October 18, 2016 - A New Cousins Birthday Trip on the Calendar AND Tanya's Upcoming Mendocino Weekend

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

A Glimpse of Elisa & Tanya's Croatian Road Trip

HEY! How'd your week start off for you?  Here on Long Island, we had a week of cool, crisp Fall weather and now we are returning to a bit of Indian Summer with a few day predicted with temps in the 70's and near 80 degrees.

Yesterday, I was wearing shorts, sitting in my yard!

I need to vent...
It never ceases to amaze me how miserable some people are!  Just genuinely miserable and negative to the core.

No matter what goodness you try to share; no matter how nice you try to be - they don't see it or have a paranoid view or just prefer to focus on any possible negative there might be.

These people, better known as value vampires, they just suck the joy, the positivity and the overall fun out of life.  Encounters with them are like a trip to the dentist when you are being drilled for an our straight.

I used to think that these folks were just jerks, but I've come to realize that it is the negative thinking that keeps them locked into a view of themselves that they are victims of the world and everyone around them and gives them an excuse to truly embrace life, relationships and venture out of their comfort zones.

So what to do when we have to deal with these people on a regular basis because of circumstances?  IGNORE THEM!! KILL THEM WITH KINDNESS! EMOTIONALLY DISTANCE AND INSULATE YOURSELF FROM THEIR WORDS AND ACTIONS.

And most of all, remember, you can walk away - they are stuck being them!!

Rant over!!

Happy Dance - today is Travelin' Tuesday and it's the day me and Tanya talk about our upcoming trips and excursions.

I know Tanya is excited to chat with you about her upcoming trip to Mendocino.  

My dear cuz pays a visit to Mendocino a few times during the year and it's always filled with lots of eating!!! - Vegan Eats, that is.  And I dare any carnivore to NOT enjoy the luscious offering of foods!  Read more about this adorable California town!
M is for May and May is for The Millennium and Mendocino!

Mendocino, CA (c)travelincousins.com

As for me, I want to chat about my future plans to visit Croatia with my "baby" cousin, Tanya.  (I love calling her my baby cousin!!).

​In 2015, I took one of the most amazing trips in my lifetime - Our European Rail Trip.
What made it so wonderful was...well, thousands of reasons, but the fact that it was just we two Travelin' Cousins, in Europe, railin' it, eating and laughing for 16 days.

Old Town Square, Prague, Czech Republic (June 2015) (c)travelincousins.com

Well, as we move past 2016 towards 2017, and looking beyond, we are ready to plan, yet another Travelin' Cousins trip!

This time we have Croatia on our horizons!!

Both, Tanya and I have had this destination on our bucket list radar and well, folks, we are getting it on the calendar!!

A few weeks back, I posted my tentative trip itinerary for 2017 and beyond.  Here's a quick look at it:

Spring, 2017: (Easter Break):
London/Paris

June, 2017: (Week after School ends): 
Cousins Road Trip to Chicago

Spring, 2018: (Easter Break):
Israel

Summer, 2018: (Late June/July):
Croatia

Fall, 2019 (TBD)
Disney Cruise (Kelsey's 13th Birthday trip)

Croatia is an Eastern European country with long coastlines on the Adriatic Sea and encompasses more than a thousand islands, crossed by the Dinaric Alps and dotted with castles.

As you can see from the above map, the Adriatic Sea separates Croatia from Italy and day trips often include a quick visit over to Venice!

I'm doubtful that Tanya and I will have much time for Venice (though the idea of it is compelling!!) because there is so much to see throughout Croatia.

It is home to medieval cities and historic ruin as well as having a wealth of stunning natural attractions such as the Plitvice Lakes and Plitvice National Park and the spectacular Adriatic coastlines.

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia (travel49.com)

From Dubrovnik in the South to the country's capital, Zagreb, in the north, we will be plotting out our trip to see the best of the best and experience it during one of the nicest times of year - the early summer, in late June and early July.

​For a little more information about Dubrovnik (nicknamed the "Pearl of the Adriatic"), Split (nicknamed the "Mediterranean Flower") and Zagreb (the country's capital and largest city), CLICK HERE to my earlier coverage.

What I'm thinking is that our Croatia trip will be more of a road trip than a rail trip and I have therefore, named this new trip (before getting the okay from Tanya!) "Elisa & Tanya's Croatian Road Trip"

Zadar Episcopal Complex (pinterest)

Clearly, from the research I've done, this trip will require at least 2 weeks.

​And while, as of this writing, I've discussed none of this with my dear cuz, I"m thinking if I have to leave anything out of the trip - it just might be the capital, since there is just so much to see up the coast.  

But, NOTHING is yet written in stone. 

There are some DEFINITE sights and "to do's" that we will ABSOLUTELY see and they include:

7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
* Plitvice Lakes National Park 
* Episcopal Complex of the Euphrasian Basilica in the Historic Centre of Poreč
* Historic city of Trogir
* Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian
* Old City of Dubrovnik
* Stari Grad Plain, Hvar
* The Cathedral of St James in Šibenik 

Ride at Sea
With over 1000 islands in this archipelago, it would be wrong for us not to have at least one sailing adventure!!

National Parks
​Croatia has 8 National Parks - we will try to hit a few, if possible, namely
* Krka National Park 
* Plitvice Lakes National Park (UNESCO Site)

Croatian sites that have been submitted to the tentative UNESCO list:
* The Episcopal complex in Zadar, which is just a two-hour bus ride north of Split.
* The fortified walls and salt pans in the towns of Ston and Mali Ston, which are less than an hour from Dubrovnik by car.
* The Istrian hilltop town of Motovun.
* The historical nucleus of Varazdin, north of Zagreb.

​Zlatni Rat beach is on Brač Island
Known as the best beach in Croatia, it is four kilometres from the attractive town of Bol, Croatia

Istria (easyjet.com)

Istria
Comprised of medieval hilltop towns, including the town of Novigrad which some describe as being the ‘new Tuscany’, it is formerly Histria

The largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea, Istria is shared by three countries: Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy. ​

Seaside City of Rovinj, the most popular city in Istria. (adventurouskate.com)

I am getting so excited about this trip!!!
Tanya and I have LOTS OF PLANNING to do!

Also, if you notice, I have in my headline "Next Trip Departs in: Not Sure Yet."  That is because I'm still trying to figure out when the best time is to reschedule our Disney World Trip.  

I'm working on upcoming school events, holidays and a multitude of other "to do's" to determine how to squeeze in this trip since we were forced to cancel due to Hurricane Matthew and having our flights cancelled on Oct. 7th.

Well, I'm going to bid you Doviđenja, which is Goodbye in Croatian.

Have a lovely day!!
-E
xoxo

Tanya's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 4 DAYS

All about Mendocino

​HOWDY Y'ALL!

Did you notice that I'm leaving again in just 4 days?
​
YUP I'll be leaving once again come early Saturday morning!

This time we are heading up to one of our FAVORITE California locations - MENDOCINO
located on the coast and about a 4 hour drive north of San Francisco.

While Dave and I do this trip annually, we typically visit in the merry month May, and obviously this time we are trying out what it's like in the Fall, with this October trip.

M is for May and May is for The Millennium and Mendocino!

And of course knowing me, which by now you all do...
What aside from travel does my mind run on? 

If you guessed FOOD then you are absolutely correct!

I love good food and San Francisco now has some stiff competition with Oakland making a strong presence in the restaurant world and foodie community.

So of course I've been tracking and drooling over menus from the likes of TIMELESS COFFEE - where the pastries and breakfast items appear to die for! We'll be going here for breakfast on Saturday.

Then heading straight to yet another FOODIE BUCKETLISTER for me - The BUTCHER'S SON (all VEGAN btw) and I can't tell you how excited I am about this one!!!
Even though I am heading there after already making one food stop, I may just walk out of there ordering one of everything!

Our next stop will be about a hour away and in the town of Sebastopol. And you'll never guess what I found and have been looking so forward to...
A fully vegan Afternoon Tea at Muir's Tea Room.

Oh you know how much I love my afternoon tea time!

You'll never guess what I'm trying to squeeze in next....   More tea after we check into the absolutely wonderful Stanford Inn.

I know. I know. You think I'm crazy. And perhaps I am - but I'm a really good type of crazy and one that you kinda wish you could be! ;)

Once settled at our home away from home our  breakfasts and dinners will be solely at the Ravens Restaurant while over looking the lovely farm, the lush grounds, the swaying Coastal Redwoods and the deep blue Pacific Ocean. 
​
The Ravens Restaurant at The Stanford Inn by the Sea

​Ahhh it's gonna be so darn dreamy!

Now you might be wondering what exactly is there to do in Mendocino, right?

Well last year when I made my way up there Elisa was brilliant enough to come up with this list for our readers:

15 Things to Do in Mendocino

1. Glass Beach 
The beach is covered in rounded sea glass.

Glass Beach (c)travelincousins.com

​2. Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
The Gardens has an oceanfront view of the coast with a 150 species of birds and other creatures. 

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens (c)travelincousins.com

3. Skunk Train Railway
Forty miles of railroad run through majestic redwood forests, scenic mountain meadows, and over 30 trestles bridging the pristine mountain waters of Northern California.
4. Point Arena Lighthouse & Museum
The Lighthouse is situated on the closest point of land to the Hawaiian Islands in the Continental United States and is surrounded on three sides by the Pacific Ocean.

Point Arena Lighthouse (c)travelincousins.com

​5. Mendocino Headlands State Park
Surrounds the picturesque Village of Mendocino on three sides with miles of trails that wind along the cliffs with spectacular views of sea arches and hidden grottos.

Mendocino Headlands State Park (c)travelincousins.com

​6. Point Cabrillo Light Station
Meadows and windswept bluffs encompass the 300 acre Point Cabrillo Preserve.

Point Cabrillo Light Station (c)travelincousins.com

7. Drive Thru Tree 
Located 175 miles north of San Francisco at the junction of US 101 and Coast Highway 1, lies the tiny hamlet of Leggett known worldwide as the home of the Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree.
8. Anderson Valley Brewing Company 
Founded in 1987, this brewery has become known for producing one of the smoothest tasting ales anywhere.
9. Best View of Mendocino
Mendocino Bay Overlook offers a spectacular view of the village of Mendocino
10. Mendochino Art Center 
The Art Center is a highly regarded artistic and educational institution offering more than 150 retreat-style classes each year in ceramics, fiber arts, fine arts, jewelry and sculpture.
11. North Coast Brewing Company
These exceptional beers are available in 47 states now and also are exported to Europe and the Pacific Rim.  A museum and shop are on premises.
12. Murder She Wrote
A Victorian bed and breakfast in Mendocino was used as Jessica Fletcher's home in the fictional town of Cabot Cove, Maine. Fun to visit!

Murder She Wrote House (c)travelincousins.com

​13. The Ford House Museum
Listed on the National Register, with miles of trails that wind along the cliffs, to explore and a full calendar of events.

Ford House Museum (c)travelincousins.com

14. Grace Hudson Museum
The Museum's collections consist of more than 30,000 inter-related objects, with significant holdings of local Pomo Indian artifacts. 
15. Symphony of the Redwoods
More than fifty musicians hone their skills and blend into a powerful ensemble ​

Now I've got to get around to finish unpacking and get on with packing for this next trip!

I managed a lot of catching up yesterday, as well as a lot of shopping (we came home to empty cabinets), and then it was all about choir.

While the kids were busy with rehearsal, I had a Board Meeting and then we had a Pizza Dinner Fundraiser. The kids enjoyed the social aspect of it and got to hang out with their friends while chowing down and reminiscing about the Florida Disney and Bahamas Cruise Trip. 
​

​Today will be a more mellow day. I never did make it to the gym yesterday, so I sure hope to get my sweat on today! Later on Dominic has his evening classes and I'll be busy planning!

Be sure to check Elisa's column for a fun and exciting new 2018 trip for us to look forward to. 

I'll leave you on this note, and catch ya back here on the flip side.
​-T