It's that time of year, again... when Winter turns into Spring, leaves start to bloom and the dreaded "how fast can I shed my Winter weight" bets with yourself begin.
Instead of searching for the one spot on the beach that's not overrun by bikini-clad college kids with hangovers, consider taking your Spring Break somewhere a little less chaotic. Just because you're living an adult life doesn't mean you can't have a little fun.
As a travel writer, I've run into difficulty reconciling luxury experiences in impoverished destinations. As much as I adore sunken Jacuzzi tubs, chef's tasting menus and spacious floor plans, it's hard to walk out of an $800 a night hotel room and see local communities, literally on your doorstep, in so much need.
Sure, luxury tourism brings much needed dollars to underserved areas of the world, and in many cases, provides employment opportunities. But, how often do luxury travel providers do well by doing good? Aqua Expeditions, a Peruvian luxury company that provides expedition cruises on the Amazon does just that.
No city does summer better than Chicago. After the brutal winters that keep everyone indoors and hunkered down, the warm, humid summers are a time to head outdoors, walking along the lakeshore and attending one (or many) of the city's famous (and free) festivals.
The City of Light is nothing if not romantic, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy some alone time. Paris has it all: fashion, food, glamour and grace. But none of it means anything if you can't embrace all that Paris offers. On a recent business trip to Paris, I opted to spend a few extra days in one of my favorite cities - a "personal vacation", which I had come to forget even existed. Many heads turned when they would hear I'd be in Paris by myself. "Alone? In Paris? What are you going to do?!" Anything I wanted to do!
The first rule of solo travel: don't rule anything out. While Paris does exude romance, the city does have many other qualities that are perfect for seeding a single woman's soul.
Most business travelers know that despite the often-hectic schedules and sometimes frustrating service at airports and beyond, there are benefits with all those miles. Other than the reward points or frequent flyer miles, one of the perks I enjoy is taking my family to conferences or on trips where I can combine business with pleasure.
When I say I am planning a staycation, I feel a little depressed.
Not because I don't like the idea of a family vacation at or near home but because it reminds me of the recession.
The term staycation came out of a time of economic crisis. It was supposed to make us all feel better about staying home because we could not afford our usual vacation. It's like trying to dress up Brussels sprouts by calling them little cabbages. Then again, "staycation" sounds a heck of a lot better than "no-cation."
