Thursday, December 31, 2009

TOP 3 NEW YEAR'S TRAVEL RESOLUTIONS FOR 2010

My passport got a nice workout in 2009! I was lucky enough to jet set to some fantastic places including Buenos Aires, Argentina-Punta Del Este, Uruguay-Prague, Czech Republic- Toronto, Canada and Reykjavik, Iceland. I am now working on the destination list for 2010 which I hope will be as exciting. I am hoping to travel to many places abroad, but I would also like to get in some more U.S. trips as well. So with the new year almost here, I thought I'd share my personal Top 3 Travel Resolutions for 2010. My mantra is still the same- "travel more, but be smart about it!"

1- Travel to more "Off-the-Beaten Path" Destinations: It's always great jet setting to a big city, but sometimes it's cooler staying in a smaller town just outside of the city. It's a great way to get a better feel for how the locals really live, and it's a smarter way to travel because you can probably get a hotel for half the price.

2- Go Green When Making Travel Plans: Look for hotels that are Environmentally Friendly, or take a train to a destination instead of flying- it's better for the environment and it's smarter because you could end up saving money on your total travel costs.

3- Take More Road Trips: A Staycation is not really my thing- I like to get out there, but it doesn't always have to be by way of an airplane. Sometimes, hopping in the car and traveling to a new city or town can be just as fun- plus, with all the new airline fees, it may be smarter because it may end up being cheaper than flying.
Do you guys have any travel resolutions you would like to share with me? Please feel free to post a comment below...

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

WASHINGTON DC RESTAURANT WEEK

Listen up all my foodies and jet setters! Washington, DC Winter Restaurant Week has been announced for January 11-17, 2010. Almost 200 area restaurants in and around the DC area are participating and offering great deals. Here is what you'll get:
Lunch: $20.10 for a three-course fixed-price meal
Dinner: $35.10 for a three-course fixed-price meal
Beverages, gratuity and tax are not included.
Start making your reservations now! It's a great way to try some of the fancy, expensive restaurants in DC without breaking your wallet.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

GOTTA LOVE THE CITY OF BROTHERLY LOVE!

Philadelphia is a great city. I know because I lived there for four years. If you live in New York, it's an easy two hour drive- so it makes it a good place to jet set to for the weekend. Later in the week, I will post a to-do list that Rich and I created of where to eat and what to see in and around Philly. Right now I wanted to get you excited by sharing a deal I just found with you for a Philly hotel.
The Alexander Inn (located on 12th & Spruce- a great area!) is offering a winter special. From now through February 28th, all rooms are either $99 or $129 per night. The hotel looks more like an apartment building on the outside, but the rooms look nice and clean and the location of this hotel is great as is the cost. The deal includes a breakfast buffet as well! If you haven't been to Philly before, this a great way to check out a new city.

Monday, December 28, 2009

WORLD'S FRIENDLIEST COUNTRIES

Part of being a smart traveler to me, is being able to open your eyes and being willing to jet set to parts of the world you may have never considered before. Of course, a lot of research must go into planning a trip to make sure that where you are deciding to go is safe and welcoming for tourists. That being said, Forbes has just put out its list of the friendliest countries in the world, and Canada is still on the list, but not at the number one spot anymore. Check out the list and see if you have been to any of these places, and if there are any spots you may want to jet set to in the future. Please share your thoughts. The World's Friendliest Countries: 1. Bahrain 2. Canada 3. Australia 4. Thailand 5. Malaysia
6. South Africa 7. Hong Kong 8. Singapore 9. Spain 10. United States

Friday, December 25, 2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS READERS!!!

Merry Christmas to all of my readers!!! I hope you and your family have a wonderful day together. Whether you have jet setted somewhere to be with your loved ones this holiday, or have just stay put, I wish you nothing but love and happiness on this day. My Christmas wish is that Jet Set Smart continues to grow in the coming year, and that more of you readers will share your trip ideas and experiences with me the way I do with all of you. My sister-in-law and her fiance have jet setted to South Africa for Christmas. I know they are having a great time, and I will share pictures from their trip with all of you when they return. I have not jet set somewhere this holiday. I will be with my family today, eating some yummy Chinese food and watching the movie Avatar.
Rich and I are planning some exciting trips in 2010 that I will tell you more about very soon. Stay tuned for that. In the meantime, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
xo Lori

Saturday, December 19, 2009

FASHION FRIDAY: EAR FLAP HATS

When I jet setted to Iceland in November, I noticed that many people were wearing earflap hats to keep warm. Since it was chilly, my friend Laura and I went ahead and each bought a furry earflap hat from the popular store there for cold weather gear- 66* North.Their slogan is "Keeping Iceland Warm since 1926," and they live up to their words. They carry hats, gloves, scarves, coats, etc., and you see people all over Iceland wearing their stuff. My friend Laura and I couldn't resist when we saw almost every woman walking around downtown Reykjavik in one of these hats. It cost about $70USD for one, but we both wore ours the entire trip, and we figured, even if we never wear them again after leaving Iceland, who cares? We've gotten our money's worth.

Well, fast forward a month- and here it is now freezing in New York, and I'll tell you I have not taken this hat off! Walking around the city these days, you will see everyone (women, men, and even kids) wearing furry earflap hats. My sister told me that my 8 year old niece even wants one. So I went on a search to see what cute styles are out there and this is what I found:

1- Free People has this cute Faux Fur Hat: $68
2- TOPSHOP has a couple of cute styles and colors: Around $35













3- Forever 21 has this adorably cute Pom Pom beanie: $8.80
4- Eddie Bauer has a Faux-Fur Bomber Hat: $39.50
5- And for the kids...Gap has this cute Furry Trapper hat: $19.50
(Gotta find this one for my niece before X-Mas!!!)

Thursday, December 17, 2009

BEST AIRPORT DINING SPOTS

I don't know about you, but when I jet set somewhere I always get hungry. Whether it's before I get on the plane, or during a layover, I want something to eat at the airport, but sometimes the fast food joints don't cut it for me. I want a hearty meal that's halfway decent. So where should I go? Thanks to Food and Wine magazine (so glad I have a subscription- best investment ever!) I now know and wanted to share with all my jet setters. So if you are ever in any of these U.S. airports, just log onto Jet Set Smart and you'll find your suggestion for where you should eat in no time.

1- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: One Flew South This sushi restaurant is Atlanta's first upscale airport restaurant, complete with a menu created by chefs Todd Richards and Duane Nutter of The Oakroom at the Seelbach Hilton in Kentucky (Terminal E, near Gate G6).
2- Los Angeles International Airport: Encounter Restaurant At the center of LAX is the 1961 Theme Building, a freestanding structure designed to look like a flying saucer. It's home to this space-age restaurant, known for 360-degree views, stylings stolen from The Jetsons and California-style dishes like organic salads and mushroom ravioli with grilled asparagus (Theme Building).
3- Newark Liberty International Airport: Vino Volo This growing chain of cushy airport wine bars serves small plates of cheese, cured meats, olives, and dishes like chilled paella and duck-confit-and-lentil salad. The food is available to go, and you can also order wines you've tasted for home delivery (Terminal C, Gate 73).
4- Philadelphia International Airport: Chickie's & Pete's The Philadelphia airport recently overhauled its main food court, adding an outlet of this lively South Philly crab house known for its chowder, steak sandwiches and "crab fries," or French fries seasoned with crab-boil seasoning and served with a creamy cheese dipping sauce (Terminal A-West).
5- John F. Kennedy International Airport: AeroNuova JetBlue's Terminal 5 has nine full-service restaurants; the best is Aeronuova, an Italian restaurant created by New York City star chef Mark Ladner, with dishes like grilled Berkshire pork chops and warm radicchio bruschetta (Terminal 5, post-security).
6- George Bush Intercontinental Airport: Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen Like Louisiana, its neighbor to the east, Houston has its share of Cajun and Creole food. This regional chain serves gumbo, jambalaya, shrimp Creole and dirty rice (Terminal E, Gate 3).7- San Francisco International Airport: Anchor Brewing Company The famed San Francisco brewery's airport outpost serves the full range of its craft beers, including its Anchor Steam Beer, made using a unique brewing process that gives it the fruitiness of an ale and the rounded maltiness of a lager (Terminal 3, Gate 70). 8- LaGuardia Airport: Figs Post-security, LaGuardia's terminals offer very few food options. The most diverse selection can be found pre-security in the food court at the Central Terminal Building, where pizzas with toppings like fig and prosciutto (Central Terminal Building). 9- Miami International Airport: La Carreta The airport outpost of Miami's well-known Cuban chain is open 24 hours, serving favorites like pressed, portable French-bread sandwiches including the Cubano, made with roast pork, Swiss cheese and pickles, and the smaller medianoches ("midnight") made with ham, cheese and pickles (Terminal D, post-security). 10- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport: El Bravo Mother and daughter Carmen and Lorraine Othon's green-chile tamales have been drawing crowds to their El Bravo restaurant in Phoenix's Sunnyslope neighborhood for nearly 30 years. Now, Lorraine's daughter, Monique, serves those same tamales–prepared earlier that morning in the original location–at El Bravo's airport outpost (Terminal 4, near Gate D).
11- Logan International Airport:Bonfire This steakhouse in Boston's Terminal B and New York's JFK airport with dishes like fish tacos (Terminal B, American Airlines side, post-security).
12- Portland International Airport: Rogue Ales Public House The funky Newport, Oregon, brewery Rogue produces some of the best craft beers in the country; it also has five Rogue Ale Public Houses–the one in the airport has eight Rogue ales on tap and gastropub dishes like Kobe beef burgers topped with local Rogue Creamery cheddar (Concourse D, post-security). 13- Charlotte-Douglas International Airport: Yadkin Valley Wine Bar This forward-thinking wine bar offers flights, glasses and bottles from North Carolina's growing Yadkin Valley wine region, including producers like Shelton and RagApple Lassie vineyards–and they'll ship, too (in the connector hallway between Terminals D and E).
14- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport: Salt Lick The 40-year-old Driftwood, Texas, institution has brought its barbecue–most notably its supertender brisket–to Austin's airport (West Terminal across from Gate 12). 15- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport: Anthony's This regional restaurant chain in the Pacific Northwest is known for fresh local seafood and stunning views. The Sea-Tac location is no exception, with dishes like Puget Sound oysters and the Olympic mountain range as a backdrop (Central Terminal).
16- Washington Dulles International Airport: Five Guy's Both Terminals A and B have branches of this Washington, DC-based chain, which makes skinny, flavorful burgers and hand-cut fries to order and offers free peanuts (Terminal A, Gate 3; Terminal B, Gate 71).
17- Chicago O'Hare International Airport: Berghoff Café O'Hare's coolest quick dining option: This outpost of the restaurant was opened by German brewer Herman Joseph Berghoff in the 1880s. Beyond Berghoff's beer on tap and root beer, there are hand-carved roast beef, turkey and corned beef sandwiches and the house specialty: The Reuben (Terminal 1, Gate C26).
18- Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport: French Meadow Bakery & Café The Minneapolis original bills itself as the longest continuously running certified organic bakery in the country; the airport outpost serves baked goods like warm apple crisp as well as savory dishes such as pan-seared walleye with Minnesota wild rice (The Mall across from Checkpoint 1).
19- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport: Cousin's Barbecue As with the Charlotte, North Carolina, airport, your best bets at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport are barbecue and local wines. Cousin's offers Texas standards like smoked brisket, ribs, sausage and pinto beans (Terminal D, near Gate 28; Terminal B, Gate 27).
20- Denver International Airport: New Belgium Hub The Denver airport has half a dozen taverns featuring the state's microbrewed beers. This artsy bar and grill serves whole-wheat pancakes for breakfast, but also chicken sandwiches and oversize salads to pair with Fat Tire Amber Ale and other award-winning beers from New Belgium, a Fort Collins, Colorado brewery (Concourse B, Gate 80).




Wednesday, December 16, 2009

JET SET SWEETHEARTS: THE TIDES RIVIERA MAYA

One of my friends is getting set to walk down the aisle really soon. After the wedding, she and her fiance will be jet setting to The Tides in Riviera Maya, Mexico for their honeymoon. This is a beautiful and secluded resort that is described as the seductive resort counterpart of being invited to an exclusive private villa and stunning spa. This hotel is located on the Playa Del Carmen white sand beaches that spread out for seven miles. After the craziness of planning their wedding...this is where they'll get to relax while sipping Pina Coladas...And a honeymoon wouldn't be complete without a couple's massage in their gorgeous Maya Spa...Some of their villas come with private pools... And if you book one of their honeymoon packages, you will enjoy a bottle of champagne while dining by candlelight and overlooking the ocean...What most people don't realize about honeymooning in Mexico is that it's pretty easy to get to if you live in the U.S. From J.F.K. airport in New York City, it's only a 4 and 1/2 hour non-stop flight to Cancun. Once you arrive in Cancun, you can take a taxi- the drive is about 40 minutes.
There are two honeymoon package options at The Tides in Riviera Maya:
1- A Poetic Honeymoon Package:
- Six days and five nights in a Luxury Riviera Maya Villa with a private pool
- Round-trip transfers to and from the Cancun International Airport to Riviera Maya
- Daily Breakfast
- Fresh flowers upon arrival.
- 1 Asparalove massage for the couple in our special spa suite
- Good Wish Mayan Ceremony
- 1 Private, candle-light dinner in the villa
- 1 Bottle of Moet et Chandon for the private dinner

2- Timeless Honeymoon Package:
- Eight days and seven nights in a Luxury Riviera Maya Villa with a private pool
- Round-trip transfers to and from the Cancun International Airport
- Daily Breakfast
- Fresh flowers upon arrival
- 1 Asparalove massage for the couple in our special spa suite
- Performance of Good Wish Maya Ceremony
- 1 Private, candle-light dinner in the villa
- 1 Bottle of Dom Perignon for the first dinner
- Horseback riding for two
I can help you book your honeymoon package or vacation to The Tides in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Email me and let me know when you would like to jet set...

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

SKI THE POCONOS

Listen up my jet setting snow bunnies...it's already that time of year to ski the Poconos! Blue Mountain, Camelback, Jack Frost and Shawnee all opened this past weekend. For more info, visit Pocono Ski. Let me know where your favorite place is to ski.

Monday, December 14, 2009

ONCE AGAIN!

The Editor-In-Chief of Chic Galleria just told me my Aurora Borealis post about Iceland was just published AGAIN...this time in the Chicago Sun-Times! Thanks Chicago Sun-Times for making me smile on a Monday morning!

JET, SET, BEACH!

One of my favorite websites to shop from is Net-A-Porter. It's a luxury fashion retailer with super expensive stuff, but you can often find good sales. (That's only when I buy from them!) Net-A-Porter just sent me an email about Jet, Set, Beach!- saying there is great summer/beachwear in now if you are planning to jet set to a warm destination. The stuff at this point, in my opinion is too pricey to buy, but at least it's good for inspiration and to get an idea of "what's in" for this upcoming summer. I am loving the straw fedora, and the shape of the sunglasses is what all the stars are wearing these days. In fact, I think my mom owns a pair from the 60's that look just like that and I would always make fun of her for wearing them...how funny is that? I totally can hear her right now saying "I told you so!" :) Anyway, I thought the style was cute and the the email was adorably named...so I just wanted to share it with all of you jet setters! Are any of you jet setting somewhere warm this winter? Please do share.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

GAGA FOR GREECE

Usually this time of year we are running around like crazy trying to figure out what to buy everyone for the holidays. Instead of doing that, I've suggested to my family that we skip shopping for the gifts we don't really need and plan a vacation somewhere all together. I've always been gaga for Greece. So if and when I get the chance to jet set there, I would include the Cavo Tagoo Hotel on Mykonos as part of my itinerary. I’d set up shop on one of these comfy lounge beds and soak up the Mediterranean sun for hours while sipping on an exotic drink.
A little T.L.C. on vacation is always nice, especially when your hotel spa looks like this!
How about coffee and breakfast here every morning for a few days? I could definitely get used to that.

Check out their beautiful rooms...


I'm loving these sinks...how cool are they?


Some rooms even come with private eternity plunge pools overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Now doesn't this seem better than getting another gift card or sweater that you have to pretend you like when you really don't? Yes, it will cost more, but you will have memories of a trip that will last a lifetime.