Holiday Vacations for a Foodie

You can find a slew of excuses to celebrate the end of the year like Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza, New Years, the end of Q4, etc…  Many individuals and families devote the holidays to visiting with friends and families or slipping away from the hustle and bustle for a little R&R, but this time is also known for eating. And lots of it…turkey, hams, pies, pumpkins, stuffing, latkes, candy canes, chocolates…you name it, it is being consumed.  So whether you are traveling far or near, here are the top towns to get your eat-on over the holidays:

West Coast
Portland, Oregon

Once named Beertown USA, Portland is known for its large number of microbreweries and micro-distilleries. You’re sure to find the country’s best happy hours here, as you drink your way through more than 28 breweries within the city limits. Plus, the Food Network put Portland’s food scene on the map when it was named as a “Delicious Destinations” a few years ago. If beer and exquisite food isn’t enough, the area has also become known as a premier coffee destination in the Pacific Northwest.

Coffee, beer, and food…that combination could even make the Grinch jolly. The Oregon Zoo also gets in the holiday spirit with its annual Zoolights event that includes more than a million lights and live music, hot chocolate, and other yummy treats. One of the oldest traditions, the Portland Christmas Ship Parade, can be enjoyed while dining on delectable local fare at the many restaurants that line the Columbia and Willamette rivers.

Mountain West
Park City, Utah

This old silver-mining town is covered with snow, snow, and more snow, which gives you a great excuse to snuggle up and sip on mulled cider by the ski-lodge fireplace. It has been said that Park City has more chefs per capita than Paris, France, and the quaint but slightly funky Main Street is where you’ll find most of the dining hot-spots. Start your evening with a selection of cheese on an aspen slab, and then please your palate with a London broil of elk or pomegranate-glazed pork tenderloin.

Northeast
Bar Harbor, Maine

Peek out of the window of the bed & breakfast to watch snowflakes fall through the twinkling glow of a lighthouse. That’s the kind of enchanting holiday experience visitors will find in Maine. Festivals, sleigh rides, and shopping can easily fill your day, but to fill that grumbling belly, Maine lobster is a must! According to the Maine Lobster Council, most lobsters are caught between late June and late December, so skip down to the docks and watch the fishermen bring in their pots full of these fresh crustaceans. Then find a local chef or a DIY recipe to cook up this prized seafood. Maine’s natural beauty, delicious food, and great camaraderie will earn top honors in your mind as a quintessential destination for a getaway.

South
New Orleans, Louisiana

There are few other places in the world that take food more seriously than New Orleans. Reaching to their strong French heritage, families and restaurants in “The Big Easy” have reincarnated a Creole custom called Reveillon, a multi-course meal that was originally served after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Many restaurants have a diverse holiday menu from foie gras to shrimp remoulade to turkey with chestnuts, and finish the courses with desserts like bread pudding or pumpkin cheesecake. Reserve some time to hear the caroling at St. Louis Cathedral, then get back on the food train at a jazz or gospel brunch in the French Quarter and see free cooking demonstrations by top chefs.

Caribbean
San Juan, Puerto Rico

Can’t get enough of the holiday season? Celebrations run from November through mid-January in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where U.S. citizens don’t even need a passport. Catch a re-enactment of the nativity scene at midnight mass on Christmas Eve; then eat 12 grapes for good luck and party on the streets for New Year’s Eve. Stop by the Winter Wonderland event at the Puerto Rico Convention Center, where snow activities find a short-lived home on the island. And keep an eye out for the SoFo Culinary Festival, when the restaurant community of Old San Juan features lots of food, drinks, and music. Seasonal favorites here include suckling pig, rice with pigeon peas, and yucca and meat wrapped in a banana leaf, all typically served family-style. Before you leave the Caribbean warmth, stop by Bacardi’s distillery in Catano, the largest rum distillery in the world with free tours and a complimentary drink.

How To Pack for Vacation

Whether you’re getting ready for a family vacation or a business trip, packing is a skill. Here are three great tips to help you pack like a professional.

First, pick the right bag. The one essential feature to consider is carrying capacity. The maximum size of a carry-on bag for most domestic air travel is 22 inches tall by 14 inches wide by 9 inches deep. Soft carry-on bags usually weigh less than structured ones and can be crammed into an overhead bin on an airplane. And rectangle shaped bags have more cubic inches of storage space than those with rounded corners.

Second, pick clothes wisely. Cotton or wool clothes tend to resist wrinkles. And choosing one color scheme will allow you to easily mix and match. Look for clothing that does double-duty, like a tank for the day that’s dressed up by a wrap for night. And take no more than 4 pairs of shoes, including the ones you’re wearing on the plane!

Finally, after picking the clothes, pack them efficiently. Rolling garments best utilizes baggage space and creates fewer wrinkles and creases. Place shoes along the edge of your bag and put heavier items on the bottom. And, if needed, wear bulky items such as coats onto the plane to save space in your suitcase.

So as you pack for your next trip, keep these tips in mind to help you pack smart!

Destinations to Take a Cruise

Taking a cruise is a great way to see multiple destinations at a reasonable price. Here are three prime cruise locations.

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Caribbean cruises offer multiple options based on where you want to depart from and what type of destinations you’d like to explore. Great deals for Caribbean travel can be found as close as 60 days from when you want to sail. But know that the peak sailing dates for this location are in late December, around Spring Break, and during the summer while school is out.

The Hawaiian Islands are on many people’s bucket list, but because of cost and logistics, many only dream of visiting this getaway. Book a Hawaiian cruise out of a West Coast port, and you can easily visit the four main islands: The Big Island, Kauai, Maui, and Oahu. These cruises are typically 10 to 14 days in length, but you will experience most of what the Aloha State has to offer.

Another dream location for many is Alaska. Taking an Alaskan cruise cuts down on the amount of planning needed and gives regular travelers the ability to access this rugged but beautiful state. These cruise vacations are usually combined with a land tour and also range from 10 to 14 nights. The season runs from May to September, but peak sailing dates in July and August sell out 8 to 9 months in advance.

So next time you plan a vacation, consider a boat as your main mode of transportation.