Tip: Check the water to ensure if flows before lathering up OR always carry hand sanitizer.

 While it ain’t rocket science, it’s sure nice to not be like the stinky kid in 3^rd grade who always had grubby hands.

I do.

Do you find yourself occasionally antsy as you approach the TSA line because you are unsure about an item you have packed? Not because it’s potentially harmful, or dangerous…but because you’re afraid it doesn’t fit the regulations and may be confiscated?

I have.

I don’t want my valuable items thrown away, &  in many cases I can’t afford to be slowed down. 

I have a thing for shoes. Nice shoes. Shoes with soft buttery leather soles. Shoes with spunk, pizzaz & panache (and sometimes comfort). Shoes that make you feel bad ass….ok, I digress. Now, I, unlike the Carey Bradshaws of the world, I don’t have the funds to buy $$$ shoes, nor the idiocy to buy shoes I can’t afford. Enter Overstock.com Years ago before it was well known, I use to snag great deals on amazing high fashion brands at about 75% off. Versace top coat, and my fave, my gorgeous slipper like comfortable black Dolce & Gabbana pumps. I, pulled a Wedding Planner moment, and caught and broke them in a manhole cover traveling in San Francisco. The heels are metal, much like a nails. No one was able to fix them. Replacing at current prices, even on sale, ain’t gonna happen. They sat near the trash…I thought I had to toss them until I found a professional in NYC who agreed to fix them for $90. Now that they are fixed, and I am about to pack them in my carry on for work (I only carry on), I’m concerned- TSA will you take my shoes?

When I came across Apokryfo Hotel in Lofou I melted.

(Photos courtesy of Apokryfo Hotel)

If you have followed my travels, you know my husband and I got engaged on the Mediterranean coast in Turkey and eloped to Morocco. I like unique places. If I had seen Apokryfu, I would have been tempted to get married here. Apokryfo means “hidden,” and this gem is just that tucked in the Troodos mountain foothills. The ramshackle property was purchased by a Cypriot architect and his British wife. After a complete overhaul, this now beautiful property has 7 suites, each feeling like a home of their own, centered around a luscious pool, framed by fruit trees it’s where I’d sit to enjoy my Limoncello.

What you may want to know about Cyprus:

Politics: “Since 1974, the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus has controlled the south two thirds, and the Turkish occupied and controlled Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus only officially recognized by Turkey, the northern one-third. The Government of the Republic of Cyprus has continued as the sole internationally-recognized authority on the island (as well as the UK being internationally recognized with respect to the SBAs), though in practice its power extends only to the government controlled area.” Wikipedia

Additionally, please note the current government bailout scenario, by clicking on this link.

Location: “Cyprus, officially the Republic of Cyprus, is an island country in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria, Lebanon, northwest of Israel and north of Egypt.” Wikipedia

What to do: Cyprus is known for it’s great beaches, fishing, wineries and people.

Also, I like this post for 20 great things to do in Cyprus.  Here is a quote…

“Party barefoot, take a hike, then pop a cork in a wine village.” Sign me up.

Cappadocia’s history could be it’s own class in high school. For starters you must understand what formed the unusual topography. The city is a lava bed that experienced thousands of years of rain and wind erosion. “The rivers, flood water running down the hillsides of valleys and strong winds eroded the geological formations consisting of tuff on the plateau formed with tuff layers, thus creating bizarre shapes called fairy Chimneys. These take on the names of mushroom shaped, pinnacled, capped and conic shaped formations.”

When the first Christians were trying to escape the persecution of the Roman Empire in the 2nd century B.C. Cappadocia became an area of settlement as the underground cities offered protection. Since the majority of the time was spent underground, the cities grew elaborately and expanded to include wine production facilities, meeting areas, storage spaces, churches and water wells.

Turn the clock forward and Cappadocia has modernized…

While touring Cappadocia make sure you visit the cave dwellings which are open to the public. Pasabag rock formations, which are described as an open air museum are a must see as well. Much of what you’ll be doing in the area is exploring the outdoors, so pack comfortable shoes and wear layered clothing.

People are interested that the way of life has been retained in the area. Many still live and work in the cliff dwellings and underground corridors. Unique hotels are opening that captivate the magical feel, so dig in and plan a stay in one!  A new boutique hotel, Serrin recently opened and I’d add it to the top of your must stay list. With only 6 rooms, the attention to guests is high.

(Photos courtesy of Serrin Hotel)

So hike by day, and then enjoy a glass of wine with this gorgeous view!

To brush us all up on geography, New Zealand is divided into two islands, referred to as the North and South islands. The major metropolis on the South Island is Christchurch, with Wellington and Auckland on the North Island (each major city listed from furthest south to north). Auckland has the largest Polynesian population in any city in the world. “Auckland lies between the Hauraki Gulf of the Pacific Ocean to the east, the low Hunua Ranges to the south-east, the Manukau Harbour to the south-west, and the Waitakere Ranges and smaller ranges to the west and north-west. The central part of the urban area occupies a narrow isthmus between the Manukau Harbour on the Tasman Sea and the Waitemata Harbour on the Pacific Ocean. It is one of the few cities in the world to have harbours on two separate major bodies of water.” (Wikipedia)

Auckland can be an eden for an active person. So plan to play by day and drink beautiful wines by night. But where shall you hang your hat at the end of the night? I’m crazy about Bella’s Bed and Breakfast in Freemans Bay (about $200/nt). Perfectly poised near great places to eat and shop is Bella’s. Built in 1900 and completely renovated in 2005, it has 3 suites one, the City Lights Suite with gorgeous, well, city views. They also offer complimentary port and a selection of home made fudge. Yum! I say take both and hit their guest library.

(Photos courtesy of Bella’s Bed and Breakfast)

If you are looking for budget friendly prices, check out Jucy Hotel ($50/nt- they also offer a hostel). Located close to the waterfront, the facilities have been recently renovated with modern and quirky colors. They even wash and fold your laundry for $10 a load.

(Photos courtesy of Jucy Hotel)

Jucy Hotel, Auckland, New Zealand, modern, fun colors

Don’t forget as you consider visiting Auckland that the seasons are the reverse of what you are accustomed to in the US, with summer December through February. Maybe it’s time to spend Christmas on the beach?

When I phoned United, I waited for 17 minutes prior to speaking to a live person. The person I spoke to was really not much help, nor did he care. He said United had cancelled almost all flights out of Knoxville due to “scheduled maintenance.” He offered a flight getting into ABQ at 11:30pm, what was online, or he could call Delta see if he could rebook me through them and he’d call me in 2-3 hrs. It was already 11pm. I said do you really think that is good customer service to call me at nearly 2 am for a 7 o 8 am flight. I asked to speak to his supervisor. After communicating with “Jen” who was more friendly, and helpful, she offered to contact Delta and phone me with the news, either way in 30 minutes. After 3 conversations with Jen, I had confirmation that I had a confirmed flight out with Delta at 7:50am. Mission accomplished.

Take away:

1) Remember when you book 3rd party, it is your responsibility to confirm your travel plans. They (airlines) are not required to notify you of flight schedule changes, apparently neither are the third party.

2) Be persistent. If I wasn’t willing to take the time to walk my complaint through, I’d still be traveling now.

32 miles South-West of Glasgow, sit the famed shores that Robert Burns, Scotland’s favorite son and author (born 2 miles outside town), wrote of. Ayr, Scotland. 

Proposed site for Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee, (lost out to Stirling), Ayr is a port town with a population of roughly 50,000. With a low lying and flat topography, the area is heavily grazed by dairy cattle. This pastoral town can be reached by Glasgow Central station rail with a half-hourly service (except on Sundays). Expect that much of the local sites are tied to the life of Robert Burns (Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Burns Monument and Gardens, Burns National Heritage Park etc.) If you luck out on a pretty day, there are numerous nice walking paths, and shops. Looks like a “must dine” is Wellington Fish Restaurant, known for yummy and cheap fish ‘n chips! When it comes to places to stay in Scotland, I prefer to find ones that have local charm. (Jan McQuarrie requested I research B&B’s and Hostels in Ayr). I particularly like the Daviot House Hotel, a Victorian B&B located “220 yards from Ayr’s seafront and 660 yards from the shops of the center of town.” Prices start at about $50 per night and include free wifi, parking and best of all Scottish Breakfast! What does a Scottish Breakfast include? “Bacon, Sausage , Black Pudding Haggis, Fried Bread, Tomato, Mushrooms, & Tattie Scone Beans.” Not into haggis? You get 9 other breakfast options available including other more typical Scottish dishes such as soft boiled eggs and “soldiers” (toast points), beans on toast, or a dish we all love, pancakes!

(Photos courtesy of Daviot House Hotel)

Are you traveling with pets? Check out Doonbank Cottage, a dog friendly rental property. It looks like the adorable cottage from the movie The Holiday, with Jude Law, Kate Winslet & Cameron Diaz. It has lovely views, with 3 well appointed bedrooms and one bath.

(Photos courtesy of Doonbank Cottage)

If you are looking for more plush accommodations, consider staying at the beautiful Culzean Castle about 20 miles from Ayr, it is a must see for the area, and why not wake up there, right? I remember my grandmother talking about staying at a castle in Ireland, they had real linen sheets. Sometimes you just have to splurge in life, right?

(Photos courtesy of Culzean Castle)