Do You Plan Travel Around Food?

Do you ever start thinking about vacation and think "Ooooh yeah, that's the place that had the amazing lobster mac and cheese" or "Let's go to Tuscany, I'll start working out now."  I have realized that these are pretty much my thoughts when it comes to travel.  I was talking to a friend who's moving to Portland and before I told him all the cool things to do, I told him all the places he had to eat.  It's how my brain works.  

Talking to another friend about her trip to France was basically a discussion on cheese and pastry, then the beautiful countryside.  I found myself asking questions about what was the food like in the country compared to Paris and the regional dishes.  Then we proceeded to talk about a trip we'd taken to Cinque Terra together and the amazing pesto we had.  So I'm wondering, does food influence anyone else's travel plans?  Cuz right now I'm leaning on my next trip being Venice or the French countryside soley based on the foods I want to eat, and ya know...tourist stuff too.  

What To Do With The Birthday Boy

Ok, so "birthday boy" might not be the right term considering Mac is about to turn 33 but I can't stop thinking of things I'd like to do for his birthday.  Mac is the kind of guy that likes to keep things low key, very low key.  So here are two low key trip ideas for him (that I would also enjoy) and a plan for a fun local evening.  

Beer Tasting Weekend In San Diego:

What guy could say "no" to a weekend of beer tasting, beach bike rides, and amazing food?  It seems like new breweries are popping up all over San Diego and Mac and I have been dying to try them, and San Diego is only about an hour and a half from his place.  Nothing like a birthday stay-cation to make things exciting! 

Cozy Weekend In San Francisco: 

Mac and I love San Francisco and you can't get much more relaxed than drinking clam chowder in a bread bowl at Boudin's and sitting at the Buena Vista Cafe sipping Irish Coffee's while watching the cable cars turn around.  Love the feel of the ocean air with the fog rolling in!




Local Night Out:

Most likely option is the most low key, a fun night staying in our area.  M.O.D burgers from 1321 Downtown Taproom, some of their great beers on tap, bowling, and drinks at the San Franciscan-a lounge that I'm pretty sure hasn't been changed since it was built in 1963! 


Whatever he chooses to do I'm sure he'll have a great time next week.  What have you guys done for fun birthdays?


P.S. Travelzoo has had some great deals for San Francisco and San Diego lately, check 'em out!



Irish Coffee and soup pictures are from our last great trip to San Francisco.  Beer, bowling, bikes, bridge, cable car,cocktails,burger

Heading Home

This weekend Mac and I are taking a trip to the little costal town of Cambria that I grew up in.  With a population of about 6,000 located by the sea surrounded by pine trees it is one of the more relaxing and beautiful places to visit.  My parents still live there so we are going to spend some time with them, have some champagne, and feed the neighborhood squirrels.   

Every Labor Day weekend Cambria has a celebration called Pinedorado. It's kicked off with a parade down mainstreet, then it's off to the "fair grounds" where you drink beer, eat bbq, win cups in the coin toss and watch the little kids on the rides that haven't changed since the 1949.  It's quaint, old fashioned, and feels like home to me.  Pictures to come next week.  Have a delightful weekend!

P.S. I have this suite case in light blue and white, I love it! Get this one here.

London On My Mind

I was chatting with a friend about our time spent living in London a few years ago and now I can't stop thinking about my morning runs through the South Kensington/Knightsbridge Mews.  Originally built as stables around the properties of nobility they have been converted into the most adorable, secluded homes and were the perfect quiet neighborhoods to explore on my runs.  

Missing my morning run, damp streets, crisp autumn air, and my cozy cup of English breakfast tea after.

P.S. My favorite was the one on the left, loved watching the ivy change from bright green to shades of red and orange in the autumn.  

Tips From An Irish Man

Mac and I were at the taproom by my house last night sitting at the bar, as usual, and couldn't help but notice the guy with the amazing Irish accent sitting next to us.  Like a lot of people Mac and I had met in Ireland one question turned into a full conversation with amazing stories.  We came away with some pretty interesting tips. 

• Don't order corned beef in Ireland.  Irish people don't traditionally eat corned beef.  Originally it was boiled ham and when Irish immigrants came to America they saw their Jewish neighbors similar way of preparing beef and adapted it.  
• Never order a black and tan in southern Ireland it represents the British uniforms.  Also don't order an Irish car bomb, apparently you'll look like a tourist. 
• Magners Irish cider is a summer drink served on the rocks, not warm in a pint glass.  
• Often before they get to know you an Irishman can tell if your from the north or south by your name.  Northern Irish were traditionally named after British royalty, James, Catherine, Charles.  While the south of Ireland had more catholic names, Patrick, Joseph, Bridget.  
• My family name is more Irish than Mac's.  Fleming-"ya, that's an Irish name, more Norman origins though."  Brady-"now that's a good Irish name."  Win!
• The most authentic fish and chips he's had in California were at Pike in Long Beach. 

Real Man-Ernest Hemingway

Another weekly series I’m really excited about is dedicated to real men. Men that every guy wants to be and that every woman wants to be with. Men that drink whiskey neat, eat their steaks rare, and never need a band-aid.

To kick if off we thought, Hemingway. Is there anyone more of a man than Ernest Hemingway? He fought in WWI, traveled, hunted, fished, got drunk and started fights, and had a way with the ladies, such a man. And he could express it all through his writing, as well as some of the best words I’ve read about being in love. As one of my favorite writers Hemingway embodies what it means to be a real man.

Passport photo living in France and Hemingway in WWI

On a fishing trip in Cuba

Boxing and enjoying a drink in Cuba