Going, Going, Gone! The Short But Wonderful Season of the Ice Hotel...

When I say this may be the coolest hotel out there but it won't be around long, it's not an exaggeration!  It's the Ice Hotel.  You may have a hard time grasping this, but just visualize an oversized igloo.  But, not just any igloo!  Read along....

There are only three Ice Hotels in the world.  The original Ice Hotel started and Sweden, there is one in Norway and the only one to give you this beautiful nordic experience in North America is located in Canada.

The Ice Hotel (known as Hotel de Glace in Canada) is located just 30 minutes outside of Quebec City and was first built in 2001.  Each year the Ice Hotel is sculpted and built from scratch by well-known artists and sculptors in a mere five weeks.   Over 15,000 tons of snow and 500 tons of snow go into making this luxurious "igloo".  And, since it is totally rebuilt each year, you will never have the same experience no matter how many times you go.  It is usually open from the first week in January until the third week in March when warmer weather comes around and then mother nature naturally takes it down until it turns into a puddle.

There are 36 rooms and themed suites.  In the photo above the bed was carved like a sleigh which was led by ice sculptured horses and the walls were carved trees to resemble taking a sleigh ride in the forest. I wish I could show you a better photo of this, but I'm missing some of my photos which is killing me!

Each year artists are chosen to come in and design all of the rooms, the lobby, the reception desk, the bar,  the cafe, the chapel and the exterior (ALL made of snow and ice) so there are no two rooms alike and the entirity of the hotel has a whole new look each year.  The larger suites at the hotel boasts a fireplace while the largest suite has not only a fireplace, but it has it's own private spa.  Everything is made of snow and ice -- the chairs, the beds, the archways, the walls, the tables, the dishes and even the glasses you drink from at the bar.  When nighttime arrives, overnight guests are given arctic sleeping bags that are surprisingly comfortable and warm considering that you are sleeping on a block of ice!  Additionally, there is a sauna and spa that is open from 9:00p.m. until 9:00a.m. for overnight guests.

To keep the hotel and it's design intact, the temperature is kept at a cool 29 degrees, but since there is no wind, it is not as cold as you would imagine.

                       At night, the Ice Hotel illuminates in all of its glory.

My oldest daughter is that shadowy figure in the below photo.  Granted it's a pretty awful photo if you're trying to have a photo of a person, but it's a great photo to show off the chapel on the grounds.  Weddings are very popular at the Ice Hotel.  It is truly stunning as it is all made of ice and snow just like the rest of the hotel. The stain glass window in the photo below is painted ice.

Other activities include dogsledding, igloo-making, ice fishing, cross country skiing, skiing, and snow shoeing for hotel guests.

If sleeping on a block of ice doesn't float your boat, they do offer tours of the hotel during the day until 8:00pm. when they start letting guests back into their rooms.   Try to go right before dusk, because the lighting at the hotel is spectacular at night.  Day trip or overnight stay....it is a must!

An experience of a lifetime.  It's a magical wonder of what man can do with snow and ice.  It's the ultimate nordic adventure.  So unique and unforgettable.  To get more information on this ultra cool hotel go to www.hoteldeglace-canada.com  and make your plans before mother nature takes it away for another year.


TRAVEL M GIRL

Making Good Memories In Disney World

A trip to Disney World in Orlando is sure to be a memorable trip for you and your family but the last memories you want to take home are how long you stood in lines and which rides you weren't able to get to on the trip.  Recently, I received an e-mail from http://www.conceirge.com/ that I found invaluable when it comes to getting around Disney World.  They interviewed Susan Kelly who has a well-known travel agency called "Travel Magic". Here are some of her insights about making the most of your trip that I want to share with you.

PLAN A PARK STRATEGY:  Don't just run in and ride the first rides you see.  Some attractions are more popular than others, or have fewer FastPasses, so you will need to think ahead a little bit.  The best way to do this is to pick your five must-do's at each park, and think about which of those need a FastPass.  There are two key things to know about the way FastPasses work.  First, you can only get one every two hours -- anywhere in the park.  Second, the popular rides have a limited number of passes available each day,. so be strategic and don't go picking up FastPasses for the first rides you see.  The most popular ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios is Toy Story!Mania, and it's usually out of passes by 10:30a.m. so if that ride interests you, get your FastPass there first.

INCLUDE A FEW WEEKDAYS IN YOUR TRIP:  Avoid major holidays and weekends, when the parks are at their most crowded.  If possible, plan your trip to include a few weekdays.

USE THE SINGLE RIDER LINE -- IT'S SHORTER:  You can bypass the longer lines at Expedition Everest, Test Track and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster by entering through the single rider line.  You won't be seated with your travel party, but you are often nearby.

USE YOUR SMART PHONE TO NAVIGATE THE PARKS:  Apps such as Touringplans or Versaedge provide live feeds of actual wait times and FastPass return times.  It can save you tons of walking and help you with your overall park strategy.

SEE TINKER BELL:  If you stand on the bridge to Tomorrowland for the evening fireworks show, Wishes Nighttime Spectacular at Magic Kingdom, you can see Tinker Bell (yes, she is real) fly from one of the castle turets into Tomorrowland.  If you're watching from too far away, you'll just see a light, but if you're on the bridge, you'll see a real person flying.

See You Real Soon!
TRAVEL M GIRL

The Bachelor Finds Love At Last!

If anyone watched the episode of "The Bachelor" which appeared on Monday, February 20, then you perhaps saw the one true love that Bachelor, Ben Flajnik, has actually found this season...Fort Worth!

Ben came to meet the parents of Bachelorette, Nicki, in Fort Worth and from
him gushing repeatedly that he loved Texas and Fort Worth,  it made me
conclude that this might have been his first visit to Fort Worth.
 After watching the shows this season,  one might conclude that
he is a bit blind on some things such as girls!  Well, I  was glad
 to see he is not totally blind about everything!  Anyway, yes, Ben, we all
agree with you that we love Fort Worth, too!  In fact, I love Fort
Worth so much I posted on my blog about it on January 25th titled "Grazing in Cowtown".

Nicki made a stampede rush over to Ben's limo!  Thank
goodness she didn't have to work around the cattle herd
to get to him!

After several embraces and kisses, Ben and Nicki hit the streets in the
Stockyards.  I noticed a couple of places that Ben and Nicki visited
 while in the Stockyards that you might want to take note of yourself.

Their first stop was to M.L. Leddy's located on 2455 North Main.
Leddy's has been setting the standard in handmade western boots
since 1922.  Their boots are built with the finest leathers and materials.
Combine that with decades of craftmanship, the highest in quality and fit,
and you've got yourself one fine boot.

Looks like they managed to pick up some clothes and hats
while they were  in Leddy's as well.

Well, once they looked the part, they had to act the part, so
they bellied up to the bar at another Stockyard institution,
the White Elephant Saloon.  The White Elephant Saloon is
located at 106 E. Exchange Avenue and is a great honky tonk
playing music and serving up drinks and food seven nights
a week.  The White Elephant stage has played host to legends such
as Leon Russell, Roy Clark, Red Steagall & Charlie Daniels to a
whole new generation of outlaw country music stars.  It is next
door to celebrity chef Tim Love's restaurant called "Love Shack"...
perhaps Nicki and Ben should have gone there as well!

Will Ben find true love in a girl and not just a town?  Will it be Nicki?
Or is he destined to be a broken-hearted bachelor??  No one knows,
but we know he will never forget his love for Fort Worth!


TRAVEL M GIRL

Going Gaga Over This Trattoria in New York City

You associate Lady Gaga with a lot of things but
you might not associate her with my travel blog unless
I was highlighting the cities on her tour.
Nope, this is about food in one of my favorite cities,
New York.  And, you may just go gaga over this
restaurant yourself!

Lady Gaga has helped her parents, Joe and Cynthia realize
one of their dreams by opening up a restaurant, called
 Joanne Trattoria, in Manhattan's Upper West Side
at 70 W. 68th Street at Columbus. It appears that Lady
 Gaga's dad went to hotel restaurant school many years ago
and has long dreamed of owning a restaurant.  Thanks to a "few"
hits, Lady Gaga has helped her dad to realize this dream.
Joanne Trattoria just opened their doors in January of this
year.  They brought in famed master chef, Art Smith, who has helped
 design their menu along with Papa Joe, who is at the head of the
restaurant, while Cynthia answers the phone.  It is chef Art
 Smith's debut in the NYC dining scene.

The intimate 70-seat restaurant was named after Lady Gaga's
late Aunt Cynthia.  Reservations are hard to score but there
is limited seating available at the bar for those who don't
 have a reservation.  It currently is only open from 5:00pm. until
10:00p.m. on Monday through Sunday.  There are plans to
 eventually open it for lunch and brunch.

The menu offers traditional Italian Dishes with a touch of
Southern soul.  Look for dishes like Polenta with Grilled
Seafood, Red Chili, Lemon and Sunday Gravy,  Joanne's Mac &
Cheese, Pinot Grigio and Herb Steamed Mussels, and Papa G's Chicken
 with Sweet Italian Sausage and Peperoncini.  Finish it up with Grandmother's
Lemon Cake with Meringue, Chef Art's Southern Bread Pudding
with Bourbon Sauce or Cellar Limoncello by Papa G.

Joanne Trattoria truly is a family affair.  Luckily, Lady
Gaga is not in charge of handling the meat.  Or should
I say, "wearing the meat".


Go to their website at www.joannenyc.com for more information.
Call the restaurant at 212.7221.0068 between 11:00a.m.
and 4:00p.m. EST for reservations.



TRAVEL M GIRL

Packed Snow....A Guide to Packing for Your Ski Trip

I'm sure my husband and whoever else has traveled with me finds this humorous that I would be offering advice on how to pack since I seem to know no limits when it comes to packing.  This is especially true for warm weather destinations.  I'll pack 5 bathing suits, 6 coverups, 4 flats, 4 high heels, rain boots, and 6 outfits for a 3-day weekend.  You know....just in case!  It's that Boy Scout motto thing about "always being prepared" that I've taken to heart when it comes to packing for a trip.  It's hard to know what my clothes mood or the weather will be 5 days in advance.  And, what if it's raining or a sudden Ice Age moves in?!  It's just not possible to predict, so I need a lot in that suitcase.

But all of that packing logic goes out the window when it comes to packing for a ski trip.  Yes, I said "logic".  My husband would use the words "packing insanity".  Whatever!  Ski clothes and gear (and not to mention your apres-ski wear) is just so bulky.  It doesn't take but 4 things to fill a suitcase and couple that with packing with a family in tow or, even worse, FLYING and you've got a real problem on your hands!

 With President's Day Weekend and Spring Break just around the corner, there will be a lot of folks heading up to the mountains.  And with airlines charging for the air you breath, you need to know how to pack wisely but not spend your whole budget just on checking your bags!  So, packing to match the needs of your transportation is the first step in packing for your trip.

I prefer to drive to the mountains because it is soooo hard to "delete" items from my packing list.  So here is my list of packing suggestions if you are driving to the mountains:

Maps (the old fashion kind...once you get in some mountain ranges, cell service may or may not be available so you may not be able to depend on your cell phone or iPad to guide you)
Water Bottles and Snacks (believe it or not, there may be more than just a few miles between your favorite Dairy Queens plus you need to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate as you climb altitude)
Printouts of your Lodging Reservations
Printouts of Pre-purchased Lift Tickets, Ski Lesson Reservations, Ski Rentals
Plenty of gas before you get up into the mountains (once again, there may be a road delay of some sort and there are not a lot of gas stations in the more remote areas)
Once you are heading into areas on your trip where you will experience snow and ice, put on your after-ski boots (flip flops don't do well even if you're just running into McDonalds...you'll thank me later)
Skis, Ski Boots, Poles, Snowboards (if not renting)
(see below for ski clothes)
Ice Scraper (for your windshield)
Download "Road Conditions" app and "The Weather Channel" app  (both are free and great resources while on the road)

However, flying gets you to the mountains faster which means more mountain fun!  So, here is my list if you are flying:

Printouts of your Airline Reservations and/or Tickets
Printouts of your Lodging Reservations
Printouts of your Shuttle Service/Car Service/Rental Reservations
Printouts of Pre-purchased Lift Tickets, Ski Lesson Reservations, Ski Rentals
Photo ID
Plastic bag with your liquids
Wear your after-ski boots to the airport (you need that extra room in your suitcase)
Wear your ski jacket to the airport (once again, you need that extra room in your suitcase)
Wear a at least 5 things on the airplane that you will wear again in addition to the two above (example: long john shirt, jeans, sport bra, sweater, and socks)
Fed Ex Receipt (see below*)

Most airlines count skis, snowboards, and other equipment as baggage which means extra fees.  Plus, they require the equipment to be packed in rigid, hard shell containers designed for shipping.

There is a great website that breaks down the information for you airline by airline at www.snowpak.com/news/toolkit/skiandsnowboardbagfees.html  (you can measure and weigh your equipment then check with your airline several days prior to departure to calculate your fees).


And here is my general list of packing for your days on the slopes.  If you have access to a washing machine, pack less ski socks, sport bras, long johns and turtle necks.   No one is going to see these things so why waste space?

Parka (for colder days)
Shell (for warmer days)
Ski/snowboard pants
Turtle Neck Cotton Shirts (one for every 2 days)
Water-proof Gloves or Mittens(basically, ski gloves is what I'm getting at here)
Helmet (remember, trees are on that mountain along with snow)
Long John Tops and Bottoms
Face Mask (for cold days or skiing incognito)
Neck gater (you can't imagine how handy that thing is when your chin is trying to fall off your face while riding that ski lift)
After-ski Boots
Ski Socks (believe me, your regular socks will not be your friend if your feet get cold and/or wet!)
Sports Bras
Hat or Headband that will cover your ears
Ski Sunglasses (there is a difference in these from just regular sunglasses and you will know the difference if you try to wear those glasses you purchased at Target on that gleaming white snow)
Goggles (you will never make it down the mountain if it's snowing or cloudy in those sunglasses)
Wipes for Your Sunglasses and/or Goggles (between snow melting on them and fogging up, you'll be glad you keep this handy in your jacket)
Sunblock for pre-skiing and a travel-size one while you are on the mountain (believe me, I learned this the hard and oh so painful way)
Lip Balm with at least 30 SPF (same instructions as for the sunblock....another lesson I learned the hard and oh so painful way)
Medical Insurance Card (oh I so hope you don't need it!)
Heat Packs for your hands, toes and feet to carry in your jacket
A Small Duffle or Boot Bag (to carry your big sunblock, cute Target sunglasses, after-ski boots, hat to cover up your helmet hair, brush, camera batteries, keys, water bottle and whatever else you need to put in the locker while you ski)
Small Wallet or Credit Card Holder to Hold Your Money, Credit Card, Insurance Card to Keep In Your Jacket
Ski Boots*
Poles*
Skis*
Snowboard*

*If you are bringing your own equipment whether driving or flying consider having your gear arrive by Fed Ex to your the place you are staying to reduce the hassle.  Especially if you are flying.  This may also be considerably cheaper than paying the airline fees to check them.


Things you will need for Apres-Ski:

After-ski Boots
Jeans/Pants
Sweatshirt and/or Hoodie (for lounging)
Underwear
Fleece Jacket or Cover-Up (especially great for not so cold days)
Bathing suit (for the hot tub, sauna and heated pool...nothing feels better than that after a day of skiing)
Cover-up (if your walking past people on the way to the hot tub, sauna and heated pool)
Warm house shoes  (it can get drafty inside on those cold days)
Sleepwear
Sweaters
Scarves
Hat
Gloves or Mittens
T-shirt
Workout Clothes and Shoes (if you have access to a workout facility or you jog on ice)
I Pod
I Pod/Cell Phone Charger
Camera
Camera Charger or Batteries
Deodorant
Make-Up
Make-Up Remover
Face Wash
Watch/Jewelry (remember you are bundled up the majority of the time so there's no need for a lot)
Hairbrush
Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Lotion (unless your lodging provides it)
Toothbrush
Floss
Razor
Soap
Medicine
Socks
Glasses/Contact Lenses (and their cases)
Hair Dryer (call ahead to see if it's available at the place where you are staying)
IPad, Laptop (and their chargers)

Happy Ski Trails!

Travel M Girl

Dubrovnik.....New Love in the Old Town!

Arriving in Dubrovnik was like walking into a medieval dream.  The Old Town (meaning the old part of Dubrovnik) is surrounded by 80-foot limestone walls that have protected the city from assault for over 7 centuries.  With Mount Srd at its back, the Old Town shoots up straight out of the Adriatic Sea.  It is a fairy tale of a city with red-roof houses,  quaint shops, restaurants, art galleries and churches.

My first stop after my long flight into Dubrovnik was to a popular restaurant
called Nautica that is located just outside of the Pile Gate entrance to the Old
 Town.   Nautica sits on the waterfront offering wonderful views
 of the Adriatic Sea and Old Town.  

Nautica offers fresh seafood and delicious meat dishes along
with impeccable service and the unforgettable views.  Couple
that with a cold glass of Ozujsko, a Croatian beer, and you are
 set for a great afternoon!  It's no wonder it is so popular
with the locals.

Quaint boats sit in and along the harbour
in Old Town.

Dubrovnik is steeped in stunning architecture and
has a multitude of churches, monasteries, and museums.

The Old Port has restaurants overlooking the harbour.

A peak through the wall to the Old Port.

No cars, buses, or trams are permitted within these 13-century
walls which means that everyone travels on foot on these
beautiful cobblestone streets.

The Onofrio Fountain was originally built in 1444,
has 16 ornately-carved masks and is still a part of the
city's water supply system.

The Stradun is the main street in the Old Town.

The open-air market in Old Town is a
great place to pick up fresh vegetables,
cheeses, nuts, breads and fruits.  It's
also a great  way to mingle with the
locals....one of my favorite things to do!

I caught a taxi boat at the Old Port to the nearby island of Lokrum.  

A short 20 minutes later I was at Lokrum Island.   It is an unspoilt
island dotted with remnants and relics.  There is no hotel so
it's a day trip, but what a day of relaxation and beauty!

No crowds and the beauty of the Adriatic.  Awh....I'm living
the life!

Bathing suits optional at the
Nude Beach on Lokrum Island!
Luckily, I was able to choose from three
other beaches on the Island that
welcomed my adorable cover up!

Arriving back to the Old Port is
an "awh moment" itself!

See this innocent-looking gated hole?
Well, this isn't just any hole....

.....that hole takes you to Buza II  bar.  And while there are many
pubs and outdoor cafes to get a drink, no place is as unique as Buza II.
Once you pass through this "nameless" hole through the wall of Old Town,
you find yourself along the cliff that hangs over the Adriatic Sea.
Now, whoever thought to throw a few tables and chairs along
this area of rocks and cliffs with little to no railing is either genius
 or sadistic!  During the day you will find people sunbathing on the
rocks.  At sunset you will enjoy the view of Lokrum Island as the sun sets
over the Adriatic Sea.   Note to self:  don't drink too much or find
yourself in the Sea!  And, the Buza Bar is not open in bad weather

for obvious reasons.  (There are actually two Buza Bars that are
located on the other side of the wall in Old Town....Buza I and
Buza II.  Buza II is more popular.  Probably because you have more
of a chance of surviving a visit there!  Buza I was temporarily closed
for awhile because of it being more haphazard.  I would have never survived!)

The Pharmacy at the Franciscan Monastery in Old Town
creates hand creams and other toiletries based on
ancient recipes and is one of the oldest working pharmacies
in the world.  

I stayed just outside the Pile Gate entrance into Old Town at

the Hilton Imperial Hotel.  Here is the view I had from the
upper terrace of the Hilton.  I really liked the hotel, food and
location.  It's just a 5 minute walk to Pile Gate.

The Old Port shines at night in this beautiful place!

Swimming in the Adriatic Sea is exhilirating!  A wee
bit chilly even in July, but so beautiful and refreshing!

The view from the Hilton looking over Dubrovnik and Fort Bokar.

Even laundry hangs pretty in the Old Town!  

A visit to Lakanta Peskariji makes for an interesting visit if the
person going with you is in the mood for fish and you are
dreaming of a thick juicy steak.  You see, at this restaurant,
it may look like one continuous terrace under one restaurant,
but you will be handed only one menu with all of their meat offerings
on one side of the terrace, and another menu only offering
seafood items on another side of the terrace.  So, that means
no Surf and Turf dishes here!  And, no sharing a bite of that
yummy seafood your friend may be eating if you've insisted on
eating steak because you will be at two different tables!
Believe me,  I tried to talk them about the meaningless of it
all but that's when their understanding of the English language
went completely away!

The outside of the seafood menu looks
just like the outside of the meat menu.

There are a number of restaurants and cafes to choose
from along the cobblestone streets and side streets
 in the Old Town.  You almost cannot go wrong with any
place but there are some of my favorites.

Same goes for shops and art galleries.  It's not touristy.  So
there will be no billboards or signs to guide you (which is
a beautiful thing).  At most you will see an outdoor mannequin or
small painted script on hanging lanterns.  It's like a treasure
hunt, but one I especially love!

Since the streets are small and narrow, often
times restaurants will almost flow into each
other on the street.  Such is the case with Wanda
Restaurant which serves wonderful Italian-Mediterranean
cuisine.  If it weren't for Antonini Restaurante placing a
sign on their table, you might not realize you
weren't at Wanda's!

You should explore all of the medieval
streets and side streets of Old Town to
really get the feel.  Some people on
limited time will take the stairs to the top
of the wall surrounding Durbrovnik and walk
 the wall around the town.  I suggest you take
the time to walk the wall.  It's just over 1 mile
around the whole Old Town and it is especially nice
around sunset, but you really need to explore the streets
within the wall!  Try to spend at least 3 days in
Dubrovnik.  Especially if you want to visit one of the
several islands that are near Dubrovnik.

Hotel Stari Grad is a quaint European boutique
inside the Old Town.  The top floor terrace offers
impeccable views of the Old Town.

Another view from the terrace of the Hotel
Stari Gard.

Pucic Palace is a 4-story former home of a Noble family.
This 5-Star boutique is located on a cafe-lined Square in Old Town.
 It is one of the best hotels in all of Croatia.  There are 17 spacious
rooms all decorated with antiques, parquet flooring, and mosaic-tiled
bathrooms that are all set amongst in this 19th-century Baroque architecture.

The Terrace and Wine Bar at the Pucic Palace has
one of the most extensive wine and cocktail lists
in the Old Town.  The hotel's restaurant serves
eastern Mediterranean cuisine and is a must when
looking to have an incredible night of dining.

As I mentioned earlier, the sidewalks are packed with cafes serving the region's own style of European fusion cooking which is simple food that blends Italian and Austrian-Hungarian influences.  You really can't find a meal you won't like, but there are a few of places where I found some memorable meals as I mentioned above and here are some additional ones:


Poklisar which has two outdoor terraces at the square at the Old Port overlooking the harbour.

Restaurant Dubravka 1836 at the entrance to Pile Gate just outside the walls of Old Town has great views of the Adriatic Sea and Lovrijenac, Bokar and Minceta.  Whether you eat there or not, you might
want to grab a dessert or ice cream next door at their popular snack bar.

Oliva Pizzeria on the Main Square located just before you get to Pucic Palace is a good pizzeria.  Modern decor on the inside and the charming location in the medieval town make it a great place to people watch while you dine.

Spagheterria Toni is renowned for its vegetarian and pasta dishes along with wood-fire pizzas.

Porat Restaurant and Terrace just outside of Pile Gate at the Hilton Imperial Hotel serves international and Croatian cuisine.  Beautiful Mediterranean interior and expansive outdoor terrace.

Gils located near the Ploce Gate inside the walls of Old Town.  A new venue with stunning views of the Old Harbour.  Serving ultra-modern French cuisine along with an extensive wine list.  Afterwards get your groove on at their lounge bar playing DJ music.

Two things to note:
Croatian wine is quite good and often times less expensive than a coke.  Excellent wines come from the Peljesac Peninsula and Konavle.  Croatia's other wines are not quite as good as they are from these two regions.
Also, off-season is from November to March so most top-end restaurants, shops and galleries may be closed.  Late April to Early October is the prime time to visit just simply so that you can take advantage of sitting at the outdoor cafes amongst the medieval lanes and harbour or for touring nearby islands and beaches.

I'm missing my new love already.  Parting Dubrovnik really was such sweet sorrow!  Once I dry my tears, I'll send a new post!  Take care!

Travel M Girl