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Travel Tips for Easy Travel Planning

By Christina Thomas 4 Comments

Travel Tips for Easy Travel Planning with GoEpicurista.com

Let’s Talk Best Travel Deals, Travel Apps, Loyalty Programs and More Travel Tips from the #JustHaves Twitter Chat

Travel is in my blood. Born in the Hospitality industry to a travel agent mom and part of it professionally for over 20 years, I’ve had one foot on a plane, hotel, restaurant, or cruise ship for most of life. When the talented on-air personality and lifestyle expert Justine Santaniello of JustHaves.com invited me as a guest on her Twitter Chat to talk about travel, saying I was thrilled is an understatement. My mission at GoEpicurista.com is to inspire you to #MakeSomedayHappen one delicious bite, sip and trip at a time, so I appreciate any opportunity to share tips that will help you GO enjoy life today and not postpone traveling, or going to a fabulous restaurant or doing whatever it is that makes you happy to an elusive “someday”.

The one hour chat with Justine and the #JustHaves community went by in a flash with great questions, tips and comments rapidly popping up on my screen. My friends know it’s difficult to shut me up when the topics of travel, food and/or wine come up, so you can imagine it was tough to edit myself to one answer per question, at 140 characters or less. I must also apologize if I missed responding to any comments as I was chatting from my current post in paradise – i.e. Turks and Caicos – where it’s absolutely lovely but the WiFi, as everything else on the island, is on what we affectionately call “Island Time”.

Travel Tips for Easy Travel Planning with GoEpicurista.com

Ready to talk travel on #JustHaves Twitter chat

Below are the questions I received during the chat with a bit more information than 140 characters allowed. Do you want to know when to get the best travel deals? What to do with your frequent flyer miles and reward points? What apps and travel sites I use to plan my travel? What the best times of year to travel to different destinations?Then read on. I hope these travel tips will make your travel planning easier, so you can GO enjoy your next adventure. And, if you have any other questions, please ask away, just don’t be surprised if you get a multiple part answer.

Please do keep in mind travel tips are subjective to your tastes and preferences. You may choose to ‘rough-it’ with couch-surfing and hostels or go all out with luxury 5-star hotels. There’s nothing wrong with either option. You will find me somewhere in the middle. I like comfort and luxury but only splurge on one-of-a-kind experiences. I like to find deals and plan my trips to get the max out of my time in a destination. My travels are usually guided by the thought “I can sleep later”, however I do leave some room for relaxation and off-the-cuff spontaneity in my itineraries. Most importantly you have to leave room for the unexpected. These tips all come from my travel experiences which may be different from yours which is what makes travel so much fun to talk about.

Travel Tip:

Always know what type of traveler you are getting travel tips or reviews from and whether it aligns with your own travel style. Your expectations may not be the same. @LisaCroccoPR and I are on the same page when it comes to packing in the fun on a trip.

@GoEpicurista that's the only way to do it! I'll sleep when I'm home. #JustHaves

— Lisa Crocco (@LisaCroccoPR) September 10, 2015

1. When can you find the best travel deals? Is there a certain time of year?

Be Flexible.

Travel deals exist year-round – the key to getting them is being flexible.

Travel when others don’t.

Follow the law of supply and demand and go during low demand.

    ^ Travel on off days – usually Tuesday & Saturday and off times. Peak demand is on Friday after 5pm.

    ^ Travel during the low season for your destination of choice, to get the best deals.

    A1b Low Season is best time to visit any destination. Less Crowds + Great #Travel Deals. #JustHaves

    — Christina Thomas (@GoEpicurista) September 10, 2015

    ^ You may consider low season as being the least desirable time to visit, however that is not usually the case. It just means the main reason visitors choose that destination is not at its peak demand. A family destination is most popular when the kids are on school breaks and tends to drop in demand when school starts.

    For example, you can find great deals with substantial savings for my hometown of Orlando, Florida in the month of September, once the kids have returned to school. The weather is nicer and there are less crowds at the theme parks too. Those that homeschool their children often take advantage of this.

    A tropical destination is most popular when it’s chilly elsewhere. To take advantage of low season deals in this case, visit a tropical destination with the kids in the Summer and you get a much better deal than Winter.

    ^ The low season deals with hotels depend on the type of hotel. A meeting hotel’s slowest months are usually during Summer when companies and professional associations hold back on hosting conventions. On the other hand, this is when family resorts are at their peak and most expensive. To get the best travel deal, evaluate your priorities. The hotel’s amenities vs. the destination’s activities. For example, you can get a great room rate at an Orlando meeting hotel during Summer and still enjoy Disney and all the theme parks at a fraction of the cost of staying at the theme park resorts. If you will be at the parks all day, the fact the hotel doesn’t have a lazy river or a kids club may not be that important. Again, it’s all about your priorities. On the same note, a city hotel in a financial business district will have better rates on weekends vs. weekdays.

    A1a: Best Weather = Lots of Crowds + Most Expensive #Travel. Evaluate priorities. Be Flexible for best deals! #JustHaves

    — Christina Thomas (@GoEpicurista) September 10, 2015

One of the most often asked questions whenever I mention low season travel is “What if low season equals poor weather season?”

    This could often be the case as the best weather always equals higher demand. However, it may not mean the weather is poor during other times of the year. Research your destination to find out average temperatures during your travel dates.

    ^ Usually best weather = most crowds & most expensive travel so again, evaluate your priorities.

    Travel Tips for Easy Travel Planning with GoEpicurista.com

    Lots of Beach Umbrellas during High Season at Grace Bay Beach in Turks & Caicos and they will all be in demand

Low Season Destinations

    ^ Low Season Travel to the Caribbean for best air and hotel deals is late Summer, in August and September. Temperatures will definitely be hotter but if you are planning to be at the beach or pool all day that may not be an issue. Plus, you do get fewer people to fight for beach chairs and umbrellas.

    Many on the chat mentioned they love cruise vacations and I agree. I find them to be the most relaxing and ‘most bang for your buck’ vacation package. You pack and unpack once, you see multiple destinations without flying or driving to get there, everything is in one place and there is plenty to do, or not do, based on your preferences.

    ^ For Caribbean Cruises, the best deals are found for the week or two before or after holidays and during Hurricane Season, primarily September – November. Sign up for your favorite cruise line’s newsletter to be alerted to hot deals. I also use CruCon.com to find cruise deals on all the top cruise lines.

    I have been taking Caribbean cruises, at savings of over 50%, during the month of September for almost 10 years and have never had any major issues with poor weather or hurricanes. As long as you are flexible, go ahead and take your chances. However, you must be ok if your cruise gets cancelled or the itinerary is changed to avoid the weather conditions. Cruise ships, especially the larger ones, are very good at charting a course to avoid bad weather. If it rains, find an indoor activity, there are plenty aboard a ship.

    The chances of a hurricane or tropical storm in some Caribbean destinations is lesser than others. Check the Hurricane Center to see how hurricane season is shaping up, book last-minute – 3 weeks or less, be a bit adventurous and again, flexible, if you have to change plans.

    ^ For Europe, the best travel deals are found for November – March, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

    ^ For Mediterranean travel, go during Spring in April – May, or Fall in September – October. It’s beautiful!

    @FuorITinerario who plans small custom itineraries to help you Discover Your Italy, suggested traveling in the Spring as well. However, @LaneyLiner visited Italy with them in July and thought it was amazing. So you see, there is never one right answer. There is only the right answer for you.

    @LaneyLiner thanks for your support @JNSantaniello I would go for spring … let's talk more over direct message #italyinsidertips

    — Discover Your Italy (@fuorITinerario) September 10, 2015

    ^ For ski destinations, the best deals are found last-minute when snow comes early before season starts or if snow continues after season’s end date.

    ^ A word of caution on Low Season Travel: Check the schedule for attractions on your “Must Visit” list as closures are common during the slowest times of year. This may be a deal-breaker for you to go during low season but on the other hand you may not care about those attractions that are closed.

    In Turks & Caicos, during the month of September, I have found many restaurants, hotels and attractions closed for refurbishment this time of year, however, there are no crowds so the beaches are practically deserted for an amazingly relaxing time.

Travel Tips for Easy Travel Planning with GoEpicurista.com

Low Season at Turks and Caicos and Grace Bay Beach to ourselves!

For the Best Travel Deals just remember: Be Flexible, Book Last Minute, and Go in Low Season.

2. What are the best locations to visit in the Winter vs the Summer?

Evaluate Your Priorities

    ^ The most important consideration when travel planning are your priorities. What do you want to get out of your trip? Do you want to relax? Do you want to explore? Is there a particular attraction you want to visit? Will you spend a lot of time in your hotel enjoying the amenities or will you be out sightseeing all day?

    ^ Don’t pay for what you won’t need or use. A luxury resort with lots of amenities is fantastic if you plan to relax and chill out all day. On the other hand, if all you need is a bed and a clean room to sleep in after a long day of sightseeing, why spend all that money on the extras of a resort? If you don’t play golf, don’t pay high prices to stay at a golf resort.

    I am not a fan of crowds when I travel, which is why I’m a big proponent of low season bookings. Obviously, some types of travel require better weather than others and that will limit your options but there are always alternatives.

    ^ Visit a ski resort during Summer and enjoy fantastic hiking and other nearby activities at a fraction of the cost. For example, visiting Mt. Hood outside of Portland, Oregon in July is simply breathtaking.

    ^ When escaping the weather GO to the opposite hemisphere. Visit South America in Summer & enjoy their Winter. Argentina and Chile are quite beautiful during Winter.

Travel Tip:

Write down the top three things you must see, do and eat during your trip and plan around those activities. What are the top 3 features or amenities your hotel must have? If you make your travel plans to satisfy those top 3 things, then you will be happy and anything else is icing on the cake!

What are your favorite travel destinations?

    ^ My favorite Summer Travel destinations are the Caribbean, Oregon and taking Road Trips around the USA. @FocusOnYou agreed mentioning her favorite California road trip in the summertime. I love the drive from San Francisco to Sonoma, Napa and the wine country area as well as the drive along the Pacific Coast Highway to Oregon and Washington State. Simply a gorgeous view of the USA. My next road trip destination will be Savannah because I hear there’s plenty to eat, i.e. I mean do, there.

    My hubby and I do a CA road trip every yr. One yr w/ friends, this yr w/ my mom. Good times. Big Sur, Wine Country, SF. #justhaves

    — The Focus On You (@focusonyou_) September 10, 2015

    ^ I am not a big fan of cold weather so I enjoyed visiting Singapore during late Fall, early winter, as their weather is quite consistent year round. It is warm and humid but the country is spectacular. We stayed at Marina Bay Sands which is one of the most spectacular hotels in the world and well worth the splurge.

    Travel Tips for Easy Travel Planning with GoEpicurista.com

    Some hotels are a must! Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands is one of them.

3. Do you have any favorite apps or sites that help to plan a vacation?

So many travel sites and apps out there, and so little time to use them all. I am always searching for the best ones and right now, these are the ones I use most often:

Tourism Offices / Visitor Bureaus

    ^ When travel planning, always visit the Tourism Office or Visitor Bureau website for the city or country you are visiting. It will give you the best overview of your destination and provide a starting point on deciding where to go, where to stay, where to eat, etc. For USA Travel, go to DiscoverAmerica.com.

Booking Sites

    ^ To research and compare prices on air travel, hotel and car rental, I use KAYAK because it lets you filter your search based on the amenities you want and then you can book directly with the company you want, which is always prefered.

    ^ Rates are very similar across the board for the various third-party booking sites – Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Hotwire, Priceline, Trip Advisor, etc. so pick whichever one you like best. I don’t use them often as they tend to have many restrictions and making any changes and getting refunds is difficult. Plus, I find you often get better perks with the airline or hotel if you book directly. These sites are best for last-minute travel bookings, if the deal is better than what you can get booking directly. Always, remember to read the fine print.

    ^ For car rental in the USA, I have booked great deals, saving hundreds of dollars, using ‘hot rates’ with Hotwire.com. You select the type of car you want but don’t know which car rental company will be booked until after you make your purchase. Most big name car rental companies that Hotwire uses – Enterprise, Avis, Alamo, Thrifty, etc. – all have the same type of cars and service. I select ‘mid-size’ category and chances are I’m going to get one of four or five car models, regardless of the rental car company used.

    I don’t recommend booking blind for hotels as hotel amenities and standards of service can vary widely. The star rating system used for hotels is not a guarantee. You can find fantastic 3-star hotels and terrible 5-star ones on these sites. Hotel location is also more important. One mile away into a less desirable neighborhood can make all the difference in your stay.

Review Sites

    ^ To get a feel for how a hotel, attraction, or restaurant is I use Trip Advisor combined with lots of common sense to ignore the crazy rants and rankings. Trip Advisor is the largest review site in the world and now they are also one of the largest travel booking sites as well. It is very helpful to read about others experiences and this usually gives you a good idea on whether you would like it or not, however there are some serious rants on this site that you must ignore. The review from the lady complaining there was too much sand on the beach and actual fish in the ocean comes to mind. Can you believe it?! Rankings on Trip Advisor are based on popularity, how many reviews a business receives and guest satisfaction, rather than quality. I have seen many hotels and restaurants be higher ranked than others of better quality so I don’t pay much importance to the rankings. I look at the reviewer’s profile and see if they match mine. When it comes to travel, our expectations are all different and whether a business meets those expectations is just as much based on the reviewer’s eye as it is on the business. This is the case on any review site like Yelp for restaurants and retailers and Cruise Critic for cruises, which I use as well.

Trip Itineraries

    ^ To organize my itineraries, I use TripIt. A free app that will automatically store any tickets you purchase based on the email confirmation sent to your registered email address. The paid premium version provides flight alerts and a few other bonuses. It’s nice to have everything in one place and it works offline in case you don’t have WiFi.

Events Calendars

    ^ When I travel, I like to go to local special events, especially foodie events like food festivals, wine dinners and tastings. To find out what is happening in any city, google “X city calendar” to find the various sites with local calendars.

    ^ Eventbrite is a good source to find a variety of events, from conventions, workshops, festivals to concerts, which you can search by type and location. This site also allows you to purchase your tickets and will send you reminders.

    ^ Local Wine Events is a great resource to find wine events and festivals around the world. You can subscribe to alerts for the city of your choice as new events are added regularly.

Travel Deals

    ^ For travel deals and great travel tips, check out JohnnyJet.com. He publishes a great newsletter you can subscribe with daily travel tips.

    ^ I have found some great last-minute travel deals on TravelZoo, including their top 20 and their local deals for events, restaurants and attractions. Subscribe to their email alerts for your city of choice.

Hotel Alternatives

    ^ For a place to stay, don’t be afraid of booking alternatives like AirBnB and VRBO. I have found some fantastic places on these sites at a fraction of the cost of a hotel. Plus, you get a more “local” experience staying in this type of setting. Do your research, talk to the owner and check out the reviews before booking. Keep in mind cancellations for these sites is stricter than hotels. Lastly, do not expect hotel amenities and services. You will not have housekeeping, room service or valet. If those are important to you, then those sites are not for you. It is always about YOUR priorities.

Travel Inspiration

    ^ I am an avid fan of Instagram – you can find @GoEpicurista here – and have found it to be a great source for travel inspiration and foodie finds around the world. Search the hashtag (#) and the name of city or country you’re interested in. The #InstaTBN feed has awesome posts from Travel Bloggers around the world. In some countries, Instagram is more widely used than Facebook or the web. In the Dominican Republic, for example, you can find the best restaurants and dishes to order by following food bloggers on Instagram. One of my favorite sites there is @TheFoodLifeofDR. A picture is worth a 1,000 words.

    ^ I wholeheartedly agree with @LisaCroccoPR using Pinterest when travel planning. It is an awesome resource for inspiration and to organize your resources, articles and posts you may want to refer to. I like to do boards for destinations I plan to visit. Just be prepared to be on there for hours because Pinterest is like Target. No one can go in and only buy, or pin, one thing.

    .@Pinterest has been awesome for searching vacation tips & places to go/things to do! Plus it has pics! #JustHaves https://t.co/EatyfXAPiB

    — Lisa Crocco (@LisaCroccoPR) September 10, 2015

Road Trip Planner

    ^ On my travel bucket list is to take more road trips and during the chat, @LisaCroccoPR also recommended RoadTrippers.com as a source for road trip map planning and inspiration. I checked it out and can’t wait to use it to plan my next road trip.

    A3) I use @Roadtrippers for road trips! It gives you awesome places en route of your destination. #JustHaves https://t.co/qoZx1uxwCU

    — Lisa Crocco (@LisaCroccoPR) September 10, 2015

4. Do you recommend using a travel agent?

Having grown up in a travel agency, I have seen the many changes in this business. We have so many options to research and book our own travel online that travel agents may seem obsolete. However, I’m a big proponent of using travel agents in these situations:

    – When going to a new destination you may not be familiar with,
    – For multi-city itineraries and extended travel,
    – For action-packed itineraries,
    – When looking for unique travel experiences
    – When traveling with a group.

Their expertise will help you make the most of your time and resources and reduce the stress of planning. Their booking fee, if any, is minimal compared to the customer service you receive from the reputable firms.

A few things to keep in mind:

    ^ Look for Travel Agents that specialize in the destination you are going to.

    ^ Avoid Travel scams by using ASTA American Society of Travel Agents. You can also check their Better Business Bureau ratings. Never pay for travel in cash or with a debit card, always use a credit card. If an offer appears too good to be true, it most likely is!

    ^ Always confirm your travel arrangements directly with the hotel or travel vendor booked to ensure they have your reservation, before you arrive. If there are any issues with the travel agent, you are in a better position to rectify it while still in your home country.

5. How can we find free activities and travel deals at our destination?

    ^ Search the website for the City/State/Country Visitor’s Bureau or Tourism Office.

    ^ Search the city Chamber of Commerce website and find out what the locals are doing.

    ^ Search “Free Events” and the name of the city.

6. How do you know if you will need a rental car?


This depends on your itinerary, what places you want to visit and what public transportation is available.

Evaluate the Area

    ^ Use Google to search the city public transportation website and Google Maps to see distances and chart your course. You can then save your map to use later during your trip. I use google for everything and @EinnaHarrison asked what was life before Google. I can’t remember but I know it involved paper maps and it was not nearly as fun and stress-free.

    @JNSantaniello @GoEpicurista @google life saver google maps. Life before? #justhaves

    — EinnaHarrison-Mellon (@EinnaHarrison) September 10, 2015

    ^ A rental car is needed in certain big cities, like Los Angeles and Miami, where you will likely be visiting different areas of the city over long distances, and public transportation is not as easy to use. Rental cars are also your best choice if you are looking to take day trips outside the city limits.

Let Others Drive

    ^ For better sightseeing, let others drive. I am a big fan of public transportation. In Berlin, taking the city bus #100/200 would take you on a loop around the entire city, passing by all the major attractions, for the cost of a day ticket. When you need a taxi, if Uber is available, use it.

Rent Only When You Need It

    ^ Depending on your itinerary, you may not need to rent car for your entire stay. Only rent for days when sightseeing. There is no sense in paying for a car to sit in the hotel parking lot while you are relaxing at the beach all day, especially if you don’t get a price break for multiple days of rental.

Don’t Forget Parking

    ^ Don’t forget to factor the cost of parking at the hotel and around town. In some cities, the cost of parking will be much more than the cost of the car. These fees can add up quickly! And when parking in meters on the street, always put extra money in. It is easy to underestimate the time you will be in a particular spot when you are sightseeing and the cost of a parking ticket is much more the few extra dollars you put in the meter. Sadly, this too I learned from experience!
Travel Tips for Easy Travel Planning with GoEpicurista.com

LA traffic. Avoid the taxis & get a rental car

7. What are your favorite destinations for family trips vs. romantic trips?

For Family Travel:

    ^ For Multi-generational Family Travel, choose destinations with lots of activities to satisfy everyone. It’s important for everyone in the group, from kids to grandparents, to be able to do things on their own as well as together. Please don’t plan an itinerary where you are together 24/7. This also applies to groups of friends traveling together. Cruises are one of my favorite type of vacation for groups and families.

    ^ For Travel with Kids, resorts with a Kids Club and kid’s activities are the best. They are worth the additional fee as they allow the kids to enjoy kid-appropriate activities and give the adults the time to relax on their own without worrying about where the kids are.

For Romantic Travel:


My philosophy on Romantic Travel is simple: Warm weather = less clothes. Cold weather = more snuggling. It’s a Win/Win so take your pick.

    ^ My favorite type of romantic travel involves a beach, a bottle of bubbly and a candlelit dinner. The Caribbean is perfect for this. Bora Bora is on the bucket list too, which was a popular destination on the chat.

    #borabora is our bucket list trip! #justhaves

    — Justine Santaniello (@JNSantaniello) September 10, 2015

    ^ Go somewhere new & explore together. It will provide a shared first experience that you will both be able to talk about.

    ^ Go somewhere meaningful, like where you first met. It is always nice to go back to a place that has special meaning to you to rekindle the spark of romance.

    ^ Any travel destination can be romantic if you do something you both enjoy. Don’t drag him to museums if he’s an outdoorsman. Don’t go to wine tastings if he’s a beer guy. And please, if your girlfriend or wife’s idea of camping is more like ‘glamping’, for the sake of your relationship don’t take her to place in the woods to sleep on a tent without access to a shower. Trust me on that!

8. How far in advance should you book your hotels and flights?

This is one of the toughest travel questions because it is a constant moving target. Just when you think you have it figured out, things change.

For Booking Flights

    ^ Try to book three months out. Many say that the best deals are found on Tuesday afternoon, and in some cases especially for more intricate travel, calling the airline and booking on the phone may get you better flights and seat assignments than booking online.

    ^ When booking air online, use a different IP address to search and then book. This is a strange thing but I have confirmed it that searching and then going back to book will in some cases result in rate increases.

For Booking Hotels

    ^ If you are traveling to a city during high season or a big event, then book as far in advance as possible. You can always cancel later if something better comes up. Just make sure you look at the cancellation and deposit policy before you book. I once booked a hotel with a 30 day advance payment requirement.

    ^ Hotels will often offer last-minute deals to fill rooms. Unless your heart is set on one specific hotel, wait to book and call the hotel directly instead of their 800 number. Again, it pays to be flexible.

    ^ Don’t drive yourself crazy with rate changes and rate comparisons. Do your research, pick a reasonable price within your budget and book. You can set up price alerts on the booking sites if you want but clear those alerts after you book or they will drive you crazy.

Travel Tips for Easy Travel Planning with GoEpicurista.com

The Infiniti Pool at the top of Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands is worth booking in advance

9. How can we best utilize our frequent flyer and hotel points?

A9a “Buy Low Sell High” Earn points on low-priced flights/hotels, use for high-priced perks. #Travel #JustHaves

— Christina Thomas (@GoEpicurista) September 10, 2015

Buy Low Sell High

    ^ The advice for the stock market is also true for frequent flyer and loyalty rewards programs: “Buy Low Sell High” Earn points on low-priced flights and hotels and redeem them for high-priced perks. For example, Marriott Rewards can be earned at their 16 hotel brands. Points earned on their value brands like Courtyard or Fairfield Inn & Suites can be redeemed at luxury brands like JW Marriott or Ritz Carlton as they are part of the same program. It requires a bit of planning and strategy, like the stock market, due to tier systems but it is doable and can lead to greater value for those points.

Capitalize on Rewards Partners

    ^ Always look at rewards partners and global airline alliances (OneWorld, Star Alliance) that can earn you points and miles towards a program you are already a member of. For example, Diners Club Rewards points can be converted to Marriott Rewards points.

Use Travel Credit Cards

    ^ Use a travel credit card for all purchases and earn points for purchases you already make which you can redeem towards travel. Just make sure it is a card you can pay off your balance each month as interest fees will negate the savings. I use the BarclayCard Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard which offers cash back as credit on my statement, you earn double points on all purchases, has no foreign transaction fees which is important when traveling internationally and has a low annual fee of $89 which is waived in your first year. The sign up bonus on most of these credit cards is often enough for one airline ticket. Some avid travel hackers are known to apply for different cards each year to make the most of sign up bonuses.

Sign Up for All Rewards Programs

    ^ Always sign up for the rewards program for every airline, hotel, cruise line, car rental you use, even if you don’t think you will use them again. It doesn’t cost anything to sign up and earn those miles/points and you may be able to combine them with other rewards programs.

Be Loyal

    ^ Try to use the same hotel chain, airline and cruise line as often as you can. Consider the cost comparison of those you have rewards with vs those you do not as it may be worth a slight increase in initial spend to earn the additional miles / rewards.

Always Ask

    ^ Ask hotels and car rentals if they accept other rewards programs. They may have reciprocal agreements or they may provide alternative perks to make up for not having rewards points to give you.

Use the web

    ^ One of my favorite websites for information on travel rewards programs is The Points Guy Getting the most out of all the rewards programs out there requires a lot of planning and strategy. This site is a great resource to do just that.

Travel Hack

    ^ Travel rewards can be earned on the ground without ever setting foot on a plane. Chris Guillebeau, author of The Art of Unconformity, founder of World Domination Summit and creator of The Travel Hacking Cartel, and all around super nice guy, has traveled to all 193 countries in the world and has picked up quite a few pointers to travel cheap. If you want to plan an around the world trip spending the least amount of money, this is a great website to check out. It’s all about strategy and membership to the cartel will show you how.

How long should you hold your miles? Should you save them?

    The answer to this depends on the type of rewards program you have and whether the miles/points have an expiration date or not. It also depends on what your travel plans are in the future. If you are planning a big overseas trip you may want to save up. International flights and hotels are the ones you want to use those miles/points for to get the most bang for your buck.

10. How can we plan a great staycation?


Staycations are a great way to enjoy your hometown and take a little getaway break without the high cost of travel. Every town has something noteworthy to see, do and eat and sadly many people never go out to enjoy these things even though they are in their own backyard.

Subscribe

    ^ Join email lists of your favorite resorts, attractions and restaurants in town. They often send out offers and last-minute deals that you can take advantage of.

Be A Tourist

    ^ Be a tourist in your backyard. Pick one day a month to visit a popular attraction, museum, or historical site and pretend you are visiting from out-of-town. You can even come up with a fun city you can you tell people you are from.

    ^ Take a weekday off and go explore like a tourist while everyone is at work. It feels different being off work during the week vs the weekend. Obviously, reverse this advice if you normally work weekends.

Get a Day Pass

    ^ Book spa services or a round of golf at a luxury resort and get a day pass to use the facilities for the day. You can enjoy the pools, amenities and restaurants to recharge your batteries for the day at a fraction of the cost.

Make a Night of it!

    ^ Luxury hotel restaurants often have special room rate packages. Go out to a nice dinner and make a night of it!
Top 9 Tips to enjoy Visit Orlando Magical Dining Month

Rosen Centre Hotel’s Everglades Restaurant Florida Grouper

Be A Foodie

    ^ Most major cities have a Restaurant Week or Restaurant Month, which offer the opportunity to dine out at substantial savings and try restaurants you’ve never been to. For example, Visit Orlando Magical Dining in September, Miami Spice in August, New York Restaurant Week in Summer and Winter are a great way to enjoy higher priced popular dining options for less dough. If you want to know more about Orlando’s Magical Dining, here’s my guide.

    ^ At least once a month, GO to a new restaurant on your “Someday List” and #MakeSomedayHappen. You know, those restaurants you say you want to go to ‘someday’?

I could go on and on with travel tips but I hope these will be enough to get you started. GO enjoy traveling in your home town and away from home. The memories you make will be priceless.

Thank you again to Justine Santaniello for inviting me to her #JustHaves Twitter Chat last week. I had a blast. Her site JustHaves.com is a great resource for all lifestyle topics so be sure to check it out. Follow her on Twitter @JNStaniello and check out her weekly #JustHaves Twitter Chat every Wednesday at 8pmET.

Do you any favorite travel apps and sites or awesome travel tips to share? Please share in the comments below.

If your friends enjoy travel as much as we do, please share these travel tips with them using the social media buttons below and let’s start planning our next adventure.

Cheers!

GO Epicurista

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Filed Under: Epicurista Tips, Go Travel & Dine The World Tagged With: Staycations, Travel Apps, Travel Deals, Travel Rewards Programs, Travel Tips

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About Christina Thomas

I'm Christina, a hospitality consultant, freelance writer, food & travel enthusiast, brand cheerleader, ice cream fanatic, chocoholic, and eternal optimist on a mission to #MakeSomedayHappen one delicious bite, sip and trip at a time. Celebrating life with great food, wine and friends throughout Central Florida and everywhere I GO! I want to inspire you to take time out of your busy schedule to do the same. GO celebrate life today, for someday may never come. Join me and GO Epicurista!

Comments

  1. Logan Murphy says

    11/23/2015 at 1:20 pm

    Your tip about booking a motel or hotel as far in advance as possible is really smart. Especially with the holidays coming up. My wife and I try to plan trips in advance so we can adjust everything to make it possible to go. So I think this would work out well for us! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Christina Thomas says

      12/03/2015 at 9:57 am

      Thank you for checking out Go Epicurista and my travel tips. Cheers to travel planning ahead!

      Reply
  2. Dean says

    11/02/2015 at 10:34 am

    Excellent post. This is one of the better travel guides I have read. All advice is well researched and should provide very useful in my next excursion. Thanks for sharing this wonderful resource!

    Reply
    • Christina Thomas says

      11/02/2015 at 6:47 pm

      Thank you for checking out GoEpicurista! I’m happy to hear you found these travel tips useful. Happy traveling. Cheers!

      Reply

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Meet your Chief Epicurista

I'm Christina, a hospitality consultant, freelance writer, food & travel enthusiast, brand cheerleader, ice cream fanatic, chocoholic, and eternal optimist on a mission to #MakeSomedayHappen one delicious bite, sip and trip at a time. Celebrating life with great food, wine and friends throughout Central Florida and everywhere I GO! I want to inspire you to take time out of your busy schedule to do the same. GO celebrate life today, for someday may never come. Join me and GO Epicurista! Find out more...

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Christina Thomas-Foodie Travel
Instagram post 17860653550610674 ‘Tis The Season... “Paris is 'the city,' isn't it, and I am a lover of cities.” - John Ashbery

I always say “oui oui” and “ooh la la” when I visit Epcot. My favorite “Must Visit” pavilion is France. Their slushees are legendary and this holiday season they did not disappoint with a boozy Frozen Hot Chocolate made with @greygoose vodka! 🇫🇷 I enjoyed a double dose of chocolate pairing it with the Buche du Noel Au Chocolate, Christmas Log chocolate cake with dark chocolate caramel ganache. It was so rich I could (ahem, should) have shared it! 😉 
Epcot Festival of the Holidays is happening now thru 12/30/19. A wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit, learn about holiday traditions around the world, enjoy lovely bites and sips created especially for the festival and even do a little shopping. 
Will you be visiting #EpcotHolidays? There’s lots of great choices to get the most foodie bang for your buck. Let me know if you need any recommendations.

Cheers! Joyeux Noel! #MakeSomedayHappen 
#GOepicOrlando #GOepicDisney #TasteEpcot #EpcotFrance #Epcot #WaltDisneyWorld #orlandofoodie #disneyfoodie #greygoosevodka #frozenhotchocolate #EpcotFestivaloftheHolidays #christmas #orlandofl #visitorlando @artisandesglace
Instagram post 17935707052326140 “May your stuffing be tasty. May your turkey plump. May your potatoes and gravy, Have nary a lump. May your yams be delicious, And your pies take the prize, And may your Thanksgiving dinner Stay off your thighs!” - Grandpa Jones

Wishing you a most delicious Thanksgiving holiday shared with loved ones. 🍁🦃 Would you like to celebrate Thanksgiving Dinner 365 days a year? 
One of my favorite restaurants in Portland Oregon is not a trendy James Beard Award winner. And, it’s not known for the latest food trends. In fact, what I love most  is that not much has changed since it opened in 1879. The oldest restaurant in town, opened originally as a saloon, started serving turkey dinners and sandwiches during Prohibition thanks to Jim Louie, a Chinese immigrant cook who later became owner. Today Huber’s is owned by Jim’s nephew’s children James Kai, David and Lucille Louie and is known for their famous traditional turkey dinner, cooking anywhere from 20-100 herbed turkeys per day! 
James “Jim” Louie introduced their now iconic Spanish Coffees with a show. I had the great honor of interviewing him a few years ago and he was fascinating.  My husband and I went to Huber’s on our first date 24 years ago and visit every year when we go back home. It’s on my Must Eat List of Portland and I highly recommend it be on yours. 
Happy Thanksgiving! 
#GOepicPDX #thanksgivingdinner #huberspdx #turkeydinner #portlandfoodie #pdxnow #pdx
Instagram post 17854363252657534 “So we came to the Ritz hotel and the Ritz Hotel was divine. Because when a girl can sit in a delightful bar and have delicious champagne cocktails and look at all the important French people in Paris, I think it is divine.” - Anita Loos, “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” .
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It may not have been Paris, but cocktails, champagne and gorgeous nibbles at the newly revamped Lobby Lounge at the Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes in Orlando was simply divine. Yes, Orlando!
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I was invited to experience the new space and started the night with dessert and cocktails!  As everyone should... Who could resist a made to order coffee ice cream and Nutella panini? Worth-Every-Calorie! .
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And "The Tales of Mermaids" cocktail made with Cathead Honeysuckle vodka, Creme de Violet, and prosecco with a glimmer sugar rim put me in a festive mood. .
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By the way, this is no longer your grandfather’s and grandmother’s Ritz. Gone are the classic drapes and ornate carpet. Instead we found a modern and luxurious indoor space with massive floor to ceiling windows which welcome the outdoors (especially when they open up and let cool breezes in). Perfect for enjoying the beautiful nights in Central Florida this time of year. .
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The Ritz. As chic and divine as ever. 🥂

Check out stories for more. @ritzcarltonorlando is definitely worth the drive. I recommend cocktails in the lobby bar at sunset and dinner at @highballandharvest Highball & Harvest for a perfect date night. On Fridays and Saturdays they feature live entertainment. Last night we were wowed by James (@jamyourfaceoff) with everything from Van Morrison, Dire Straights to Prince's Purple Rain. He will return with a full band on New Year's Eve! .
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I also can’t wait to return to check out their new offerings for the legendary "Afternoon Tea at the Ritz". It’s always been one of my favorite outings with girlfriends. .
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Go #MakeSomedayHappen .
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Thank you @tastecooksip for capturing this photo. .
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#GoepicOrlando #RitzCarltonOrlando  #RCmemories
Instagram post 18077268130176315 "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." - Marcel Proust

I love to discover new food! Have you been to Zeta Asia at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek? It's a bit of a hidden gem worth the drive to this gorgeous resort in the Walt Disney World Resort area. The chic lounge features a pan-Asian menu to please all diners. Check out my favorite 9 Must Eats on the menu! 
From spicy tuna nachos on wasabi scented nori chips to slow roasted pork belly bao buns, gorgeous sushi rolls and crispy pork tonkatsu, there's something for everyone at Zeta Asia. Even vegans will love the vegan version of the hearty short rib bibimbap bowl. And for dessert, it doesn't get more decadent than a warm brownie swirled with peanut butter cheesecake topped with vanilla ice cream. Pair it with the @suntorywhisky Suntory Toki Whiskey Chocolate Old Fashioned and you've got yourself a winner! >>> This is the last weekend for @waldorforlando and Hilton @bonnetcreek popular Food & Wine Weekends special events. You can dine on all my Zeta Asia favorites in a four course menu for only $35 pp!! Add wine and cocktail pairings for $35 pp, well worth it considering the high end selections. Available only this Friday and Saturday. Don't miss it! 
#MakeSomedayHappen

#GoEpicOrlando#GoEpicDisney #WAOfoodie #HBCfoodie #FoodandWineWeekends #Orlandofoodie #Disneyfoodie #disneyresort #asiancuisine #sushi #orlandorestaurant #thisisorlando #hosted
Instagram post 17861132359586951 “Paris is always a good idea.” - Audrey Hepburn⠀
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Hands down my favorite experience of this year’s 2019 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival was “The Parisian Afternoon” special event in Monsieur Paul, signature restaurant of the France Pavilion. 🇫🇷 ⠀
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We escaped the hustle bustle and crazy long lines outside and in the blink of an eye were transported to Paris via MTS (Magical Transportation System). ✨ The plush surroundings and attentive French staff helped fuel our imagination. Our taste buds made the magical journey complete.⠀
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We sipped unlimited mimosas and noshed on beautiful finger sandwiches, chilled vichyssoise with a delightful worth-the carbs puff pastry and best of all decadent pastries and macarons. All made in house by the talented culinary team led by Executive Pastry Chef Olivier Saintemarie, named one of the Top 10 Pastry Chefs in America! ⠀
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Add this experience to your “Must Do” List and get ready to “ooh la la!” ⠀
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#MakeSomedayHappen ⠀
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#hosted #GOepicOrlando #GOepicDisney #TasteEpcot #EpcotFrance #EpcotFoodandWineFestival #Epcot #WaltDisneyWorld #orlandofoodie #disneyfoodie #frenchpastries #mimosas  @artisandesglace
Instagram post 17866140607538965 “When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.” - John Ruskin⠀
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That’s what we got when @socothorntonpark celebrated their 5 Year Anniversary with an epic collaboration dinner featuring Soco Chef/Partner Greg Richie with Chef Patrick Tramontana of @antonios_maitland1 , Chef Venoy Rogers III of @americankitchenlbv, ⠀
Chef Stuart Whitfield of @theglassknifewp ⠀
and Mixologist PJ Smerechansky @the_alcohol_alchemist of Nomad Lounge. ⠀
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Read all about the evening of surprises on GoEpicurista.com⠀
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From a gin cocktail with a punch, scallops that masqueraded as smoked meat, pasta that wasn’t pasta, a meaty course that came with a warning and bread pudding that didn’t look like what you expect. These talented gentlemen brought their A game and surprised us with creativity and heart. A true representation of the culinary community in Orlando. ⠀
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Most of all it was delicious fun with foodie friends in this neighborhood restaurant we love. ⠀
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If you haven’t been to Soco in Thornton Park, add it to your list. Don’t wait and go #MakeSomedayHappen ⠀
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#GOepicOrlando #socothorntonpark #orlandofoodie #thisisorlando #thorntonpark #downtownorlando #orlandorestaurants
Instagram post 17868186814514853 “Coffee and chocolate - the inventor of mocha should be sainted.” - Cherise Sinclair⠀
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Do you love coffee and chocolate as much as I do? The Brazilian Cappuccino at Holy Grain Coffee Shop is divine. 😇 ⠀
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When the nice girl behind the counter told me there was “real melted milk chocolate” at the bottom of the mug, I immediately said “SIM POR FAVOR & OBRIGADO” (Yes, Please & Thank You!) 🙏⠀
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It’s #NationalCappuccinoDay and from now on I’m making mine a Brazilian 🇧🇷 ⠀
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@holygraincoffee is my new favorite coffee shop in the Dr Phillips area of Orlando. There’s plenty of seating and WiFi to get work done. I had a tasty Caprese Sandwich on one visit and the Caprese Salad with fresh pesto dressing on another. I had to resist temptation from the gorgeous Brazilian pan de queijo, (cheese bread!) pastries and cakes. But next time I’m going for it! ⠀
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Have you tried a Brazilian Cappuccino?⠀
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#MakeSomedayHappen ⠀
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#GOepicOrlando #CappuccinoDay #HolyGrainCoffee #orlandofoodie
Instagram post 18113112538011460 "Always be aware that you have the power to create the naturally stress-free and tranquil life you desire."- Wayne Dyer⠀
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What's your favorite way to release stress? Today is #StressAwarenessDay and a great reminder to take time out of your busy schedule and enjoy life. ⠀
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My favorite stress-reliever is having a spa day with friends. Yesterday I had the best day playing hooky in the middle of the week at @universalorlandohotels Portofino Bay Hotel and @mandaraspa. The "Super Food Facial" was fantastic! (They use @Elemis just like on cruise ships so I felt like I was truly on vacation!) Followed by hot stone massage, paraffin hand and foot treatments, sauna and hot tub. I literally felt the stress melt away. ⠀
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After we were thoroughly pampered, we sipped prosecco and shared an enormous Antipasto Salad and Prosciutto and Mozzarella panini from Sal's Marketplace while finally enjoying cooler weather in Orlando. Of course, we pretended we were on vacation in Italy. Sometimes all you need is a few hours with a good friend to reset your mind and body and resorts like Portofino help us do just that. ⠀
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Go #MakeSomedayHappen⠀
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#GoEpicOrlando #UniversalOrlandoResort #LoewsResort #VisitOrlando #StressFree
Instagram post 18075113119153190 “You can’t make everyone happy, you’re not a doughnut.” “And that’s the way it is” as Walter Cronkite would say.⠀
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Do you agree that Doughnuts + Gelato = Happiness? 🍩🍦😁⠀
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Who would you share this Sugar Bomboloni filled with Amarena Cherry Gelato with? Or would you eat it all by yourself? 🙋🏻‍♀️⠀
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In honor of the most sacred of holidays, #NationalDoughnutDay I’m celebrating with the Italian version. Bomboloni are irresistibly light and delicious fried Italian doughnuts, coated in granulated sugar. They are often stuffed with pastry cream. At La Luce at Hilton Bonnet Creek, it was stuffed with gelato which is even better!⠀
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This indulgent dessert is part of the Food & Wine Weekends 4 course “Best of La Luce” tasting menu, $55 pp available Fridays and Saturday’s thru November 24, 2019 at La Luce Hilton @bonnetcreek ⠀
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Don’t miss it! #MakeSomedayHappen ⠀
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#hosted #GOepicOrlando #WAOfoodie #HBCfoodie #FoodandWineWeekends @waldorforlando
Instagram post 18012063454254363 “Mangia bene, ridi spesso, ama molto." / Eat well, laugh often, love much” 🇮🇹⠀
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A visit to family owned and run Stasio’s Italian Deli & Market in The Milk District of Orlando is worth the drive if you want to eat well, laugh often and love much, as the Italian saying goes. ⠀
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It may have been #NationalSandwichDay yesterday but scroll through to see their killer subs made with fresh house-made bread, Italian cured meats and imported cheeses and you'll agree that every day is Sandwich Day at Stasio's. ⠀
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According to owner Maria Palo, today is “National Happy Day!” but that one would also be any day at Stasio’s!  Louie and Maria along with their children, Al, Michael and Dianna know how to make you feel at home. Stock up on Italian goodies from the marketplace, and then get an Italian sub, an espresso and an Italian pastry at the counter.⠀
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"The Stasio" loaded with prosciutto, hot cappicola, mild sopressata, fresh mozarella, roasted peppers, red onion drizzled with white balsamic vinaigrette is the Italian sub of my dreams.⠀
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The Pork Sausage and Broccoli Rabe is a perfect mix of spicy and slightly bitter flavors.⠀
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The Melanzani with eggplant, spinach, roasted red pepper, marinated tomatoes and fresh mozzarella is another winner. ⠀
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Mangia! #MakeSomedayHappen⠀
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#GoEpicOrlando #StasiosItalianDeli #TheMilkDistrict  #ItalianSub #ItalianFood @stasiositaliandeli @themilkdistrict
Instagram post 17850496573678788 “He was a bold man that first ate an oyster.” - Jonathan Swift⠀
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Ever stop to think about the first person who ate something odd like oysters or frogs legs? What do you consider a bold foodie move?⠀
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I loved the @theravenouspig  Crispy Oysters Steak Tartare and @1921mtdora “Nashville Hot Frog Legs” at last years Cows N Cabs event. I considered them the “foodie sorting hat” of the night. It was priceless to watch people’s reaction when they saw these dishes and the chefs told them what it was. You either 👍🏼 (foodie) or 👎🏼 (not) 🤣⠀
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But you don’t have to be bold to enjoy over 30 of the best restaurants in Orlando at the @cowsncabs event on 11/9. Get your tickets ASAP before they sell out! All proceeds benefit @elevate_orlando  and @afterschoolallstars ⠀
👉🏼 Read all about why this epic foodie feast is a “Must Do Event” that keeps getting bigger and better on GoEpicurista.com 🐄🍷 Hope to see you there! ⠀
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Go #MakeSomedayHappen ⠀
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#hosted #GOepicOrlando #CowsNCabs #OrlandoFoodie ⠀
Instagram post 18010128427254233 Happy Halloween! 👻 Want to know what scares me? Don't let the nervous laughter fool you, zombies don't scare me. I braved the scare zones and haunted houses at @UniversalOrlando Halloween Horror Nights #HHN29 twice this year (you can read all about my deliciously spooky time on the blog). But, let me tell you what is more frightening than zombies and monsters... ⠀
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The huge amount of waste generated by single use plastics is scary. I'm amazed to still see so many plastic bottles and plastic bags everywhere. ⠀
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My friend Rachelle from @thetravelbite challenged me to join #OneLoveOnePlanet to bring awareness about reducing single use plastic at home, and how easy it is to eliminate them and make a difference for our planet. Small gestures such as carrying a reusable water bottle, using reusable shopping bags, and saying no to straws are easy to do.⠀
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My @corkcicle bottle goes everywhere with me.  Not only is it good for the planet, but it helps me get my daily water intake. I brought it to Universal Studios and although I was a bit annoyed I couldn't go thru security with it filled with water (I thought that only applied to airports), it was easily remedied once I got to @Starbucks inside City Walk and they kindly filled it for me.  I would love to see water bottle refill stations and soft drink stations at all the theme parks instead of single use plastic bottles. Hey, imagine if they sold collectible bottles with special priced refills. I bet they would make a fortune and help the environment in the process. (Just sayin' 😉) ⠀
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🌎Now I’m asking YOU to be part of this challenge! Bring awareness and spread this much-needed conversation around the world. Let’s unite and do this together!⠀
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Here are the rules on how you can participate:⠀
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1) Post photo of yourself using a reusable water bottle or bag with the hashtag #OneLoveOnePlanet⠀
2) Tag 2 (or more!) friends to challenge them next to post a photo!⠀
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I'm nominating my friends @beautyandthebeets and @tastecooksip to take the challenge!⠀
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#GoEpicOrlando #ecofriendly #UniversalStudiosOrlando #Halloween #SaveThePlanet #climateaction
Instagram post 18101213929072757 “Part of life is to live it, and enjoy it, and seize the moments that you find particularly pleasing.” - Robert M. Parker, Jr.⠀
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Have you done anything impulsive lately? Sometimes you just have to say YES!⠀
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Seize the moment! ⠀
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🦀 When my friend Chef Jason Shenefield said he had fresh off the boat stone crabs from Central Florida Coast, I said YES! ⠀
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🍷 When my friends at C Mondavi Wines said they had a new lineup of easy drinking, affordable boutique style wines called Flat Top Hills Wines being introduced to market and asked if I’d like to try them, I said YES! ⠀
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This is Carpe Diem. Enjoying life to the fullest. 🥂⠀
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👉🏼 Stone Crab Season is now! If you live in Florida and want some of these fantastic large claws served with a killer mustard sauce (like famous Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami!) look up Chef Jason Shenefield on Facebook to place your order.⠀
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👉🏼 Pick up Flat Top Hills Wines (@flattopwines) at your favorite wine shop. The Sauvignon Blanc was a perfect pairing with shellfish. Crisp and clean with lovely lemon notes. It’s 100% varietal which for the price around $13.99 is a plus. I enjoyed the full lineup of stylized full bodied wines including Rose, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Red Blend. They each paired with food wonderfully but were also easy sipping on their own. Angelina Mondavi, 4th generation is the consulting winemaker which makes them even more special.⠀
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Cheers! ⠀
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#GOepicOrlando #WineWednesday #FlatTopWines #FloridaStoneCrabs ⠀
#SeizeTheDay #CarpeDiem #FindYourFlatTop #FlatTopMoments
Instagram post 17848524361719727 “The Internet is the most important single development in the history of human communication since the invention of call waiting.” - Dave Barry⠀
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Can you believe the internet was invented in UCLA 50 years ago today!?⠀
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Definitely an invention that has changed all our lives whether we wanted to or not. I still remember faxing rather than emailing, using paper maps instead of GPS & Google maps, calling friends vs DM, going to the library for research rather than “Just Googling” it, And saying “whatever happened to so and so?” rather than simply checking out their Facebook or Instagram account. 🤦🏻‍♀️⠀
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How did we live without the internet?  It took a lot longer to do everything! It’s now one of the first things you consider when booking a hotel or traveling anywhere. How’s the Wi-Fi?⠀
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And as much as we have a “Love-Hate” relationship with social media, the truth is I’m grateful for the opportunities it has brought. To connect with old friends and make new ones, and to allow businesses to connect with their customers and find new ones, in ways that simply were not possible before. It’s still exciting to explore the digital world.  This is why I love working with clients to help them take advantage of it as much as they can. ⠀
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On the flip side is the need for digital detox every once in a while. I have yet to manage a getaway free from the internet but would love to know if you have. ⠀
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BTW this was the most delicious welcome amenity I’ve ever received. It was a work of art made of giant blocks of @valrhonausa chocolate! Thank you InterContinental Miami pastry chef Berger and Exec Chef Tatan. I hope to return soon for another epic foodie weekend! ⠀(you can read all about it on GoEpicurista.com)
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#hosted #GOepicMiami #interconmiami #internetday  #internationalinternetday #facebook @interconmiami
Instagram post 17851905271648465 "Your hand and your mouth agreed many years ago that, as far as chocolate is concerned, there is no need to involve your brain." - Dave Barry⠀
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Where are my chocolate lovers at? I know you can relate. I used a lot of restraint, but you know I could've eaten the entire slab of chocolate bark, right? ⠀
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It's #NationalChocolateDay and I can't help but dream of "Bar Du Chocolat" at @WaldorfOrlando Bonnet Creek Food & Wine Weekends. It's a feast for the chocolate lover, only available Saturday evenings until 11/24. When you go, abandon all sense of reason and restraint! ⠀
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During the media preview, we watched with child-like glee as Exec Chef Bernard and Pastry Chef Carrie made this giant slab of chocolate bark come alive before our eyes using a mix of dark and ruby chocolate with all sorts of fun mix ins like caramelized hazelnuts and almonds, crispy strawberries and mango, and lots of caramel popcorn. It was so decadent! (Scroll to see the progress and check out stories for the full video)⠀
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Bar du Chocolat consists of a giant display of assorted chocolate desserts and treats which you can pair with a glass of champagne for the perfect ending to a fantastic dinner at Bull & Bear, La Luce or Zeta Asian.⠀
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Food & Wine Weekends is a Must Do Event! Go #MakeSomedayHappen⠀
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#hosted #GoEpicOrlando #GoEpicDisney #FoodandWineWeekends #BarduChocolat #OrlandoFoodie #TasteEpcot
Instagram post 17868066592508695 “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” -⠀
Albert Schweitzer⠀
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Cheers to John Rivers on the 10 Year Anniversary of 4Rivers Smokehouse and his BBQ Ministry! Chef John always radiates joy and genuine love for what he does. And we are so grateful he feeds us his delicious BBQ. (This BBQ Party Board is happiness! Scroll to see some of my favorite @4riverssmokehouse meals!) ⠀
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It’s wonderful to see how a small BBQ operation, which began in his garage as a fundraiser for a young girl battling cancer, has grown into 15 and counting 4R Smokehouse locations around Florida and the Southeast, various concepts (The Coop, Sweet Shop, 4Roots Farm, 4R Cantina) as well as my favorite fundraising event of the fall, Cows N Cabs. He has helped put Orlando on the culinary map and is a true supporter of the community.  Thank you @johnrivers4r. You and your team deserve all the success! 🎉⠀
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Today 10/26 is being proclaimed “4 Rivers Day" by Winter Park Mayor Steve Leary. 4 Rivers will celebrate the delicious decade at their Fairbanks Ave location with live music, free deep fried desserts, a pig roast, free giveaways, beer samples provided by Redlight Redlight and more!  Celebration party starts at 5pm, open to the public. Proclamation Ceremony at 5:45 p.m. ⠀
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Go get happy! Get 4R BBQ. Success will follow. #MakeSomedayHappen ⠀
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#GOepicOrlando #4Rivers #4riverssmokehouse
Instagram post 18088861615128491 “We came, we saw, we kicked its ass.” – Dr. Peter Venkman, Ghostbusters (1984)⠀
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That’s how I felt after conquering @UniversalOrlando Halloween Horror Nights twice this season! From the houses including Ghostbusters and Stranger Things, to the shows, the scare zones and so much more! 👻 ⠀
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Hey Dracula, keep your fangs away from my Nachos with Queso Fundido. It's one of my "Must Eat" favorites from this year's event. ⠀
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Check out GoEpicurista.com for The Best of #HHN29 including my Must Eat, Must Drink, Must See and Must Do favorites as well as the one thing you MUST NOT DO and how to avoid it. ⠀
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Check out Stories for more #HHN Fun! What's been your favorite this year? Are you planning to go, let me know if you have any questions. GO #MakeSomedayHappen ⠀
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#hosted #GOepicOrlando #ReadyforUniversal #HalloweenHorrorNights #UniversalOrlando #UniversalMemories #Halloween #VisitOrlando #hhnorlando @hhnorlando
Instagram post 17896588360392470 “When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.” - Willie Nelson⠀
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Grateful for relaxing Sundays, foodie friends and Grilled Watermelon...because it’s always Summer in Florida! And enjoying it all at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World is definitely the way to do it! ⠀
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So happy I finally got to meet Fiona from @gourmetpigs IRL! Been following her foodie travels for years from Boston to LA and her love of craft cocktails and good food rivals my own. Follow her if you’re not already! 🙌🏼 ⠀
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If you ever need a “getaway” go have lunch at PB&G at @fsorlando. You don’t have to be a resort guest but you’ll feel like one. Check out stories for more of our delicious lunch by the lake. ⠀
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Go #MakeSomedayHappen ⠀
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#GOepicOrlando #hosted #fsorlando #fivediamondorlando #fstaste #thisisorlando
Instagram post 18075983578136864 "Those who don't believe in magic will never find it." - Roald Dahl⠀
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Magic Found! ✨A giant pumpkin spice macaron ice cream sandwich at Epcot’s L’Artisan Des Glaces ice cream shop in the France pavilion! This “Must Eat” seasonal treat is one of my 9+ Reasons You Must Visit Epcot France. Check out the list on GoEpicurista.com this Wednesday. Some may surprise you. 🇫🇷 ⠀
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I think #NationalDessertDay being on a Monday is no coincidence. What sweet treat will you be celebrating with? ⠀
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Go #MakeSomedayHappen ⠀
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#GOepicOrlando #GOepicDisney #TasteEpcot #ThisisOrlando⠀
@artisandesglace
Instagram post 17923395046328851 “Collaboration is when magic is made with more than one person.” - Michael Urie
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On #NationalPierogiDay, I’m reminded of a delicious collaboration when my dear friend and food blogger Irina Pabis of @celebritychef4u partnered with @peperoncinocucina owners/chefs Danilo Martorano and Barbara Alfano to present her lovely homemade pierogis during one of their popular wine dinners. .
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The Slavic potato dumplings were stuffed with mozzarella and deep fried, served with sour cream and fried basil. Paired with Chef Danilo’s grapefruit vodka Campari cocktail, it was a wonderful aperitif to start the night.
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One of the things I’ve loved most about being part of the culinary scene in Orlando is seeing and experiencing the great spirit of collaboration. The community of talented chefs, restaurant owners, F&B managers, sommeliers, winemakers, purveyors, farmers, liquor distributors, food writers and bloggers coming together to elevate the industry and share it with the world. It’s the spirit of community not competition, which makes Orlando’s culinary scene so positively dynamic. .
.Scroll to see photos of some of my favorite pairings with fantastic wines of  @fattoriasanfelo from Tuscany. We were delighted to meet winemaker Federico Vanni that evening. .
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🥂Local shrimp fried with garlic mayo, paired with a crisp Vermentino San Felo had me dreaming of a leisurely lunch Under the Tuscan Sun. .
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🍷The Super Tuscan Balla La Vecchia was bold and elegant with soft tannins. One of my favorites. Paired with pancetta and pecorino Toscano. .
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🍷 Pinot Nero San Felo paired with fresh handmade pasta with homemade sausage, porcini mushrooms, and finished with aged ricotta. Yum! .
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🍷Cabernet San Felo paired with pork loin with aged balsamic sauce and roasted potatoes. My favorite course! That balsamic sauce can go on everything! .
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🍽🍷❤️ “Live, Love, Peperoncino” Stop by this little gem of a restaurant in Dellagio Town Center on famed “Restaurant Row”, look for San Felo wines on wine lists and possibly fine wine stores and if you can get the chance to try Irina’s pierogis, take it! Go #MakeSomedayHappen .
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#GOepicOrlando  #ThisisOrlando
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