Bests & Worsts: Nashville Edition

Although in previous posts I have referred to Nashville as a sh*t show, it truly is a great place to visit. I used to live there when I was much younger and have been there a couple of times since. Since I have been here enough at this point, I feel as though this list will is well informed. So here are the bests and worsts that Nashville has to offer from my perspective!

Bests

Music Scene

This one is obvious, hence why I am getting it out of the way. Although it may sound like a cliché, Nashville is truly all inclusive when it comes to its music scene. Nashville is a rare gem in that just about everywhere you turn there is a live music venue. I highly recommend checking out at least a couple of places to see some live music. Yes, you will predominantly hear country music at most of these venues but you would be surprised at the variety of genres that are played in addition to country. Basically, if you go into most bars on Broadway you will pay a relatively inexpensive cover charge to get a great taste in some of the city’s up and coming artists.

Food

My absolute favorite thing about this city is the food. When you come to eat in Nashville you are truly on vacation, so put the kale and hummus chips aside for this one. You will find some of the best fried chicken, grits, and other fantastic southern goods here. Although you can get a variety of foods in the city, you can go to almost any restaurant in Nashville and be blown away with how great it is. I highly suggest visiting the Gulch neighborhood for some of the best restaurants the city has to offer. Even though you can get many variations of foods, I highly suggest indulging in those southern staples like fried chicken, bbq, grits, and pie. You’ll get some of the best food there is in the country in Nashville!

Nightlife Atmosphere

As I have mentioned in a previous post, Nashville has earned the nickname “Nashvegas” due to feeling like a miniature and toned down version of Las Vegas. In other words, when you come to Nashville you should expect to be out for many late nights otherwise you may be a bit bored. All you have to do is walk down Broadway and you’ll find an abundance of bars, restaurants, and clubs to enjoy. There are a surprising amount of “hidden” bar areas as well such as Printer’s Row. Although Printer’s Row is a popular and well-known area, it’s also very easy to miss since it’s located in an alley and off the main street. No matter what area you choose, whether you choose to spend your night out on Broadway or in a neighborhood like the Gulch, you’ll be sure to have a fun night out in this bustling city.

Affordable

My favorite thing about coming to Nashville is that it doesn’t break the bank. Nashville is a trip that is pretty easy to make affordable. Since the city views are nothing to write home about (sorry Nashville), you can skip the fancy hotel overlooking the city and instead choose an Airbnb to save some money for food, drinks, and other experiences. Nashville does not have much of a public transit system, so I definitely recommend renting a car or using a ride share service to get to most locations. Keep in mind, ride shares can get pretty pricey in Nashville especially on the weekends and if you are heading into the main bar areas. I suggest planning this into your budget as well to ensure you are able to get to each location without any concern. When it comes to restaurant and bar experiences, you won’t have to worry about it being pricey. Overall, unless you are intentionally going for upscale restaurants, Nashville is a very affordable city to enjoy these experiences in. Additionally, if you’re interested in touring places like the Grand Ole Opry, you’ll find this is pretty affordable as well.

Worsts

Party Scene

Although this is to be expected when coming to Nashville, you’ll also find that the party aspect of the city is truly never ending. Nashville is a decently popular city for tourism so not only does this party scene consist of locals but also many tourists coming to enjoy the bumping bar experience. If you are not in the party mood, this can seem annoying especially if you are choosing to go out for a couple of drinks somewhere for a more low key night. Just know in advance for the most part, you should not anticipate “low key” and this city to go together at any point.

Three’s a Crowd, or is it?

In this city, it is a bit unusual to travel here as a couple or on a solo trip. Most people coming to Nashville come as a group due to the constant party atmosphere. It’s also unusual to see families with young children here. Usually, Nashville is riddled with bachelorette parties and many big groups bar hopping. Keep in mind, you may find the city to be a more worthwhile experience when traveling here as a group. Perhaps if you are coupled up, you should invite another couple to join you because this would be a great experience for the four of you. By no means am I saying one or two people cannot enjoy all Nashville has to offer, but it may be a more enjoyable experience with a bigger group.

Neighborhood Variety

In my opinion, Nashville is kind of dull when it comes to the variety of its neighborhoods. The Gulch has some of the best restaurants and gorgeous modernized apartments. Hillsboro Village is the area where Vanderbilt is located and has an awesome restaurant and nightlife vibe over there that is in stark contrast to the experience on Broadway. However, when you go to most Nashville neighborhoods, none of them really stick out against the others. In other words, when you’ve been to one you’ve basically been to them all as far as I’m concerned. The two neighborhoods I mentioned are definitely my favorite, and I suggest checking both of them out.

Parking Costs

I realize this is the case in most cities, but keep in mind, if you are hoping to get anywhere near the area of Broadway for parking you will find a hell of a time getting affordable parking. Also, it’s tough to find parking in that area in general. If you are going out in this area even if you rented a car and have a designated driver, you should definitely leave your car behind and use a ride share service. Parking in this area creates way more stress and causes you to spend way more money than is necessary. If memory serves, I seem to remember finding a spot that was around $35-$45 for a couple of hours. In my opinion, trying to park in this area just isn’t worth it. You will save a lot more money by using a ride share service. My husband and I paid about $15 total on a Friday night (I believe) for our Uber to and from our Airbnb to the Broadway area.

As much as I loved Nashville when my husband and I went both times, we both agreed next time we go we will definitely try to get a group together to enjoy some new experiences along with going to new restaurants. Regardless, we will definitely return here one day for the amazing southern food, affordable experience, and a true “vacation” feeling about this city.

O’Hare International Airport: A How to Guide

As I briefly mentioned in my previous post “Bests & Worsts: Airport Edition”, O’Hare Airport is not only the busiest airport in the state of Illinois but in the entire country of the United States. Thus, it is important to go into this experience with a clear plan in order to get through it as stress-free as possible.

Be Early

It is my understanding that being early to airports in other parts of the country usually means about one hour or less depending on the size of the airport, but when it comes to O’hare it is highly encouraged to arrive 2 hours before your departure time. It’s important to note that this time is not only recommended due to the airport’s consistently busy schedule, but also due to the ongoing construction at the airport. Visit there, might I say, extremely clustered website if you need airport updates or other information about O’Hare https://www.flychicago.com/ohare/home/pages/default.aspx I also recommend getting there early if you are unfamiliar with the massive size that the airport is. It’s very easy to get lost here, so getting there early will allow you enough time to get the lay of the land without having to get yourself frazzled by the experience.

“Sunny Dispositions”

The title is sarcasm for the clear lack of such when it comes to the TSA employees at O’hare. Just don’t take too long to take your shoes off, belt, watch, etc. And for the love of God, put your laptop in a separate container for security check or you’ll feel the wrath. The agents here usually have no problem giving you a terrible attitude. So put that ‘oh golly gee’ idea you’ve heard of about the midwest behind you when you are at O’Hare. I’m not saying this is always the case, and you won’t be treated horribly. I’m just saying don’t be too surprised by the overall poor attitude from them.

Pick up & Drop off Process

Please plan this part very thoroughly. There are clear distinctions between arrivals and departures via the signage as you drive up. However, it’s very easy for this to get convoluted when picking someone up from an international terminal. If you don’t feel confident in being picked up by a friend/family member, perhaps you prefer to use a cab or ride share service due to less confusion and quick availability of drivers. Keep in mind with ride share services that they only pick up at Terminal 2 so make sure you are in that area before you order a ride. You won’t have to worry about this with cabs as they are readily available in large numbers at arrivals. If you are being dropped off, make sure you have very clear directions to your terminal. Usually, you can put this into your GPS and that will do most of the work for you. I would say be weary of things like shuttle bus services unless you are certain which shuttle bus service is picking you up from the airport, as this can get very messy/mixed up very fast. Speaking of shuttle buses, it is very possible that a shuttle bus may be taking you from one terminal to the next and this process tends to be very slow. If the previous case is relevant to you, please add additional time in your schedule to account for this. If it’s in your route, I would highly suggest taking the Blue Line to the airport as this offers a low stress experience dropping you off right inside the airport and the train runs frequently.

Food Options and Cost

If you end up at the airport with plenty of time to spare and would like to reward yourself after all the stress of security lines and such, rest assure there are plenty of food choices at the O’Hare. However, this does depend on what terminal you are in, as some offer better options than others. For instance, if you fly Spirit at O’Hare you will likely not be too pleased with the food choices within that terminal. I suggest you either eat shortly after finishing up the security experience or walking a bit of a way to find better options if you truly have that much extra time. Also, like most airports, expect to pay a hefty price for most of the choices at O’hare. Basically, I always suggest you should budget the airport snack/food experience into your entire trip because it will impact what you have left to spend elsewhere. I will go into more detail about budgeting for trips in a future post, but this should do for now.

Becoming a Tourist in Your Own City/Hometown

One of my goals to start off the new decade is to decrease the presence of negativity in my life in multiple ways. I want to surround myself with less negative people, I want to become a less negative person in my thought processes, I want less negativity leaving my body and going out into the world. That said, I want to become more appreciative of not only what I have but the world in which I live and what I am surrounded by. This post is more about the start of that process for me, and I hope it speaks to you in a similar way it did for me. It’s a lesson about appreciation for what you have and I hope to continue to remind myself of this when negative thoughts come into my mind or when I become frustrated with certain aspects of my surroundings. I hope to become untangled in this web and thus, become more thoughtful and invite more positive thinking. This seemingly random individual I’m about to tell you about helped teach me that. I hope you enjoy, and I hope everyone has a happy and healthy new year ahead of them.

Part One: The Rough Start

My husband and I were planning out how we were going to celebrate our 1 year anniversary. We wanted to have a really fun night out but without the pomp and circumstance that say, may be better suited for a 5 or 10 year anniversary. The kind of anniversary celebration that feels appropriate for one year. Initially, it crossed my mind that we could go on a trip (I never proclaimed that I didn’t try for going all out). However, it was unrealistic for us to go on a trip due to multiple reasons. One reason being, we had just come back a few months prior from our amazing, yet also sneakily expensive honeymoon in Italy and the other reason being that I was in the midst of my school and internship life. In other words, taking a trip during our anniversary would not have been feasible. Ultimately, we agreed on a “local getaway” by getting a hotel in the heart of downtown Chicago (which is not too far from where we live) and take ourselves out to a nice romantic dinner at Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf (I would highly recommend this place, by the way). Anyways, we were all set with restaurant and hotel reservations booked and I was pretty excited to celebrate my one year anniversary in a simple, yet romantic way like this.

As excited as I was, it would seem we quickly forgot how difficult everything is to get to in the city. The traffic, the scattered and distracted drivers, google maps suddenly ghosting you midway through your trip. Even if you have dealt with the stress of driving in the city many times, it is an experience you somehow quickly forget until you’re in the situation once again and begin to wonder how you could possibly forget something this obvious. It frustrates you and then starts everything off on the wrong foot. This is our one year wedding anniversary, the first of many anniversaries, and no one should start it off frustrated, angry, or irritated. And thus, the city was quickly seeming like a complete inconvenience.

Part Two: Lesson Learned

My husband dropped me off at the front of the hotel in order for him to park and me to check in. Him and I were both still frustrated with our journey, so I was definitely looking forward to getting into the hotel and taking a minute to unwind. We were checked in no problem and the concierge pointed toward the elevators and instructed that I take it up to the 15th floor. I stepped into the elevator and noticed a few men were getting in as well, they seemed to have traveled here together, perhaps on business or something of that nature. People who know me well know that I’m extremely nosey, and when I was in this elevator my reputation preceded me as I listened to every word of their conversation. Being a perpetual eavesdropper never paid off more, because I was so glad I heard what I did. The group of men were discussing what they had been up to during their stay in the city so far, and one of the men said this, “This morning was so beautiful, I got up early and got all my running gear on and just ran around Michigan avenue and then I stopped by the river and was just in awe. It’s just so beautiful around here.” I was stunned. As I was taking this in, I flashed back to all the “fuck you’s” and rude names my husband and I were rattling off about strangers mere two minutes prior. I realized that this is clearly a tourist who appreciates where I live much more than I do. It was then that it occurred to me that I need to take stock of where I live, and actually enjoy it and appreciate it rather than complain about all the inconvenience it gives me. I need to become a tourist in my own city in order to appreciate it more. Here’s what I suggest to implement this lesson and take it into your own city or town.

Part Three: How to Become a Tourist in your City/Hometown

Go to places you have been before, but with a new set of eyes

In other words, go to that museum, local cafe, restaurant, or cliche place you have seen or been to a million times and just pass by but this time pay closer attention to it. Take that “basic” picture with your latte like you have never had the coffee there, explore things in the museum that you normally skip, treat your local restaurant as an adventure by trying something completely new off the menu. By going into an experience you have had before as a tourist, it will feel brand new and you will likely appreciate things about it that you didn’t even notice. The best part of becoming a tourist in your own area, is that you can budget your experience like a tourist would. You can either splurge or make it a more budget travel experience perfectly customized to your liking.

Visit a new place that you always pass up

We all have places like that where we have pointed it out and have said “I/we need to check that out” and then just go about our day, but will ultimately see that place again and say the same thing. Take some time aside and finally do it already! Perhaps it’s a restaurant you have been dying to try, or a unique place you have been a hesitant to go to but haven’t for whatever reason. Just go! The worst that will happen is that you disliked the experience and not want to return, but the positive is that it eliminates the lingering curiosity about what the particular location has to offer. And plus, you then become more informed about what your town or city has to offer. Part of being a tourist is sometimes taking risks, and by trying a new place or experiencing a new atmosphere, you are taking the most low level risk possible since you are in the comfort of your own familiar environment.

Play the Role

Part of the tourist experience involves well, actually being one. For instance, if you live outside of your city and are planning your “become a tourist” experience in the city near you, you need to actually play out the process like a tourist would. In this case, you will pack a suitcase or bag with everything you would need for any other trip, have your hotel/airbnb, or parking confirmation numbers handy, and have your trip planned out with fun activities (for example, going to see a show at the theater, see a stand up show, or dinner reservations). You would also explore the area you are going to as if you are a tourist. For instance, this may involve taking the train to stops you have never been to and getting lost in your city, which would be quite the adventure. If you are exploring your hometown and not a city environment, perhaps this would involve booking a hotel locally and creating your own bar/restaurant hopping tour to places you have never been. There are many ways you can play the role of a tourist in your own hometown but the key is trying new things, getting involved in new adventures/experiences, getting creative, and in result, developing a new sense of appreciation for the area you live and creating new memories.

Part Four: The One Year Anniversary Conclusion

I was excited to tell my husband about what I had heard in the elevator, and we discussed it over our amazing steak dinner at Bavette’s. We both agreed that it could do us some good to appreciate what we have, where we live, and what we get to enjoy that others may not more often. The rest of the evening went off without a hitch; our dinner was astounding, the city was gorgeously lit and buzzing with people on date nights and outings with their friends, and the city felt truly alive and vibrant that night. I could not have had a better anniversary, I just wish I had this newfound sense of appreciation sooner. I have realized the best part of becoming a tourist in your own city and hometown is that it develops your sense of appreciation and helps you become truly grateful for what has been right under your nose all along. What I appreciate most, is that my husband and I got to enjoy an incredible first wedding anniversary full of laughter, reminiscing, and joy as we were surrounded by the beautiful city of Chicago and all it had to offer us.

Holiday Traveling? Where to go and When

I’m sure many of you have either traveled during the holidays in the past or likely will one day. If you fit either of these categories, I have listed a few places that you could go during certain holidays due to the overall experience you will get and availability of places being open for meals and such.

Memorial Day

I always imagine memorial day being the type of vacation that involves staying at a lake house with some friends and loading up on White Claw while cooking up some amazing burgers and hot dogs. Sounds pretty basic, right? As basic as it may seem, it seems like a pretty good time to me. Especially if you all go in on an Airbnb off the lake, the pricing for this can get pretty affordable and with everyone chipping in on drinks, food, etc. you’re probably looking at less than a couple hundred dollars per person depending on how much everyone wants to spend. Also, the other type of vacation that would be worth it during this season is somewhere north considering the bearable weather this time of year. Perhaps, you can try celebrating your Memorial Day in New York or if you’re feeling a more peaceful area, try somewhere like the midwest for a more tame version of the festivities. You can definitely get more bang for you buck if you go this route. If you are in fact, not interested in cooking out and would like to go out to get that amazing burger or something else similar, most cities realize the boom in tourism during this holiday and are likely to remain open in result.

Thanksgiving

If you would like to experience warmer climate and forsake the traditional Thanksgiving meal, I would suggest going to beach towns in Florida such as Ft Lauderdale, Ft Myers, or anywhere like that. If you would rather experience the fall season that is usually in line with this holiday, I would suggest heading up north anywhere in Wisconsin or Michigan. Perhaps you could enjoy a nice Airbnb off of the lake and have a nice outdoor fire to keep warm, or enjoy the beach climate down south and come back nice and bronzed for all your friends to envy. I suggest either of these areas because both will be relatively affordable to travel to, definitely the northern regions more so than southern. The southern or warmer climate areas can get a bit pricey, so buy your tickets far enough ahead of time and definitely shop the sales! They don’t call it “travel Tuesday” for nothing. If you’re looking for a thanksgiving meal either with family, friends, or solo, keep in mind that a lot of beach restaurants remain open, and up north you will be sure to find some options as well.

Christmas

If you’re like me and you don’t in fact dream of a white Christmas, try getting away to a warmer climate during Christmas. I will never forget there was a Christmas that I spent in Chandler, Arizona (which is a suburb of Phoenix) and I loved it. It was warm enough for me to spend almost the entire day sunbathing and swimming, which was the envy of my family who was experiencing a brutal Michigan winter. I would highly recommend doing something like this if you’re from a climate that experiences snow and you’re looking to get a break from the cold and dreary winter weather (if that’s your take on it). Also, if you are from a warmer climate and have never seen snow, maybe take this opportunity to come up north to see what it’s all about during your holiday break. Although traveling anywhere at anytime around the holidays can be pricey, the advantage of doing this is that you’ll likely see cheaper pricing for coming up north. I have to say, I have heard New York is decorated beautifully for the Christmas Holiday. Side note: I’m just realizing that perhaps the song “White Christmas” was about people from warmer climates. I will admit, you may run into some difficulty finding restaurants that are open for Christmas. If you’re in the mood for Asian cuisine, you’re likely in luck. Otherwise, I would suggest going out somewhere the night before and having leftovers for yourself for Christmas day. This will help curb the issue of places that are closed.

Independence Day (US)

Right up front, I can tell you that you should treat Independence Day like our Memorial Day for the US. Usually, although a lot of places are closed, there will be plenty of places that will respond to the boom in tourism and remain open. That’s why in this case, I would suggest going to a touristy area this time of year in order to reap that benefit if you’re not looking to grill out. In this case, any major city such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, etc should offer you plenty of places that will remain open.

A side note: Holiday traveling can be stressful but it can also be a chance to start a new tradition, or try something new just once. I think it can be a great experience if you are traveling with a group, as a couple, or solo. I did not mention this in any of the holiday options, but traveling internationally during any one of these holidays can offer you a whole new perspective of how holidays are treated and celebrated in other countries. I will write more on this come April when I talk about my experience in Italy during Easter. But spoiler alert, to see a holiday in another country is nothing short of special in my opinion and should be experienced by anyone who can try it. Just imagine the memories you would make spending Christmas in a place like Paris or Spain.

Hidden Gem: New Glarus, WI

I will have a small handful of places to introduce that I consider “hidden gems”, meaning that in the wider sense of the US, many people may be unfamiliar with these locations and my hope is to expose the perks of visiting these areas. The reason I consider this particular location a hidden gem is because this quaint and lovely town thrusts you into what feels like a rural part of Europe without having to travel internationally to experience it, and it’s affordable to spend time here. So without further ado, here are some of the best things you can enjoy in New Glarus, Wisconsin!

New Glarus Brewery

This is the main attraction of the town, to be honest. I have been here numerous times and I absolutely love the atmosphere this brewery provides. I am someone who loves going to breweries and tasting local beers, however, I think New Glarus provides a unique experience. The biergarten is particularly notable along with the numerous outdoor seating options. Also, indoor they have one of the coolest shops I have ever seen in a brewery. Nevermind the fact that there beers have some quirky names to them (such as Two Women and Totally Naked) perhaps you’d like to enjoy both of them side-by-side for a basic instagram photo. Generally speaking, there beers are fantastic and you truly can’t go wrong when you visit here.

Hawk’s Mill WineHaus

Formerly known as Primrose Winery, this winery has become a popular attraction for tourists since about 2017. The winery serves an array of local wines along with some classics. The winery offers a cozy environment for patrons to enjoy and promises a variety of wines to be served such as dry, sweet, and blend. The winery is welcoming to all levels of wine aficionados. In other words, you don’t have to know a lot about wine to be welcomed with open arms by the staff. Also, my favorite part about this winery is that they sell “fun bags” which are considered adult capri sun drinks that are filled with wine. The fun bags are transportable and can be brought camping, boating, and for any other event you would like to bring the wine. It doesn’t get much better than that, in my opinion.

Downtown Shops

There are a decent amount of shops in the downtown area of New Glarus where you can purchase a variety of souvenirs or other items that throw you straight into European culture. And of course, there are also a lot of chocolate and food shops as well that give tourists the opportunity to taste local foods from local farms and items that are more European (such as German style chocolate). I definitely would love shop hopping from place to place to have some chocolate and cheese right about now! I would specifically recommend checking out the Maple Leaf Cheese & Chocolate Haus. They are regarded not only in New Glarus but in the state of Wisconsin as the top place to purchase cheese, wine, chocolate, ice cream, and many other great local food items.

State Park

If you are unlike me and you are the outdoorsy type, this place is definitely for you. There are plenty of trails here and options for camping. From the reviews I have read, however, this type of camping is meant for people who really like to rough it (aka doing your bathroom business in the woods and not in an actual bathroom). I would suggest coming supplied with your own bathroom bucket, if that is how you prefer to do your thing. From the photo I saw online the outside of the restrooms look like something out of a horror movie, so you may very well be better off risking it in the woods. Also, an advantage of camping here is that they offer affordable pricing for reserving your camping spot.

Swiss Historical Village

New Glarus is known as America’s little Switzerland, and although I have never actually been to Switzerland, you can immediately see why that is the case when you are here. The town is adorned with Swiss flags and Swiss memorabilia. The Swiss historical village is considered a museum which hosts tours and various events. I think this is a great option for people traveling here with their families, and it is a great choice for small children to enjoy also. The tour of the museum includes a visit into 14 different small Swiss replica buildings such as a blacksmith, settler’s cabin, and collectibles shop, to name a few. Tickets are $9 for adults and $3 for children.

Glarner Stube Restaurant

The restaurant is described as a small nook, which is fitting considering its cozy size and old wood decor. The restaurant offers the full Swiss experience by serving traditional dishes such as Schubling and serving local brews (from the New Glarus brewery, of course). I came here once and I can’t honestly say I was blown away by the food, but at the very least you can enjoy the drinking vibe here after New Glarus has closed for the day. I would recommend trying the fondue and sharing it as a group because when in Wisconsin, you obviously have to indulge in some cheese.

Bests & Worsts: Airline Edition

Bests

JetBlue

My favorite thing about this airline is the affordability without experiencing any notable discomfort with seating, space, etc. It seems uncommon for airlines to be affordable without a negative experience. My husband and I flew JetBlue when we went to Boston and afterwards, we both remarked that we would love to fly them again whenever we can. Our tickets were pretty reasonable along with the airline remaining fair about baggage (i.e., both allowed personal items and carry ons). Some airlines when they land on the cheaper side tend to be pretty bare bones as far as permitted baggage, seating comfortability, leg room, etc. However, I felt that this airline was truly the best as far as checking all the boxes is concerned. Plus, the airline staff was truly wonderful. I highly recommend choosing JetBlue as your next airline.

Lufthansa

I still reminisce about the positive experience had with this airline. Unfortunately, you can only fly this airline if you are traveling internationally, particularly to Europe as it is the largest European airline. It is the largest German airline as well, which makes sense given that my husband and I flew from Chicago to Munich with Lufthansa. The airline staff was some of the best I have ever experienced. They do everything they can to ensure their passengers are happy and comfortable. I’m sure many international airlines do this, but I loved that they kept changing the lighting periodically to help passengers adjust to the time changes and ease passengers in and out of sleep. Also, the food provided by the airline was actually quite good. I was skeptical at first, given that the food comes in a sad tv dinner looking box, but I was pleasantly surprised. I’m not sure if this is always the case on other airlines, but Lufthansa provided choices between chicken or pasta with a light dessert served afterwards. I would personally recommend the chicken choice, as it tasted significantly better. Also, the airline is relatively affordable considering the amenities and international travel rates. I honestly can’t say enough nice things about my experience with Lufthansa. I truly believe you won’t regret flying with them if you do.

American

I feel like American airlines has become my “go to” for just about everything as far as domestic trips are concerned, and this has been the case for years. I have tried other airlines but ultimately, American is my tried and true positive experience when it comes to comparing them with other choices. American can be pretty pricey at times, however, they’re mostly affordable and they offer a lot of great amenities for such an affordable flight. Each passenger is allowed a personal item (i.e., purse, laptop bag, etc.), and a carry-on bag (i.e., suitcase, duffel bag, etc.). I believe they price pretty fairly for the amount of baggage you can bring without having to budget extra money just to bring the items you want. Also, you do not pay for a basic snack or beverage and they offer free in-flight entertainment with an abundance of choices. Also, I do not believe I have ever had a late departure or arrival with American so though I’m sure it happens, it seems like it’s pretty rare.

Brussels Airlines

Although this airline isn’t a large operation with regard to the destinations they travel to, I truly found this airline experience to be a very positive experience. The only downside is the baggage fees, I would say they are pretty similar to Spirit’s (which I discuss next) but otherwise they provided appropriate accommodations and had comfortable seating with enough space in between. Overall, Brussels airline ticket prices land on the pricier side to some degree, however, I would still consider them pretty affordable compared to some other airline options.

Worsts

Spirit

I’m sure there are many of you that aren’t surprised that this landed on the list as the worst airline, however, for those of you that are not already aware it is truly a terrible option for an airline. I understand that Spirit is extremely affordable, and this can be alluring for a lot of people, as it has been for me many times in the past. However, from one bad experience after the next, I learned that I needed to write them off entirely. Although the airline tickets themselves are cheap, you have to pay at least $50 per every bag that you bring, usually including your personal item. In other words, if you only bring a purse you will still likely be expected to pay. Although the last experience I had with Spirit airlines was decent, I would still choose just about any other airline before giving them anymore business due to the stacked negative experiences with them in the past. Also, Spirit is notorious for arriving and departing late. Lastly, they do not offer even the basic of amenities such as water or snacks without a charge. If you are flying Spirit, be sure to stop somewhere within the airport for snacks and water.

United

I personally dislike United primarily because they are far too expensive for what they provide. I don’t believe they offer near as many amenities as you would expect for their ticket pricing along with their baggage prices. Although they price lower than some other airlines, I would say their baggage fees could still be lower. Similar to American, they offer one personal item and one larger item per customer. I mainly put United in the “worst” list because they don’t go to nearly as many places as you would expect. For instance, they rarely go to certain locations in Florida making it difficult or impossible to travel there if you have their points or credit card. United can also tend to be pretty stringent about carry on sizes which is frustrating if you meet the requirement for a different airline. As far as this worst list is concerned, I would consider United the best of the worst.

Frontier

I can save you a lot of time by basically saying this airline is the slightly better version of Spirit, but not by much. If you would prefer an average experience versus a poor one, I would say that sums up Frontier. You definitely benefit somewhat from the lower cost of your flight, but that’s about it. You will deal with little to no space on the airline to an uncomfortable level, paying for water, and baggage prices that are similar to Spirit. I would actually say Spirit’s seating is more comfortable than Frontier, so in that sense, they have Frontier beat. I definitely would not recommend this airline if you can avoid it.

Alitalia

I want to preface this one by saying that I had one experience with this airline and it was a negative one. The short story I’m about to tell about this airline is not reflective of all Alitalia flights of course, but this is definitely a glaring negative experience and it was completely unacceptable. My husband and I were seated in the exit aisle which consisted of two seats (mine and his) and in front of us was one seat for the stewardess (by the way, are they still called that or something else?) Anyways, shortly before takeoff as the plane is approaching the runway, the stewardess looks at her coworker, then darts her eyes toward the exit door I am seated right next to, and runs to lock the door. After that, they just looked at each other in a way that spoke a thousand words without either of them speaking. I would say it was something like, “Wow, that was close. Good catch!” From then on, I was in total panic mode leaving it completely impossible to relax the entirety of the flight. It was a completely unpleasant experience all around. I understand that this is not reflective of Alitalia as a whole as I have mentioned, however, I think this speaks volumes of how serious of an issue was overlooked so easily. That said, it wasn’t as though anything else about the flight made up for that experience so suffice it to say, I would never recommend boarding an Alitalia flight if you can (or just don’t purchase a seat by the exit doors).

My Top 5 Quick Weekend Destinations in the US

Nashville, Tennessee

I highly suggest taking this trip with a group because it’s definitely a city meant for a crowd. You’ll definitely see a lot of ladies there celebrating their bachelorette parties. There’s a reason this town is sometimes referred to as “Nashvegas” because it does render itself a small, less grandiose version of Las Vegas. Basically, this is a quick weekend destination meant for taking in the nightlife scene along with enjoying some great southern style food. For your nights out, I suggest walking up and down Broadway where you can bar hop all night. I will warn you, it’s definitely crowded and a bit of a sh*t show but it’s worth it if you’re looking for an all nighter at multiple places. As far as food is concerned, there are lots of great options the city has to offer. Nashville truly has a little bit of everything to enjoy and appreciate as far as food, nightlife, and music is concerned, giving you plenty of variety for your weekend trip.

New Glarus, Wisconsin

Switching gears entirely from a city that is a complete sh*t show (sorry, Nashville), to a town that offers time for some R&R (with a great beer in hand, of course). New Glarus is known as “America’s little Switzerland” and offers little to do but a lot to appreciate. I think this trip is perfect for a quick weekend to escape the hustle and bustle of life and come somewhere where you can take your time and ease into activities. For instance, if you go to the New Glarus brewery you can appreciate local brews while taking in the awesome outdoor biergarten atmosphere. Also, downtown New Glarus offers a number of bars, restaurants, and shops to pop into. I consider New Glarus to be a quaint and charming town with nice people, and New Glarus provides an opportunity to take a break from it all. If you want to see New Glarus at its busier period, I would suggest going during their annual Oktoberfest located in the downtown area. Otherwise, I’d advise using this opportunity to take in the beautiful views of the countryside and take in a breath of fresh air in New Glarus for the weekend.

Boston, Massachusetts

I discussed my thoughts on Boston in my “Bests & Worsts: Boston Edition” post, and feel free to peruse that before making a decision. To some extent, I can argue that Boston is pretty tough to do in a weekend in the sense that it can be difficult to truly take in everything you’d like to. However, I think you can get best of both worlds here in the sense of relaxation and keeping busy. For instance, if you are looking to check out the nightlife scene there’s certainly plenty of choices for that in any neighborhood you explore with regard to restaurants and bars. Also, there’s plenty to do that involves relaxing as well. For instance, you can walk along the many piers that are often in downtown Boston and enjoy the tranquility of the ocean views. From the little taste I got from my experience here, you truly can’t go wrong with a weekend trip in Boston.

Chicago, IL

Although this might seem like a massive undertaking, Chicago would definitely be a great weekend trip. I have also talked about things to do in Chicago in a previous post titled, “Layover in Chicago? Where to go and When”. I still recommend any of those options included in that post for a weekend trip, however, there are plenty of other options also. I will also say that you should expect to be pretty busy during your weekend trip here, so if you are looking to unwind, this may not quite be the place to visit. However, if you are coming during the Summer season and want to take in one of the beaches, that will definitely allow you some time for relaxation. I highlight some of the beach choices in my previous post, “Bests & Worsts: Chicago Edition”. There is a lot to see in this city, so you will be plenty occupied if you come to Chicago for a weekend trip.

Saugatuck, MI

The circumstances that brought me here was for a weekend trip with a large group. I fell in love with this place instantly. There are great options for dining, boating, going to the beach, and shopping in their downtown area which is riddled with numerous boutiques. Also, Saugatuck has a great nightlife atmosphere with a unique bar and brewery scene. I think Saugatuck is one of those “best of both worlds” options like I mentioned about Boston with regard to relaxation and keeping busy. Although, I think you get even more of the relaxation end of things when you come here. I would highly recommend coming here during the warmer months so you can truly appreciate all that it has to offer.

My Must Have’s for 7+ Hour Road Trips

Preloaded Cooler

This is a huge time and money saver. I suggest using a cooler large enough to hold both meals and snacks. Depending on how long your road trip is, you’ll obviously have to purchase more ice at some point along the way. However, having prepacked sandwiches for instance can help curb some of the stops in order to make the most out your time. Also, any small snacks that could go in the cooler can help curb the appetite as well to prolong your stopping points.

Comfort

Comfort is key when you’re on a road trip. I argue much more so than on a plane because you don’t exactly have the ability to get up and walk around at any point (unless you like to stop frequently). If you are taking a solo road trip, you don’t exactly have the luxury of lounging in the backseat while the other person drives but I suggest at least wearing comfortable clothing and bring a small pillow for behind your back in case you start to get sore. For road trips with multiple people, definitely come with blankets, pillows and/or headrests, comfortable clothes and be sure to share the driving!

Bingeable podcasts

I highly suggest downloading some bingeworthy podcasts ahead of time to have some entertainment while you’re on your trip. If you’re in the mood for suspense or crime genres, I highly recommend Let’s Not Meet or Sword and Scale. If you’re in the mood for light-hearted listening, I suggest Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend or How Men Think. Regardless of what you’d like to listen to, there are definitely some great bingeable podcast options out there for everyone along for the ride!

Wet Wipes/Napkins

It’s really not a good time when you’re digging into that bag of Doritos you were looking forward to and then realized you don’t have any napkins or a way to keep your hands clean. I don’t know about the rest of you, but being in the car for a long time can make me feel pretty gross. I like to have wet wipes on me so I can periodically wipe my hands and face. Also, I suggest having car cleaner wipes handy to periodically keep your area clean. This should help with the discomfort of being in the car for hours on end.

UV Window Shade

There’s nothing quite like the sun beaming on the sides of your face even with sunglasses on, and I think in this case a UV window shade can come in really handy. This will not only help with the issue of being blinded by the sun, but also the excessive heat that comes into the car when the sun is beaming on you for hours on end. You can get these at Target or on Amazon.

Variety

Mostly with regard to entertainment options because you can only listen to so many podcasts before you and your fellow passengers start to tune out. You can also download a fun playlist that everyone (or most of you) can agree on, or play some classic road trip games if that’s something you enjoy doing. Basically, in order to make the most of your trip I suggest having a variety of things to do to keep you and your passengers entertained. If you are driving solo, I suggest having a variety of options for music genres, podcasts, or even stand up comedian sets. Spotify has tons of options for these, and I imagine Apple music does as well.

To be completely honest, I have a love/hate relationship with road trips. I definitely enjoy the driving more than being the passenger because it keeps me engaged and less bored. I also love the experience of driving by so many different places and even being able to stop and enjoy a new place, even if it’s only for a brief moment.

Bests & Worsts: Denver Area Edition

I am very excited to do a bests/worsts edition for the Denver area because I truly enjoyed my time here. This is one of the best and most fun places I have ever visited, and there is so much to do! As I wrote this, it dawned on me how much I cannot wait to return here for a longer trip one day. Without further ado, here are the bests & worsts of the Denver area.

Bests

New Belgium Brewery

Located in Fort Collins, CO, the brewery has a modernized log cabin look to it which creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere to its guests. The outside mimics a large backyard/park environment with picnic tables that have built in fire places, and some games to play for some fun with your friends. Also, many people bring their adorable dogs. Overall, when you’re here you feel welcome and get the sense that this is a great place for friends and families. There are inside seating options as well but this option is a bit more cramped. Most importantly, the beers are amazing! The brewery has a neat quirky vibe as well with unique decor and interesting sites to see if you do a guided tour of the brewery. Also, when my husband, myself, and our friends went, what I found the most interesting was that the bartenders did not accept tips. When I asked the bartender more about that, he mentioned that they are employee owned and funded (I assume in such a way where they are paid fairly). Not only do I have no issue tipping but do it with enthusiasm, so this most certainly threw me off. However, it is nice to come to a place where you know the employees are paid fairly.

Estes Park

One of the most beautiful and breathtaking sites I have ever experienced in my life. If you are in the Denver area and do not go to Estes Park, I at least highly encourage you to take in the mountain hiking experience somewhere. We started our hike at about 4am and the sun was just barely rising. I remember feeling utterly exhausted and plagued with altitude poisoning (more on that in a moment) and I was really dreading this experience initially. However, I repeated the sentiment the rest of the trip that I would have truly regretted missing out on that experience. The views are seriously stunning and unforgettable (and most importantly, free).

Fort Collins

I know this is more about a town and less about a specific activity, but Fort Collins has a fun, college-town, party vibe (and is also where the New Belgium Brewery is located). Although we did not spend much time here, I romanticized it almost immediately because it seemed like a perfect spot for 20 somethings to enjoy some fun. There is not a whole lot to do in Fort Collins, however, they do offer hiking experiences such as horsetooth mountain, which apparently offers some amazing views. Also, there is an additional brewery if you are interested in trying multiple places like the Odell Brewing Company. I would recommend coming to Fort Collins if you are looking to reward yourself with some great brews after all that hiking.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Although we unfortunately did not make it here, I have heard incredible things about the experience here and have seen some beautiful photos that people have taken. The amphitheatre can be enjoyed for concerts, yoga/exercise classes, trails, hiking/biking, and even private events such as weddings. While you’re here, I would definitely recommend taking in an event at the amphitheatre to take advantage of the fun vibe and incredible experience it has to offer. I mean, you can’t really beat an outdoor concert with the view of the mountains right?

Worsts

Altitude Poisoning

My husband and I were in the Denver area for about 3 days total, so it is possible the effects of this would’ve lessened the longer we were there. However, the entire time we were there we both had pounding headaches, experienced some dehydration, and breathing took more effort (particularly on the hike). Definitely come prepared with heavy duty aspirin, I’m not saying it will cure the issue, but it will definitely alleviate it somewhat. During the hiking experience, the altitude poisoning was at an all time high but I put that aside the best I could to enjoy it. I believe we would have adjusted with a few more days there and more sleep would have likely alleviated the side effects as well. Another interesting side effect of the altitude is how quickly you get drunk, so be mindful of this as well (but that part is not so bad ;))

Unpredictable Snow

We were in Colorado in October so it is possible snow can come at any time during the Fall season. However, there is a true feel of experiencing all four seasons in one day when you’re there. For instance, during our early morning hike it started off chilly but gradually got warmer as time went on, to a point where coats were not as necessary. Later on that evening, the area got hit with snow and the next day was in the mid 70 degree Fahrenheit range. Just be mindful of the potential for drastic weather changes to occur if you’re there during the Fall. I don’t think you have anything to worry about in the Summer though, as it is to my understanding that the weather is pretty consistent.

Early Hiking

The hiking experience is a must in my opinion, especially Estes Park or anywhere else you can find a great spot. However, this will involve getting up quite early in order to get there before it gets too busy. For instance, if memory serves our hiking experience began around 430am and the hiking trails were plenty busy by 6am. A resident of the area that was along for the hiking told us that it is common to feel overcrowded if you aren’t there early. And trust me, from this experience I can tell you it was so tranquil and amazing to be able to stand and take in all the stunning views at your own pace, while enjoying a quiet hike. This way, you can sometimes hear streams of water running or experience complete silence in certain areas. If you feel more comfortable in a crowd for safety reasons (which is understandable, by the way), feel free to arrive to any of these hiking areas past 6am. Regardless, I would definitely suggest hiking with a partner or a group rather than solo, especially if you are inexperienced like myself.

Jet lag: What you should expect

My first and only experience with jetlag thus far was during and following the trip to Italy. The trip involved an 8 hour layover going there and an 18 hour layover coming home. Keep in mind, these layovers may have had an influence on my personal experience with jet lag so yours may be different. Here are some things you should expect when you experience jet lag.

Going there versus coming home

When you are on your way to your destination, there are usually feelings of excitement and maybe some nerves depending on your feelings about flying. Your adrenaline is somewhat heightened, and therefore, experiencing jet lag during the start of your trip may look like feeling somewhat tired and adjusting to the time change. However, the true jet lag syndrome may not have kicked in. Usually, your circadian rhythms are readjusting to the time zone but nevertheless, when you do get some sleep, you wake up the next day fresh and ready to start your journey. Getting there, you usually adjust fully to the time zone after a day or two. Despite my husband and I having quite the journey getting to Italy (refer to my previous post “Naples: Our Fyre Festival” for the full story on that), we still only needed a day to adjust once we got there. However, coming home was completely different. When my husband and I returned home from Italy, it felt like we were hit by a semi. I have likened the feeling of jet lag to being hungover, and others who have experienced jet lag coming home have echoed this sentiment. Keep in mind, it may take you a few days after coming home to adjust so make sure you don’t return to work for at least a couple days after you’ve returned home to ensure you’re fully back on schedule.

If you have a long layover

If you have a long layover going there or coming home, I recommend checking into a hotel to get some rest even if it’s only for a few hours. If you are going to do this, I recommend setting numerous alarms and/or having your hotel concierge front desk give you a wake up call to avoid missing your next flight. Even if you don’t fall asleep, some rest and relaxation can be very helpful to offset some of the undesirable affects of jet lag.

If your layover is short

If you don’t have enough time to necessarily check into a hotel, I recommend utilizing your flight as a way to catch some extra Z’s as much as this may be undesirable for some (I’m in that camp). However, if I would’ve thought this idea through, I would’ve brought some sort of sleep aid to help me fall asleep. Perhaps taking a Melatonin or something similar would help if your flight is 8 hours or longer just to help you get what would resemble a full night’s rest. I definitely don’t recommend taking something like an Advil or Tylonel PM or anything similar, those may leave you feeling groggy and not ready to get up when your flight is over.

When your trip is over and you’re recovering from jet lag, hold off on going to sleep as much as possible to get you back on your normal sleeping schedule. Coming home, it’s really difficult to get readjusted and you may find yourself nodding off early in the day, but stay active and do what you can to stay awake until you would normally go to sleep or slightly earlier. Like I mentioned, you may feel “hungover” for a couple days but that feeling subsides and you eventually get back on schedule. I tell people to fully expect it to take a few days to get fully back on schedule.