Liz on Location

April 2011

Vienna, Austria

Coming Soon!

 April 2011

Cinque Terre, Italy

Coming Soon!

March 2011

Rocky Mountain High

I always look forward to the month of March.  It means springtime skiing in the Rockies with moderate temperatures and sunny skies.  This year we once again returned to ski at Vail.  The drive from Denver to Vail takes about an hour and a half and always psyches me up as I-70 winds its way through terrain so unlike what we find here in Wilmington. There was a lot of snow this year so I rented high performance equipment, hoping to leverage my own abilities on the slopes.  We skied at Vail for four days, enjoyed great conditions during the day and had delicious meals at night.  Vail is definitely on the top of my list of favorite ski resorts.  You can’t beat the number of ski trails and ski lifts, the selection of accommodations found in Vail, or nearby Beaver Creek.  Make a ski trip your next winter vacation – it’s a fantastic way for family or friends to exercise together and enjoy the great outdoors.  And don’t forget the Rockies are also fabulous in the summer.  Warm temperatures bring out hikers, fly fisherman, downhill biking, tennis, golf and a whole lot more. 

See you on the slopes next year!

January 2011

Caribbean Cruise

As 2010 ended and January was quickly turning into a cold month in Wilmington, NC, we had something warm to look forward to – a cruise.  We flew down to Fort Lauderdale to first visit family, then we joined our group for a week on Holland America's newest ship, Nieuw Amsterdam.  Port Everglades is a perfect cruise port because of it's close proximity to the Fort Lauderdale airport.  As we set sail in the late afternoon, we caught a glimpse of one of the world's largest cruise ships leaving port, Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas.  Whew, it was something to behold!  Our first group dinner and a highlight onboard the ship took place at the Pinnacle restaurant.  They delivered excellent service, delicious food and a festive, yet intimate atmosphere.

Making our way through the Caribbean, we stopped at the private island of Half Moon Cay.  This is a not-to-be-missed stop with its pristine beach.  In Grand Turk there was also a nice beach, great shopping and a super pool complex at Margaritaville!  At Georgetown, Grand Cayman we rented a car for the day and toured the island.  We made a stop at Pedro St. James National Historic Site to learn about life in the 1700s and 1800s in Grand Cayman.  It was an interesting stop and included a short film.  Since we were in the West Bay area, we stopped at well known tourist place called Hell before returning back to the ship.  In our last port of call, Costa Maya, Mexico, we took a taxi to the nearby fishing village of Mahahual.  Signs on the beach offered $20 massages under a shady palapa.  Instead, I took a walk along the coastline and did some retail therapy where the silver jewelry from Oaxaca presented quite a temptation! 

If winter time is not your season – take a week cruise and get a new lease on winter!

November 2010

Jamaica

Yea Mon-just got back from Couples Swept Away in Negril, along the west coast of Jamaica!  There is so much to do there if you want to be active.  There are plenty of land sports, such as daily tennis on ten well-maintained courts, or choose from a wealth of other fitness options.  Of course if you want water sports, it's all there.  From waterskiing, hobie cats, swimming pools, scuba diving, and snorkeling.  Even catamaran cruises are included with your stay!  Oh, did I mention the beach?  Yea mon.  It is stunning.  Turquoise waters and white sands by day with beautiful sunsets at night.  Perfect for long romantic walks...And don't forget your adult beverage full of all the flavors of the Caribbean!  This was a wonderful place to celebrate together.  Couples Swept Away exceeded my expectations and proved to be the perfect getaway.  Yea mon-it's irie.

October 2010

Universal Studios Orlando

Hello Fellow Travelers!  I just returned from a fun-filled trip to Universal Studios to check out their latest park addition:  The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  This theme park is within Universal's Islands of Adventure and brings the popular book and film series to life in a big way.  My journey began with Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey, a one of a kind attraction that takes you through all the highlights of Harry's world.  Next, I explored Hogwart's castle and wandered through the familiar shops of Hogsmeade.  After indulging in a delicious Butter Beer at The Three Broomsticks, I rode the Dragon Challenge twin rollercoaster and had the time of my life!  There is too much fun to list.  This is a not to be missed experience at Universal.  Take the kids...or don't!  Children and adults alike will have a blast. 

Traveler Tip:  Upgrade your park admission with the Express Pass so you can skip the lines.  It's well worth the additional cost because you'll get a lot more time on the rides!

October 2010

Bahamas

When I was offered the chance to check out some of Sandals’ amazing all-inclusive resorts in the Bahamas, I just couldn’t pass it up! My journey began with a short flight from Florida over Great Exuma, in the outer islands of the Bahamas. I was immediately blown away by the idyllic turquoise waters and white sand beaches. I had a great experience there at Sandals’ newest resort, Emerald Bay. They have tons of amenities. Golfers will enjoy their Greg Norman designed, par 72 championship course along the water. For avid tennis players like me, their six lighted, Har-tru courts do not disappoint. If you prefer to be on or near the water, they have a great scuba diving program and their own 150 slip marina!...Making my way to Nassau I visited Sandals’ Royal Bahamian resort. It has a European feel and has casino gambling nearby. The best part? Guests have exclusive access to their own private island! It’s a quick boat or kayak ride from shore and it has lots of fun amenities and leisure activities…with room for romance. This place is the perfect quick getaway spot just for adults…and it’s only a short flight from the East Coast!

September 2010

Turks & Caicos

I capped off my trip to the Bahamas with a quick stop in Turks & Caicos to check out Beaches, a Sandals family resort.  I had already read the great reviews and was delighted to find that there was something for everyone, especially families.  Their location on spectacular Grace Bay gives guests ideal access diving and snorkeling spots.  There are lots of activities and entertainment too so you'll never hear "I'm bored" ever again!

June 2010

Southwest U.S.

Our journey began in Fabulous Las Vegas, where we crossed the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River along the Nevada/Arizona border. Then we drove through the nostalgic little town of Williams, AZ on historic Route 66 where we hopped on the Grand Canyon Railway. The scenic beauty of Grand Canyon National Park was breathtaking. There were helicopters taking off every minute, filled with photo-snapping tourists from around the world. I think there were more foreign visitors than Americans! The next morning’s drive along the scenic south rim was punctuated by clear blue skies and bright sunshine, capping off a truly enjoyable trip to one of our great natural wonders. Next stop was the Glen Canyon Dam, the second largest dam on the Colorado River. We explored adjoining Lake Powell and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, both popular visitor attractions...Taking to the water for the next leg of our trip, we chose Colorado River Discovery to lead our half-day float trip down the river. Our rafting adventure departed in the scenic town of Paige, AZ and began with a two-mile ride through the Glen Canyon Dam access tunnel. Surrounded by the spectacular dam soaring 700 feet above us, we boarded a comfortable pontoon raft and headed downstream. Our fifteen mile journey along the calm waters offered dramatic views of towering canyon walls and even a glimpse of petroglyphs! It was truly a great day on the river!