Chocolate Orange Madeleine Demo | Bite Sized Travel Treats!

You have got to try out this recipe for the upcoming holidays!

Whether you’re jetting off to the airport or embarking on a road trip, it’s always a welcome idea to tuck away a little comfort food and not always be at the mercy of the concession stands.  After all, traveling can be hectic and a little comfort goes a long way…especially during the holiday season.

When I think bite sized travel treats, this can be anything from bringing home sample sized foodie souvenirs, to picking up small nibbles for your hotel room, to tossing a goodie into your tote.  The options are endless… 

Are you familiar with Food52.com? Take a sec to explore – it’s a great community based/community created food website!  Stuck with a random ingredient you’re trying to use up?  

One of my favorite features is entering an ingredient into their search function, like “Pomegranate” and choosing “in recipes.”  Results pop up showing everything in their catalog that includes pomegranates in their recipes.  From there you can narrow it down to appetizers, salads, desserts, and so on to hone in on what type of dish you’re creating. 

#TRAVEX Travel Tweet-up: Winter Travel Destinations

Join Travel Squire, myself, & fellow co-hosts for tomorrow’s (11/6) travel tweet-up #TRAVEX at 6:30am or 2pm PST via Twitter!

Topic: Winter Travel Destinations ✈❄🎿

See you then!

Press Trip on Catalina Island!

Hey Guys!

Check out the latest from my Candid Moments Vlog!

Recently I had the opportunity to explore some of Catalina Island on a press trip and wanted to share some of my experience with you.

In the comment section below, let me know if you’ve ever visited the Island.  It’s a total charmer!

Click here to check out my full review of my experience via Dave’s Travel Corner and click here to check out my adventure on my YouTube channel, MGPTravelBlog.

Take a peek at more content from my adventure:

Click here to watch: “Press Trip on Catalina Island!”

Click here to watch “Meet My Assistant & Prepping for Press Trip”

Click here to watch more from my Day Trip Travel Series Playlist.

Click here to watch and here to read another piece published on Dave’s Travel Channel: “Cosimo Cavallaro’s Jelly Beans – Art Exhibit” 

Hope you enjoyed your weekend,

Burberry – Valentine’s Event

Photo Credit: Burberry.com

Last week I was invited to a Valentine’s Day event hosted by Burberry.  A few sips of Rose Champagne and a nibble of mini chocolate cupcakes whilst surrounded by the latest Spring/Summer 2013 leathers, silks, and tailoring that defines Burberry was… heavenly.

A few things obviously caught my eye.  I spotted a few pieces that would make for a great travel ensemble. They lend themselves to being mixed and matched for a flexible travel wardrobe.  I can totally picture myself sporting this delicious cropped leather biker jacket, clasping a perfect small leather saddlestitch bowling bag, and tying on an abstract floral print scarf for a pop of color! 

They can be dressed up or down and are completely versatile for making your way through customs, lingering in a museum, or dining in a local haunt.  Pair one or all with flats, skinny jeans, and a couple of bangles for an easy chic look.

Product Review: Train Reaction (Travel Accessory)

Recently I was giving the opportunity to try out a new travel accessory called Train Reaction, or TR Device.

 

 

 

 

 

What It Does:

The ability to roll two pieces of luggage with one hand so that it frees up the other for on-the-go travel convenience. 

Facts:

• Plastic device weighs 3 oz
• Carry up to 100 lbs
• Price point $14.95
• Made in USA

The Difference Between Lost and Found – Create Accountability

I was just thumbing through the latest issue of Westways Magazine and spotted an article entitled, “Luggage Lessons” by Laura Daily. 

A few days ago I replied to a Tweet from Sarah Waxler (@TravelLeaderRDU), a travel agent from North Carolina, about never experiencing the horror of lost luggage.  When I spotted this article, I figured I should bone up incase my Irish luck runs out.

Are You “In The Know”? Get a portion of your VAT tax refunded

Recently on a trip to Europe, I was diligently collecting my receipts because I had heard through the grape-vine that I could have the money I spent on VAT refunded at the end of my trip.  Well, like anything in life, I hadn’t heard the full story.

After some minor disappointment and quality time with a customs agent in the UK, he handed me a brochure explaining how a VAT refund really works.

In a nut shell, if you fulfill all of the requirements, this could be worth your while.

Have you discovered Yotel yet?

I’ve been dying to check Yotel out in person.

It’s a fantastic concept of utilizing a small space and giving it a luxury vibe.  Primarily Yotel is a mini hotel that is found in airports located in the UK and Holland, but they’ve just announced a new location in New York.

Apparently the Yotel Time Square will be located on the ground level of the 60 storey LEED-Silver complex at 42nd Street and 10th Avenue.  They are scheduled to open their doors in Spring 2011.

Achingly cool and chillingly efficient YOTEL will offer customers a perfectly designed 16sqm (170sqft) of private space in which to relax, refresh, connect and sleep, a true haven of calm. Luxury bedding, rejuvenating monsoon rain showers, relaxing purple mood lighting and YOTEL’s ‘techno wall’ with flat screen TV, and complimentary WiFi will soon be on offer to those visiting New York. Never again will travellers have to be subject to expensive and boring hotels.

Have you been?  Seen?  Experienced?  Would love some feedback…

Juggling your carry-on and saving $ on your check-in…but is it worth it?

We’ve all been there….up all night finishing your packing and trying to negotiate with your hand-held luggage scale trying to figure out where you can skimp and save on the extra pounds.

Several airlines have increased their check-in baggage fees and many other airlines may follow suit.  So many of us savvy travelers are trying to beat the system.  Is your carry-on brimming with personal effects?  Are you wearing all of your heaviest items (i.e., coat, boots, etc)?   There may be a principle to uphold here, and I’m all for saving money, but you know what….maybe it’s worth paying the extra $10 or $15.

Depending on how you pack, the extra juggle may not be a big deal.  But for most of us, it may be a small price to pay in the scheme of things so you don’t have to muscle all your stuff and keep an eye on it all throughout your journey.  Last time I checked, planes are crowded, narrow, and personal space is at a premium.