Heidelberg was the first stop on the Viking River Cruise. The town deserves its label of romantic and picturesque, and is well known for Heidelberg Castle, Heidelberg University and its baroque-style Old Town.
Read MoreCelebrate World Book Night with a Good Book
World Book Night is about celebrating the joy of reading. Nothing quite matches the enjoyment that comes from losing oneself in a good book. Oh sure, we all have plenty to read for business purposes, but when was the last time you picked up a book just for pleasure? It may have been a classic, read in your local coffee shop, or it may have been the latest chick lit or popular mystery read on your last flight or by the pool. Since World Book Night is about promoting ready and literacy, it’s also my opportunity to share some of my recent favorites reads. I hope you’ll find one you like. These are all nonfiction travel books this time. sometimes it goes like that. Remember, reading is for winners. Pass it on. Thailand’s Best Street Food In Thailand’s Best Street Food, freelance […]
Read MoreHotel Review: Hotel Giraffe, NYC
Hotel Giraffe Address: 365 Park Avenue South (at 26th Street), New York City Value Luxury Rating: (out of 3 hearts) Features: Located in the recently named NoMad area of New York City (North of Madison Square Park), Hotel Giraffe is conveniently situated between midtown and downtown Manhattan. The hotel, part of the Library Hotel Collection, offers a generous package of complimentary amenties including continental breakfast buffet each morning (served 7-10:30 am weekdays, and till 11 am on weekends), wine and cheese reception every evening (5-8 pm), wi-fi throughout the hotel, reading material (books, magazines, newspapers), DVD library, bottled water in guestrooms, and passes to New York Sports Club (various locations throughout Manhattan, closest one is three blocks away). Price Range: A search of room rates for April 2015, show rates starting at $287 night. Check for specials and promotional rates. Personal Notes: Hotel Giraffe […]
Read MoreAnother Month, Another Two Countries Visited
March was a busy month of travel for me, including return visits to Berlin and Bangkok, and first time visits to Stockholm (Sweden) and Seoul (South Korea). While I don’t think travel is completely about checking off a to-do or to-visit list, I do think it’s fun to keep track of places I’ve been and things that want to do. Here’s my map of the world showing where I’ve visited. Only 16% of the world, leaving me lots of places left to visit. Create your own travel map – TravBuddy
Read MoreMonthly Instagram Favorites
It’s been a busy month of travel for me, hopping between time zones (and continents) like jet lag was a figment of my imagination. While most of the time it was, this month, for the first time that I can remember, jet lag laid me low and interfered with my ability to enjoy several of my traveling days. Is it because I’m getting older? A combination of back an;d forth over a short period of time? Maybe it was merely situational. Whatever it was, I’ve been missing in action here on the blog and I wanted you to know why. With all the travel though, I did manage to keep my Instagram account rolling. If you’re not following me there, I hope you will now. Here are my top Instagram photos from last month (February). This first photo was taken in […]
Read MoreHappy Kahlua Day
I think I first tasted Kahlua, the coffee flavored, rum-based liqueur from Mexico, in some sort of coffee drink whose purpose was more to stave off winter chill, rather than to tantalize my taste buds. It took many years into adulthood, and many trip to Mexico where I brought home Kahlua as the value proposition souvenir that it is, before I understood the many other ways to enjoy it. Kahlua dates back to 1936 Pedro Domecq combined rum, vanilla, corn syrup, and coffee creating what was to become this popular liqueur. Named for a meso-American tribe that lived in Mexico, the drink gained popularity throughout the country, and eventually around the world. Kahlua is often enjoyed in specialized cocktails and desserts, but it is also delicious plain, drizzeled over ice cream, or added to coffee. To help you celebrate Kahlua […]
Read MoreInstagram Moments
I’m trying to grow my Instagram following, so if you’re not following me, please head over here and do me that favor. I’m hoping by this time next month my followers will be up to 2,000. Can you help? And just to give you a sample of the kind of things I share on Instagram, here are my top Instagram photos from last month. This photo was taken two years ago while I was visiting Berlin for the very first time. I was there for a travel conference (ITB Berlin, the largest travel trade show in the world), and it was sunny for most of the time I was there. On the very last day, the snow came in. I’m heading back to Berlin in just a couple of days, and while there’s no snow in the forecast, who knows what […]
Read MoreHotel Review: The Kimberly, NYC
The Kimberly Address: 145 East 50th Street (50th Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenue, Midtown), New York City Value Luxury Rating: (of 3 hearts) Features: Located in the heart of the midtown, The Kimberly is an upscale property that is well situated for business, shopping, or just a sightseeing getaway. The 192 European-styled rooms, most of which are suites, feature flat screens and satellite TV, kitchen or kitchenettes with microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, sink and untensils; robe and slippers, electric shoe-shiner, complimentary water, and the expected upscale bathroom amenities. Some rooms have balconies and jacuzzi tubs. Price Range: Low winter rates range from $160 night for a deluxe guest room to $223 for an executive 1-bedroom suite. Rates jump up in spring to $430-550, and if you can bear the heat of summer, drop down to $320-440. (Prices based on a random […]
Read MoreRecommended Reading for Read in the Bathtub Day
One of the relaxing joys of my life is a bubble bath and a book, and maybe a glass of bubbly to go with it. It’s a time for me to relax and escape, to think about the days to come, or to plan a great adventure. I indulge often, whether it’s at home, in a decadent hotel bathroom, or a relaxing hot tub or jacuzzi. When I learned that today was Read in the Bathtub Day, I thought it would be a good time to share a few recommendations culled from what I’ve read over the past couple of months. You might find something here that you like. Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity In this brilliant, breathtaking book by Pulitzer Prize winner Katherine Boo, a bewildering age of global change and inequality is […]
Read MoreInstagram Highlights
I’ve really fallen in love with Instagram (you are following me on Instagram, aren’t you?), and I’ve discovered lot of great photography. From the beautiful landscape photos to the perfect meal, from the urban cityscapes to fascinating profiles, from interesting architecture to relaxing beaches, I appreciate it all. These interesting IG accounts challenge me to be better every single day. Here are my top IG photos from last month (December 2014). I thank you for supporting my efforts to share my photos. The first photo was from a river cruise out of Belgium. It was my first trip to the country, and the sights and sounds – and food – delighted and enchanted me. Cathedral of our Lady in Antwerp, Belgium. A photo posted by Mary Jo Manzanares (@travelingwithmj) on Dec 13, 2014 at 9:30pm PST I am Croatian by […]
Read More