SniqueAway, yes please!

I love me a great deal, don't you? Here's a *Hot* new site to check out if you're planning a spontaneous getaway.  SniqueAway :: http://www.sniqueaway.com/ 

A sister site of TripAdvisor, if you sign up for a free membership, you'll be sent updates for stunning escapes at a fraction of the price -- up to 50% off!  If you act quickly (you have to since the deals only last up to a week unless they sell out quicker!), you can find some pretty wicked deals at some pretty awesome places. 

Destinations like the British Virgin Islands, NYC, Playa Mujeres, Arizona, Chicago and England to name a few, top the list this week.

These resorts are breathtaking! 
Check it out!

While you're exploring, follow me on Twitter too!

If You Could Turn Back Time

Promoted trending Twitter topics are usually pretty lame; however, a phrase this week was #IfIHadSuperPowers  ... well, now that's interesting.  I'm sure I'd choose flight, time travel, world peace, super strength, go-go gadget arms or something just like everyone else, but in my allotted Tweet space today, I went with:

@StacieKimberly :: "I'd teleport myself all over the world, #travel through time & live lavishly like a local at every location #IfIHadSuperPowers"

The destination options are endless!  If you could turn back time, Where/When would you go?

Recent "The player who left" mumbo jumbo has triggered a multitude of letters to the editor, bloggeriffic bursts of positive & mostly negative feedback, news coverage galore and trips down memory lane -- back to times when Cleveland wasn't just a "shell of a city" outsiders see -- back to a time when our teams were winning teams and our economy was booming.

My first stop?  I'd go to there.

Let's make it a simple trip to Cleveland in the 1940s during the Big Band era, when the Browns were title-winners and before the Cuyahoga River caught on fire.  You might say this was one of the town's most intriguing periods in history ... booming arts, theater, employment, invention and nightlife.  I'd trip myself there, donning a luxurious gown, flirty curls and a curvy silhouette.  I'd roam The Flats in kitten heels, draping a faux fur shawl over my shoulders in the evening, perhaps even see a show at PlayhouseSquare.

Next would be France in the 1950s circa Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina.  An apartment overlooking a courtyard, glowing fountain and 4-piece ensemble playing La Vie en Rose would be absolute heaven.  I'd prop open the French doors to the terrace, lean way back in a wooden rocker and dream up plot lines for my novel.  I'd take an evening stroll in my skinny black pants and ballerina flats, just as the street lamps would start to flicker, take a cooking class, and maybe even chop my hair to a pixie, just cuz.  What a life ... maybe I'd never leave!

Since I'm already on the continent, I might as well trip my superself to England to hang with the Boleyn sisters and Queen Katherine's court in the 1510s.  What a sight it would be to gaze at the countryside in all its untouched glory, don the yards upon yards of luxurious fabrics and rub elbows with royalty.  I'd live through the flirting, hunting, conniving plots, scheming and corruption, then simply blink my way back home to modern conveniences.

Next, a New York City speakeasy during 1920s prohibition era in the summertime.  Why?  Because I can.  21 Club  on West 52nd Street was raided often by police, but the system levers to sweep the bottles and series of underground wine cellars, helped these bootleggers to never get caught.  The owners were legends at the time, often changing the bar name and rewarding regulars with souvenir scarves.  I'd go to there with a short bob, feather boa, embroidered dress and costume jewelry.  Why not?

After exploring opposing fashion trends, ways of life and blacks and whites, I'll need a vacation.  With my superpowers, I'd do a few super workouts until my body was in perfect beach shape. I know what resort beaches are like today, so I'd trip myself somewhere slightly different but still familiar enough to know what's what -- a California party beach circa 1988.  Sand volleyball, high-cut one-pieces, surfing and sunshine.  I'd be an extra in an episode of Baywatch, go to a Beach Boys concert and host a beach party at Malibu Sands Beach Club.  Could crazy big hair and fluorescent swimwear be so terrible? Nah.  I'd check out the sunrise, then magically appear at my next location.

The travel options are endless!  Where/When would you go?  What time period has always intrigued you?

  

Aloha! ... Hawaii part 1

Aloha friends!  We've been back in the continental U.S. for less than a week, and I'm seriously reconsidering our decision to buy round trip tickets.  Beach withdrawl has officially set in, and my Hawaiian suntan is peeling and fading away little by little ...

It was the vacation of a lifetime ... truly a week I will remember fondly for the rest of my days.  Brimming with natural beauty, exciting adventures, awe-inspiring views and life-changing experiences, Maui is a magical place.



It's really something when you can return from a vacation full of adventure and activities and say you are "refreshed".  It's not that my body felt rested and relaxed after a week on the islands ... no, no, no, that's not what I mean.  I'm talkin' "refreshed" in the sense that my will to live, explore and appreciate the world has been completely rejuvenated.  It's as though Hawaii gradually unplugged my old life over the course of a week and jump-started a new one ... another beginning ... a reawakened version of my former self.

I'm not sure if it's the fruit, the sea, the flowers or a combination of all three that make the air literally smell sweet on Maui.  I know they have less pollution, but sweetness!?  Plumeria were blooming right outside our condo and birds of paradise greet you on the walk toward Kama'ole Beach III ... the gentle waves crash in the distance as you stroll past lawn loungers in the beach park, just laying, belly-up, engulfing themselves in the sea breeze and sunshine.  You wonder how long they've been lying there ... a couple minutes, an hour, four days ... and suddenly it doesn't matter.  They become a part of the landscape ... the truly unique landscape that encompasses the natural spirit of aloha. 

Trip Details:

Duration: 1 week in May 2010

Location: Kihei, Maui, HI

Airline: American Airlines & Hawaiian Airlines

Condo: Maui Kama'ole - Hawaiian Condo Rentals via Expedia

Car: Jeep Rubicon via Dollar Car Rentals

I could probably write an entire book about everything we did in our Hawaiian paradise, so this trip will most definitely be a poly-part extravaganza. Stay tuned for more posts about Sunrises & Sunsets, the Road to Hana, Maui Winery & Brewery, Beaches, Upcountry, Resort vs. Condo, How to plan/pack, etc.

Until then, aloha & mahalo!

Butterflies

I woke up this morning with a crazy little feeling.  Picture your first kiss ... the anticipation ... the build-up ... the anxiety ... the butterflies in your stomach.  It's finally starting to hit me .... I-am-going-to-Hawaii!!!

Ever since my childhood friends vacationed on the islands and returned with my very own authentic grass skirt and shell necklace souvenirs, I've dreamt of going for myself.  That's almost 3/4 of my life spent imagining what it's like to land on Maui.  Flying over the Pacific to the middle of the open sea, you're halfway to Japan out there!  Of course, I've seen pictures, watched movies and specials on TV, but I'm willing to bet that nothing is like quite seeing it in person.

This will be my first true island adventure vacation where I'll comb the beaches, drive the tricky offroads, gaze at waterfalls, climb volcanos, hike the palm forests and breathe in the Hawaiian breezes.  Maybe I'll even eat a pineapple or 2 ... or 7.   Spending a week, living like the locals do.  I simply can't wait!

For now, it's time to do some research and plan out a few specific day trips and activities.  I sense some sunrises, great beaches, historic towns and great wineries in my future.  But the rest will simply be filled with relaxation time on the beach with my man.  Aloha!

Concrete Oasis of Sunshine

Yesterday I did something that some might consider a little crazy.  It was slightly embarrassing and desperate, and probably something I wouldn't do alone again, yet still completely worth it at the same time.  Any guesses?

Well, the thermometer hit 80 degrees yesterday in Westlake, Ohio.  And consequently, my sunlight-starved self pulled my beach bag out of the closet, threw on a tube top and flip flops and headed out to the parking garage connected to my apartment building.  On my walk up to the roof, I was already starting to question my decision, but it was too late to turn back now. 

I opened the door to find a concrete oasis of sunlight, completely deserted and wiiiiide open.  Why they don't convert this rooftop level of the parking garage into a usable outdoor escape is beyond me.  Nevertheless, as if plotting my spot on a beach, I headed straight for the corner with the most direct sunlight, laid out my pink-striped beach towel and decidedly soaked up the sun for the first time this season. 

The only thing I dislike about where we live is the complete lack of usable green space for grilling, playing and laying outdoors.  So, there I was, determined to make the best of this manmade slab of unused Level 4. 

The sun was at a perfect slant in the sky.  I could actually feel the warmth of the Cleveland sun on my face -- a feeling a Clevelander patiently looks forward to for 7 long and dreary months.  It's almost undescribable how much your body craves the rays. 

Anyways, there I was.  Alone with my beach towel, sunbathing like a fool on the rooftop of a freakin parking garage.  With every rattle of the doors, I'd check to see if someone was coming.  No one.  But what if someone saw me there?  They'd think I was nuts. 

After about an hour, the wind started to pick up and tiny little rocks kept swirling around the lot.  Time to get out of here, and next time I'll bring a chair ... and a friend so I don't get caught up there a lone fool.  That way we can be fools together.

3 more days 'til Vegas!

Spring Sprang Sprung

I saw a little green bud on a tree branch this morning, and that can only mean one thing ... spring is here!  It's officially time to put away coats, boots, gloves, hats and scarves for the season and trade them for flip flops, bikinis and cotton dresses.  The first part is easy.  The second part requires some extra workouts at the gym and some spring shopping.

Our little "spring break" in Vegas is just the jumpstart I need to get some springtime basics:  colorful tanks, comfy tees, bermudas, beach cover-ups, strappy sandals, and a few fun maxi dresses.  Ahhh, just the thought of it makes me 10 times happier.  Shopping is not my favorite pasttime -- weird, I know -- but I sure do enjoy ripping the tags off my new purchases and wearing them immediately.  Especially if the sun is shining, temperatures are climbing and concert season is quickly approaching!  I can almost feel the fun that's in store ...

First items on the list this year:  colorful bikini (not just black like last year), flip flops and new sunglasses! 

Traveling sans cell phone

While I sat at my desk at work today, surrounded by blustery snow outside the windows, I couldn't help but daydream about sunshine and a heat wave. Flip flips, ocean breezes, beer in hand, not a worry in the world -- that's where I'd rather be. For sure.

What if I had a private jet or helicopter with a pilot on command? What if I could have a packed suitcase -- only stuffed with beach attire and sundresses, of course -- ready to up and fly at a whim? Wouldn't that be the life?

"Yes, Vincent (that'd be the pilot's name), the South of France this time, please. Swing the limo to my apartment in about 35 minutes. I'll be ready! Oh yeah, and have some champagne and berries waiting for me too, Thanks!" Click.

Blarg. Yeah, right. But seriously though, to get away from this cold is definitely on the top of my wish list. To be stress free, just lounging on the beach would be heavenly.

That brings me to my question. While traveling for pleasure, should you stay connected to your real life, via cell phone, Blackberry, internet, whatever? My daydreams say "no", but my addictions to my cyberlife disagree. If you're anything like me, you check your email at least 5 times a day on a computer, not to mention the notifications I get by Blackberry throughout the day. It's addicting, but it is a tiring addiction. My brain needs a rest!

While we were in Mexico, we had no access to internet (without a hefty fee) or cell phone usage (without a ginormous fee), and I must admit, I was completely fine with that. It was so liberating to live my life, unattached to my cell. I locked it up in the safe every day before we left the room. And, actually, I don't think I ever even had it on! It was great.

While vacationing in Pawleys Island, S.C. last summer, I also realized that just because you have access to internet and your cell while traveling within the States, it doesn't mean you should be a prisoner of your own devices. You own them. They do not own you.

I mean, if you're traveling to a place where you need to contact other people who are with you there, that's a little different. But if you're vacationing with just 1 person and you'll always be together, try switching it off. When was the last time you turned OFF your phone for more than an hour or 2? Try a week and see what happens.

I bet you end up feeling relaxed. Not just relaxed, but actually well-rested, with a clear head and lots of new thoughts that you came up with on your own.

Traveling sans cell phone ... I like it. Give it a try on your next trip!