10 Good Reasons to Use a Travel Agent

I am often asked why you should use my services versus booking your own trips online.  Below you will find several reasons that a good travel agent is as valuable as a good mechanic.

1.  We, quite simply, know more than you do.  We are always training, getting certifications and visiting the destinations that we sell.  We also have input from our clients, about hotels, restaurants and activities. We know the best time to visit, when hurricanes are likely to happen and when the rainy season is.  We know if you need a visa or if a passport is sufficient.  We have the inside information and are really happy to share it with you.

2.  We also have clout with many suppliers because we do business with them everyday.  We can often get that oceanview room that is unavailable on the websites.

3.  When things go wrong, as they sometimes do, your travel agent will go above and beyond to make things right.  Again our influence with many suppliers that we use on a daily basis works in your favor.  They will work hard to not only insure your satisfaction, but the travel agency's as well.

4.  The best agents, will save you money.  They have access to specials and discounts that you know nothing about.  Maybe it's a room upgrade or or beverage credit, or other amenities that will give you more bang for your buck.

5.  In high pressure world with crazy, busy schedules, a travel agent will save you so much time.  Let them do all of the research and find the best value for your trip.  Leave it to the pros while you get that time to relax and do something that you enjoy.

6.  Your agent, can match you with the trip that best suits your needs.  For example, a cruise line that attracts a younger crowd would not be appropriate for retirees.  Your agent will know the difference and steer you in the right direction.

7.  We will know about that nonstop from your gateway city to your destination that may not be shown on that internet site.  Who wants to spend their time in airports when they don't have to?

8.  Using a good, local agent will help protect your from travel scams.  We know when a deal is too good to be true and we know where to go to get the real lowdown.  Countless people show up in our offices asking for our assistance to recoup their money once they have been scammed by internet sites.   As badly as we feel for them, we cannot help because it was not booked through us.  This is happening with more and more frequency in recent years.

9.  You will receive all of our travel services at no charge and we usually are able to price match if you find a good deal on the internet.  (Some agencies charge a research fee that is applied to the cost of your trip at booking.  I rarely do this unless it is a very detailed itinerary that is going to require more time than most bookings.)

10.   We are as excited about your trip as you are.  We can't wait to hear from you upon your return and love to see your pictures.  We want to know about that fabulous restaurant and that place that was a disappointment.  Your feedback helps us to be better when we book that destination again.

We do all of the above at no charge, we are paid by our suppliers, it does not cost you a dime.  So next time you get that travel bug, give us a call, we should always be your first stop in planning a memorable adventure.

Until next time, safe travels!


Quote of the Week:   “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” – Helen Keller

Another Four Great Getaways

Received lots of response to the first blog that I did on Great Getaways, so here are four more to add to your bucket list.

1.  Boston, Massachusetts-A great city full of history, charm and amazing seafood.  Walk the Freedom Trail and learn so much about this country's great history.  This 2.5 mile trail through downtown Boston takes you to 16 historical sites.  You can walk the tour independently or take one of the organized walking tours.  On Tuesday, they even offer a Pub Tour because we all know those brave rebels found some of their courage at their local pub.  One stop you must make on The Freedom Trail is Faneuil Hall that has served as a marketplace and meeting hall since 1743.  The marketplace is teeming with food options and street entertainers.  It is on of my very favorite places in Boston.  Like most cities, their is an abundance of museums.  Two of the most notable is the John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum and Library and the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum.  And of course, baseball fans will want to see historic Fenway Park. Music lovers will want to see the Boston Pops.  The list just goes on and on.   This is just a great city for a quick four day weekend or you could spend a full week here and not run out of things to do.

Faneuil Hall

Tours are available at Fenway

2.  Washington, D.C.-Everyone needs to visit our nation's capitol at least once.  It is a stunningly beautiful city, especially in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.  To stand on the National Mall and gaze in either direction is a moment that you won't soon forget.  Of course, there are accommodations of all kinds in the city and they are expensive (expect to pay for parking, like all cities) but most of the attractions are free so it helps offset the financial burden.  Visit the Capitol Building and stand under the third largest dome in the world.  The building itself is a work of art and it is inspiring to stand at the top of the stairs where so many of our presidents have taken the oath of office.   Climb the Washington Monument, visit the Vietnam memorial, sit for a moment at Lincoln Memorial,  See the White House and the National Zoo (it is free too).  Dedicate several hours to the Smithsonian, it is also free and well worth the time.  I still laugh at the memory of my husband realizing that his first bike was housed in the Smithsonian, he was horrified that he's was old enough for that to happen.   To read more about the national memorials, the zoo and the Smithsonian,  go to  http://washington.org/washington-dc-monuments-memorials.    When it comes to eating the restaurants run the gamut from fast food to very exclusive,  Remember that this our nation's captiol and like all capitols, prices are on the high side.  There are all kinds of tours available but try to find one that transports you from place to place and you can get off and on as you desire.  Some offer multi-day passes.  There is not a bad time to visit but cherry blossom time draws more crowds and of course, the 4th of July is one huge party.  Take your time, learn your history, savor the beauty of the city, it is a trip that is well worth taking.

Celebrate the 4th in our Nation's Capitol.

Photo looking down the National Mall

3.  Portland, Maine-What an unexpected little gem of a city.  I had no plans to visit but it was a port of call on a cruise that I took and I am so glad that we visited and we have returned here a couple times since.  It is a small city of about 66,000 people but if you include the suburbs, Portland houses almost a quarter of Maine's population.  It sits right on Casco Bay and is home to the U.S.'s first lighthouse, the famous Portland Head Light.  It was commissioned by George Washington and was built in 1791.  They have a great little museum and the photo opportunities abound.  The Old Port district is probably my favorite place in Portland.  It is crammed full of cute little shopa and boutiques and lots of great places to eat.  I usually try to book accommodations within walking distance of the Old Port, and there are lots available.  Like all cities, Portland does have museums of all kinds and its own symphony.  It is a pretty casual town so leave the dressy clothes at home.  Remember, you are on the water and pretty far north so layers are recommended.  In the summer months, it gets cool when the sun sets and the wind off the water and we all know winters in Maine are pretty frosty, so dress appropriately.  Of course, Portland is famous for its seafood, particularly, the lobster.  I just love sitting on the waterfront savoring a Lobster Mac-n-Cheese......just thinking about it makes me want to go back.  For more on the culinary scene in this great town, check out  http://www.visitportland.com/dining-portland-maine.aspx.  Beer aficionados  will love this town   with its abundance of microbreweries and pubs.   Enjoy a local craft beer will enjoying pub fare.  So, if you are like me and Portland, ME was not even on the radar, give it a try because I am sure you will really enjoy a visit to this lovely northern city.

Old Port 

Portland Head Light

4.  Toronto, Ontario, Canada-In the interest of full disclosure, I was born in this beautiful, ethnically diverse city on Lake Ontario.  It is city of towering skyscrapers that are all dwarfed by the amazing CN Tower.  It is home to world class shopping and dining.  Again, as in all major cities, accommodations run the gamut from budget to luxury.  One of my personal favorites is the Fairmont Royal York, which is more on the luxury side, but it is just a grand old hotel with hand painted ceilings and Travertine columns.  All the neighborhoods in the city have their own unique personalities so try to visit as many as you can.  Visit the St. Lawrence Market. which dates back to 1803 and offers cheese. meats, produce and baked goods.  Most vendors will give you a sample so try anything that looks appealing.  While there try the Paddinton Pump Restaurant.  All there food comes from the market and don't let the lines stop you, they move quickly.   During the summer, a trip out to Centre Island.  When I was a kid this was the highlight of our visits to Toronto.  It has something for everyone.  The ferry trip alone is worth the trip because views of the skyline are spectacular.  Once there enjoy the small amusement park for the little ones, rent a bike or rowboat or get lost in the wonderful maze.  Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy it in the 50 square metres of park.  Another favorite of mine, is the very trendy Distillery District.  This place was designed with foodies in mind, with its many restaurants and breweries.  The old brick factories of this neighborhood have been turned into wonderful galleries and storefronts which makes it a lovely place to spend an evening.  Make a trip to the iconic CN Tower and go to the top, the views defy description and for the more adventurous among us, you can walk the rim of the Tower's upper rim (weather permitting)....crazy, if you ask me!  Of course the Hockey Hall of Fame is a must see for hockey fans where they can get their picture taken with the Stanley Cup (unless is it on loan to the reigning NHL Championship city).  Again, there are endless museums, theaters and music venues to explore.  If going, check Toronto's calendar of events because there is always something going on in Canada's largest city.

Shot of CN Tower from Centre Island

Distillery District

Toronto has a gorgeous skyline at night

Hope this gives you some ideas for your next getaway.  Until next time, safe travels!

  

Travel Insurance-Ripoff or Necessity?

I would like to share several things that have happened in my professional experience that argue for the necessity of trip insurance.

I always, I repeat, ALWAYS, encourage my clients to insure their travel investment with insurance.  Most will purchase it, once I assure them that it is in their best interest to do so.  But of course, there is always that stubborn few, that refuse to do so, stating that they are going, no matter what and insurance is a waste of money.  The problem is that despite the best planning, life often gets in the way.

One of my all time favorite clients, a retired police officer, booked his wife's dream vacation to Paris,as a surprise for their anniversary.  He refused to take the insurance because he felt is was an unnecessary expense.  His wife was excited beyond words and we spent literally hours on the phone, planning every little detail to fulfill all the things on her bucket list.  Two weeks prior to departure, he had a heart attack while mowing the lawn.  Thankfully, he survived the attack but required open heart surgery and was told by his doctor, in no uncertain terms, that he could not travel to Paris.  Of course, everything was nonrefundable and this couple could ill afford the loss of thousands of dollars.  They called me just frantic and asked if there was any thing at all that I could do for them.  I resisted the huge temptation to say, "I told you so"  and told them that I would do the best that I could.  Of course, the airlines would not budge on the airline tickets, so they were looking at huge change fees to use them in the future.  But thanks to my good relationship with the tour company involved we were able to negotiate travel at a later date with just a small penalty.  If they had purchased the trip insurance, they would have been covered for every cent that they had invested and it would have involved a phone call, a doctor's note and a claim form.  It was a very expensive lesson for my client.  The good news, is that he fully recovered and they went to Paris as planned, this time with insurance, and a wonderful picture of her dancing in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, hangs in my office to this day.  

Another classic example, my clients were stuck in Disney World because of Hurricane Sandy.  They called me just frantic when all flights were cancelled into Philadelphia on the day of their return.  As you can well imagine, this was a very tough day for me and I was putting out fires everywhere.  When I answered the phone, he was very upset and was practically yelling at me.  I told him how fortunate he was to be riding out the storm in Disney with his wife and kids because I had clients in much worse places.  I reminded him that the travel insurance that he had purchased would reimburse him for his trip delay.  I told him to go back to the park and enjoy his extended vacation and to save all of his receipts.  He laughed and thanked me for encouraging him to buy the insurance.  Upon his return, we filed the claim, attached the receipts and the insurance company refunded every cent.  Instead of a really bad experience, he could relax and enjoy time with his kids. 

Most people do not understand that travel insurance not only covers trip cancellation but it also covers trip delay, trip interruption, baggage loss or delay and medical insurance (some medical insurance companies will not cover you when traveling abroad so you should always check before departure).  I once had a client on Medicare (which does not cover medical outside of this country), fall and break his leg in Europe.  Thankfully, he too, had purchased the insurance on my recommendation.  Again, a phone call, a claim form with receipts and another happy reimbursed client.  

There are many more examples that I could cite, a death in the family, an automobile accident on the way to the airport, I even had one client whose employer cancelled all vacations, these are just a few things that can and do happen.  Insurance covered all of these scenarios.  

On a more sobering note, with all of the scary things happening in the world today, insurance may be more important than ever.  Check the fine print with your travel agent regarding terrorist acts.  Some companies cover it, others do not.  A really good option is the Cancel for any Reason policies, but for some, this may be cost prohibitive.  Just educate yourself and get the policy that works best for you.

I hope these concrete  real life examples help to convince you that travel insurance works very well when the need arises.  Life is complicated, we can't predict the future and if you are making a significant investment, you should protect it.  

Until next time, safe travels.

A Visit to the Wild West-Deadwood, SD

What a great little place to spend a few days while visiting this part of the country.  Even Deadwood's origins are illegal.  The Black Hills had been given to the Lakota Indians in 1868 but Custer's discovery of gold soon led to an illegal settlement in 1870.  Land disputes are still ongoing and have reached the United States Supreme Court on several occasions.  It set the stage for what was to become a lawless mining town that would spawn folklore and legends that live on today.  After its sordid past and a bout of smallpox and a devastating fire, Deadwood struggled to survive and hit some very hard times which came to an end in 1989 when the town legalized gambling and their financial troubles came to an end.  In spite of, or perhaps, because of, its colorful past, modern day Deadwood is a fun little town to visit.

A view of downtown Deadwood.

Accommodations are many and varied but try to stay in town so that you can walk everywhere.  There are plenty of great restaurants located in its environs that run the gamut in quality and price.  We ate at the Gem Steakhouse and the Deadwood Social Club.  They were both wonderful, reservations recommended.  Also Mustang Sally's was great for lunch. The casinos all have restaurants also so you certainly won't go hungry in Deadwood.

While visiting, take a tour and learn all about the characters and folklore of the town, we really enjoyed it.  Of course, Deadwood's most famous citizens were Wild Bill Hickok, whose shooting in reenacted every day, and Calamity Jane whose relationship with Wild Bill is still the matter of much speculation.  Both are buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery which sits high above the town and has some great views.  There is a great little museum downtown if you want to learn more about the personalities and history of the area.  

The graves of Deadwood's most famous citizens, Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane

We used Deadwood as our base to visit the surrounding area.  Of course Mount Rushmore, is a must see as is, the Crazy Horse Memorial.  The latter is still in progress and probably will not see completion in my lifetime but it is impressive and completely privately funded.  From time to time, there are blastings at night and you can watch.  I am told it is really a neat thing to see.  My personal favorite, in this area was the Needles Highway in Custer State Park.  The views are rock formations are just stunning and of course there is wildlife everywhere.  While visiting the area we saw antelope, wild horses, wild burros, mountain sheep and of course, American Bison.  Most of them are harmless and will run should you get too close but be very wary of the bison, they can, and do, get very aggressive.  Do not get out of your car unless they are a good distance away.  People are hurt every year because they get to close and I, for one, do not want roughly 1400 pounds charging at me.  

Looks just like it does in pictures.

The wild burros walk right up to people.

Needles Highway

We left Deadwood with some reluctance and traveled through the South Dakota Badlands on our way to Sioux Falls for our flight home.  The Badlands are beautiful and desolate and also full of wildlife and it made a fitting ending to a great trip to the wild, wild west.

The Badlands

Couldn't believe how well these animals blend with the rocks.

Until next time, safe travels!

Family Travel-Plymouth, Massachusetts

One of our favorite Family destinations is Plymouth, Massachusetts.  Plymouth is located approximately 40 miles south of Boston and is best known for Plymouth Rock where in 1620, the Pilgrims first set foot in our nation after arriving on the Mayflower and the site of the first Thanksgiving.

One of my favorite pictures taken in Plymouth.

There are several hotel chains represented in Plymouth for every taste and budget.   When travelling with family, I always recommend one that offers breakfast, it is cheaper and so convenient.  The closer to the waterfront the better because it can be tough to find parking especially in the summer months.

One of the best things to do with the kids is a visit to nearby Plimoth Plantation.  The Plantation was founded in 1947 as a living history museum.  It shows the how the original village of Plymouth looked in the 17th century.  The "historical interpreters", as the staff are called, have been trained to speak, act and dress appropriate to that age.  They speak with visitors, in the first person expressing viewpoints of the Pilgrims of 1620.  They often represent actual people that once lived in there.  They loosely follow the actual timeline of 1627 from March until November, celebrating events, deaths, funerals, births as they really happened in the past.  The museum also recreates the nearby village of the Wampanoag, the native people of this area.  These interpreters do not interact in character but they are in traditional dress and answer questions and offer information about their people of that time.  Plimoth Plantation also manages the reproduction the Mayflower that is anchored in town.  The Mayflower II, also has historical interpreters that represent real crew members of the original ship.  This is a wonderful history lesson for the kids and an enjoyable day for the adults.

Plimoth Plantation

Perhaps the most unforgettable thing to do in this lovely town is the Whale Watching tour.  The memory of my first experience with humpback whales off of this coastal Massachusetts town, is still vivid and moving. The size of these beautiful creatures is something that must be seen to be believed.  The trip out of Plymouth takes you about 25 miles out to Stellwagen Bank, an 842 square mile National Marine Sanctuary, where the migrating whales feed.  There are whales there all year but because of the migration, May and November are the best times to be there.  I have done the watch several times and I have never been disappointed.  I was even blessed enough to see whales breach (come straight out of the water) on a few occasions.  These wonderful mammals are a wonder to behold and everyone should see it at least once.  Tours are available every day, one morning and one afternoon departure.

Humpback whale breaching.

Of course, you have to stroll down the main street to see Plymouth Rock, which has great historical significance but is a bit of a disappointment.  I expected a huge rock and in reality it is quite small and this is just their best guess where the Pilgrims came ashore.  Even so, take the walk, if only to get a chuckle about its size.

 My husband and twins with the Plymouth Rock historic Monument in the background,

You can also take a boat ride over to Provincetown, at the tip of Cape Cod, for the day.  P-town as it is often called is artsy, home to some great beaches and a real favorite of the LGBT community .  While we were there, we took a dune buggy tour of the enormous sand dunes around this popular tourist destination. It was not only interesting but great fun.

My twins rolling down the sand dunes in Provincetown.

Plymouth, like most tourist towns, offers endless options for dining.  I encourage everyone to go with the seafood dishes because what you are eating was probably swimming less than 24 hours ago.  The endless options of seafood has something for everyone.  There are lots of shops along the main street to wander through after dinner and you might even want to take a Ghost Tour through this very old city or perhaps, just sit oceanfront and watch the stars over the Atlantic Ocean.

Though I have been here often, I do plan to visit again, this time with grandchildren.  I want to watch yet another generation in awe as they see the incredible humpbacks off the Massachusetts coast and their endless questions as they explore Plimoth Plantation.   There is nothing quite like it.

Until next time, safe travels!

Ten Things For Your Bucket List

When, I was a young girl, growing up in a very small Canadian prairie town, I used to sit on the banks of a nearby lake.  As I watched the pelicans frolic, I would wonder where they would fly when they left the snowy north for their summer homes.  It was then that I began to make a wish list. Later, in my adolescence, now living in a suburban New Jersey town, I devoured everything that James Michener and others, wrote about different countries, their histories, their cultures and their people.  My list grew and grew. And, I confess, it continues to grow even now.

In my opinion, everyone should have a Bucket List.    It is so wonderful to imagine things for a very long time and then actually do them.   Below are some of the things that I have been lucky enough to do and they will remain with me for the rest of my life.  You might want to try them, too!


Watch the sunset over the Grand Canyon-I often tell people that everyone should see the Grand Canyon at least once in there lives.  There, quite simply, aren't words to describe the stunning views.  The sunset changes the colors in the Canyon and if I close my eyes, I can still see it.  I am told that the sunrises are equally amazing.  I chose sunset because I wanted to see the stars at night, something worth doing also and who wants to get up that early, especially on vacation.

Sunset on the Canyon.

Feel the mist coming of Niagara Falls-It doesn't matter what time of year that I visit the Falls, it still manages to take my breath away.  They are best viewed from the Canadian side and what a view!!  Forget all the souvenir shops and the other tourist oriented things, just stroll along the Niagara River Gorge and feel the mist and enjoy the lovely gardens.  They also freeze from time to time and that is a sight not many get to see.

See the Mona Lisa in person-Everyone should see this iconic piece of art that hangs in the Louvre. Though encased in plastic and surrounded by a crowd, most of the time, it is still quite something to view the mysterious smile in person.

Sit and watch the world go by on the Champs-Elysee-Who hasn't seen those old newsreels of the troops marching down the Champs-Elysee when liberating Paris.  This is an absolute "must do" in the City of Lights.  You won't be alone, many Parisians sit and savor their beautiful city on this beautiful street.

Stand below Big Ben in London and listen to Westminster Chimes-It was a great moment when I heard that very familiar tune from its original source.  I had pictured that moment since I first saw a picture of the Parliament Buildings in London, at a very young age.

Visit the Anne Frank House-Though a very sobering experience, I wanted to pay homage to the      bravery of a little girl under horrific circumstances.  It did bring tears to my eyes but it is something that will stay with  me forever.

The room where Anne pasted pictures from magazines
(this is the room that just moved me to tears).

Walk on a glacier-I have been lucky enough to do this twice.  The Athabasca Glacier on the Icefields Parkway in Alberta is enormous. They take you up in a vehicle with wheels that are taller than the average person and they do let you actually walk on the glacier.  It is said that when you drink the water from the glacier it adds 10 years to your life, so I guess I get 20 more.  People always ask if it is cold....of course it is, you are literally standing on a mountain of ice!

Stand on the top of the Rock of Gibralter-Wow, what a view!!  It is not hard to figure out why the rock is such a strategic piece of real estate sitting at the entrance to the Mediterranean.  What I didn't know when I imagined visiting here was that the rock is the home to wild apes.  No one is quite sure how they arrived, the most common theory is they stowed away on a ship but now they own the rock.  They tolerate humans pretty well and leave us alone but it was such fun to watch the babies.  

To walk the ruins of Pompeii-I remember the first time that I heard the story of Pompeii, I was just fascinated. It was a lifetime later before I actually got there but my fascination hadn't ebbed.  Though it felt a bit morbid to be walking around what is, in essence, a tomb, what remains of the city is a wealth of information. Standing in the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius and knowing the terror that befell these people was another sobering yet memorable moment.

Walk across the London Bridge-I remember wishing I could do this when I was a child.  Today it is a bit trickier than it was when I was a kid because the London Bridge is no longer in London.  It now stands in Lake Havasu City, AZ.  So that is where I went to cross another item off my bucket list.  When the City of London was going to dismantle the old bridge to make way for a new one, a wealthy AZ businessman bought it and moved the bridge piece by piece and reconstructed it.  The bullet holes of WWII are still in the bridge.  A real piece of history.  

So, that is just ten of the items that I have been fortunate enough to cross off my bucket list, there are many, many more that I will happily share in the future but in the meantime, start your own list.  It is a big world with so much to see, so what are you waiting for???

Until next time, safe travels!

Five Favorite Short Getaway Cities

This morning I woke up with the itch.  That familiar restlessness that I know can only be resolved in one way, take a trip.   I am so grateful for this wanderlust, it has taken me to wonderful places where I have met warm, welcoming people.  I have eaten exotic foods and tried new and different things which only leaves me longing for more.  I know it is genetic as my parents are the only people that I have ever known that have walked on all seven continents and they instilled that desire to see, feel, experience in me, for which I will always thank them.

I have just a few days but I will open this computer later this afternoon and look for somewhere that I have never been before and start making my plans.  It is a process that is almost as fun in the planning as it is in the actual doing.  I will look for charming, different with great food and lots to do and believe me, this country is full of such places as is our beautiful neighbor to the north, Canada.   I have been blessed to travel to 45 of the 50 states and 7 of the 10 Canadian provinces and there is so much that I haven't seen just yet.  So today, we will talk about some of my favorite short getaway destinations (not in any particular order, I love them all.)

1.  New Orleans-I have blogged about this beautiful city before.  I often travel here for a 4/5 day getaway.  It is a very short flight from the East Coast and it offers accommodations of every variety and food that just defies description.  But the thing that I love most about this wonderful European flavored city is the abundance of music.  You hear it on every street corner in the French Quarter.  There are street entertainers every where and I defy you not to smile as you stroll the streets lined with ancient and beautiful Pin Oak trees.

Jackson Square, New Orleans

2.  Quebec City-Another French influenced city that offers so much to see, do and eat.  There are all types of accommodations but when I travel to this lovely city, I stay behind the walls of Old Quebec at the majestic Chateau Frontenac.  Opened in 1893, the Chateau (which is currently operated by Fairmont) sits atop a cliff overseeing the St. Lawrence Seaway and the views are spectacular. It is by far, the most prominent structure in the Quebec City skyline and is said to be one of the most photographed hotels in the world.  The Old City is full of shops and restaurants and Rue du Tresor or Artists Alley where you can buy an original piece of art as a souvenir.  I will blog further about this lovely place in the future but it is a great getaway from the east coast.

Rue du Tresor (Artists' Alley)

Chateau Frontenac, Old Quebec City

3. Charleston, South Carolina-This city is loaded with Low Country southern charm.  Again, there are accommodations of every variety but my favorite is the Embassy Suites that is the site of the original Citadel.  It is lovely and historic and in a very good location right down the street from the Visitors' Center.  Again, the food is wonderful.  If you want real Low Country Southern cooking this is the place to go.  The city itself is full of history and a ferry ride over to Fort Sumter where the first shots of the Civil War were fired is worth the trip. Take some time to see one of the many plantations and a city tour and learn about this charming southern city.  Again an easy drive or plane ride from the east coast.

Sunset in Charleston

The Battery, Charleston

4.  Baltimore, Maryland- This is a city that I really have come to appreciate over the past few years.  There are accommodations of every type available but stay down at the Inner Harbor or up at Fell's Point.  Again, there is plenty to do and see, but make the aquarium a priority.  It is the finest that I have ever visited.  When in Baltimore, you must eat the crabs.  They have it in every possible form all over this great city but  crabcakes are my favorite though my husband is a big fan of Crab bisque soup.  Fell's Point offers  restaurants and bars of every variety and on a warm summer evening it is a very busy place.  I will blog in greater detail about this great east coast city in the future but suffice it to say, it is worth a visit.

Baltimore at Dusk

Fells Point, Baltimore

5.  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-In the interest of full disclosure, I live right across the river from this historic city but even I will cross the bridge and stay for a weekend.  Again, the variety of accommodations is endless but try to find something close to the historic district.  A trip to the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the Constitution Center is a must.  Of course, every tourist wants to run up the Art Museum steps (until they actually see them) and do the Rocky dance at the top, so go for it.  The restaurants run the gamut also but you must try a Philly soft pretzel and a cheesesteak before you head home.  Pat's and Geno's have an ongoing battle over "Best Cheesesteak in Philly" but there a plenty of places that make great ones.  Don't leave without trying one.  For the more adventurous, try Scrapple or Pork Roll and Tastykake's Peanut Butter Tandy Kakes, other Philly favorites.  If you are looking for a 4th of July trip, this is absolutely the place to be, The Birthplace of America, because Philly really knows how to celebrate our nation's birthday.

Liberty Bell and Independence Hall

Philadelphia Art Museum

Hope this will give a start when you get that travel bug and only have a few days to spend.  I will add more to this list in the coming months but right now, I am off to find another hidden treasure.  So until then, safe travels.