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Happy Valentine's Day... (Photo credit: Јerry)

It is wonderful to celebrate love and take an extra moment to show that special person in your life how much you care. But how to do that becomes the question.

Restaurants offer special dinners and many people flock to them on Valentine’s Day. Yet that is the one day you will probably not get the best service or food. If you want to dine out, find a small restaurant that is not promoting the day  or a very high end restaurant that will not allow the volume to go beyond the capacity, one that requires reservations all the time.

A better option would be for whoever does the cooking to whip up a special dish sprinkled with your love. If cooking is not an option, pick something up and make a pretty presentation and dine in the privacy of your own home. When did romance involve 100 other people?

As a lover of chocolate I believe Valentine’s Day is a great excuse for more but for those who are not fans, find another sweet to express your love. Honey is the base of sweetness so stop by your local Greek restaurant and pick up some Baklava or make a honey cake or wow your love with Bananas Flambe.

Valentine’s Day gifts can create panic attacks and stress. For some women jewelry is always the answer for others a single rose is great. Look to history, what day was really special and what can you give to remind your love (male or female) how much you enjoyed that day? My husband usually turns up with balloons that sing, simple but he knows how much I love music and the love songs with the balloons or a stuffed animal just warms my heart.

Take Valentine’s Day to make a special point of saying ‘I love you’ and surprise your partner with a weekend away later in the month.  There are lots of place in Virginia for a weekend escape and at Hershey, February is Chocolate Month.

Whatever you do, remember that romance is what you want it to be and for each couple it is different.

Love and travel on!

Image via Wikipedia

The United States of America is a melting pot of culture, food, entertainment and deep in history like no where else in the world.

Take a trip to Plymouth MA, yes you can see Plymouth rock, but you can also experience the life of the pilgrims at Plimouth Plantation or head north and get the real story of the Salem Witch Trials, maybe even do some whale watching. Don’t forget to stop in Boston for some chowder and stop by Paul Revere’s house.

You can ski in Vermont and visit Mystic Seaport in Connecticut.

Mystic Seaport

Are you a foodie? Try a stop at the CIA in New York, one of the training grounds of today’s great chefs. It’s only a few hours from there to city that never sleeps, New York. Whether you want an over the top dining experience like Thomas Keller’s Per Se or an affordable but still gourmet meal at Bark Hot Dogs you will find something to make your mouth water. Don’t forget to find the museum of your choice and take in a broadway show or just hang out in Times Square.

The Lights of New York

The romance of the old west still lives, consider a trip to Dodge City Kansas, or ride in a covered wagon in Wyoming and get the feel of the brave pioneers of yesterday. Keep your hankering for the west alive with a trip to Colorado from rodeos to silver mines to some of the best skiing you can imagine.

Are you a music fan? Head towards Branson, MO the live music capitol and then drive to St. Joseph and hit the Pony Express Museum.

You can visit wineries all over this great country but visit Napa Valley in the spring and spend a day tasting some of the best.

There are many resources to figure out where to go and what to do. Books like Fodor’s and Frommer’s are great for planning. There are a lot of fun off the beaten path stops that will make you laugh or fill you with wonder.

Planning it yourself builds excitement, but can take time and often seem overwhelming. Travel agents can make the planning easier or even set you up with the perfect tour.

Spontaneous trips can be lots of fun or trouble. Plan ahead if you can, if you just want to get in the car and go, keep in mind a few things, weather, major holidays, events and where you will sleep.

We can all be pioneers exploring places we’ve never been, it may be just across the county line or across country, but it will enrich and enhance you in ways most of us never imagine.

Unique Travel Events is a full service travel agency with the firm belief that travel is medicine for the heart, mind and soul.

As a travel agent I encourage all my clients to plan their vacations and travel experiences as much as possible, and yes allow for that spontaneous lets go away for the weekend trip.

Here is a basic outline for planning your trip

1) Pick a date- Try to avoid major holidays as everyone else is traveling then which means crowded venues, longer travel time and more money. Traveling around personal celebrations can be a plus as hotels and restaurants often offer bonuses for the celebrant.

2) Decide on a budget- When people ask me how much it costs for a cruise, my response is anywhere from $199 to $80,000. So decide how much money you feel comfortable spending and add 10%.

3) Pick the type of vacation you want. Would you like to cruise, relax at a resort, explore a city, scuba dive, ride a camel, etc. This is often the hardest part of the process and when a good travel agent can help. Let your travel agent help you narrow down the options and provide the guidance that will fit your date, budget and interests. Part of what is where. You may have dreamed of an African safari, but visiting Kenya during the rainy season will be a disappointment.

4) If your trip includes leaving the USA, get a passport. While you can get away without it on certain cruises, there is still the chance of needing it if you have to fly back. Your photo id will not be accepted when trying to get back to the USA at the airport without a passport. A passport is good for ten years, except for children under 16. Visit the State Department website for the info you need and plan about 3 months in advance to be sure you have it on time. On the same note, many countries require Visas so before you pay for that plane ticket make sure you have ALL the proper documentation. The easiest way to do this is check with your travel agent or visit the official government site for that country. Also, make sure you have all the vaccinations and preventive medications you need. The CDC and local health departments are good resources. Be careful of clinics that try to scare you into spending hundreds of dollars unnecessarily.

5) Now you know when and where you are going. Deciding what to do once you get there is a big step in the process. Check out travel guides like, Frommer’s and Fodor’s and again your travel agent should be able to help with this. Some excursions and activities sound great but the reality can leave you feeling like you wasted your time. For some people the major attractions are the highlight of a day and for others its the out of the way hidden spots that complete a great experience. Know yourself and your traveling companions well enough to make the decision what is better for your trip.

Image by Vanessa (EY) via Flickr

6) Travel Insurance- Just about every travel professional, agents, suppliers, writers etc will tell you to get travel insurance. There are many options a couple of the most highly rated are TravelSafe and Travel Insured. They offer a variety of services. Insurance can mean the difference between losing $2500 vs $100. Most importantly, you want to know that if you get sick, you are covered and that is the main reason for using travel insurance. Even the state department recommends travel insurance to cover your health needs.

7) Packing for your trip- It’s getting close now and you don’t want to have to buy basics on the road, it’s pricey and often not what you really want. There are many sites that give advice about packing, even the cruise lines will help with that. Travelers Point has some good ideas, as does Universal Packing. Remember your camera, memory cards, film and adapters for electrical outlets if you are traveling outside the USA.

Medications- If you are taking any kind of prescription medication make sure you have at least 2-3 days additional with you. Even things like aspirin and ibuprofen are good to keep in your suitcase.

9) Who to tell- Yes tell your trusted neighbors and friends that you will be out of town. A good neighbor will know if something unusual is happening at your house and should call authorities. DON’T ADVERTISE YOUR TRIP ON SOCIAL MEDIA until you get back. It is just asking for trouble unless someone is at your house while you are gone or at least visiting everyday. For example, if you have someone coming to take care of your pets or water your plants then potential thieves are more wary.  This also means that you need to plan for the living things in your house that are not coming with you. If you bring your pet to the kennel, make sure they have room. During major holidays kennels fill up quickly.

10) Plan how you are getting to the airport or cruise port. If you are cruising arrive the day before (unless you can drive to your port in 4 hours or less) and stay at a hotel that offers free parking while you cruise or a shuttle to the port. Will you need a cab or private car to get you to airport from your house? How will you get to your destination after the flight arrives? Again this is where your travel agent can really be helpful.

The above is not a comprehensive list but a good guideline to keep your travel plan smooth and easy. I always hope for the best and plan for the worst.

Travel is medicine for the heart mind and soul. May your explorations fill you with wonder.

Unique Travel Events is a full service travel agency that specializes in custom trips and focuses on service.

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While the day before Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year, Dec. 19-Dec. 25 is the busiest week.  Also take into account that the last week of the year most children in the USA are off from school and this is the time often used for family vacations.

If you are traveling in the last two weeks of the year be prepared for crowds and plan for delays, as in addition to lots of people, weather is a big factor at this time of year. Keep snacks handy, especially for children. If you are flying remember you can’t take that bottle of water through security so put in your budget costs for water and maybe meals at the airport.

Buying travel insurance is an inexpensive way to have peace of mind and if needed save often thousands of dollars. Consider the flight delay that means paying more for the kennel for your dog or meals or hotel rooms, insurance covers that and more.

Exchanging gifts is a focus at this time of year. If you are flying anywhere think about what you will be carrying with you, onboard the plane as well as what you have to check. For many airlines checking even one bag will cost $25 or more. With that in mind, consider gift cards, small gifts or just buying online and let the companies ship for you. Many companies are offering free shipping which can save you money and headaches.

If someone is coming to visit you, think about what they have to carry back with them. Good things come in small packages.

Hitting the road will have its share of bumps as well. If you are traveling to a metropolitan area, get a feel for the traffic flow before you get in the car. Plan your trip to avoid rush hours and the ‘are we there yet’ question. Sites like Traffic.com and local radio stations online can give you a good heads up on the road conditions. Also, Weather.com gives you the ability to plan for what to wear based on temperatures and road conditions.

Are you looking for a last minute deal? Don’t keep your hopes up around the holiday season. During the holiday season, any city or beach that attracts tourists will often have lodging at costs of 10%-200% higher than normal. The deals are in places where most people don’t go at this time of year. In addition, the best places book early, sometimes as much as 6 months in advance, so even if you are willing to pay the price, there may not be a choice of where to stay.

If you like peace and quiet, no crowds, change your plans to travel in January or September through early December. Even if you are taking the children on a trip, if they are young enough missing a few days of school can be offset by the learning experience of being in a new country and meeting new people. Also, your costs will be lower and you will have less stress.

We hope you will have a wonderful holiday season whether hitting the road, riding the rails, sailing the waves or flying high or enjoying the comforts of home.

For baby boomers, wine was just that, red or white. But today, your grocery store offers a global collection of wines, including choices from the USA, France, Italy, Chile, South Africa, even Australia.

I’m sure we can thank classic tv chefs like Julia Child and Jacques Pepin who taught us that dinner can be more than steak and potatoes. It is only a natural extension from fine food to fine wine.

Believe it or not the USA is the 4th top wine producing country in the world. There are 4700 wineries in the USA. Most are in California, but every state has at least one. Virginia is the 5th top wine producer in the USA, with wineries throughout the state.

Wine tasting and winery tours have become popular excursions. There are even limo companies, like Virginia Wine Tours, offering tours so you can imbibe as you please and not worry about who’s behind the wheel.

Words like Sommelier and Oenophile have crept into our vocabulary, and who hasn’t heard of Merlot. But most of us are novices, myself included. When traveling its great to try new foods and new wines.  In fact if you travel then you have the incredible opportunity of trying new cuisines and local flavors that can be the icing on the cake of a great trip.

We often hear about wine pairings. This is when expert advice is really an advantage. Let the chef and sommelier at a restaurant work their magic. There is even an organization Food and Wine Pairing which helps to educate us. Why is it important? In the scheme of things this is not life altering but when we can get the most out of an experience we should. Pairings allow us to get the best flavor from both the food and the wine.

There is a ton of information available online and in the book stores. If you want a fun and educated view of wine try Drinkthistv.com. The Wine Bible is pretty highly rated for consumers who want to learn about wine.

Enjoy your travels and treat your tastebuds to all the delicacies the world has to offer.

If God forbade drinking, would He have made wine so good?
Cardinal Richeleu

Here with a Loaf of Bread beneath the Bough,
A Flask of Wine, a Book of Verse – and Thou
Beside me singing in the Wilderness -
And Wilderness is Paradise enow.
The Rubiyaiyat of Omar Khayyam
translated by Edward Fitzgerald

Do you have a great wine story, a wine that you just can’t live without or a bit of education on wine? Let us know, we’ll share the knowledge and give you credit (with your permission of course) Photos and videos are welcome.

Unique Travel Events is a full service travel agency. Call us at 703-986-0934 for all your travel and vacation needs.

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Family owned restaurants are often missed opportunities. While many are of mediocre quality and service as they were started as ‘gee I can cook’, without understanding service or what it really takes to run a restaurant. But many have unique and interesting menus and are more than willing to accommodate a special request. One of our favorite’s is Giorgio’s in Dumfries/Montclair. The service is warm yet efficient and the food consistently very good. The family history with food and wine is impressive and as was said in a famous tv show, ‘where everybody knows your name’.

The new thing is gourmet fast food, with the idea that eating a quick meal doesn’t mean eating something of bad quality prepared by a machine. Bark in Brooklyn has gotten many accolades for their fresh and high quality approach to ‘fast food’.

This blog came to mind after eating at Fogo de Chao last night. We had planned to be at Zatyinya (another nice restaurant) with our son and his girlfriend but got stuck on 95 for almost an hour. Having reached the point of no return (past all the Virginia exits) we decided to eat in DC anyway. Fogo de Chao was relatively close and we had been there before. I forgot how good it is. Not only do you have the free flowing high quality steak, ribs, chicken and lamb but the salad bar is amazing, as it includes smoked salmon, among other delicacies. Most of all the service impressed me. We were catered to by about 4 or 5 people but never felt pressured and everyone was pleasant. The restaurant was not empty.

Food is more than nutrition, it is an opportunity to excite the senses and most importantly share the experience with friends, family and even strangers who enrich our lives.

Unique Travel Events is a full service travel agency with a focus on SERVICE and providing experiences that are designed for each client, whether its skiing in the Alps, taste testing NYC or sunning in Cancun just to mention a few.