Britain’s Best Hidden Paradise: The Scilly Isles

The Scilly Isles are a little cluster of islands off the tip of Cornwall and they are truly astonishing. There are five inhabited islands and they are like little English villages stranded out in the ocean. They’re the kinds of places where everybody knows everybody but it rarely feels claustrophobic. There is plenty of room, the opposite of crowded beaches full of colorful umbrellas and loud boomboxes.  You could hike for miles and not see another person. They boast Britain’s most beautiful white sand beaches, miles of walking trails through gorgeous forest, and best of all, though strange, its own climate. With daytime highs barely reaching 57°F and rarely dipping below 50°F at night in the fall, it’s a welcome escape from Britain’s hot, muggy weather if you’re visiting that time of year. With such a comfortable temperature, you’d be a fool not to take advantage of the many shore-side restaurants and coffee shops.  Take a seat, relax, slow down to the pace of the locals, and watch the waves crash and the ships tug by while partaking in some fresh-caught fish and seafood. At Adam’s Fish & Chips, the only diner, it’s Adam himself who will catch your dinner from the ocean and then prepare it in the kitchen: pollock and lobster tails fresh from the ocean.

Though the islands aren’t easy to reach, even for the Brits, that’s part of the appeal, and the journey is an adventure in itself. From London, you take the sleeper train then transfer by bus to a nearby airport where a twice-daily helicopter and a fleet of tiny planes serve the islands. An added bonus- from the air, the islands are tantalizing.

Slow travel is the name of the game here, as even getting between the islands isn’t as simple as hopping on the next boat. Times and pick-up locations are dictated by the tides.  While the Scilly Isles might be hard to get to, it seems they’re equally hard to leave.

 

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What To Do in Breckenridge

School may be amping up but it’s never too early to plan your Fall/Winter vacation especially if Breckenridge, CO has been on your mind,  Many in Louisiana take advantage of the cheaper flight rates and head out to the Denver/Breckenridge area.  Its gorgeous winter views are like nothing we ever get here in Louisiana, the crunchy laid-back vibe is magnetizing, and the list of things to do is endless.  We’ve narrowed down the list to a few must-dos that you could check off in a long weekend.

1) DOWNTOWN

Downtown Breckenridge, a postcard-pretty National Historic District, is best seen on foot. Start your tour at the open plaza at the corner of South Main Street and East Washington Avenue, and walk along the Blue River, a winding riparian corridor where the valley’s mining industry once flourished. When your feet tire, join the modern-day ski bums in cardigans who are reading Kerouac and playing board games by the fireplaces at the Crown Cafe and Tavern.

2) TRUFFLE CHIPS

There are loads of New American restaurants with moody lighting and rustic-modern décor. At Relish you can go casual and snack on potato chips with truffles, or formal in the white-linen dining room. The menu changes with the seasons, but any of the locally sourced buffalo, lamb or trout is a safe bet.

3) THEATER

At the center of Breck’s upstart Arts District along Ridge Street is the Breckenridge Theatre, a 100-seat nonprofit theater. The theater produces about a half-dozen contemporary plays each year, as well as the occasional “Othello” and other classics. Come early to peruse the lobby, which has rotating exhibitions by local artists.

4) BREAKFAST JOINT

Early in the morning you’ll see local skiers heading uphill. What’s the rush? As the alpenglow illuminates the Continental Divide, grab a leisurely breakfast at Daylight Donuts, a traditional diner you can fuel up on the Daylight Special — two eggs and bacon or sausage on a plate-sized pancake.

9) NIGHT LIFE

Start ar Sherpa & Yeti’s, a basement club that’s known as much for the bands who have played there such as North Mississippi Allstars and DJ Logic. Afterward, with ears still ringing, swing through the doors of the Gold Pan Saloon and Restaurant, it’s open till 2 a.m.

10) FUEL UP

Stop by Helen’s Coffee Cart for a cup of strong java and a canister of flavored oxygen starting at $8.  We heard the Pink Grapefruit flavor is delish.

11) GET GOING!

Breckenridge may be known for its ample snow and giant half pipes, but it also has more than 30 miles of cross-country trails, plus an additional 25 trails in the surrounding White River National Forest. The Beaver Meadows trail offers a 2.2-mile intermediate loop around Cucumber Gulch, a wetland where the resort built “toad condos” for the endangered boreal toads. Just watch out for the ill-tempered moose said to linger near the base of Peak 7. Equipment and trail maps are available at the Breckenridge Nordic Center. Or, if you’re feeling lazy, let a pack of Siberian huskies do the work. Good Times Adventures hour long dogsled tours along the Swan River for $65.

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The Easiest Travel Hack

This biggest complaint regarding air travel is the delicate and time-consuming trek through security which is why we want to share this simple travel hack.  It’s stressful and annoying and frankly, seems unfair that something outside of your control could affect your travel so much.  During just one week in March, nearly 6,800 American Airline passengers missed their flights due to these checkpoints alone. We have found the best way to SIGNIFICANTLY cut down the time it takes you to get through.  Anyone can take advantage of this hack but if you are an avid traveler for business or pleasure, you especially need to read on.

We found that the rate of people who are signing up for TSA Precheck by IdentoGO is quickly rising as the word spreads.  With TSA Precheck, trusted travelers can leave their shoes, belts, and jackets on, and keep their liquids and laptops in their bag as it gets scanned. It eliminates the stress, and the hassle and makes the process much faster, too. This past April, 92% of travelers with TSA Precheck waited less than 5 minutes. FIVE MINUTES!  That’s a lot less than the regular line and surely prevented several missed flights.

The best part is that TSA Precheck lasts 5 full years, but it only takes about 15 minutes to get signed up. All you have to do is fill out a form online to start your application, and visit an office near you to give your fingerprints. No need to go all the way to the airport—unless you live near one and it’s more convenient for you. It only costs $85 for 5 full years. That’s only $17 a year! And if you have kids under 12, they’re free.  Fast, convenient, and affordable, it’s the easiest travel hack out there yet many don’t take advantage of it. Do yourself a favor and sign up today!

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Travel Tips to Save Money

These simple travel tips will help everyone save money from the newbie traveler to the seasoned explorer no matter your budget.  It’s happened to every one of us, you might just not know it.  Same room, same property, but you paid $100-$1000 more and you didn’t even know it.  What’s the difference?  Maybe only a few days.  Maybe it was the method in which you booked.  Read on to hone in on some of the best tricks of the trade in hotel booking.

  1. Don’t Only Search By Price

The hotel offering the lowest price doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting the best deal.  There are usually hidden fees and inclusions that add up to more value than another property.  For example, is the WiFi free?  Does the property offer a continental breakfast in the morning?  Paying for those two items alone may place your payment above another property’s.

Bottom Line: read the fine print.

  1. Be Patient and Hunt Flash Sales

There are several periods throughout the year when the property you are eyeing will offer flash sales for you ton score discounted hotel rooms.  For example, Expedia.com offers discounts up to 30% on its mobile app.  Individual hotels offer frequent discounts on their social media sites as well.

Bottom Line: stalk that hotel

  1. Loyalty Programs Pay Off

Many properties reward those who keep coming back.  Hilton Honors, Marriott Rewards….the number of programs are as endless as the number of hotels.  Sign up with a hotel you have been happy with in the past and make it a point to revisit it next trip.  Special rates can add up!

Bottom Line: stay loyal

  1. Utilize a Travel Agent

Travel agents affiliated with large agencies have pre-negotiated preferred rates with tons of hotels and resorts.  They can help to find the best deals and many times even upgrade your room or get you beverage credits. And did you know that typically, using a travel agent is FREE?!?!  What’s there to lose?

Bottom Line: ask an expert

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Best Travel Planning Websites

Travel planning can sometimes be a stressful situation. However, these days there are so many different booking options. There are also so many websites or featured ads promising you the best deals. Forbes.com released a travel planning friendly article that has your best interest in mind when it comes to sorting out the most user-friendly trip booking websites that you will want to use when planning your next adventure.

This article states, “No matter what type of experience a traveler is looking for, nor the type of travel they’re after — from hotel suites, to villas or condos, car rentals, flights, cruises and beyond — there’s something available out there for everyone. But, only a select few online destinations make the cut for consideration as some of the world’s best travel Websites.”

If you are ready to dive into the world of travel planning and already have your next adventure in mind, click here for a list of the top 10 best travel planning websites.

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10 Great Last Minute Summer Getaways You Can Book in July

The end of summer is right around the corner but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to plan and book one or more final summer getaways! The New York Times recently shared this article which reveals the top 10 trips that are best booked and visited in July. Not only will you be able to enjoy one last adventure before the summer comes to a close, but you could possibly get a great deal on it as well! Some of the recommendations include Argentina, London, and South Carolina. For a full list of the top 10 last minute escapes, click here.

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