Combat 3-1-1 Woes with GoToobs!

GoToobs have been flying off the shelves at Changes In Latitude Travel Store since their release earlier this year. These colorful bottles are top notch in every way for travel. The wide mouth makes them easy to fill and clean. Plus, the soft (but sturdy) silicone tube is super easy to squeeze.  The bottles feature a "no-drip" valve on the cap and the rubber seal helps to ensure your liquids won't leak.  The best part is that they are TSA carry-on compliant - so feel free to stock up on as many that will fill your 3-1-1 clear, plastic, 1-qt. bag. GoToobs are available in two sizes, 2 oz. and 1.25 oz., and four colors: pink, green, blue and clear. 

 

QUICK TIP: Combat Jet Lag

Flying across time zones and don't want to lose a day of your vaca to drowsiness? Try No Jet Lag. It's a homeopathic blend made in New Zealand that works to decrease the symptoms of jet lag. Just take one pill (some say it is best to let it dissolve under your tongue since it is homeopathic) on each take off, each landing and every two hours you are in the air unless you fall asleep.  In that case, just take one pill when you wake up - don't wake up to take it. For me (and for abour 90 percent of our Changes In Latitude customers) it really works!  I've used it going both ways (England/New Zealand for example) and I swear by it! 

Iceland: A Southern Treks Adventure 2010

Southern Treks is heading to Iceland next summer! Southern Treks' Iceland tour was named as one of  the top three hiking tours by Frommer's guidebook and we are excited to be offering this trip once again. We'll soak in hot pools, hop around geysers and trek through lush valleys. We'll explore this country's extraordinary landscape from end to end during our 2-week stay beginning and ending in the exciting capital of Reykjavik. For details on the latest ST adventures, please visit our Web site. Or contact us by email at sotreks@aol.com. 

Southern Treks Named Best Hiking Tour in Frommer's Iceland Guide

Marie Edwards, owner & operator of Southern Treks, in England 2008.

Rome-based adventure travel company (and the company I am affiliated with), Southern Treks, is featured in the First Edition of the Frommer’s Iceland Guide Book.  Southern Treks’ 11-day tour, led by a wilderness guide native to Iceland, was suggested for visitors by the highly revered guidebook along with two larger travel companies.

The Southern Treks itinerary for “Walking Adventures in Iceland: Land of Fire and Ice” includes easy to moderate walks all over the country.  Highlights of the tour include hiking through Iceland’s lush valleys, walking up extinct volcanoes and exploring a variety of volcanic and geothermal landscapes.  Beyond stays in the vibrant capital city of Reykjavik, tour participants experience opportunities for bird watching, whale watching under the midnight sun, riding among calving glaciers on an amphibious landing vehicle and viewing the most powerful waterfall in Europe – Godafoss.

“I am truly thrilled to be named as having one of the best walking tours in Iceland, especially since I am just one of three featured,” said Marie Edwards, owner and operator of Southern Treks.   “I am so pleased that Iceland is getting the recognition it deserves. Since the Krona (Iceland’s currency) has decreased in value, it has really become an affordable destination and is experiencing an influx in tourists. Plus, getting to Iceland is easy – it is only 5 hours from Boston.”

Edwards has previously led four tours to Iceland and has visited four additional times to conduct research for her tours.  She will offer the “Walking Adventures in Iceland: Land of Fire and Ice” trip again June 15-26, 2010.

Southern Treks is an international adventure travel company specializing in high end walking tours in Europe and the South Pacific.  Marie Edwards, a native to Northwest Georgia, started the company after hiking the 189-mile Coast-to-Coast trail in England over 20 years ago.  Since, she has led over 100 tours in 14 countries, including New Zealand, England, Spain and Scotland. She and her company have received previous international recognitions such as the prestigious Opal Award in Australia given by the country’s Tourism Commission for best itinerary in 2000.

For more information please visit: www.southerntreks.com

Summertime in Big Sky, Montana

Since a number of my blog readers will be attending my wedding in Big Sky, Montana next month, I have decided to dedicate this posting to list my favorite things to do while vacationing there.  Check 'em out! 

EAT

Blue Moon Bakery (breakfast) Located in the meadow at Big Sky (down the mountain), this quaint deli boasts quite possibly the BEST breakfast sandwiches and bagels ever.  They also have great sandwiches for lunch and tasty baked sweets for snacking.  No link. 406.995.2305 

The Wrap Shack (lunch) Also located in the meadow, the Wrap Shack offers a variety of burrito style goodies.  Feeling adventurous?  Try one of the Bubba - a tortilla filled with slow roasted pork, pinto beans and barbeque sauce.  Otherwise, you will not be disappointed by the traditional-style roll-ups.  406.995.3099

The Corral (dinner) For the quintessential Montana steakhouse experience, the Corral is a must.  The Steak Corral is my favorite item on the menu and I look forward to the tasty crab and bernaise covered filet of goodness each visit.  They do not take reservations and it is typically crowded so expect a wait.  888.995.4249

PLAY

Yellowstone National Park: The country's first national park is just a 45 minute drive from Big Sky.  The park is a great place to view wildlife (elk, buffalo and grizzly bears if you are lucky) and discover the wondrous natural phenomena of geysers (300 total), colorful hot springs and bubbling mud pots. 

Fly-fish: Although I am a terrible fly fisherman, I still love floating down the beautiful Gallatin and Madison Rivers.  Hire a guide and you might even catch a fish in these trout-filled waters!

Shop in Bozeman: Bozeman's Main Street has great clothing and home boutiques.  Check out Meridian and Elizabeth and Company for women's clothing, Bridger Kitchens for neat gourmet supplies and Indulgence for pampering goodies. 

SLEEP

This summer, I would highly recommend the Lodge at Big Sky not only because I used to work there, but it is offering the best deal for the season.  For $99 ($89 with AAA discount), you can stay "on the mountain."  The rooms are basic, but spacious and clean.  They offer a nice seating area downstairs, a gym/pool/hottub area and a small bar.  

Things I Can't Wait to Try

Lone Peak Brewery: As a microbrewery fanatic, I cannot wait to check out the newest beer joint in Big Sky's meadow.  The brewery features a tasting room equipped with shuffleboard and a menu of tasty bar food.  

IMAX West Yellowstone: Although it is unlikely I will make it there this trip, I cannot wait to experience the IMAX Theater in West Yellowstone.  The state of the art theater offers shows featuring the wilderness of Yellowstone and the intriguing lives of bears. Check the Web site for show times. 

Chaahhh-ston, South Carolina

Last weekend, I went with seven of my girlfriends to Charleston, South Carolina for my bachelorette celebration.  We stayed in a lovely house on Folly Beach, an area of Charleston known for its "laid-back" atmosphere and accessible beaches.  It is not unlikely that you will see the majority of people riding bikes or driving golf carts rather than cars along the few streets that pass through the narrow island.  After a relaxing day on the beach, we had a tasty dinner at Taco Boy in downtown Folly.  I highly recommend the guacamole and cadillac margaritas - yum!  On Saturday, we lounged by the pool at our rental house and then headed downtown for a nice dinner and late night dancing.  

My List of Must Do's in Charleston

1. Shop on King Street: You can find both steals and high credit card bills on King Street.  For a variety of stylish, trendy (but not too trendy) clothing, visit Luna.  While their clothes can be pricy, their jewelry is fairly reasonable.  
2. Eat seafood, low country style: We ate at Chai's, a little Asian inspired tapas place.  I highly recommend sitting on the patio, ordering the shrimp and grits and tasting the sangria.  There are definitely more well-known places that are must-eats, like Magnolia's and the Old Village Post House both serving low country favorites like crab cakes and fried oysters. 
3. Relax on the beaches: Charleston has a handful of beaches in its outlying areas.  I prefer the no-fuss Folly Beach.
4. Snack on boiled peanuts: boiled peanuts are "green" peanuts boiled in water and salt.  The best ones are sold on roadside stands.  If you are feeling adventurous, try the spicy ones.
5. Experience the night life: Charleston has as an excellent variety of bars featuring nightly entertainment, ranging from relaxing piano music to lively horn-filled bands and loud dance clubs.  For hard to please crowds, try Trio Lounge. It features both a live Motown/shag band downstairs and club music upstairs.  Plus, it has a nice patio out back for a much needed cool down after dancing. 

My Fishpond

During the year before I began graduate school at CU-Boulder and work at Changes In Latitude Travel Store, I traveled to Georgia for one week each month.  I was completing an internship with a regional magazine there, which I still write for today (and luckily get paid to do so). Each time I went back, I packed in a massive 28" rolling duffel bag (mind you, this was before the dawn of fees for checked luggage).  

The turning point for me happened shortly after I began working at CIL.  A woman came in to the store to buy two new 28" suitcases.  She already had two at home, but decided she needed two more for her 14 day trip to Italy!  No wonder they started charging people for checked bags!  Anyway, this is when I decided that if I was going to help people learn how to pack light and efficiently, I better start practicing what I was preaching.  This, I decided, had to start with a new carry-on wheeled suitcase - something I had never owned before.

Close to one year after I began researching my options, CIL began carrying a new line of luggage: Fishpond.  The Colorado-based company originally designed fly-fishing accessories, but later decided that fly fishermen travel and thus added a line of luggage to their catalog.  Thank goodness - because their products are excellent!  They are incredibly well-designed, styled with bright colors and offered in a variety of shapes and sizes.

I chose the 21" Lariat Carry-On Wheeled Duffel in orange and green.  I love it!  It holds the most out of any carry-on suitcase that CIL carries - a great feature for the newbie to "carry-on only."  It is durable - they offer a lifetime guarantee.  It looks great - have I mentioned the fantastically bright colors that make yours stand out from the drab black ones?  I even received a compliment from a lovely TSA agent who was searching my bag last Christmas for its look and organizational components.  

I pop my plastic bag of liquids in the top front pocket, my laptop in the bigger front compartment and save the smaller front pocket for my special treats at the airport: an US Magazine and Budget Travel.