. We kicked off our weekend with bubbly and a delicious farm-to-table dinner at Mission Table. 

Not everything needs to be extraordinary. The “ordinary” can sometimes be just as surprising. I also asked each woman to bring their favorite poem on our weekend away; I wanted to learn more about each of these creative, word-loving friends through the poetry that inspires them. We spent a leisurely morning on the porch, delighting in the words of Gerard Manley Hopkins, T.S. Eliot, e.e. cummings, and Mary Oliver.  

Our surprise getaway really celebrated our friendship, blending both the out-of-this-world and the day-to-day. My friends and I are in a wine club together, so it was only right that we should go wine tasting. But instead of sipping wine in our living rooms, we sampled Northern Michigan’s finest wines while looking out over the vineyards at Bry’s Estate. 

3 - A Little Magic

When you plan a surprise, you open yourself up to a world of possibilities: what if they don’t like it? What if something goes wrong? What if…? You just can’t plan for everything. You can’t foresee the things that will go wrong: the wrong turns, the not-quite-as-right. But you also can’t plan authenticity: you can’t possibly know what conversations will be sparked, what connections will be remade, or what ideas will be inspired, rekindled, imagined. And that’s the best part! The more you plan and schedule, the less space there is for the magic.

The best thing to do is to let the magic work: leave room for the unexpected and welcome it with open arms.

Thanks for having me! It was so fun to have you along for our surprise girls' getaway and to share our tip of the mitten with you! 

Your adventure-planning neighbor,
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Laura, Travel by Surprise
PHOTOS: RYAN PRINS PHOTOGRAPHY

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Get everyday ideas to create a sense of wonder @LiveLikeYoureTraveling  

Saalhof Vineyard : Be A Bon Vivant Anywhere

Does one have to live in France to be a Bon Vivant? Or be present in Italy to experience La Dolce Vita? And why do we strongly associate certain delicious experiences with a particular place... Most importantly, how do we translate "living the good life" for ourselves and set out to create a lifestyle we want right where we live!

To me, being a Bon Vivant has a lot to do with enjoying what your local region has to offer. And I feel nothing inspires this appreciation more than eating and drinking of the land. Just like the mysterious concept of terroir suggests that the taste of wine embodies climate, terrain, soil and even traditions of a place, similarly why not we as people enjoy where we live by truly embracing all the elements.  

So the other week I went on a Bon Vivant excursion to experience the bounty of my adopted land, The Netherlands! Why not go wine tasting and see how the 'terroir' here affects the wine. We decided to go to Saalhof Vineyard in Wognum.

Vineyard!? In the cold and wet Netherlands? My surprise was big as yours, but apparently yes, there are more then 170 commercial vineyards according to Winehoek. 

The Saalhof Vineyard or, Wijngaard in Dutch, is in the region of West Friesland which is in the North West of The Netherlands. Historically fiercely independent and a bit stubborn people live there. I mean, how many floodings would you put up with before deciding that maybe you should not live in an area that's not meant to be above water? Well, none of that for West Frisians. They keep plugging away, sucking the land dry... for centuries! This resilient spirit is probably what's responsible for the success of Siem and Ada Loos, the creators of Saalhof Vineyard. 

To grow wine in such a cold wet climate is tricky to say the least. The vines must be planted further apart to give grapes a chance at catching those illusive rays of sun for a few minutes a day. The foliage must be trimmed often so that grapes are well ventilated and stay dry otherwise they can rott. Thus the position of grapes on the stalk is important... the list goes on. And even after all that, not just any ol' grape will grow in this climate. It takes a special kind of grape! For example the Souvignier Gris, a grape variety invented in Germany in 1983, and the Rondo, created in 1964, a grape very resistant to winter frost and mildew.

So what in the world possessed Siem and Ada to start a vineyard? Apparently one too many bottles of wine... literally. They were sitting around with neighbours, drinking wine and talking about France and the art of enjoying life. About the romantic atmosphere of the French vineyards, of reaping the fruits of your land and then gathering with family at the end of the day to enjoy a big meal all together. For Siem it wasn't just wine fueled talk, it sparked a realization of the kind of lifestyle he wanted, and inspired a mission to create it right here in his own country. 

My family immediately felt the joyful vibe as we pulled into the vineyard with its neat rows of vines, large tables set up outdoors for communal eating, and an inviting guest house. It was a gorgeous fall day with sun shining and with a glass of sparkling wine it did feel like we were somewhere in the French countryside. We came with my husband's cousin's family and their two kids for the open day and spontaneously decided to linger on for dinner.   

It was such a pleasure to walk through the vineyards, of course the kids ran around, exploring and playing hide and seek between the vines. I tried Secco "Het mirakol uit Westfriesland" (The miracle of West Friesland), a sparkling white wine. Made with Johanniter white grape, created in 1968 specifically to grow well in cold and moist regions. After falling in love at first sight with the place, I was worried the wine may not match the expectations. But those worries proved unfounded. From the first sip Secco is an absolue delight. True to the name, the wine is pleasantly dry, and fresh with a delicate aroma of green apples and melon. Light sparkle brought out further the citrus undertones of lemon and grapefruit. Yum!

We stayed to eat the most delicious burgers and home fries at the restaurant, Saalig. The sun was setting and we poured another glass of Rondo, a red wine made with Rondo and Pinot Noir grapes, to help "wash down" the satisfying dinner.  

It was a perfect afternoon! Also the family and staff are really welcoming and happy to chat with you about their work. Of course the best part is the feeling of joie de vivre that washes over you from spending a leisurely afternoon with your family without rushing and just giving each other attention. 

I grabbed a few bottles of wine to bring home and made a note to come back for one of theme dinners at Saalig. Oh and you bet I signed up to be on the list of volunteers to harvest the grapes! 

I challenge you to think about what does being a Bon Vivant mean to you? And how can you make it happen right where you live! Maybe a visit to a local vineyard can help with some inspiration...

Here is a video interview of the owner of Wijngaard Saalhof by Tasty Tales: 

KM Zero Tours : Slow Travel for a Taste of the Sweet Life in Tuscany

This special edition of "Take Us To Lunch" is actually an invitation to a virtual dinner! Our new friends Arianna, Olivia and Alessio of Km Zero Tours take us to an authentic polentata al fresco at a Tuscan casa.  

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Alla: What is Polentata? Arianna tells us all about this traditional Italian peasant meal...

Arianna: Polentata is an old recipe from the Abruzzo region, the birthplace of Alessio. This recipe was born as a traditional dish for poor people who could not afford to buy many ingredients or even enough plates for the entire family. It is made with corn flour, a type of flour that typically cost less than wheat flour. People cooked polenta in a large, deep pot, stirring constantly for a long time. When polenta was ready, they poured it directly onto the table, eating it right away, all together, not using any dishes!

The traditional sauce for polenta was tomato sauce enriched with a single sausage (given the high cost) which was used to give flavor to the entire sauce and was eventually designated to head of the house. We have decided to re-propose this ancient dish for our guests, enriching it with more sauce and sausages! ;-)

The best thing about this experience is that we eat together at the same table, sharing values and ideas and becoming friends.  

How did this idea of sharing Italy with visitors come about and what does Km Zero mean?

The expression “Km Zero” (literally “no distance”) products, refers to a conscious choice to buy quality products and to consume them as close as possible to their area of production, ensuring freshness, seasonality and biodiversity, as well as strengthening connection with the land.

Arianna: Inspired by this concept we developed our project “Km Zero Tours,“ wanting to give people authentic tasting experiences, letting them re-discover ancient traditions and refine their palettes by understanding the journey of a product from farm-to-table.

Alla: When your guests return home, what would you like them to bring back to their countries from this experience?

Arianna: The best souvenir our guests can bring home is to become fully aware of how a product originates, understanding its history, tradition and the hard work and passion of the producers. We'd love for them to rediscover the pleasure of sharing experiences and values with others, which encourage them to interact with local people, actively engaging with them.

Alla: How did you and your partners meet? How did you decide to start this business together?

Arianna: Olivia and I are sisters, so we didn't actually "meet," but Alessio (my boyfriend) and I met 9 years ago in Bologna and immediately felt we had in common an endless love for our land and for its products. Precisely this love and genuine passion has led us to get to know a lot of different local producers and to taste their products. It opened our eyes. In most cases we felt that there was no real information about what we eat, and most of all there was no way to witness the passion, experience and knowledge of producers.

We created Km Zero experiences to help people to get a taste of Tuscany from a local perspective, through authentic products and meeting genuine and passionate local producers. 

Alla: Is there a specific moment you can share when you felt especially inspired to be on this journey of sharing Italy with the world?

Arianna: We love to tell the story of a time we went shopping at a local market to buy vegetables, cheeses and other products. It was our turn at the stand of fresh vegetables and we asked the lady if she could give us some fava beans (fave toscane). It was late in the afternoon, and she told us that unfortunately the fava beans were already gone. In any other country, perhaps the conversation might have ended at that point, but in Italy, the market is not only a place to buy products, but a place where you can exchange experiences and stories...and you always finish your day with some nice surprises!

In Italy, those who are not in a hurry, ready to stop just to have a chat and listen to people...are the ones who gain the most!

The lady invited us to wait until the end of her working day, to go with her to her house, where she would give us fava beans directly from her garden. We were not in hurry, so we decided to wait. Not only did we get fresh and delicious fava beans, but we saw her beautiful country house, met her family, and even stayed there for dinner! We returned home with new vegetables and  friends, having tasted incredible food while sharing inspiring stories. 

Alla: What is your greatest challenge for you in your business?

Arianna: The most difficult thing being able to transmit a real experience through virtual channels such as the web. Despite this difficulty, we are still managing a method that allows us to overcome this obstacle and to be able to express our philosophy, passion and project. 

We "Live Like We're Traveling" every single day as we discover and encourage our guests to discover a different and charming world...from the artistry of olive oil making to woodworking.

Every experience represents an interesting journey and collection of stories, experiences, parfumes and flavors, that deserve to be savored. The best way to live the "dolce vita" is to follow the rhythms of this beautiful and charming country, enjoying its atmosphere and observing the people. To comprehend their gestures, listen to their stories and take part in the slow and creative lifestyle.

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Thank you Arianna, Olivia and Alessio! For sharing your work with us today and for sharing Italy with the world in a way that brings us closer to it's people and their way of living. Your advice for living la dolce vita is a great inspiration for us to get to know our own local producers wherever we happen to live. Thank you for reminding us that our taste buds are made happier not only by healthy food but by truly connecting over a meal and taking the time to talk with each other and listen to each others stories. 

{ Experience the Sweet Italian Life }

With Km Zero Tours you can really touch Italian culture. Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a wine maker? You can now experience it first hand. What about making goat cheese yourself along side cheese artisan themselves...or prepairing a slow cooked meal from the freshest ingredients while learning Italian? 

{ Live The Sweet Life In Tuscany }

For a complete immersion in the Tuscan way of living, stay in a stone villa, Casa Montrogoli, on the hills overlooking vineyards and rows of Cyprus trees. Perfect for bringing your entire family along!        

ALL PHOTOS VIA KM ZERO TOURS

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For more ways to connect with the people and world around you,
get everyday ideas @LiveLikeYoureTraveling

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IDEA47: "Get Lost" in a New Neighborhood - Discovering 5 Gems in Andersonville

Happy accidents! They seem to happen quite naturally when we're in a open and exploratory mode and it was no different last week when I participated in a neighborhood tour of Andersonville, hosted by their chamber of commerce celebrating their 50th anniversary. I was particularly drawn to the event as it embodied one of our everyday adventure ideas to "Get Lost in a New Neighborhood." It even incorporated elements like talking to the owners and getting a backstory from our "shop like you're traveling" concept. Next time you're wondering what to do on the weekend, randomly drop yourself into a neighborhood you've heard things about, but still have yet to check out. Much like a trip to visit a little beach town, no major plan is really needed. Have a general direction and let the discoveries unfold...

1 - George's Ice Cream 5306 N. Clark
Delicious icecream/candy/cafe with specialty flavors like Zanzibar chocolae & horchata. 
PHOTOS: GEORGE'S ICE CREAM, MU-HSIEN HSIEH

It was a balmy 80 degree spring day, so I had my eye on this ice cream shop for my first stop. I decided to try out two exotics and two classics, and ended up with a flight of Zanzibar chocolate, horchata, mint chocolate chip and caramel chaos. While I was waiting, I overheard a girl ask, "hey is your back patio open?" Preferring an alfresco moment, I followed behind to discover an intimate hidden patio that opened up to a comic book shop. "How quaint in the middle of the city," I thought to myself. Needless to say I devoured the ice cream.

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2 - Simon's Tavern 5210 N. Clark
A historic neighborhood bar from the prohibition days, known for their Swedish Glögg.
FLAG PHOTO: SETH ANDERSON, PHOTOS: MU-HSIEN HSIEH

After a bit of a walk in the heat I was thirsty, so a bar seemed like the appropriate place to check out next. I was greeted by the owner and as I grabbed a seat at the bar, I asked him what they were known for. He pointed to a slushie machine. (Even more perfect as I was needing something to cool off!) Turns out it contained a secret family summertime version of Glögg which is a traditional Swedish Christmas spiced-wine. To me it tasted like a frozen sangria, but stronger. I ended up staying at this bar for a while. A regular sat down next to me and between him and the owner, we ended up trading travel stories, grossed each other out on the most exotic things we've eaten and I learned that this unassuming bar has a lot of interesting history as to why there are nautical details in the interiors. You'll have to ask Scott Martin, the current owner about it! Or you can watch this video. Also, for any Anthony Bourdain fans, this bar was featured in his 48 Hours in Chicago Guide. { Note to self: line up speakeasy and Glögg tasting for our Chicago Meetup group to explore and try out. }  

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3 - Milk Handmade 5137 N. Clark
Uniquely affordable boutique featuring small-run, handmade goods from local designers.
PHOTOS: MU-HSIEN HSIEH

I almost missed this boutique, distracted by all the walking and talking with Alicia, a community manager for up and coming app, "Tastemade City" which helps you explore your city through video reviews. We actually met at Simon's Tavern and decided to tour together for the rest of the evening. When we found Milk, we were greeted by the owner, Hallie Borden and her graceful greyhound. I'm nuts for handmade jewelry and there was tons of it. I really loved that everything felt carefully curated and special, yet with reasonable prices. We had to scoot, as there were still 2 places we wanted to squeeze into the night. But, I'll be back for sure

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4 - Foursided 5061 N. Clark
A custom frame shop featuring cards, gifts, art and vintage goods.
PHOTOS: MU-HSIEN HSIEH

When you step into this shop, there's just so much to see. One could easily spend hours in it. Owner Todd Mack, is an accomplished artist himself and it makes sense when you're in the space. Everyone in the shop seems to exude a fun, funky personality. There's a mixture of stationary, one-of-kind gifts and art...AND custom framing. I think you could successfuly gift shop for anyone and any occasion and find something that would make them smile. 

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5 - The Guesthouse Hotel 4872 N. Clark
Guests can "Live Like a Local" in their 1-3 bdrm suites with gourmet kitchens & outdoor spaces. 
PHOTOS: THE GUESTHOUSE HOTEL

Our last stop was a bit of a luxurious reprieve and coming up to it, it's like they read my mind. On the glass I saw etchings that read "Stay like a local" and "Shop like a local." The concept of the Guesthouse Hotel is to provide visitors (or locals) a place to stay that feels like an exquisite home. Their public library and living room spaces can transform into a celebration area to entertain or meet in a place that feels like the home you wish you had instead of a more neutral hotel rental room vibe. It's centrally located, so guests would have access to easily roam the 4 surrounding neighborhoods (Andersonville, Uptown, Wrigleyville and Lincoln Square).

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*Bonus! - Cantina de la Granja 5025 N. Clark
Locally-sourced farm-to-table Mexican fare with a rooftop garden & preservation kitchen.
PHOTOS: MU-HSIEN HSIEH

A bonus gem-in-the-making for you: In the public space of the hotel, two chefs prepared al pastor tacos and rhubarb sangrias on the spot for us. I couldn't believe the vibrant, garlicky flavors that came from this taco! Get this on your restaurant bucket-list. It's the first Mexican farm-to-table concept I've heard of, and I'm sure they will have no problems filling their rooftop garden and sidewalk cafe.  

Thanks to the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce for hosting a unique way to explore the neighborhood as well as the lovely local community in helping us to discover it!  ~ Want to discover these gems for yourself? Go on your own "get lost" excursion or make it out to one of their festivals and upcoming events.  

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Join your neighbors in savoring the world @LiveLikeYoureTraveling

How to Live Like You're Traveling : Part 2 - What Makes Us Happy When We Travel?

Welcome to "How To Live Like You're Traveling" series, where we explore what is it that makes us happy when we travel and how to achieve this happiness in our everyday lives. Join us on this adventure, and write out your very own travel day that stands out in your memory using this template in part 1 of the series. 

In this Part 2, we are going to break down one of my favorite travel days to see what makes us happy when we travel and if these elements are transferable into our everyday life. 

Let's take a look at a favorite travel day together...

The Set-Up
Family vacation in France, staying at the lovely Les Mathes Camping in a delighful mobile home, as one does. 

The Characters
• Alla - that's me!
• Vito - my other half
• Mo - our delightful oldest son 
• Vin - our equally delightful youngest son
• Dan - my high-school sophomore brother visiting from NY
 

1 - Waking-up
How did you wake up? When? What did you do?

We were woken up by Vin who must have been treckking through the Sahara desert during the night judging by his thirst. Once the milk bottle was in hand we were able to continue waking up propensed by Mo who decided to contribute to the process by running into our room and joining us all in bed. Mother's joy is complete... when all children are within an arms reach!
 

2 - Breakfast
Think about your first meal, what did you eat, who did you eat with? How did you feel about the coming day spread out ahead of you? 

Breakfast would usually start with a walk to the little market together with Dan. We would talk about life and universe and so on and so forth. My brother is totally smarter than me... and better looking. At the market we picked up freshly baked croissants, with chocolate for me, plain for Mo and Vito, and a pecan pastry for Dan and a baguette for everyone. Back at the house we'd sit down at our little table to eat and plan our day. (Well, usually I would just tell the family what I wanted to do and expect complete and immediate agreement.) 

3 - First part of the day
Write down everything you did in the first part of the day. Did you sight see? List all the activities and think about how they made you feel. 

We (I) decided to drive over to La Tremblade, a little fishing village to just check it out. A quick google search revealed very little information about the town so we had absolutely no idea what to expect. Plus, it just so happened to be Bastille Day, and judging by other towns we drove by on the way, everything in La Tremblade would be closed. Lo and behold we arrived to a PARTY. To our amazement the tiny town was filled to the brim with people! There was a market happening in the central square and many shops lining the streets were opened. We strolled and promenaded and bought presents for family back home. 
 

4 - Lunch
One has to eat! What did you eat, where did you have lunch? Remember the tastes, aromas, views... 

For lunch we sat down at one of the sidewalk cafe's ordered cappuccinos, and juices. The cafe we were at did not serve food but we noticed a long line next door at the bakery. We thought it would be a good idea to get in line and buy whatever it is they were selling in there. My brother and I joined the line to continue our earlier conversation about the universe. Mo joined us, and since I'm priming him to become aerospace engineer it's good that we expose him to the relevant topics early on. At the bakery there were all kinds of delights! We ordered baguette sandwiches and got a few different little cakes and pastries to try. They were delicious! We then sat, chowed, people watched and took turns taking bites of the pastries. Ahhh...  On the way back to the car, we ducked into a very atmospheric indoor food market to get meat for a barbeque we decided to have for dinner. Mo was introduced to various sea creatures... 

5 - Second part of the day
What did you do after lunch? How did you feel? Who were you with? Who did you meet? Why did you enjoy it?

After lunch we happily drove back to the house for a nap. Then it was time to grab towels and head over to the pool, the pool is nice, but you know what else is nice? The bar right next to it. So after an hour or so of splish splash, Vin and I headed over to the lounge to polish off a 51. Well, a 51 for moi, and Vin got a drink and a banana. 

6 - Dinner
How did you decide what you will eat? Where did you have dinner? What did you eat, who were your dinner companions? What was your favorite part about this dinner? 

Dinner was a barbeque outside of our little home. The meat and the shrimp from the market were going to be our hero dishes. We tossed some salad together and cut-up amazingly sweet melon as side dishes. A couple of beers made the everything complete. Dan and Vito did the manly things like grilling and Mo, Vin and I did the rest, like chowing down on the sweet melon. It was sunny, we were eating al fresco, random things were hilarious for no reason, and everyone was happy! 
 

7 - Evening time
What evening activities did you do? Did you do some more sightseeing, did you relax? Did you go to a party?

Remember how you felt. Embarrassingly enough Vito and I went to bed quite early. Dan on the other hand went to hang out with the neighbors, a rowdy French family. 
 

8 - Night
Perhaps you stayed up all night? Or maybe just the opposite, you had the best night of sleep?

We did have a great night of sleep, with our little window open, hearing fireworks in the distance...

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THE 6 ELEMENTS

So what DID we do all day to be so happy and was it directly tied to the specifics of the location? Let's inspect...

I think it's pretty clear that we spent quality time with each other all day. We had nothing else on the agenda but to spend time together. What and where was pretty much secondary. 

The day started with us daring to discover something new and being pleasantly surprized stumbling in on a local town Bastille Day party. 

Something important to notice is that we did not have a schedule, we did not rush, we did everything at our own pace.  We took a nap, some of us read, having a drink.

We all got creative. I took photos, Dan wrote in his blog. Vito read a novel. We got creative in our own ways and took on activities that we immersed ourselves in.  

We spent most of the day outdoors. 

We frolicked at the pool, and walked a lot.

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Which elements were most abundant in YOUR travel day? 

These six elements were in abundance during my travel day. It turns out that all the elements had nothing to do with the actual geographic location.  In the next installment of How to Live Like You're Traveling, we are going to look at the science behind these elements and why they make us happy.

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Get everyday adventure ideas @LiveLikeYoureTraveling  

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IDEA176: Get Lunchbox App and Connect with Lunchtime Travelers!

Here at LLYT Headquarters, we go on and on about being a "Lunchtime Traveler." It's about using your lunch hour whether it's in the middle of your work or school day as an opportunity to have an adventure.

Why not? When we travel, lunch is a chance to explore a new culture, see something new, taste something new or meet someone new. When we're home we tend to just fall into a routine of doing the same exact thing during lunch, eating the same thing, or... gasp... eating at our desk. Oh dear, call the intervention squad! Now, the Human Performance Institute has long ago established that we are more productive and perform better if we take breaks so there is no need to expound on that.

The bottom line is, how do we do something new during our one-hour lunch window?

To answer this question, Artyom Avanesov created the Lunchbox so we decided to meet for lunch, of course! and get all the details.

First of all, what is Lunchbox App and who is it for? 

Download the app and you can post a lunch status letting everyone (using the app) know where you're going for lunch, others can click to join you and meet up at the stated lunch place. Is it just for the office workers looking to break the routine? Travelers wanting to meet up with locals or other travelers? Mommies with babies getting together for a lunch date? For art aficionados looking for a partner in crime to check out a new gallery during lunch hour? Umm... I think it's pretty clear that Lunchbox App is for everyone! Hey, we all have to eat right? 

We headed to a great lunch place right in the center of Amsterdam, Cafe de Jaren. It's always full and hopping for lunch with a nice mix of students, entrepreneurs, bloggers and suit types. Despite it's central location, this place remains undiscovered by tourists. In the summer by the way it's nice to arrive by boat via the canal. Just saying. 

{ Pictured: serious discussion about entrepreneurship, the future of travel and social networking in progress... Artyom on the right } A little bit about Artyom. He speaks Russian, once lived in a favela in Rio, is no stranger to China and pretty much feels at home in the world. He got the idea for the Lunchbox one fine day when his co-workers seemed to be either skipping lunch or eating at their desks.

During my internship my colleagues would often be busy during lunchtime and I would go out for lunch on my own. Walking around the financial district I would see other people eating their sandwich by themselves. So I thought; wouldn't it be great if there were an easy way for all of us to get together and enjoy lunch in good company?

Artyom thought of the lunches he had during his travels, when it was an opportunity to discover the culture, taste new delicacies and connect with people. And so...Lunchbox was born! Now, we always have new friends to meet at lunch.  

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{ Exotic fruits on the beach in Paraty, Brazil  ~ Chinese fish market ~ Family style lunch in China } 

{ Sangria, paella and friends! Perfect lunch Barcelona style. }

Speaking of lunches in exotic locales with exotic friends...why can't we continue lunching like we do when we are traveling?

Why can't it be a discovery for our taste buds when our cities are brimming with ethnic cuisine and lovely lunch spots to discover covering just about any culture! A chance to meet someone perhaps completely different and discover things you actually have in common. This happens all the time when we travel and does not need to stop.

--> Download the Lunchbox, and seek out an opportunity to be a #lunchtimetraveler. 

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{ Artyom practicing calligraphy in China ~  View from Artyom's pad in Rio's favela }

For me personally it was absolutely incredible to meet Artyom.

A fellow travel lover, promoter of living an inspired life and always discovering. Not to mention a fellow lunch enthusiast, who is not afraid of snapping a photo of the said delicious lunch. Currently the Lunchbox is very active in Utrecht and Amsterdam but wherever you are in the world do not be afraid to be the first one who posts a Lunch Box. Invite friends and ask them to invite their friends and soon we'll all be lunching all together! Thanks Artyom for helping us Live Like We're Traveling!

Artyom's Lunch Spot Recommendation:

The location of the world's first stock exchange! The remodeled building now houses space for events, work sharing space for entrepreneurs and a couple of cozy cafes. 

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Join us @livelikeyouretraveling for more #LunchtimeTraveler ideas! 

IDEA160: Go on a Solo Adventure to Connect and Reset

Everyday, we cheer folks on to squash the mundane and seek out everyday adventures... to satiate your wanderlust in-between those big trips afar. The best way for us to follow along and for you to be inspired by other global neighbors, is through our #LiveLikeYoureTraveling tag via Instagram. We couldn't help but notice Amy, full of curiosity, taking us through the colorful details of her surroundings in New Jersey and New York and a willingness to step out of her comfort zone. So we asked her to stop by to share her discoveries from these recent solo adventures, where she embraces two of our challenges: (1) Go Waterfall Hunting and (2) Shop Like You're Traveling, plus tips on how to have one ourselves...

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Some of my most successful adventures in which I really felt like I was able to live like I’m traveling have been where I was by myself. I am actually a big fan of going out and exploring the world alone - whether it’s a big trip to another country or just a local walk in your own town. Traveling with a companion / friends / family can also be extremely rewarding, but there is something so gratifying about being able to experience something for yourself and only for yourself without the presence or opinions of others potentially influencing your decisions. I’m here to share with you some of my experiences and tips for adventuring alone, and by the end - maybe you will feel inspired to go out on a solo adventure of your own!

One of the biggest benefits of solo adventuring is that you are able to connect on a completely different and elevated level - which applies to more things than one. In early September, I ventured by myself to a local park (approximately 30 minutes from home). Despite living in New Jersey for my entire life, I had never been to Schooley’s Mountain Park before. Of everyone in my family, I am probably the most adventurous one - always lusting for new people / places / things. I was determined to experience Schooley’s by myself - as I heard that there were two waterfalls and an overlook to be found.

I woke up early and packed a lunch (as I didn’t want to have to go back home just for food) and drove to the park. On the drive there, I rolled down my windows, turned up the radio, and sang loudly (something I don’t enjoy as much when other people are in the car… mostly because I’m 1000% tone deaf and fear for their ear drums). I also passed a lot of scenic farmland on the way there, which was really nice. I found the waterfalls myself - where I ate my lunch and dipped my feet in the water. I also made my way to the overlook, where I saw a family of hawks. I had never been that close to a hawk in the wild before. I ended up spending the whole day there, and to this day it was one of the best days of my life...

By myself, I was able to wholly connect with my surroundings.

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Another time where I was able to connect more with my surroundings while traveling on my own - was when I went to the historic town of Chester (NJ) by myself for the first time. I went the week before Christmas, and it was such a fun small-scale adventure around the holidays. I took my time in every shop that I entered looking at all the trinkets and objects. One of my favorite parts was that I had conversations with many of the shop owners. It was really fascinating to learn about the products they sold and the stories behind their businesses. It’s not one of the easier things to do - as our society has become one ridden by social anxiety. Trust me, some encounters were slightly awkward too. For the most part though, it was an extremely rewarding experience. I don’t know if I would have taken the time to talk to as many people as I did had I not been alone - nor would I have probably spent an hour at the large antiques shop there.

PLANNING TIPS FOR GOING SOLO 

• Get ideas where to go via Instagram. It's actually one of my main sources for travel ideas. To some people it’s just a silly little app, but to me it is a wealth of inspiration. I follow many locals in my area - who often share places that they go. One of my favorite accounts for NY escapades is @hiddengemofnyc because they tend to post ideas that aren’t your typical NY tourist ideas. Sometimes I find out about events / exhibitions / places via Instagram and then go to Google afterwards to find out more details.

• Keep a local bucketlist. I keep a list of local places that I want to go / things I want to see on my phone in my notes app. It’s like a short-term bucket list ;). I try to prioritize the items on the list by things I want to see from most to least, and then try to plan a day based on that. Some places require their own full day, while others can sometimes be combined into the same day. I always try to have some sort of “loose” plan - but am always open to straying from the plan too.

• Go without a plan. Planning is great and all, but sometimes the most amazing adventures happen when you stumble upon the unexpected. When I'm in New York, I often like to explore by foot, instead of taking the subway (destination & weather permitting). I've discovered a lot of awesome things that can't be found on a map this way. (ex. street art, cool doors, sidewalk shops, food trucks, etc). If you’re really feeling adventurous: just get in your car and drive (with no particular place in mind)...the ultimate road trip!

Many people have told me that I am crazy to go out wandering by myself - mostly for “safety” reasons. To some extent, this is probably true. I have been “cat-called” one too many times while walking the streets of New York (which is ten times more awkward / uncomfortable when you’re alone). I’ve come across multiple snakes on a path while hiking alone. I’ve gotten lost while driving alone, but would find my way back eventually. Life isn't meant to be lived on the terms of “what ifs” and the rewards of adventuring solo outweigh those potential negative what ifs. I know that I for one always feel refreshed and revived after having a good adventure by myself.

A good solo adventure to me is like pushing a reset button.

When I return to my home / my workspace - I come back more motivated than ever with a passion to be productive. While it may seem that initially I went out to procrastinate from getting things done, I find that getting away and experiencing new things often helps me get more done in the end.   

I hope that this has maybe inspired you to go out on some solo adventures yourself! Where are you headed next? Let us know in the comments below!

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Follow Amy for design, wanderlust and noms on amychendesign.com & @amyventures

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Get everyday adventure ideas @LiveLikeYoureTraveling