My husband and I were so lucky to be able to run away to the east coast last month for a kid-free weekend. With only one night to spend in San Francisco, I couldn’t think of a better place to go than the 116-room boutique, Hotel Zetta. A hip San Francisco vibe embraces you as soon as you walk through the door and as you look around you can see this is going to be a fun place to stay. Sorry kiddos…
CLICK HERE TO READ ALL ABOUT OUR STAY!
I wanted to share 2 amazing subscription boxes that I’ve enjoyed using last month!
Box #1: Norlii June Box
I love a box that allows people to experience different cultures without having to leave their home. Norlii is a bimonthly Scandinavian Subscription Box shipping directly from Scandinavia, that features home decor and lifestyle accessories. The theme of this box was Tivoli, which is a 175-year-old amusement park located in the heart of Copenhagen, Denmark. The park features rides, attractions, beautiful gardens, and peacocks that roam free.
Want a peek at what was in the box?
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After attending the Women in Travel Summit, I was lucky enough to be chosen for a trip to the gorgeous coastal town of Rockland, Maine. We were going to explore the town through art galleries, restaurants, and local shops. While I was there, I got to stay in the breathtaking Berry Manor Inn. Located in a historic residential neighborhood, the inn is within walking distance to restaurants, shops, art galleries, and museums. It is also a quick walk down to the harbor.
I am always on the lookout for products that travelers will love and will make their travels easier. Come on…travel can be stressful, so anything that makes life easier is welcomed. Each month I will do a roundup of products I’ve found and test them out to see if they’re something I would actually use. This is actually May’s list, but I’m a few days behind because I’ve been stuck in bed for the last three days because of the mother-of-all kinks in my neck. Here’s what I found this month:
Arcopedico Shoes
WHY TRAVELERS WILL LOVE THEM: These are one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I own and I’ve been bringing them with me everywhere I’ve been traveling. They are lightweight so I can throw them in my carry-on and they are easy to remove when I’m going through security. They are also super cute and the grey color goes with everything. I normally wear a size 8 ½ and I got the size 40 but wish I’d gotten the 39 because it is a little big on me.
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One of my favorite events of my WITS19 conference was the Maine Brew Bus…shocking right?? This 3 ½ hour tour lets you have a guided tour and safe ride to visit three of Portland’s small producers of craft alcohol. We hopped on our 15-passenger bus and let the fun begin! Our guide, Don, and our driver, Ryan, were so much fun to spend the afternoon with! They both have so much pride in Portland and the positive effect these companies have on the community.
Our first stop was to RISING TIDE BREWING COMPANY. Inspired by the famous quote, “…a rising tide lifts all boats,” this was the perfect spot to get an introduction to the craft beer industry.
We got to taste four different beers while we were there.
Every once in a while, you discover a hidden gem that you are not sure you want to share with others. The Press Hotel is one of those finds. The Press Hotel is located in what was once the Gannett Building, housing the offices and printing plant of the Portland Press Herald, the state’s largest newspaper. The hotel nods their hat at journalists everywhere and makes you want to get out your laptop and start writing.
I had been wanting to visit The Press Hotel for years, and I finally had my chance to spend four luxurious nights here when I attended the Women in Travel Summit. One of the main reasons I was at this conference was for inspiration, and I couldn’t think of a better place because The Press emits a vibe that screams creativity…plus it will make you wish old-fashioned type writers were still popular.
Click here to read all about my 4-night stay at The Press Hotel.
Wilbur’s of Maine is a classic Maine staple, and during our media trip to Freeport we had the chance to tour their Freeport factory. I know, I know…it’s a tough job but somebody’s got to do it. After some arm twisting, we figured we’d take one for the team and force ourselves to go eat some chocolate…are you kidding??? We actually ran to the factory!
We started our tour learning a bit about Tom and Catherine, the founders of this this family-owned company, and their journey of building a successful chocolate factory. What kid in this world has not dreamed of candy-making as their career! Their son, Andy, took over the company in 2016 and has continued to make it one of the most loved candy shops in Maine. While learning about the company, we got to sample some tasty pieces of Heaven!
Read MoreOur two days in Freeport, Maine were jam-packed with fun experiences, and that was just a sample of what the town has to offer. Here are a few of my favorite memories:
CAFÉ AZURE: We had the best meal at Café Azure and we were so appreciative that they came in on their night off to have us experience the restaurant. I wish I could share the enticing aroma that greeted us when we walked through the doors. The restaurant has a classy, yet welcoming ambiance. The menu looked incredible (Take a peek at it HERE) but we were in for a special treat…a 5-course meal designed by the chef, and it did not disappoint.
We started our night with a tasty glass of champagne while we munched on some appetizers… garlic and herb frites and chickpea fritters with a honey aioli.
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In April, I had the privilege of attending a FAM trip to Freeport, Maine with six other travel writers. I headed to the Portland train station to meet six strangers and spend two days traveling with them. This could have gone completely bad, but it ended up being such an amazing experience with six fabulous women and I being spoiled rotten in the gorgeous town of Freeport.
One of my favorite experiences was a trip to Wolfe Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment. I’ve been going to Freeport for years and I can’t believe this hidden gem was right around the corner from my husband’s grandmother’s home that we would stay in. Wolfe Neck is a nonprofit farm with 626 oceanfront acres and 4 miles of Casco Bay shoreline that is open to the public every day. Although it is only a 10-minute drive from downtown, you’ll feel like you are miles from civilization. It is an amazing place to bring your family and visit the animals, have a picnic lunch, rent kayaks, go for a bike ride or take a hike.
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Before the Women in Travel Summit, I had the opportunity to spend the night in Freeport, Maine with 6 other travel writers from across the country. I could not have been more thrilled that the Harraseeket Inn would be hosting our stay. Having stayed there with my daughters once before, I knew we would be in for a treat! As always, the inn did not disappoint.
Click HERE to read all about my first stay at the Harraseeket Inn.
The location of the Harraseeket was perfect walking distance to our fun activities around town.
This time I stayed in a DELUXE KING WITH FIREPLACE AND WHIRLPOOL. The room was huge and so welcoming! The bed had a lovely quarter canopy bed with luxurious linens and pillows.
