October 23, 2016 - Tanya's Trip to Mendocino - Day 2 AND Elisa's Upcoming Travel Destinations Inspiration

Elisa's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN:
​NOT SURE YET

Upcoming Travel Destination Inspiration

It's Sunday and I'm refreshed, I'm rejuvenated and I'm renewed!

Wow - was I in a cranky mode yesterday. Sorry guys, but I really had a great deal on my mind and I used my blog to vent.

In any case, it's a new day and I'm feeling much happier!

As my day went on, it really got better.  Believe it or  not, the rhythm of the falling rain hitting the roof of the barn arena yesterday was quite relaxing as I watched my girlies riding.

And may I say, they did phenomenally!!

(c)travelincousins.com

(c)travelincousins.com

With all the rain, Punkin stayed safe and dry sleeping away the afternoon in my car!!

Punkin (c)travelincousins.com

Punkin fast asleep in the car (c)travelincousins.com

Before I get too far, let me tell you about my day today.  
I have some errands to run this morning, followed by a special Mass for the 7th Grade, in preparation for her Confirmation (which takes place in 2 years) and then an afternoon filled with some relaxation and pampering with a mani-pedi.

Although I took Gianna on Friday to get a manicure for her dance that evening, there wasn't enough time for me to get my treatments done. So, this afternoon is my time!!

My errands are not very exciting -- a trip to stop & shop for a few items, followed by a stop at Petco for Punkin food and then a quick run into CVS for some toiletries. 

I'm ready for some travel talk, how about you?!!

I know that Tanya and I spend an awful lot of time talking to you about our travel bucket lists and future trip plans.

In fact, one of the things we love sharing with you, are the itineraries we put together before we venture on a planned trip.

Prior to our research, planning and creating daily schedules for each of our beloved trips, there is usually something that inspires each of us to DECIDE on particular destinations. A TRIGGER that ignites a flame to put each and every designation on our travel calendars.  

So, what is it for me?  Where has my inspiration come from?  

While "everywhere" is a potential destination for people like Tanya and me, who love to see the world, there's usually some event or experience - an impetus for our selection.

Today, I thought I would share with you the inspiration for three of the trips I currently have on my calendar...

​April, 2017: London/Paris

London 2010 (c)travelincousins.com

With all the places in the world to visit, you may wonder what makes someone like me, who loves to have new experiences, plan a trip to places I've been several times.

Well, in the case of London and Paris, it's very simple.  My inspiration was more of a wish granting than my own personal inspiration.

A few years ago,  I had made a promise to both girls that, for their 13th birthday, I would take them wherever they wanted to go.

Me & Gianna in Paris (March, 2013) (c)travelincousins.com

Gianna has said for several years that she wanted to visit London, so this was truly a no-brainer.  Since her birthday is in May, we decided that Easter break would be the ideal time for a celebration trip to the capital of England.  Paris was a bit of a delightful after-thought.  ​

My girls, especially, Gianna LOVE the City of Lights!! They visited Paris in 2013 and fell in love.  So, as a birthday bonus, I fit in a short 1 day/1 night excursion!


June, 2017: Cousins Road Trip:
​New York - Chicago

Our planned route starting in New York, traveling west to Chicago and back.

Road trips are always interesting trips because they are usually much more casual and relaxing because of the nature of having your car as a sort of "home-base." 

​The inspiration for this trip was really about being itchy to get away last Spring and late one night I decided that before the grind of Summer Riding camp started, I would need a fun little getaway to kick off the summer of 2016.

I was thinking, "hmmm, where tho go - where is not that far, but somewhere we've never gone."  And I realized we had been north (towards Boston), South (towards D.C. and Virginia) and even 2 hours southwest to Pennsylvania.

But we'd never really ventured west towards Chicago. So, one late evening, (with the help of Roadtrippers), I assembled quite an interesting itinerary, full of points of interest, sightseeing, fun accommodations and even places to eat.

Then, after booking reservations, the kids and I decided to "stay local" and having a home away from home vacation our on the East End of Long Island, DURING their Summer Camp time.

The idea of a road trip traveling west from New York to Chicago intrigued Tanya and so after some chatting, we thought it would be quite fun to slug that trip into Summer 2017 (right after school lets out in June).

And that's exactly what we did!!

​

March, 2018: Israel

I got the bug to visit Israel last year after watching a traveling video, ISRAEL, THE ROYAL TOUR, which featured Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu touring with multiple Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter, host and producer, Peter Greenberg.

Not only was it delightful to watch and see the funny, personal side of the Prime Minister, but, it was so educational listening to him tour the country and the many historic spots.

Israel (pearlofgreatprice.com)

I never realized that Israel is only the size of the state of New Jersey!!

Well, after I viewed this video, I was struck - I knew I had to get to the Holy Land within the next few years.

As a result, I put it on the calendar!

What's more, I spoke with a friend of mine who insisted that if and when I go to Israel, it needed to be at Easter time, as it is one of the most spectacular times of the year to visit the country.

The video that inspired me to plan my Israel trip in March, 2018. (c)travelincousins.com

That's precisely what I did - - I decided to schedule my trip with the girls for their Easter break next year (2018). 

With a number of other trips on my schedule, I will tell you more about my "inspiration" for those next week!!

I'm off to get ready for Gianna's Confirmation mass.

See ya back here tomorrow!!
Have a wonderful Sunday!!

-E
​xoxo

Tanya's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN: MENDOCINO, CA

The good times always outweigh the not so good

GREETINGS from the ever lovely Mendocino, located on the northern coast of California.

As we left the OAK airport yesterday morning, it felt as though I hadn't been around Bay area (Oakland and San Francisco) for quite some time.  

In reality it has only been a year and 4 months, but since I'm generally accustom to more frequent visits, it really had just felt like forever to me!     Not to mention that in the time since our last visit, a number of fabulous food finds had popped up and become quite popular in the vegan and non-vegan foodie community.  

So I can happily share with you that the first few stops of our the day were nothing short of a delight to our tastebuds as we ate out way through some fairly new establishments that have been on my MUST TRY list since the last time I was up this way.

The first yummy stop was at Timeless Coffee in Oakland, where you might not be able to tell from my wonderful timing for photos - that this place almost had a never ending line and that I literally stood in the long line 3 times to keep adding to our eat in and take out order. I just couldn't get enough and it was all so so so GOOD! 

Timeless Coffee exterior (c)travelincousins.com

Bakery case (c)travelincousins.com

Bakery case (c)travelincousins.com

Quiche, Frittata, Stuffed breakfast roll, and Beignets - all vegan and all OUTSTANDING! (c)travelincousins.com

Next stop was at a Delicatessen called The Butcher's Son, and to your surprise they are 100% vegan. We stopped here and picked up some lunches togo and couldn't help ourselves to some goodies too! 

Storefront (c)travelincousins.com

Vegan Maple Donuts (c)travelincousins.com

More goodies (c)travelincousins/com

Then just in driving we couldn't help but chuckle at this "other" eating establishment we had passed by - Johnny's Cafe & Donuts & Bagels & Chinese Food & Deli & Burgers & the list went on - but the line of customers didn't...

We however were heading to Afternoon Tea Time at Muir's Tea Room in Sebastopol, which was a little more than an hours drive from SF & Oakland.

That's us & me waving "hi"! (c)travelincousins.com

Muir's Tea Room (c)travelincousins.com

In the tea room (c)travelincousins.com

(c)travelincousins.com

In the Tea Room (c)travelincousins.com

After having lovely tea (c)travelincousins.com

After a most wonderful day of treats and eats and a beautiful 4 hour drive we had finally arrived at our little haven by the sea.

Having known about this eco friendly and vegan inn for a couple of years prior to making it one of our annual getaway locations back in 2010, we have really come to love it here!

Looking at the lobby (c)travelincousins.com

The sea air is crisp and with our balcony deck door open we can hear the crashing of the waves and the nearby gulls. Here we are also surrounded by the flow of the Big River, the wind rustling amongst the tall coastal Redwoods, as well as the amazing garden and farm grounds that all make this place so special.

Seeing the Ravens fly over head, the Llamas mull, the Horses gallop freely in the distance and the welcoming hospitality is what we've come to expect over the years. 

In fact we even make sure to book one of two rooms that we have become so comfortable and happy with.

And luckily for all of that, because sometimes things don't always go as expected.

And not to rain on my parade or put a damper on my trip in any way - but if I were not to have already known the comforts and service that has always been provided to us, well then last nights check in would had definitely left a sour note on my palate and sour is never the way to begin a stay, vacation, or just about anything!

I've shared our negative experience with the powers that be and have let it go.

I am determined NOT to let such minor infractions take any toll on my days or our stay.

​Dave had even tried to surprise me with a beautiful bouquet of fall flowers (I say tried because of the lameness new employee that had ruined the surprise).​

Beautiful fall flowers (c)travelincousins.com

Dinner was lovely here at the Ravens and to top off the excellent day - the Chicago Cubs took the National League Championship title and clinched their first berth moving on to their first MLB World Series since 1945! 

While I am a full fledged NY Yankees fan, I am all about the Cubs winning and breaking their curse. GOOOOOOO CUBBIES!

Well, it's about time I go and pedal.
Catch ya back here tomorrow,
​-T