Sue Reddel

In Travel

Best Ever Unique Holiday Gift Ideas for Travelers

It’s that time again to think about finding something new and different gift ideas for travelers in our lives. We’ve found a few unique holiday gift ideas that are sure to please everyone on your list. From special food items and gadgets that will make their travels just a bit easier.

This post includes Amazon affiliate links. We receive a small commission for every purchase made through these links.

Gift Ideas For Travelers

EarPlanes

Do you ever suffer from the pressure building up in your ear canal during takeoff or landing on a plane? It’s not only annoying, but it can also be downright painful. These earplugs help relieve the air pressure discomfort and also help reduce loud noises too. Soft, pliable and comfortable, throw these little guys in your bag next time you fly.
Retail Price $5.99- $6.99

Air Tamer

Everybody knows that planes, trains, and buses are loaded with germs. What can you do? Bring your antibacterial wipes and swap down your entire area? That is one way. That still won’t clean the air around you. Another way is to carry your own personal air purifier, the Air Tamer. Just put this lightweight and silent device around your neck turn it on and you’ll be breathing cleaner and healthier air instantly.

According to the manufacturer, it creates a “3-foot sphere of cleaner, healthier air around your head”. Their electrostatic purification can help reduce viruses, pollen, smoke, molds and dust mites in your area. It’s rechargeable and has a long 40+ hour run time on just one single charge. Comes with a USB charging cable and a handy travel case too.
Retail Price $149.99

Granite Gear Cross-Trek2 Travel Backpack

There are so many different bags to carry on a plane. Many of us like to travel with a backpack. Finding one that is big enough, but not too bulky or heavy can be challenging. The Cross-Trek2 travel backpack has now traveled with us to Greece and to San Francisco and it certainly fit the bill.

This rugged bag is perfect for any type of travel whether you’re just taking it with on a plane, a train or ready to hit the hiking trails. Its water-repellent fabric and zippers work very well. My last backpack failed when the passenger in front of me dropped an entire glass of water and it went all over my backpack underneath. Fortunately, I got my electronics out in time but it didn’t dry out even after a 10-hour flight.

This bag is LOADED with features you will actually use. The Add-A-Bag pass-through makes it easy to attach it to your wheeled carry-on bag. Lots of pockets and organizers, a lined laptop compartment that fits most 17″ laptops. Padded shoulder straps and padded hip belt, and ergonomic foam back panel with lumbar support. Mine was loaded up with all my electronics (do the cords ever end?), my water bottle, book, notebook, necessities bag and lunch and I carried it easily with my sometimes fussy back.

Can’t say enough about all the features and convenience of this bag and it fits easily under the seat of an economy section seat. Another bonus, it has a handle on the side so you can carry it like a briefcase too. Bags like this are perfect gift ideas for travelers.
Retail price from $99.99

Granite Gear Cross-Trek2 Back Pack Holiday GIft Idea — Granite Gear Cross-Trek2 Back Pack

Travel Together

Haven’t seen a friend or family member in a while? How about planning a trip together? It could be a week-long dream trip or just a quick weekend getaway. Either way, you’ll both get to see each other and enjoy a visit to somewhere you both can enjoy.

View of Piana Greece from the Hotel Papanikola gift ideas for travelers — View of Piana Greece from the Hotel Papanikolas

Food

Garden Pots Mushrooms & Herbs

If you know someone who loves fresh herbs and mushrooms this is a really fun gift for them. Grow your own organic herbs and mushrooms right on your kitchen counter. You don’t need a ton of room or any gardening skills whatsoever. Just open up the box add a little water and wait. You’ll have results in just weeks. This is a super fun thing to watch grow for kids and adults who have a childlike spirit.
Retail prices from $19.99

Back To The Roots Mushroom Farm — Back to the Roots Mushroom Farm

Milkadamia

Looking for a different alternative to cow’s milk? Give Milkadamia a try. Yes, it really is nut milk made from macadamia nuts. Free of dairy, soy, GMOs and gluten, this tasty alternative is safe for folks with all kinds of sensitivities as well as those who enjoy the very subtle taste of macadamias. And, honestly, who doesn’t love those? There are plenty of options for both nondairy milk substitutes as well as creamers.

You can go for the unsweetened variety or those with just a hint of sweetness from real can sugar. Grown on family-owned Jindilli farms near the eastern coast of Australia, these passionate folks promote free-range trees supporting life not trees on life support. You can find Milkadamia at online stores like Amazon, Thrive Market and Jet, as well as many retail grocers.
Retail prices around $5.49

Milkadamia Macadamia milk gift ideas for travelers — Milkadamia Macadamia milk

Good Idea the Swedish Sugar Buster Sparkling Drink

What if you had a bubble attack and could drink a tasty sparkly drink that didn’t add calories – and in fact could help reduce the sugar spike from that giant burger & fries or donut binge. Well, believe it or not, the science behind Good Idea sparkling drinks says that you can!

Created by a Swedish food scientist, Good Idea incorporates the intriguing fruit flavors like orange/mango, lemon/lime and dragonfruit along with a blend of 5 amino acids and chromium to reduce the blood sugar spike after a meal by an average of 25%. It’s not quite negative calories, but it’s certainly a start! And, beyond all the health benefits, they taste great. Check out the Good Idea website to learn more.

Fullgreen Cauli Rice & Veggie Rice

Cauliflower rice is one of our favorite “healthy” food products. We’ve gone through the trouble of making ourselves to use in our amazing crispy cauliflower crust pizza. So we were happy when we started to see pre-riced cauliflower popping up in stores. But you still have to keep it in the fridge or the freezer, which can be a bit of a pain. That’s why when we discovered Fullgreen Cauli Rice and Veggie Rice we got even more excited.

The products are super simple – cauliflower, broccoli and sweet potatoes that are washed, riced and steamed in a pouch. They’re non-GMO and ready to go. We love that they have sweet potato rice as well as cauliflower rice flavored with herbs or combined with broccoli. When you want a veggie side or want to skip doing the work yourself, these additive-free options are a perfect choice.
Available at Amazon and retailers like HEB and Wegmans.
Retail Prices from $6.97

Paleo Butter Coffee Creamer

So, we admit to falling in love with “Bulletproof” coffee. It’s a great way to start the day, especially if you’re focused on a Paleo-style diet. But it takes a bit of work to combine butter and coconut oil in the right combination. So when we heard about Coffee++, which combines grass-fed organic cultured ghee and the MCT oil that comes from coconut oil, you could practically hear us smile. Now we can jumpstart our morning by easing into it without the wait for ingredients to melt.
Available on Amazon, at the Pure Indian Foods website and various retail stores.
Retail prices from $15.95

Tea Drops

If you have a tea lover on your list you can surprise them with the unique Tea Drops. Made with real loose leaf tea the “tea drop” melts away in hot water. No tea bags, no waste, no muss, and no fuss. They have many unique flavors to choose from like blueberry acai white tea, chocolate earl grey and citrus ginger or simply get a variety pack if you can’t decide.
Retail prices start at $10.00.

Cabot Cheese

Cheese!!! You know just about everybody loves it. If you haven’t tried Cabot Cheese, what are you waiting for? The holidays are a perfect time to create cheese boards or bring along a special cheese gift as a lovely housewarming gift. What makes Cabot Cheese really special is that they are a coop of 1,000 farms in Vermont and New York who work together to produce some of the best cheese in the world. Some of our favorites are the Seriously Sharp aged Cheddar cheese and the Lamberton Vermont white cheddar. Shh, don’t tell our Wisconsin friends! We say the more merrier there’s also room for more cheese.

RiceSelect® Organic Pearl Couscous

We love to cook with international flavors and ingredients, but sometimes the tastes of travel are hard to come by at home. That’s why we were pleased to find that RiceSelect^®has a great variety of products that are true to their global routes. Especially hard to find is authentic Israeli-style couscous. This is not the small grain-type couscous, but nice big balls of couscous that stand up well to mixing in all kinds of delicious ingredients from veggies and dried fruits to meats and nuts.

Not only does RiceSelect^®have the traditional pearl couscous, but it is organic as well. And, if you’re looking for a great twist on tradition, they also have Whole Wheat and Tri-color Pearl Couscous, getting its colors from the addition of spinach and tomato. We enjoy making a meal of it with veggies, beans and dried fruit, but you can check out some of their other ideas for recipes too. You can purchase from Amazon and many other retail outlets.

Giant Cous Cous Balls — RiceSelect^® Couscous

Firehook Crackers & Cookies

We met the folks at Firehook at the Sweets and Snacks show earlier this year. Of all the cookies and crackers we tried (and believe me, we tried a lot), their products really stood out. These are tasty cookies and crackers that actually tasted like homemade. Really. Try one of my many favorites like their brownie bark, ginger chocolate chip cookies, or dark chocolate biscotti. And don’t forget the Mediterranean baked crackers. We like the hummus crunch and the sweet potato and chive the best, but it’s really hard to pick a favorite on these.

Books

Porto Stories from Portugal’s Historic Bolhão Market by Gabriella Opaz and Sonia Andresson Nolasco

Whether or not you’ve been to Portugal this intimate story about the culinary centerpiece of the Porto Bolhão Market will captivate from the very beginning. The authors clearly share our love affair with Portugal and lovingly tell the tales of the vendors of the market and the foods of Portugal they prepare and serve. Gorgeous photos accompany the stories and you’ll find yourself looking at every detail. We highly recommend this book for lovers of Portugal and any food or history lover on your list.
Retail price from $19.99

Tiny House Cookbook by Adams Media

You’ve seen the show and heard all about Tiny Houses. If you live in a small space (like us) you have to learn how to prepare great meals with less cooking equipment and less space. 175 recipes are designed specifically to be made in a smaller-sized home. All of these recipes can be prepared with no oven, microwave, toaster oven, freezer, or full-sized refrigerator. In fact, most only need two pots to prepare. They’ve got you covered for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert! Lots of full-color appetizing photos to really pique your interest.
Retail priced from $12.99

The Reducetarian Cookbook

Did you know that lowering your consumption of animal products by just 10 percent can provide significant health benefits? Neither did we until we found this book. It makes sense that adding more fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes would not only help with weight loss but also be more heart-healthy. Loaded with lots of tasty recipes like spinach and artichoke dip, spiced pumpkin soup and even Chocolate Cream Pie.

Retail Price from $14.99

Ten Grapes To Know

Wine buying can be so complicated. In this book, Catherine Fallis breaks it done to 10 essential grapes to know. Perfect for someone who wants an easy way to learn what to look for at a tasting to how to pick an inexpensive bottle of wine that will impress even the most hard-core wine lover.
Retail price from $16.99

Mionetto Prosecco

If you’re looking to celebrate the holidays or just the end of another successful day Mionetto has the perfect sparkling wine for you. We’ve been toasting with their prosecco for years. Mionetto has been in business for over a century delivering quality wines to eager consumers.
Retail price from $10.99.

Drinkmate Sparkling Water and Soda Maker

The holidays are a great time to create drink concoctions at home. With a Drinkmate on your counter, you’ll never run out of sparkling water and you can make any type of soda you desire with just a few ingredients. This handle gadget also carbonates ANY drink. Sparkling juices, wine and cocktails are just a minute away with the Drinkmate. Check out their website for all kinds of great drink recipes.

Drinkmate Tom Collins. Photo courtesy of Drinkmate.

Holiday Gift Ideas for Travelers

Thanks for checking out our food and travel gift guide. We know that folks like us who love food and travel will appreciate any of these items. Really the most important thing is spending time and making memories with your family and friends during the holidays. We hope you have a wonderful holiday season.

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In Americas

Discover Tasty Roseville Food And More in Minnesota

By Sue Reddel

Roseville Food Updated January 2020

Where Is Roseville Food?

Many people in the Midwest and around the country visit the Twin Cities, Minneapolis, and St. Paul. The area is known for its Midwestern charm and Minnesota nice. Also, it’s loaded with lots of attractions, things to do and many tasty places to eat. What most folks don’t know is that the Roseville food scene is one that should not be missed. Roseville is located right between those two lovely cities. It’s a bit smaller but its proximity to these two towns is just one reason that makes it the ideal place to stay while visiting the area.

Sculpture Park in Minneapolis MN — The Minneapolis Sculpture Park

Comfort, Convenience, and Smart

We were lucky enough to be hosted by the Courtyard Minneapolis St. Paul/Roseville on our recent stay. A revitalized property so nice you can almost smell the newness as soon as you walk in. They have a large open lobby and meeting place with a bar for evening cocktails and a bistro for grab and go breakfast and lunch goodies.

They have a large screen TV in the public area, which was perfect for enjoying a quick local beer and the NCAA March Madness while we were visiting.

Our spacious room included an in-room whirlpool tub, desk, and ergonomic chair as well as a comfortable king-size bed. We also had free high-speed Internet, HBO, mini-refrigerator, coffee/tea maker and extra comfy chair with ottoman.

Room at the Courtyard Minni St Paul Roseville

In room whirlpool at the Courtyard — In-room whirlpool at the Courtyard

The large gym, indoor pool, and hot tub make sure you won’t miss a workout while you’re traveling. An outdoor lounge area is perfect for relaxing outside or just taking a quick break.

Gym at the Courtyard Roseville Minnesota

Swimming Pool and whirlpool at the Courtyard in Roseville Minnesota

Courtyard Roseville Outdoor Terrace. Photo from Courtyard Minneapolis St. Paul/Roseville

The Courtyard is located conveniently to the expressway for easy off and on to Minneapolis or St. Paul. There are also nearby stores like Aldi (one of our faves) and Walmart both just down the street.

Don’t Miss The Roseville Food

Before you head off to the Twin Cities be sure you add the Roseville food scene to your list too. This is not just a place to lay your head down at night and relax. Roseville has lots of food you’re not going to want to miss.

Heading out for a full day you’re going to want to start with a good breakfast. Roseville has you covered. Here is just some of the best food in Roseville you need to check out.

Stop by The Grateful Table for some of the best pastries we’ve ever had (and remember we’ve been to a few places). I’m honestly still dreaming about the almond chocolate croissant we tried there.

The mother-daughter team of Mary Robideaux and Christine Robideaux are putting out some amazing food at this small space in Roseville. I spent a few minutes talking to them and really appreciate the importance they put on quality ingredients and hiring the right people.

They also have lots of other pastries, quiches, egg dishes, sandwiches, and, of course, freshly brewed coffee. For tea lovers like me, you’ll be pleased with their selection of Rishi Teas from the fellow Midwestern Milwaukee company.

Almond Chocolate Croissant at The Grateful Table in Roseville, Mn — Almond Chocolate Croissant at The Grateful Table in Roseville, MN

Best Breakfast in Roseville

If you want something a little more substantial try Key’s Cafe and Bakery. If you visit on the weekend prepare for a little bit of a wait but know that it’s worth it. Start with their “famous” homemade caramel or cinnamon sticky buns. We had to try the caramel bun and it truly lives up to its name. I also had the “Two Guys” Breakfast which was a hearty 7 oz. Certified Angus beef filet with sauteed mushrooms and onions with two eggs, hash browns, and toast. Let’s just say I was set for the day! Diana had the eggs benedict on and giant waffle. Be sure to come to Key’s Cafe hungry and be prepared to leave full. This was definitely one of our best breakfasts in Roseville.

Keys Cafe Famous Homemade Caramel Sticky Buns

Eating local seafood is one of the things I love best about traveling. Walleye is a Midwest classic and I always look for on a menu. We were lucky to find the Green Mill Restaurant & Bar a local spot that features many local favorites. I had my walleye broiled and it was excellent. Get there early because they have happy hour specials on drinks and food.

Walleye dinner at the Green Mill Restaurant in Roseville Food — Walleye dinner at the Green Mill Restaurant in Roseville

Another hot dish you’re going to want to try in Roseville is, well, Hot Dish. This iconic Minnesota specialty is a casserole topped with crunchy tater tots. Often a stable on many home cook’s tables as well as a popular guest at many potlucks. Hotdish has more recipes than you can imagine. Typically loaded with ground beef, cheese, and mixed vegetables but every chef has their own unique concoction.

Hot Dish – A Minnesota Food Icon

We tried a hot dish at Grumpy’s in Roseville. This is one filling, tasty, cheesy, crunchy dish. Grumpy’s is a family-friendly sports bar with lots of screens, drinks, and local beers. Don’t miss the beer-battered walleye fingers and Mac’s Big Pizza with its six all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and sesame seeds on a pizza crust. This is one Roseville food dish you definitely won’t want to miss.

Hot dish at Grumpy's Roseville Food — Hotdish at Grumpy’s

Eating Our Way Through St. Paul, Minnesota

As mentioned, Roseville’s location makes it easy to visit both St. Paul and Minneapolis. Enjoy all the Roseville food options and then you can explore a bit further afield too. Here are just some of the things you’ll want to check out in St. Paul.

If you’re looking for fun, cocktails, and some tasty food head to Can Can Wonderland in St. Paul. Sure it’s an odd name but who cares? This spot has a kitschy cocktail lounge surrounded by a wild miniature golf course and vintage arcade games.

They have super unique cocktails like these two below served in planters. The drink on the left is That Carrot Drink with aquavit sherry, pineapple, carrot, bitters, and edible dirt. The greens you see sticking out are attached to the world’s smallest real carrot. The one on the right is the Greenway Garden Punch, which has gin, fruit juices, and herbs and spices. It’s usually served in a watering can but I guess they were out watering when we visited!

There are many more fun drinks, boozy slushies, malts, and floats. The food includes bar food classics like nachos, wings, but with a special Can Can twist. Like the Bahn Mi Nachos, Pavarotti sandwich and, of course, cotton candy and popcorn.

Can Can Wonderland St. Paul Minnesota Roseville Food — Can Can Wonderland St. Paul Minnesota

The bar is a perfect place to hang out and have a drink and a nosh while the kids play mini-golf and enjoy the games. I have to admit that I was happy to find one of my childhood favorites the World Series baseball game. This old-school game lets you pitch and bat. I will confess to dropping more than just a few quarters into a machine just like this back in the day. It was still just as fun as ever.

A French Touch

We checked out W.A. Frost & Company in St. Paul which was a real treat. We thoroughly enjoyed our very civilized lunch there one afternoon. From the moment we sat down and heard Vivaldi’s Four Seasons we knew we were in the right place. We started with a glass of bubbly and split the artichoke grilled cheese sandwich. Lovely artichokes with cheddar, parmesan, tomato, and arugula on Vienna white bread with a fresh green salad. Although the restaurant was a bit empty when we arrived at 11:30 am be sure to make a reservation because it filled up quickly.

It’s a perfect location on Cathedral Hill so you can take a quick walk over to the beautiful St. Paul’s Cathedral before dining to work up an appetite. Then head over to W.A. Frost and Company located in the Dacotah Building built in 1889. On the National Register of Historic Places the building originally had fine apartments and a full-service pharmacy. The well-heeled local socialites visited for W.A. Frost for “drugs, chemicals, and medicines, medicinal wines and liquors and fancy toilet articles of great variety.” How fancy!

Through the years the building and the neighborhood have seen ups and downs but clearly, W.A. Frost would approve of the award-winning restaurant with fine dining and a large outdoor patio area that we can only assume is bustling during the warmer weather.

One more note. I noticed that a lot of diners ordered the grilled Black Angus hamburger. I’m not going to say I had food envy. Let’s just say it looked delicious and I need to go back and try it.

W.A. Frost Restaurant St. Pauls MN — W.A. Frost Restaurant St. Paul MN

Many Cultures Coming Together

The HmongTown Marketplace in St. Paul is a must-visit for all Food Travelists. Minnesota has one of the largest Hmong population in the U.S. The Hmong people became refugees when wars ravaged their homeland in Laos. The Hmong Marketplace has over 200 vendors that have fruits, vegetables, fish, meats, spices, clothes, household goods and more.

Hmong Market in St. Paul MN Roseville Food — Hmongtown Market in St. Paul MN Roseville

There are also many food vendors making Hmong food specialties. Take some time and explore the kiosks and then enjoy the food too. We would suggest walking all the building first and then making your selections. You will not believe how much there is to choose from. Everything from egg rolls to soup, smoothies, bubble tea, fresh salads and more.

Fried Chicken Feet at the Hmongtown Market Roseville Food — Fried Chicken Feet at the Hmongtown Market

And There’s More

When you’re out in the neighborhoods looking for a special dinner spot try Tongue In Cheek. They only use “animal products that are raised or caught in a humane and sustainable manner.”

They also take great pride in all their dishes. We had a good sampling of the menu and enjoyed it all. The steamed pork buns with sweet pickles and stone fruit were delicious.

It’s a terrific spot for sharing. They have “teasers” which are small bites. Also, small and large plates that make it easy to share and try many different dishes.

Steamed Pork Buns Tongue in Cheek St. Paul Minnesota Roseville Food — Steamed Pork Buns Tongue in Cheek St. Paul Minnesota

So Much More To Do Than Eat in the Roseville Area

Let’s take a break from eating for just a few minutes and talk about some of the things you can see in Minneapolis. Of course, most people are going to put the Mall of America first on their list of things to do. We’re not big shoppers BUT, as we learned, there is a lot to do there besides shopping.

If you like rides the Nickelodeon will spin you every which way you like. When you first enter the large indoor amusement park you are immediately hit with sensory overload. You may even start running around from ride to ride trying to decide which one to try first.

There’s also a Lego Store with a huge Lego display. You’ll find characters like the Transformer, white tigers, helicopters and more. We kinda liked the explorers and globe scene below.

Legoland In Mall of America — Lego Store display in the Mall of America

Under the Sea…

You know we’re nature lovers so we had to take a spin through Sea Life in the Mall of America. We had a really interesting chat with one of the guest experience hosts about the stingrays in the Ray Lagoon. These folks are everywhere among the exhibits and happy to answer any questions you may have.

They have many different Sea Life experiences like snorkeling in the Rainbow Reef exhibit, feeding the stingrays, there’s even an opportunity to sleep overnight underneath the sharks in the 300 foot Ocean Tunnel. Sounds like fun!

Sea Life in Mall of America Minneapolis — Sea Life in Mall of America

Of course, the Mall of America is a shoppers paradise. There are over 500 stores with just about everything for everybody. We loved the fun Minnesota shops with novelty gifts and souvenirs. Our favorite was the Animal Lovers Store. Not only do they have wonderful accessories for your dogs and cats they also have animal-related home goods and clothing.

Mall of America Food

Food is also abundant in the MOA too. There are several food courts with cuisines from every continent. With over 50 restaurants to choose from you’ll find many of your favorites as well as some new ones to try.

Culinary Scene at the Mall of America Roseville Food — Culinary Scene at the Mall of America

Another fun outdoor activity is the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. We arrived just in time to see the spring flowers in full display. Walkthrough all the gardens we really enjoyed the bonsai collection. This place is a photographer’s heaven. Stroll through the Sunken Garden, Tropical Encounters, Fern Room, Orchid House and more. Admission is free but you can make a voluntary donation of $3 for adults and $2 for children to help run Como Park.

But There’s More To Eat in Minneapolis

You gotta try the local favorites where ever you go, right? Then don’t miss the Minneapolis Jucy Lucy. Go where the locals go, Matt’s Bar. Yes, you’ll stand in line outside. Yes, you’ll wonder why. Then you’ll get inside the door, smell the grilling onions and burgers and know your wait will be worth it. As they say, it’s often imitated but never duplicated. Be sure you check the spelling because we heard if you spell it right you got the wrong one.

Two patties with cheese stuffed in between with grilled onions and pickles. It’s definitely not fancy. But it’s good. Sit at the bar if you can. Here you’ll get to jaw with the staff and see the tiniest grill top in the corner where all the magic happens.

Everyone who’s anyone has been here. From President Obama to Andrew Zimmern. So if you go to the Twin Cities and don’t try a Jucy Lucy you’ll have no one to blame but yourself.

Juicy Lucy at Matt's Minneapolis MN Roseville Food — Jucy Lucy at Matt’s Minneapolis MN

Scandinavian Food in Minnesota

We know that Minnesota is known for its Scandinavian heritage so we had to visit the Nordic House for a genuine Nordic Waffle. A visit to the Nordic House gives you a wonderful overview of the Minnesota Nordic culture. They have a museum with changing exhibits, classes, and a Nordic gift shop.

We checked out the KaffeBar where you can sample Nordic waffles and other Nordic pastries as well as coffee and tea. The waffle was served with jam and could be topped with sugar and cinnamon. It’s up to you. We certainly came away with a better understanding of Nordic culture.

Ice Cream in Minneapolis

No destination visit is complete without a taste of the local ice cream. Since we were on a rather short visit and wanted to get to as many tastes as possible we decided to try the Grande Old Creamery for a single cone to split.

Little did we know that a “single” cone is more like a triple scoop cone. Since I was raised by a Grandmother who taught me “waste not, want not” we finished the whole thing.

For an extra treat be sure to try one of their homemade, hand-rolled malted waffle cones. They make over 200 flavors of their super-premium ice cream so you’re bound to find one right for you. When you come to experience Roseville food you get the extra bonus of St. Paul and Minneapolis food too.

Grand Old Creamery Ice Cream Minneapolis MN

If you’re looking for diner food that really takes it to the next level try Hi-Lo Diner in Minneapolis. We did Sunday Brunch and the hardest thing is picking an item off the menu. Everything looks good and it is. The line on Sunday moves fast and they’ll give you a cup of coffee while you’re waiting. Use this time wisely to pick your brunch items.

We tried the Gary Cooper, one of their signature dishes. Boneless Buttermilk fried chicken with maple-bourbon syrup and gravy on top of their own fried pastry dough. To say this is decadently delicious is a huge understatement.

New to the menu is the flavorful Mediterranean Grain Bowl with romesco sauce, poached egg, avocado, fried chickpeas and feta cheese. I loved this dish!

Of course, the Hi-Lo has a full adult Brunch Beverage menu from the Hi-Lo Bloody served with a cute pony-sized Miller High Life to Mimosas, local beers and wine.

Hi Lo Diner Minneapolis MN — Hi-Lo Diner Minneapolis MN

Brews in the Twin Cities

The Twin Cities’ local brew scene is also hopping. We tried quite a few in many of the restaurants we visited. Our travels included a swing by the Dual Citizen Brewery Company for a local flight. What makes this brew taproom, particularly fun is that you place your order at the counter take it with you to a table or counter and enjoy it. There are no servers, no food, just beer, talking, and good times.

If you do get hungry there’s usually a food truck parked out front or you can order food from The Naughty Greek (yes, that’s the right name) next door right from your phone. They’ll bring it over and find you. Easy peasy.

Have We Convinced You Yet?

If you’re considering a visit to the Twin Cities area your plans should include staying and trying all the tasty Roseville food. We’re sure you’ll agree that it’s convenient to both Minneapolis and St. Paul and has a lot going on all by itself.

For more information on where to stay, and what to do check out VisitRoseville.com for all the details.

I wrote this post after our media trip that was hosted by Visit Roseville and the Courtyard Minneapolis St. Paul/Roseville. All suggestions and endorsements are solely personal. Our policy is only to share and recommend what we personally like and experience.

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In Travel

BEST EVER: 9 Outstanding Food Travel Destinations Not To Miss

By Sue Reddel

Planning your next food travel adventure can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. There are just so many places to visit in the world that make the must-visit lists no matter where you look. If you’re like us you might like a mix of places that are small, medium and large-sized markets. Whatever size city you like to visit we’ve got you covered on our annual list of outstanding food travel destinations we would like to recommend for you to visit.

While our list is far from comprehensive, we think you’ll find it fun, unexpected and most importantly full of tasty adventures.

9 Outstanding Food Travel Destinations Not To Miss

Yellowstone Country, Montana

It’s no secret that we’re in love with Montana. In fact, Yellowstone Country is a repeat Best Ever Food Travel Destination from 2017. Returning to Montana in winter turned out to be one of our favorite trips of the year. The beauty of Yellowstone Country is truly something you can enjoy any time of year. If you prefer to avoid the crowds visiting during the winter will be right up your alley.

Watching Old Faithful erupt with just a handful of other people and a coyote made it a story we tell over and over again. While not all the typical tourist attractions are operating during the winter, plenty are open and there are other fun things to do this time of year available in no other. Skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling are up and running and get you out in the quiet of nature. Spa retreats can help you rest, relax and rejuvenate while indoors.

Don’t worry about food. There are plenty of restaurants, pubs, and cafes open in Yellowstone Country and ready to serve you delicious meals you won’t soon forget.

Best Food in Montana’s Yellowstone Country

Ann Arbor, Michigan

We love exploring the Midwest. In fact, we spent a large part of the last year and this year traveling the U.S., including the Midwest, visiting, researching and discovering where we would eventually relocate from Chicago in 2018. But that’s another story! Food travel doesn’t have to take you too far from home.

One of the places we visited not once but twice was Ann Arbor. We just love the diverse culture of this energetic college town. For a town its size, it has a food scene that rivals much larger Detroit and even Chicago. The rich fertile soil of Michigan draws many chefs, farmers, and lovers of the land to this tasty place.

To add to the attraction, not only can you find just about every type of food you can imagine (done extremely well by the talented chefs that call Ann Arbor home) but you will also find world-class museums, boutique shopping on the street Bob Seger brought to pop music lovers’ attention, Main Street. And, of course, tailgating at Michigan’s “Big House” lasts all day long.

Ann Arbor is an outstanding destination for Midwest road trips. It’s also just a short flight from NYC, Dallas and Boston making it perfect for a girls’ weekend, couples retreat or quick family getaway. And if you want to get an even smaller town feel, nearby Ypsilanti, Dexter and Chelsea offer more restaurant, breweries, theater and shopping choices just a short drive away.

Zingerman’s Is Not Just A Killer Deli

Los Cabos, Mexico

When you’re looking for a place to enjoy the sun and fun look to Los Cabos, Mexico. An easy and affordable flight from the U.S. makes this outstanding food travel destination easy. In a matter of a few hours, you can be lying on a beautiful beach with a cocktail in your hand feeling the stress drain away.

Lobster Dish at Tenangos Restaurant Los Cabos

Fresh seafood, vegetables, and fruits abound wherever you go in Los Cabos. From delicious roadside tacos made by someone’s Grandma to fine five-star dining at the Manta Restaurant at The Cape Hotel, amazing meals await you.

Plenty of water activities like snorkeling, scuba, stand-up paddleboards and more give you plenty to keep you busy in between meals. But if you prefer to lounge on the beach and wait for your next spa treatment they’ve got you covered on that front too.

Hampshire County, Massachusetts

We first became acquainted with Hampshire County on #FoodTravelChat. The more they shared all the wonderful food travel experiences the more we wanted to visit. This is yet another outstanding destination in the U.S. that has an abundance of fertile land and a strong agricultural community.

It’s a perfect place to drive and explore. Whether you stop in Northampton, Amherst, Hatfield, Easthampton or North Hadley you will find people happy to talk to you and tell you what your next stop should be. The area is loaded with many food choices and beautiful countryside you can’t wait to explore. Be sure to check out local dairies, farmers markets, breweries and wineries to get a full taste of this bountiful region.

Amazing Things You Need To Do, See and Eat in Northampton

Roseville, Minnesota

You might be saying, where? Roseville has the good fortune of being located smack between Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. That makes it an ideal place to set as your home base when visiting the area. This small Midwestern town is not small on flavor and food, and it deserves its own time for exploring their food travel specialties.

Walleye dinner at the Green Mill Restaurant in Roseville Food Travel — Walleye dinner at the Green Mill Restaurant in Roseville

Go ahead and explore the Twin Cities to your heart’s content. But the local food scene in Roseville makes it an outstanding destination to explore as well before you end your stay.

Almond Chocolate Croissant at The Grateful Table in Roseville, MN Food Travel — Almond Chocolate Croissant at The Grateful Table in Roseville, Mn

St. Croix, USVI

Trying to choose our outstanding food travel destinations is kind of like picking your favorite niece. It’s impossible. They all have their own unique and special traits. St. Croix, however, sticks out as a particular favorite for us. When you arrive at a destination and just a few hours later you feel like you’ve found a place you could call home, that’s a special place.

Saying you are welcome in St. Croix is an understatement. The Crucians take you in and immediately make you part of their family. Calling you “cousin,” “auntie,” and “uncle” is not just a term of endearment. It’s a way of expressing how you truly become part of their extended family.

places to eat in St. Croix: Rumrunners — Scallops at Rumrunners in St. Croix

Food? Whether you hit a late-night gas station party or visit fine dining spots for sumptuous fresh seafood, you’ll find plenty to keep your belly full and your palate tempted.

While you’re there be sure to do some shopping at the many quaint little shops. Don’t forget to enjoy the beaches and crystal clear blue waters that beg you to come and relax.

St. Croix is ready to greet you and put on quite a culinary show. Don’t miss it!

Quebec City

We were so excited to return to Quebec City in 2018 for the Women In Travel Summit. Once again we were grateful to be speakers at this women-focused industry event.

If you love visiting Europe, and more specifically France, you’ll love Quebec City. Just a short plane ride from the U.S. and you’ll feel like you landed in a small quaint French village. The lovely winding streets offer cute shops, cafes, and bars urging you to come in and sample their wares.

Quebec City is another outstanding food travel destination that’s beautiful at any time of year. Just remember to bring your walking shoes to stroll the streets and paths. Be sure you don’t leave without tasting one of Canada’s best-known dishes, poutine. You’ll find it everywhere and everyone you meet will have their own favorite version so be sure to try more than one.

Greece

Greece has been on my must-visit food travel list for years. Given my wife is Greek-ish and we enjoy so much about the Greek culture, especially the food, it’s kind of surprising we didn’t get there sooner. Let’s just say that the trip did not disappoint. We were lucky to have Carol and Basil of Real Greece Travels help us out planning our trip. I don’t think we could have seen more or tasted more if we planned it ourselves!

Of course, it was fun to visit with Diana’s cousins and friends, but what really made the trip special was visiting small villages in the Peloponnese and Pelion regions of Greece. Spending time in a place that has only 20 permanent residents really makes you think about the world in a different way.

Experiencing dinners prepared by locals and hearing about their daily lives is not something we’ll soon forget.

Porch of the Maidens Acropolis Athens Greece — Porch of the Maidens

View of Piana Greece from the Hotel Papanikola

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Tiny But Might Tasty Piana Greece

Wisconsin Food Travel Heaven

Our search for a “new” place to call home was a serious challenge for us. The number of hours traveling, researching and experiencing different outstanding destinations sometimes made the decision even more difficult. Leaving behind Chicago, a city I called home for more than 50 years, was not an easy thing to do. But that’s a whole different story and one we’ll share with you in greater detail very soon.

But the top story is that in the fall of 2018, we made our way with our two meowing kitties to our new hometown, Madison, Wisconsin. Why Madison? Where do we begin? The flourishing farm-to-table restaurant scene. The beautiful isthmus is surrounded by shimmering lakes. The inclusive community that welcomes everyone no matter who they are, where they are from or where they are going. The hundreds of hiking and biking trails to explore. The abundant beauty of nature and the gently rolling hills. A quick two-hour drive back to family and friends. All the above and so much more.

Not to mention the iconic and delicious Old Fashioned cocktails. I don’t know if it’s the “official” state drink but it should be. No matter where you go in Wisconsin you’ll find them. There are probably as many different recipes for Old Fashioneds as there are kinds of cheese in the Dairy State. For a true Wisconsin Old Fashioned be sure to order it “sweet”. There are many places and many variations to sample. Try The Old Fashioned or Toby’s Supper Club for two of our favorites.

If you visit Wisconsin don’t forget to also visit Milwaukee, Kenosha, Monroe, Middleton, Verona, Fitchburg, Waunakee, Sun Prairie, and all the other nearby towns. Each one has its own unique personality and history to explore and discover. We know we plan on discovering every nook and cranny our new home Wisconsin has to offer. Supper clubs, pizza farms, dairies, breweries, bakeries – the food exploration is full of endless possibilities.

Happy Foodie Travel Discovery

We hope you enjoyed our recommendations for outstanding food travel destinations for all foodie travelers to visit. We will keep expanding our coverage and traveling to more places near and far to taste the unique and interesting foods they have to offer. If you have any suggestions for places we should visit please leave them in the comment section below. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sue and Diana Food Travelist in Quebec City Food travel — Where do you want to go?

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In Americas

George’s At The Cove in La Jolla Menu For Success

By Sue Reddel

We recently spent a day and night in La Jolla, California. We’d like to thank the Grande Colonial Hotel, George’s at the Cove, and the San Diego Tourism Authority for their help in planning our trip. We were not paid for our reviews. All opinions reflect our own opinions and experiences.

George's at the Cove La Jolla Menu -Courtesy San Diego.org — George’s at the Cove La Jolla -Courtesy SanDiego.org

Three Levels of Dining

While visiting La Jolla we had the opportunity to dine at George’s at the Cove. Fodor’s named George’s at the Cove “One of the World’s Top Ten Restaurants”. Featuring three different levels to explore George’s at the Cove menu varies at each unique level. The casual rooftop Ocean Terrace offers a terrific view (perfect for a spectacular sunset) of La Jolla Cove and serves up lunch and dinner. Next, on the middle level is Level 2, which prepares special cocktails and offers a casual lunch and dinner menu. The lower level is home to California Modern, where we discovered an eclectic gourmet dinner menu designed to please every food traveler.

Cocktails at George's on the Cove — Cocktails at George’s at the Cove

Cocktails Abound

If you wander to the restaurant downstairs you’ll want to order one of their unique hand-crafted cocktails as you ponder exactly how you’re going to choose what to order from this tasty menu.

We were really impressed with their diverse cocktail and wine list. This is definitely a place to order a special cocktail.

We had the Something with Pears made with local pear-infused gin, St. George Spiced Pear Liqueur, ginger, tea, lemon and cold smoked egg white (which I loved). We also sampled the Bad Apple with house rum blend, fresh citrus, house-made spiced apple butter, and Pernod Absinthe Superieure, which was also delightfully refreshing.

Fish Tacos Starter Georges on the Cove Food Travelist — Fish Tacos Starter George’s at the Cove Food Travelist

Let’s Eat

The menu is set up to order either ala carte, a four-course tasting menu or an eight-course tasting menu. Diana and I had the four-course tasting and Nancy, Diana’s Mom, decided to go ala carte.

Classically trained at The Culinary Institute of America in New York, Chef Trey Foshee’s motto is serving up locally-sourced sustainable products and this is his idea of what San Diego would taste like. Through our tasting he really let us discover San Diego with his unique food creations.

Since I love seafood, I focused on many of the local seafood dishes. The “fish tacos” contained yellowfin tuna sliced into taco-like shells filled with tuna tartar. I could have made a meal just out of this dish alone.

Grilled Octopus Georges on the Cove La Jolla — Grilled Octopus George’s at the Cove La Jolla

The grilled octopus with whole grain mustard vinaigrette included charred eggplant, fennel, roasted garlic squid ink potatoes. I love octopus and this was prepared just right with a rich smoky flavor and plenty of octopus. I really enjoyed the garlic squid ink potatoes too!

Baby Beet Salad Georges on the Cove — Baby Beet Salad George’s at the Cove

Vegetable Shine at George’s at the Cove

Nancy decided to go veggie for the evening and George’s at the Cove certainly has many delicious vegetable choices on their menu.

She started with the beet salad, with fresh cheese mousse, avocado, citrus, fennel, and walnuts. Everything was fresh and tasty in this bright California-inspired salad.

Persimmon Salad at Georges on the Cove La Jolla — Persimmon Salad at George’s at the Cove La Jolla

Diana had the salad with persimmons, brassicas, ricotta salata, local dates, buttermilk dressing, pistachio, mint, and pomegranate. It struck just the right blend of tangy, savory and sweet with an excellent and satisfying combination of textures and tastes.

Stinging Nettle Spaghetti at George's on the Cove in La Jolla — Stinging Nettle Spaghetti at George’s at the Cove Dinner

Moving on, we tried the stinging nettle spaghetti with Chino Farms broccoli, broccoli pesto, aged cheddar, and sourdough gremolata. This unique dish with ingredients we hadn’t tasted before (have you tasted stinging nettle spaghetti yet?) left us wishing we had a second stomach.

Beef Cheeks Georges on the Cove La Jolla — Beef Cheeks at George’s at the Cove La Jolla

Hearty Vegetables

Although I was thoroughly enjoying the seafood dishes I really wanted to try some meat too, so I went with the red wine braised beef cheeks. This dish was just outstanding! Everyone sampled the beef cheeks that seemed to melt in your mouth. The well-balanced plate included potato-horseradish puree, pickled cabbage, puffed tendon, mustard seeds, carrots, spring onions, and fine herbs. Again, I would return for this dish alone.

Roasted Cauliflower entree at George's At The Cove La Jolla — Roasted Cauliflower entree at George’s At The Cove La Jolla

The next veggie dish on George’s at the Cove menu was so flavorful and robust it would make even meat-lovers jealous. Roasted cauliflower with sunchokes, wood-grilled Chino Farms vegetable top jam, wild mushrooms and Buddha’s hand in a caramelized vegetable demi-glace. If that sounds deeply satisfying to you, you wouldn’t be disappointed. The colorful plate was delicious and rewarding.

Roasted Chicken and Bread Pudding Georges on the Cove Food Travelist — Roasted Chicken and Bread Pudding at George’s at the Cove

The Menu That Doesn’t Stop

The roasted Jidori Chicken with black trumpet mushroom bread pudding, sweet potato and China Farms mustards was yet another perfect combination of flavors. This tasty combination served to bring out the best of each element for a delightfully enjoyable dish.

Donuts at Georges on the Cove La Jolla — Donuts at George’s at the Cove La Jolla

Just Desserts

Although we were sufficiently sated, we simply couldn’t pass up dessert so we tried several yummy menu items.

We finished our wonderfully creative meal with doughnuts and dips. Fluffy little donuts with cranberry pineapple, toasted marshmallow, salted chocolate, and burnt cinnamon caramel. Yes, they were as irresistible as they sound!

Warm Chocolate Tart at George's At The Cove — Warm Chocolate Tart at George’s At The Cove

Just Desserts

We also tried the warm chocolate tart with passionfruit, toasted banana bread and kinako ice cream. In this rich but not cloying combination of fruity, creamy, chocolatey heaven, the flavors burst in your mouth giving you a wonderful way to end to a remarkable meal.

It was a spectacular food adventure from start to finish. We will say that we thought the portions were more than generous. We were quite full from our four-course tasting and might suggest going ala carte for light eaters. Even so, we certainly are more than happy that we got to try so many of Chef Trey Fosse’s wonderfully created dishes.

If you find yourself in La Jolla you must stop at George’s at the Cove for lunch or dinner. We highly recommend you experience the unique locally-sourced California Modern cuisine Chef Fosse is serving up.

George’s At The Cove

1250 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA

Check out George’s At The Cove Menu and be sure to make reservations. This is one spot in La Jolla you won’t want to miss.

Spending just 24 hours in La Jolla is such a tease. We know we’re going to return to enjoy the sun, sea, and great food very soon for a much longer visit.

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In Travel

Essential Travel Items For Summer

By Sue Reddel

You can plan for warm-weather travel any time of year. When you’re in the thick of summer it’s great to find essential travel items that help make your journey more comfortable. When the weather is cooler you can dream of warm weather destinations and start planning. Either way, we thought we’d share some ideas and products that we find helpful when temperatures start to climb.

As always, be sure to travel with plenty of personal cleaning products to keep you and the areas you traveling in like planes, trains, and automobiles free from germs. Clorox wipes and Purell hand sanitizer are musts for any traveler.

Travel Accessories

Evo Global Travel Adapter pocket size, dual USB charger
One thing we can all agree on is that when packing your travel accessories smaller is usually better. Who wants to schlep around a lot of heavy equipment? Not me. I hate carrying anything so any product that can lighten my load is a friend of mine. This handy little adapter has two USB ports and easily converts for British, European, Asian, South American, Canadian and Australian outlets. You could easily carry this in your purse, bag or even your pocket.

Alio Neutralizing Scented Pouch
One of the more annoying things about traveling is the dirty clothes you need to carry home in your suitcase. If you’re traveling on a long trip this problem can be even more, how should I say, smelly? Our friends at Alio have you covered. Try throwing this little cotton pouch into your suitcase and it will eliminate odors. You can use it anywhere. Gym bags, drawers, shoes, wherever you need a little fresh air.

Alio Pouch Essential Travel Items — Alio Pouch

They have a variety of scents to choose from but the soft blanket fragrance will make you want to snuggle up with it. We also tried their odor neutralizing oil-free reed diffuser in the bathroom where we keep the litter box. Pet-friendly, eco-friendly, and with a light fragrance that’s not cloying, Alio is made in the USA and is oil and mess-free. Even if the cats knock it over it’s not a problem and so far they have steered clear.

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Comfortable Feet

Arcopedico Shoes
I’ve professed my love of these shoes before. Their boots are so comfortable that I have to admit that I wore them way past the fashion acceptable date this past spring. Thank goodness I discovered they are equally as comfy Town shoe. These shoes are ideal for warmer weather. Their patented Lytech™ fabric stretches and molds to your foot. This is marvelous when your feet might swell a bit during travel or when going way over your 10,000 steps during your adventures. The same great twin arch support in their other shoes are in the Town shoe as well. Bonus prize…they also look great!

Compression Socks

p>If you see compression socks in every one of my travel accessories lists you would not be wrong. I just simply cannot recommend these enough. I don’t care what age you are these socks can literally save your life. Think I’m kidding? Google it. Long flights and sitting for any amount of time anywhere make your legs ripe for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Even the CDC has a page on its website devoted to what you need to know about Blood Clots and Travel. Now don’t get me wrong these alone won’t solve the problem completely. You absolutely need to get up and walk around. Most airlines will have a set of exercises that you can do in your seat in their in-plane magazine or in their video selection. Think you’ll look silly? Who cares. Remember no one is really paying attention to you because they’re all worried about their own nonsense. Think the socks are ugly? Not any more. There are many fashion styles and colors available. Go order some now!

Cool Drinks

Tenzo Matcha Tea
I love tea. All kinds of tea. But if I want something to perk me up and keep me going all day I reach for matcha. On our recent visit to the National Restaurant Show in Chicago, we met the guys from Tenzo tea. I have to admit that at first, I was skeptical. What would be so different about their matcha? I’ve had good matcha and really bad matcha. I’m a simple girl and I don’t like most of my tea (or anything else for that matter) with anything added. Certainly no chemicals, or artificial sugars. Bleh!

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Tenzo Tea Matcha Starter kit

After my first sip of Tenzo matcha, I knew they were onto something really special. They have a proprietary blend of organic ceremonial matcha crafted by a Japanese tea master. You simply add water, nothing else. If you’ve never tried matcha this is the brand to get you started. I love their new starter kit. The matcha comes in a tin and includes a free matcha whisk. Plus they give back to the community. Every bag of Tenzo tea sold provides clean water for 1 person for 1 year! Whether you have it on the road or at home try some I think you’ll like it.

Travel Snacks

Simple Mills Cookies and Crackers
If you looking for tasty gluten-free snacks look no further than Simple Mills. Katlin Smith, the founder of Simple Mills has succeeded in producing gluten-free products that are not only delicious but her attention to detail in the ingredients is unrivaled. As they put it, they enrich lives and bodies through simple, delicious, real foods. Doesn’t get much better than that, does it?

They have a wide selection of cookies, crackers, baking mixes for brownies, pizza dough, muffins, cakes and they even have frosting. All products are gluten-free, soy-free, non-GMO and paleo-friendly.

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Meli’s Cookies
You know when a brand calls its cookies monsters they are truly making a statement. Although they are also gluten-free you might not notice the difference. They use a family recipe that’s over 40 years old. Meli’s cookies are gluten-free rolled oats and nut butter. No artificial preservatives are added. They make dry mixes for you to make at home and ready-to-eat packages to take on the road.

Travel Reading

What is summer travel without summer reading? Here are just a few books we’re enjoying this summer that we think you’ll enjoy.

Lake of the Ozarks by Bill Geist

My family was one of the millions in the midwest that made the trek to the Lake of the Ozarks every summer. We visited the Lake of the Ozarks this summer so this book became an essential read. You may know Bill Geist as CBS correspondent on CBS Sunday Morning (one of my favorite shows). Bill spent seven summers in the Ozarks working at his uncle’s resort. Whether you’ve been to the Lake of the Ozarks or not you’ll enjoy this silly coming of age book.

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A Bite-Sized History of France by Stephane Henaut and Jeni Mitchell

Any book that has a chapter on baguettes is gonna be one I want to read. It’s a fun read for food lovers and Francophiles. You’ll discover the history you never knew before about all your favorite French dishes.

Birding Without Borders by Noah Strycker

We love all animals but birds have a special place in our hearts. We were recently at the World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho and wandered through the gift shop. Wanting to help support the center we thought we’d buy a book or two. We loved the idea of this book but when another store patron heard us trying to decide which books to buy she said, “that’s such a wonderful book.” A conversation ensued and we took it to the cashier. Noah Strycker set out to see half the world’s birds in a year. He spied 6,042 species setting the record along the way. We’re saving this one for our next trip and can’t wait to crack it open.

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

One of the things we do most nights, whether traveling or not, is read to each other out loud when we go to bed. We have found this to be a great way to relax and forget about all our daily cares and enjoy a good book. We typically stick to fiction and stay away from anything work-related. This classic was one of our recent choices. It certainly serves as a reminder as much as times seem to change they somehow still have a long way to go. Well worth a second, or even third read.

The Ultimate Travel Journal for Kids by Rob Taylor

I’m not gonna lie, Rob is a friend and fellow travel writer. We love his blog 2TravelDads and follow the adventures of him and his husband and their two boys. Rob recently launched this book and it’s jam-packed with activities to keep the little ones busy for four trips. It’s the perfect size for little hands. Plus it becomes a journal and souvenir that chronicles your child’s travels. I already picked one up for my two-year-old niece and can’t wait until she’s old enough to enjoy it.

Essential Travel Items

We hope you liked our essential travel items and keep adding to your travel accessory lists. If you have suggestions or essential travel items you’d like us to review please leave a comment below.

You will notice that this article contains Amazon and affiliate links. These links take you right to the products and provide a small commission for Food Travelist. This helps us stay in business and costs you absolutely no extra.

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In Better Living

Sixty Simple Thoughts On My 60th Birthday

By Sue Reddel

It’s finally here. My 60th birthday. For those who know me, they have already tolerated 27 days of June ensconced in my birthday celebrations. For that, I thank them for their love, patience, and tolerance.

I’ve had the privilege of traveling to Missouri, Kenosha, Wisconsin and Winnipeg, Manitoba this past month. It’s been a heck of a celebration. Every. Day.

60th Birthday Sue — Birthday Month in the Ozarks

Over the last month, I’ve taken the time to jot down some thoughts I’ve had about the lessons I’ve learned throughout my sixty years. I decided to share them here in the hope that it might help a few people or at least be a thought starter on how to make your time on earth happy, helpful and healthful.

60 Simple Thoughts on My 60th Birthday

Be open to new experiences even if they are scary.
Connect with people. Really connect.
Walk there.

Say yes.
Say no.
Don’t wait, do it now.

Say thank you, often.
Travel slowly.
Take care of yourself.

Make time for family and friends.
Tell people that you love them.
Check in with people you haven’t heard from in a while.

Take a walk every day.
You can learn a lot from younger people.
Go outside. Nothing changes my mood instantly more than the sound chirping birds.

Create something that’s not work.
Don’t worry what other people think (news flash they don’t really notice most things you do, they are busy with their own lives).
Wear what you want to. Be comfortable.

Drink lots of water. Especially when traveling.
Try alternative solutions. I’ve had much success with acupuncture and CBD oils. Do your research and ask a ton of questions.
Get rid of stuff. Just don’t be surprised when no one wants your stuff. Donate it, sell it whatever works. You’ll feel better with less.

Ask questions.
Hug people.
Don’t undersell yourself. Modesty will not get you very far.

Do stuff you liked to do when you were young. You’ll still love it.
Get comfortable shoes. They don’t have to be ugly.
Wear compression socks.

Wear SPF every day.
Pet and play with the cat or dog.
Have an afternoon dance party.

Write a gratitude list every single day.
Savor the food you eat and enjoy it with others.
Put your fingers in some dirt, plant something.

Forgive someone, let it go.
Thank someone who made your day.
Write a letter or postcard to someone. I send a postcard to my two-year-old niece from every trip.

Eat good chocolate.
Go out of your way to meet someone.
Slow down and take deep breaths every now and again.

Walk away from your desk every once in a while. You’ll come up with better ideas and stories.
Appreciate your life partner every day.
Take time to really listen.

Put your phone away when you eat.
Share your knowledge with other people.
Learn something hard every day.

Play your favorite music when you work.
Make a proper cup of tea and enjoy it.
Vote. It’s your responsibility.

Kiss the person you love every single day.
Have at least one very comfortable chair to read in.
Make a plan but don’t be afraid to change it.

Cherish your online friends. Mine constantly surprise me with their support and love.
Write every day.
Read something fun every day.

Be thankful when you put your feet on the floor in the morning.
Eat fruits and veggies that are in season.
Don’t use plastic straws.

Enjoy the change of seasons. Each one has its own unique splendor.
Don’t worry about the past it’s gone. Tomorrow’s gonna be better.
Be proud of who you are and who you love.

I’ve had the opportunity to meet, work and play with so many wonderful people around the world in my life. I’ve learned from every single one of them. For that, I’m eternally grateful. I’ve worked in corporate America with super smart people. I teach at a university, have worked with start-ups and started my own companies. Every single experience has helped mold me into the person I am today. For that, I’m grateful too.

I look forward to my sixties, and God willing my seventies and years beyond that too. I have no idea what my future holds. But I do know that I’ll keep striving to be the best I can be, do the best I can do and continue to help others any way I can. I want to continue to help farmers and tell their stories. I want to help clean up this hurting earth and tell more stories about how we can do that. I want to spend more time traveling to unique places that I can introduce to the rest of the world. I want to spend more time with my niece and soon to be nephew playing with them and teaching them just as I did their Mom and her siblings.

Most of all I want to spend every moment I can with my dearest Diana. She is the one who opened my eyes and challenged me to be more, do more than I ever thought I could. Exploring the world with her has been a delight and more fulfilling than I could have ever imagined.

Thanks for reading my homage to my 60th birthday. I get giddy just thinking of all the things I’m going to do in the years to come.

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In Better Living

Probiotics For A Happy Travel Tummy

By Sue Reddel

Probiotics For A Happy Travel Tummy

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Align Probiotics. The opinions are completely our own based on our experience.

Those of us who love to travel know that it has many benefits. The excitement of jumping on a plane or train. The thrilling first glimpse of a faraway land. Tasting new and different foods. These are all things we look forward to every time. Unfortunately, travel can also take a toll on our bodies. Diana and I have found that adding a high-quality probiotic supplement to our daily routine helps us manage our digestive health even while traveling.

Sometimes, changing your routine, shifting time zones and eating unfamiliar foods stresses our digestive systems. But we can counteract some of the impact on our bodies and help maintain our digestive balance* with probiotics. We’ve had good personal experience using Align Probiotic supplement daily to keep up our “gut health” whether we’re at home or away traveling.

What Are Probiotics?

You’ve probably heard of probiotics or maybe even tried them in one form or another. Probiotic bacteria may be found in some yogurts or fermented milk products as well as in a probiotic supplement like Align. Probiotics are good bacteria that provide a health benefit and are essential for many body functions, including healthy digestion. If you’ve experienced occasional bloating, gas or abdominal discomfort, this could signal that your digestive system might be out of whack.

Probiotics are living organisms and not all probiotics are the same. In the US, for example, yogurt is not required to contain any live cultures, and tests have shown that some yogurt produces have a wide range of levels of live bacteria. And how much yogurt can you really eat on a regular basis? That itself might cause us a little digestive upset. In order to provide the most benefit you need a product manufactured with the highest quality, standards and processes. For us, the easiest approach is to use a high-quality probiotic supplement.

Why We Like Align Probiotic

We like Align Probiotic because Align partnered with leading gastroenterologists, authorities in digestive health, to identify the best probiotic strain to help with occasional digestive upsets.* Align’s patented strain of probiotics, Bifidobacterium 35264TM, can fortify your digestive system with unique, healthy bacteria 24/7.§ In fact, it’s the #1 Gastroenterologist recommended probiotic.‡ As a part of your daily routine, Align can help maintain your digestive balance.*

Align also comes with a 60-day money back guarantee, so we know they stand behind the quality of their product. Align is gluten-free and is the result of more than 10 years of scientific research. They take gut health and good bacteria seriously!

Give It A Try

Here’s how we’ve used Align and we invite you to try it too. Pick up a package Align Probiotic. We get our jumbo-sized pack at Costco, but you can find Align just about anywhere you’d expect like Walgreens, Target, CVS or even online at Amazon.com. For best results, try Align for at least one month to help soothe occasional abdominal discomfort, gas and bloating.* It’s especially useful if you start before you go on a trip.

Align Probiotic with travel bag and blister pack — Align Probiotic and blister packs

Take one capsule every day like you would a vitamin. The blister packaging makes it easy to deal with regardless of if you’re at home or on the road. You don’t need to keep it refrigerated and Align’s packaging ensures that the probiotic remains at an effective level until the best by date on the package. You may experience some bloating or feel gassy the first few days as your system adjusts to having all that good bacteria. After a month you can see how you feel and then use it ongoing for best results. The blister packs are not only easy to take with you but also a conveniently packed in 7-day sheets. Each section is clearly marked with the day of the week. It’s perfect for travel without the hassle or forgetting if you took them. The package lets you know.

Trust Your Gut

As you know, we travel A LOT. We sure do love it, but there are a lot of things to consider when it comes to traveling and your health. Anything you can do in advance to make your travel experience better goes in our plus column. We’ve all had an unfortunate experience where our digestive system in particular just couldn’t adjust to all the stress put on it by the many changes we demand. While we may be willing to go to the limit for our food travel experiences, we also want to have fun and stay healthy.

Although we wish we could eat whatever we want, whenever we want, wherever we want all the time, unfortunately, those days are behind us. These days we want to be sensible while still enjoying all the adventure and deliciousness of exploring new destinations without being overly concerned about how our digestive system will feel along the way or when we get home. Align Probiotic offers us a good way to promote and support a healthy digestive system and help maintain our digestive balance.* Rather than wasting time to trying sort through the clutter and misinformation about probiotics in a crowded market, we stick with Align because it’s a quality product we know we can trust.

Let us know if you’ve used probiotics before, how you’ve found them and certainly if you give Align a try. We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Disclaimers: ‡ Among Gastroenterologists who recommended a brand of probiotic in a ProVoice 2008-2018 survey.
§Fortifies your digestive system with healthy bacteria 24/7 with continued daily use.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Align. The opinions and text are all mine.

In Americas

Unique Things To Do in Portland, Maine

By Sue Reddel

Are you looking for unique things to do in Portland, Maine? We traveled to Portland, Maine for the Women In Travel Summit (WITS). We always look forward to attending this all-women conference. It’s empowering to be surrounded by women who work in travel for three days. The comradery, networking, and learning can’t help but elevate your travel writing game.

As you might expect during our visit we ate lobster. Truth be told, we ate a lot of lobster for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We also ate a lot of other tasty food too but that’s a story for another day.

Delicious Lobster Roll at High Roller Portland Maine

Since we were so busy eating, and learning and eating we enlisted the help of our expert traveling gal pals from WITS to help us tell the other side of the story of Portland, Maine. This seaside town is full of wonderful things to do on and off the water. We asked our colleagues at WITS19 to tell us about their favorite unique things to do in Portland, Maine. Here they are:

Unique Things To Do In Portland, Maine

The Victoria Mansion House Museum

Suggested by Suzanne Fluhr of Boomersque.com

Although some might disagree, humankind cannot live by lobster alone, so you should spend some of your time in Portland, Maine visiting places that are not food related. One that satisfied my interests in history and design was Victoria Mansion-house museum, a National Historic Monument.   Built between 1858 and 1860, the Victoria Mansion is considered to be one of the finest examples of Pre-Civil War Italian Villa architecture in the United States. Remarkably, 90 percent of the interior is original and in the process of being carefully conserved.

Victorian interior design may be well over the top for today’s tastes, but it is a feast for the eyes to visit this family home from a time when more was more. An Italian artist painted many of the walls and ceilings, employing the ever-fascinating faux (false) 3-dimensional appearing trompe l’oeil technique.

The Victoria Mansion is open from May 1st through October 31st and during the Christmas Season, either on a docent-led tour or a day pass where docents are present in the individual rooms. Check the Mansion’s website to plan your visit.

Eastside Bayside Mural Walk

Suggested by Jeanette Hardy Baum of BravePursuits.
On Instagram: @bravepursuits

Whether you step foot into a museum in Portland, Maine or not, there are opportunities to experience local artists work everywhere you go- you just have to know what you are looking for. From beer can design to restaurant signage, to city walls covered in murals- local businesses seek out artists to help their brand stand out and create spaces that are lively and welcoming.

In the constantly evolving industrial neighborhood of East Bayside, there is literally art around every corner. Also known as Yeast Bayside for its dense concentration of breweries, East Bayside is home to a large population of New Americans from Africa and has seen tremendous changes in the past 10 years. I was lucky to stumble upon the East Bayside Mural Walk and would recommend it to any traveler wanting to experience an interesting neighborhood and appreciate some amazing art that deviates from the maritime narrative found in downtown Portland.

To see the murals, walk on the Bayside Trail, starting at Anderson Street, and walking towards Diamond Street. A map of some of the murals can be found here, but like most street art exploration, be sure to look down every alley as things are always changing. You can bookend the short walk with a brewery stop at Goodfire (Anderson St) and Rising Tide (Diamond Street)- both breweries feature art by Better Letter Handpainted Signs, several of the artists behind the East Bayside murals.

Portland Fire Truck Tour

Suggested by Robin Smith
On Instagram: @atouchofluxurytravel

A unique way to see the city of Portland Maine is to take the Portland Fire Truck Tour. The
Portland Fire Engine Co. provides a multimedia history tour with a knowledgeable tour guide. It is a fun tour for children as well as adults. They give everyone fire gear, a fireman’s coat and hat if you want it as you ride the back of a vintage fire truck and see all the famous landmarks around the city. (What child doesn’t want to be a fireman for an hour or two?)

During the tour, we explored Portland’s peninsula and its many lighthouses and forts as well as the amazing architectural buildings hidden inside the cobblestoned streets that make up the city.

Our guide displayed high-resolution photographs through an onboard multimedia system. This brought interiors, and distant landmarks up-close for detail.

Some of the sights we learned about were US Customs House, Casco Bay Lines, Shipyard
Brewing Company, Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, Fort Allen Park, Fort Gorges and Bug Light.

Despite the rainy weather, our tour was great and we all learned new things about the city. The tour can accommodate 13 people at a time. You must be mobile enough to climb onto the back of the firetruck, but that is the only restriction.

Portland Art Museum

Suggested by Pamela McKuen of AllTheWritePlaces

On the plaza fronting the Portland Museum of Art is a steel behemoth depicting the number 7. It’s a sculpture by the late Robert Indiana, a beloved Maine artist best known to the world for the iconic LOVE stamp with the tilted “O.”

The museum, the largest and oldest public art institution in Maine, pays tribute to the rich artistic tradition of the state and its creators. It also boasts extensive holdings of American, European and contemporary art, and decorative objects like glass and scrimshaw.

The PMA, as it is affectionately referred to by locals, anchors the city’s downtown arts district. Its galleries and collections sprawl among three architecturally significant buildings and a sculpture garden.

As you wander, you’ll come across cherished and diverse works by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Henri Matisse, Mary Cassatt, John Singer Sargent, Claude Monet and Andy Warhol. The State of Maine Collection features Winslow Homer, Louise Nevelson and Andrew Wyeth, among others.

Also on view are a bronze sculpture of a dancer by Edgar Degas and a collection of portraits by photographer Richard Avedon.

One gallery is the Modern Menagerie, filled with animal-themed art by many of Maine’s best-known painters and sculptors. Among them are a wall-mounted, crystalized buck’s head and a whimsical sculptural assemblage of shorebirds and fish.

The museum also owns and operates the landmarked Winslow Homer Studio in nearby Prouts Neck.

For more information, visit Portland Museum of Art at https://www.portlandmuseum.org/.

Bayside Bowl

Suggested by Allison Fraser of Tour and Table.

If you want to take your fun inside, Bayside Bowl has the lanes for you. There have 20 USBC-sanctioned 10-pin bowling lanes. And they are a stop on the PBA tour, hosting the PBA League Elias Cup.

Walk-ins of all ability levels are welcome, or you can reserve lanes 48-hours in advance. Groups can reserve lanes beside one another. Lane rentals are $30/hour (maximum 6 people). Bumpers are available for the kids. Sock rentals or shoe rentals are $4/pair. Moore’s Pro Shop is onsite for other needs.

Inside, there are small dining areas to explore. Food and bar service is also offered down on the lanes. Eats include wings, pizza, sandwiches and salads. Vegetarian and vegan as well as gluten-free options are available. Drinks range from creative cocktails and mocktails to wine and beer from the local craft beer scene.

Outside, The Rooftop is a great place to hang out and watch the sunset. It has a “self-serve” (no table service) bar and taco truck to keep you happy. The space is also open for brunch, with frittatas, pancakes and yogurt on the menu. Friday and Saturday nights on The Rooftop are 21+.

Bayside hosts live music most Friday and Saturday nights on the Bayside Bowl stage. In the Fall and Winter, there are laneside DJs to get you moving.

Watch An Epic Sunset on East End Beach in Portland, Maine

Suggested by Anne-Fleur Andrle of JackandFerdi
On Instagram: @jackandferdi

Nothing beats the view of the golden hour from East End Beach. Just a few minutes walk from the city center, this small yet charming beach is a way to catch the city sunset and the ocean sunset all in one.

Nestled at the foot of the hill of the Eastern Promenade, Portland’s only public beach has long been a favorite for swimming, dog-walking and sunbathing. Take a seat on one of the benches, unpack your picnic and take in the panorama of Casco Bay. A top experience would be to rent a kayak or a paddleboard and experience a scenic sunset from the water. If you have time, give yourself an hour or two before the sun goes down and take a walk across the historic Eastern Promenade. This 2-mile waterfront trail built along an old rail corridor offers spectacular views of the bay and beyond.

Maine Brew Bus

Suggest by Evelyne Budkewitsch of CultureEatz
On Pinterest: @CultureEatz

When planning a trip to a new destination, we often look up all the things to do there and it’s foodie pleasures. But sometimes, the best way to really discover the spirit of a place is through a glass, a glass of alcohol that is.

And the best way to get a sampling of Portland is by taking a tour with The Maine Brew Bus. Portland Maine is one of many cities with a thriving brewing scene. In fact, it is home to over a dozen breweries, plus a handful each of wineries and distilleries.

I recently took a tour with The Maine Brew Bus and I just loved the experience. The guide was absolutely awesome, funny and full of educational information. The tour included a brewery, a winery, and a distillery. Four generous samples were poured at each place. Having a chance to try beers, wines, and spirits in one tour was a big bonus in my books.

The brew bus tour was great as they know which boozy establishment is worth the trip. On your own, you may not know which to pick. A nice sipping pace was set (and yes you will be a tad tipsy), plus no one in your party has to be a designated driver. Just chill back, have a drink and enjoy the tour.

L.L. Bean Store Visit

Suggested by Tonya Denmark of Detail Oriented Traveler
On Instagram: @DOTraveler

Maine is known for its Great Outdoors, and who better to lead the path down the hiking trail than the experts at L.L.Bean. Located in Freeport, just a short 20-minute drive or Amtrak ride away, the L.L.Bean store is open 24 hours. In fact, they say their doors never lock.

L.L.Bean started his company over 100 years ago selling boots. Since then it grew to be synonymous with outdoor adventure and supplies, everything from camping to clothing. In addition to exploring the flagship store, L.L.Bean offers outdoor discovery programs. They’ll take you fishing, kayaking, snowshoeing and more.

If you don’t have time to step out on one of their outdoor discovery programs, try an archery lesson located inside the store. My fellow group of eight other women had an opportunity for a lesson. Located in a protected room, the archery assistant will set you up with the right size bow. She teaches stance, aim, and most importantly, which is your dominant eye. Fortunately, shooting the bow isn’t difficult. Aiming and accuracy on the other hand definitely takes skill and practice. Paired in twos, the archery expert offers advice after each shot on how to improve. I even hit my target twice.

A visit to Freeport is a great addition to a Portland trip, just shopping, and archery at the L.L.Bean Flagship store alone!

Soakology

Suggested by Elizabeth Tittle of The Adventurous Spinster

Soakology, located in the Old Port section of Portland, is a haven from the bustle of the street activity just outside its doors. The day spa provides a sense-ual respite from all the sightseeing.

Natural lighting fills the spacious reception area. Soft fairy lights strewn throughout rustic, skeletal tree branches enhance the illumination of the space. The aroma of herbs and teas waft through the air, spark the imagination and transport you to the exotic places from which they are imported.

Step behind the rustic barn door to a private, tranquil retreat, tucked behind airy, washed linen draperies. Slip into a luxe silk robe, lined with the softest terrycloth. Sink into a downy-soft chair. Soak your feet in a copper vat filled with a soothing mixture of warm water and a blend of herbs. Feel the tensions of your mind and body gently melt away as the therapist strokes and gently kneads the pressure points of your neck and shoulders with healing oils.

Nourish your body with a light nibble and a refreshing beverage from the tea house, delivered to your overstuffed throne. Don’t rush out at the end of your experience. Linger in the lounge. Order a pot of tea and browse the beautifully appointed and well-stocked store. Emerge refreshed and ready to take on the Port City.

Lucky Catch Cruises

Suggested by Marcie Cheung of Mommyland
On Instagram: @marcieinmommyland

One of the coolest things to do in Portland, Maine is to learn how to fish for lobster! Lucky Catch Cruises has a fantastic 70-80 minute boat tour around Casco Bay. You’ll see old Civil War forts (like the popular Fort Gorges) as well as Maine’s famous lighthouses. But, the real reason to do this cruise around Portland is to learn about lobster. The crew will pass out bright orange aprons and gloves and they will put you to work as they talk about Maine’s long history of lobstering.

They even have lobster pants for little kids! You can participate as much or as little as you like. For those who want to get involved, you’ll have the opportunity to bait the traps with herring and push the traps into the water. You’ll also be able to clean out the bait from the old traps. And watch out for the seagulls! They are eager to eat the bait and love hanging out near the boat in hopes of a quick snack! Some of them will even score a little crab!

If you are looking for an entertaining boat ride where you’ll learn about lobster fishing, head to Lucky Catch Cruises. You won’t regret it!

Filling lobster traps on Lucky Catch Cruise of Casco Bay

Sunset at Sumner Park

Suggested by of My Wandering Voyage
On Instagram: @mywanderingvoyage

Portland, Maine is on the east coast, so you wouldn’t think it would have as beautiful sunsets as they do sunrises. But you would be wrong. The Peninsula where Portland sits like a saddle, dipping down where the Old Port is and up again at Munjoy Hill, an old historic neighborhood.

There’s a small green space called Sumner Park where the highest point of Munjoy Park is. It’s a popular spot among locals to catch the sunset over the city and Back Cove.
To get here, you can climb the stairs off of Washington Avenue or go the long way around. Either way, it’s uphill. But the views are worth it.

On your way there, make sure to admire the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow mural at the end of Marion Street, right before you climb all those stairs.

When I was there, we had such a vibrant sunset, since it had been cloudy all day. But when the sun started to sink, the clouds broke, and the colors were reflected among the clouds. It was a wonderful memory for the last day in Portland, Maine.

Real Portland Tour

Suggested by Lindsay Davies of I’ve Been Bit
On Facebook: @ivebeenbit

What better way to get to know Portland than hopping on a tour given by a local? Whether it’s your first time in town or you’ve visited the city before, you won’t want to miss The REAL Portland Tour!

Derek, your tour guide, was born and raised in Portland, ME. A college librarian in the winter months, he’s a plethora of knowledge as he shows you the local side of this ‘jewel by the sea’. This is no ordinary tour! Not only does it take you to not just one but THREE lighthouses in the Portland area, but he’ll give you some of the best advice for good eats, great treats and Portland’s fascinating history. Take in everything he has to offer as you travel through the downtown core, the Arts District, the Old Port and the Eastern Promenade with all of the local hotspots in between. Admire the eclectic shops and Victorian architecture as you traverse the city from the tour van, taking in all of the fun factoids Derek has to offer!

Chances are he’ll offer it at the end of the tour, but if it doesn’t come up – ask Derek about his Portland rap. It’ll blow your mind!

One More Thing

We’re adding one more unique thing to do in Portland, Maine. Take a drive to Harpswell. It’s less than an hour away but you’ll be treated magnificent hiking trails when you arrive. We had the chance to hike the Cliff Trail which provided us some stunning views of the area. While you’re there don’t miss the Giants Stairs on Bailey Island. It’s a short 15-minute walk but you’ll see that it’s well worth the effort.

You can be sure that there are plenty of spots to eat more lobster in this neck of the woods. Since we have to end with more food we also had a wonderful lunch with a view at Morse’s Cribstone Grill in nearby Bailey Island. This Crabster sandwich had crab and lobster you just can’t beat that.

Crabster Sandwich at Morse's Cribstone Grill Brunswick — Crabster Sandwich at Morse’s Cribstone Grill Brunswick

As you see there are many, many things to do in Portland, Maine besides just eat. We hope you get a chance to explore Portland, Maine yourself and let us know your favorite spots.

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In Travel

Expert Food And Travel Tips & Tricks

By Sue Reddel

Sure you like to eat and travel. Who doesn’t? Do you want to travel and like the experts? We’ve gathered some food and travel tips and tricks that will help you travel and taste like a pro.

Food Travel Tips & Tricks

From Food & Travel Expert and Food Travelist Co-Founder, Diana Laskaris
On Twitter: @dlaskaris

If you want to find really great places to eat, the hidden gems, start chatting with the locals everywhere you go in your destination. You can do your homework before you go to find some of the spots that are well-known and even a few local favorites. But the best way to find the places that the locals don’t often share is to buddy up to them and ask for their go-to picks, this is number one on my list of travel tips and tricks. Uber drivers, bartenders, shop clerks, and everyday people who know how to find value are the best. If language is a barrier, wander around and see what’s busy. We’ve discovered some of the best bites at carts, restaurants, food trucks and dives that have lines out the door. It’s almost always worth the wait.

I also like to use Phaidon’s “Where Chefs Eat” to choose one or two spots to try. The guidebook doesn’t cover every destination, but chances are if a chef has given a place the thumbs up, it will be really good. They cover fine dining as well as cheap and cheerful spots, so I can choose what I want to experience based on my food travel plans.

Above all, be open to stumbling onto whatever looks delicious. I’ve eaten everything from fresh baked goods off the back of a truck in Puerto Rico to steaming ramen from a hidden alley shack in Tokyo. Use common sense about cleanliness and such, but don’t back off just because something is new to you. Some of my very best food travel memories come from unexpected tastes in faraway lands.

From Food & Travel Expert, Jennifer Lee Kirk
On Twitter: @The_Jenius

Being a “Food Travelist,” I plan most of my trips around, well, eating. So how do I find new places to try, especially in countries where language may be a barrier? I use the local “Yelp” of whatever locality I am visiting! Yelp may claim to be “worldwide,” but isn’t adopted as heavily in other countries as it is in the U.S. TripAdvisor has restaurant reviews, but focuses more on lodgings and has a reputation of being gamed easily.

So, where can you go to find out where the locals go? The answer – find their own, localized version of Yelp! For example, I use OpenRice when visiting Hong Kong, Thailand, or most other Asian countries, and Tabelog in Japan is a lifesaver! Don’t worry if the reviews aren’t in English, the starred ratings and photos are handy enough. But you can always use Google Translate if you want more information! Looking for more great tips on eating while traveling? Check out my blog post “How to Snag Reservations at the Best Restaurants in the World”!

Cruise Tips

From Family Cruise Travel Expert, Alyson Nachman

Website: MyVirtualVacations.net

On Twitter @MyVirtualVaca

I’ve taken at least 12 cruises in my life and my kids have come along for 9, so I’ve learned what works best when planning a family cruise vacation. One of my favorite travel tips is “Avoid the stress of getting to your ship on time and arrive at the city of your cruise port the day before.”

Here’s why:

Families often all travel the same time of year. For example, warm weather destinations are very popular over winter break and can lead to busy highways or overbooked flights.

Unexpected weather issues are out of your control, so keep in mind the season you are traveling. In the winter, snowstorms easily delay flights, and hurricanes are notorious for causing travel chaos in the summer.
When flying long distances, connecting flights are great to let little ones stretch their legs or get something to eat. But they can also lead to having your luggage misplaced. Arriving early ensures even if your luggage is delayed, you’ll have time to retrieve your cruise wear before boarding time.

Next time you book your cruise, don’t forget to plan to travel there a day early!

Travel Tips

From Food & Travel Expert, Courtney McDonough
Website: RealFoodTraveler.com
On Twitter: @realfoodtravel

Because things happen with flights, the “personal item” I fly with, that I can slip under the seat in front of me, is a professional-looking backpack in which I put: My wallet and phone; a lightweight laptop I have just for travel with everything I need to access in DropBox; a change of clothes in case my luggage doesn’t arrive; an “essentials” toiletries kit with toothbrush, toothpaste, vitamins, and Ibuprofen; a couple of snacks and an empty water bottle. Having those essentials has seen me through layovers, delayed and canceled flights.

From Food & Travel Expert and Food Travelist Co-Founder, Sue Reddel
On Twitter: @shreddel

I never travel without travel compression socks. Not only do they help with circulation in your legs and feet on long flights they are also good for support for all those long walks we take when we’re in a new destination.

Our favorite way to explore is by walking. We sometimes walk over 20,000 steps in one day. While looking for new places to eat we find ourselves wandering down side streets and alleys. All that walking is terrific. The compression socks provide additional support and aid in a speedier recovery to have your feet and legs ready to walk again the next day.

You can read my full review of compression socks at Best Travel Compression Socks.

Another one of my travel tips and tricks is this travel accessory. I don’t leave home without is my Bose noise-canceling headphones. These are worth every single penny. They block out the noise of the airplane plus all the other noises that can grate on my nerves like loud talking passengers, noisy children, and seatmates who want to chit chat.

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In Things We Love

Best Mother’s Day Gift Canvas Prints

By Sue Reddel

Are you still looking for the best Mother’s Day gift for your Mom or someone who’s been like a mother to you? Read on for what we think is one of the most unique Mother’s Day gifts we’ve seen.

When you start thinking about your Mom and all she’s done for you and how you want to show her how much you care the choices get complicated. The easy choices are flowers or candy. Go online, order and you’re done. Your Mom gets a nice gift that doesn’t last very long but at least you’ve sent something she may enjoy.

How about sending a meaningful gift for Mom this Mother’s Day? What if you could order something just as easily and at the same time give your Mom something that she will cherish and love for years to come? We’re here to tell you, you can.

CanvasDiscount.com Photo Prints

We recently had the opportunity to test out the CanvasDiscount.com service for ourselves. Let me tell you that the process couldn’t be easier and the results exceeded our expectations. I ordered three photo canvases one for Diana’s Mom, one for Diana who’s the mother of our kittens and one for us from a favorite trip to Yellowstone National Park in Montana.

I couldn’t have been happier with the online experience. The entire process took less than 10 minutes. The difficult part was choosing the right photos that I wanted to turn into a gift. It’s a good idea to have the photos you want to use in mind before you start the process.

Yellowstone Canvas Print Best Mother's Day Git — Brings back great memories

For Diana’s Mom, I chose a shot of the three of us in Beijing. You may remember that memorable adventure we took a few years back. She talks about that trip often so having this print to look at every day is sure to put a smile on her face. What do you think of the results?

Best Mother’s Day Gift

The photos were delivered in no time in a secure box to ensure that the canvas prints arrived safe and sound. We’ve sent the print along to Diana’s Mom so she’ll get it in time for Mother’s Day. Shh! Don’t let her know so we don’t blow the surprise!

You can choose from all types of prints. Photos on canvas, acrylic, metal, and forex are available. They even offer an option to have your prints framed too.

CanvasDiscount.com has photo pillows and blankets if you want something different. Other fun products like personalized mugs, phone cases, mouse pads and puzzles with any photo you choose make great gifts for just about anyone.

If you’d like to order your own CanvasDiscount.com prints for your Mom or yourself we’ve got a super special promo code to get you started. You’ll get a FREE 8″x8″ canvas print from CanvasDiscount.com by using the code FOODTRAVELCANVA during your checkout. Easy peasy. We hope you all have a happy and memorable Mother’s Day!

Pin to your Mother’s Day Gift Idea Boards on Pinterest

Sue & Diana

Welcome to Food Travelist! We are Sue Reddel and Diana Laskaris. We travel the world to find unique spots away from the crowds. From Michelin-starred restaurants to tasty street food on a stick. We hope to bring the world just a bit closer together as we share a meal and learn about different cultures through food and drink.

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Many Cultures Coming Together

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Under the Sea…

Mall of America Food

But There’s More To Eat in Minneapolis

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Just Desserts

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60 Simple Thoughts on My 60th Birthday

Probiotics For A Happy Travel Tummy

What Are Probiotics?

Why We Like Align Probiotic

Give It A Try

Trust Your Gut

Unique Things To Do In Portland, Maine

The Victoria Mansion House Museum

Eastside Bayside Mural Walk

Portland Fire Truck Tour

Portland Art Museum

Bayside Bowl

Watch An Epic Sunset on East End Beach in Portland, Maine

Maine Brew Bus

L.L. Bean Store Visit

Soakology

Lucky Catch Cruises

Sunset at Sumner Park

Real Portland Tour

One More Thing

Food Travel Tips & Tricks

Cruise Tips

Travel Tips

CanvasDiscount.com Photo Prints

Best Mother’s Day Gift

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