Travel Lovin' Day 4: Andrea from A Southern Kind of Love!

I'm thrilled to have the newlywed, Andrea, on the blog today!  This gal travels more than anyone I have ever met and her love of food, new cities, and fun times makes me want to hop on a plane as much as she does! 

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"The world is a book, and those who don't travel only read one page." - St. Augustine

I begin this post with one of my favorite quotes. A quote that not only fits the post I am about to write but one I believe in to the fullest and one that I think our friend and blog buddy, Nicole, also appreciates as she is taking this week off from her blog to enjoy New York City!

Nicole is not just a blog friend of mine, she is a young lady I have known for years. And when I say years, I mean I knew her when she was just a little girl! When I was in high school, her sweet momma was actually my cheerleading sponsor. I remember hanging out at their house getting ready for homecoming week and Nicole running around, just a little thing. Next thing I knew, I was out of college, she was in college, and we were catching up through blogs and social media. I remember always thinking she was ahead of her age maturity-wise, but now as a grown gal, I see that she is not only smart and mature, she is such a caring, humble, and beautiful girl, on the inside and out. And because of the Facebook world and our blog sharing, we have developed a friendship.

One common interest I have learned me and Nicole have is travel, and when she asked me to guest blog I couldn't think of anything BUT travel to write about. 1) It's my favorite thing to write about and 2) Our fun friend is in New York this week being a little travel bug herself, so what better to write about than travel?!

With that in mind, I wanted to post about something I have never done before, so I began brainstorming and decided I have never made a "best" list. While in the last several years, I've had the blessed opportunity to travel to a lot of places, I don't quite consider myself an expert just yet (ask me in about 5 years though... haha), but I feel I have seen, done, and eaten enough across the country and some internationally to make my own best list. So that's my warning. This is no Travel and Leisure or Travel Channel review (although I wish it was). It's just a personal "favorites" list written by a normal gal who likes nothing better than stepping on a plane, feeling it take off, and knowing that in just the matter of hours I will be miles away. As a matter of fact, if more than a month goes by and I haven't been on a plane, I start itching. I think I have a travel disease.

I'm infected... completely eaten up with travel, and though I'm no Anthony Bourdain or Samantha Brown, I would love for any one of you to take this list and use it for your next travel excursions. Because I promise - travel professional or not - this is coming from someone with PASSION for planes, hotel rooms, restaurants, unique scenery, and cities around the world!

Hotels

Old Glamour - The Hermitage Hotel; Nashville, TN

Only because it was hands down one of the best hotel experiences of my life, I choose The Hermitage because of the impecible service and the time-warp I went into when stepping inside. The dated, yet lavish decor takes you straigh to the 1920's... all I needed was a flapper skirt! Not to mention the high-status rankings from travel publications galore.

Perfectly Posh - ME Cabo; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Upgrading to a spacy, corner room was just the beginning of being spoiled at this hotel. The people are sexy, the pool is glamourous, the on-site club is poppin', and the famous beach it sits on, Nikki Beach, is always a party. The view from our hotel room was remarkable, and waking up to a beautiful sunrise shining through our door each morning made me want to rent the room for eternity... never to return home!

Retro Fun - Marriott Magnificent Mile (Governor's Suite), Chicago, IL

Fun doesn't even begin to describe the decor of this hotel, but I pick it because not only is the complete hotel a treat, but I stayed in the best suite of my life during this hotel experience. For my bachelorette party, we got the Governor's Suite, and this suite was SWEET!!! All it needs is a disco ball and some bright, colorful lights, and it could be the next Studio 54!

Views
*** Side note: I didn't mean to pick the same state for this category three times, but for the record, I don't find it at all ironic. Well-deserved and on the list three times for a very good reason #beststateintheU.S.

Heavenly Hot Air Balloon - Palm Springs, CA

While it may not be the perfect excursion for a height-anxious person (like myself, may I add), it's worth doing at least once, especially right outside the city of PS. Views of this side of the state are breathtaking from all highs, though. Whether it be from a hot air balloon, a hotel room, or a tram up a moutain of snow, it's rare to open your eyes and see palm trees, desert, mountains, and snow all the same sight.

Driver's Dream - Napa Valley, CA

No one likes being cooped up in a car for too long - unless you're enjoying the gorgeous views of wine country. While it's only an approximate 45 minute drive from San Fransisco, it's the best 45 minutes you'll ever spend in a car. The land goes forever, the moutains in the distance play as a perfect backdrop, and the mere sight of those beautiful rows of vines that create that bottle of goodness we all love is enough to hold a strong appreciation for the scenery in Napa.

Perfect Peaks - San Fransisco, CA

If you have been to San Fran and never been to the top of Twin Peaks, you literally have not seen ALL of San Fransisco. Literally. Because from the top of Twin Peaks, you see the entire city, plus more. This is a view that can make even the most stressed, high-strung, chaotic life slow down, take a deep breath, and recoupe. A local never lies, and if it wasn't for a good source, we may have missed out on what this city is really all about: serenity.

Refreshing Run - Milwaukee, WI

The most relaxing, scenic run I ever took was in a city full of accents I can barely understand, yet Milwaukee is so beautiful through my southern eyes, the people could be speaking jibberish, and I'd still want to visit again and again. For someone who typically feels a run is anything but relaxing, the city known as "A Great Place on a Great Lake," gave me my first (and possibly only) calming run.

Sites

Mt. Vernon - Washington, D.C.

Of all the magnificent sites to see in D.C. there is none other than the home of our very first president. My grandmother told me once it was her favorite place to visit, and I honestly didn't get it... until I went there myself. Aside from touring the home of the man who helped make this country what it is today, you literally can see the man and his wife's casket; Well... grave, but it's above ground and all you can think when looking at it is... wow, our very first president is INSIDE THERE!!! I don't know abou you guys, but until you see somthing like that, you almost imagine the founding fathers and people from the history books as "characters." See that, and you realize they were actual humans. So amazing!

Windsor Castle - London, England

This place hold special in my heart because I met Prince William here. I was walking along all by myself, and a limo pulled up, the window rolled down, and it was PRINCE WILLIAM!!!! He asked me if I would like to join him for the day!!! I have never been so excited in my life, so of course, I didn't hesitate. I jumped in the luxurious car immediately!!! .................. HAHAHAAAAA!!! Just kidding. That's only what I wished for on that day, but Windsor Castle will make you feel closer to the Royal Family than you have ever been. It's simply classic and timeless.

Pearl Harbor - O'aho, Hawaii

For someone who isn't a history buff to have a national landmark, or should I say memorial, completely change the midset of the past to them... this is how you know a site is truly special. That is Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. Complete silence is asked as you step off the boat onto the memorial, and it only makes sense. You leave the memorial with complete appreciation, respect, and a sense of remembrance.

The Biltmore - Asheville, NC

Large, beautiful, and overwhelming... you don't want to miss one of the most beautiful homes in the United States. And go at Christmas time... no better way to get you into the Holiday Spirit!

Food

*** While this could be an entire other blog post in itself (I love food, I'm obsessed with food, I travel FOR FOOD), I will make this section small and brief with a followup post on my blog at some point in time... stay tuned!

Ike's Place - San Fransisco

Best, most unique sandwich combos I have ever seen. At home in Memphis, when the husband and I are trying to decide what to have for lunch and dinner, we sometimes still bring up Ike's (and daydream about Ike's). I think I could move to San Fran especially for these sandwiches. The combo of toppings and ingredients placed in between bread at this place in unreal. Mine had meatballs, fried pepper poppers, cheese sticks and pizza sauce... WOW
Bobby Flay - Anywhere (Atlantis, Bahamas and Atlantic City)
We have been to two Bobby Flay restaurants in the last two year, and I thought I had tasted it all. I was WRONG. A Bobby Flay restaurant will change your mind about any restaurant you have been before. In Atlantic City we had Babby Flay Steakhouse at the Borgata Casino and in the Bahamas in Atlantis we had Mesa Grill. Unbelievable both times. Read more about the experience and my thought on ole Bob here!

Brunch Heaven - Seattle, Washington

Never have I ever....... Had brunch as good as in Seattle! We went to brunch every morning we were there, and it got better each time. The views from these places made the experiences even better. One in a cool city "library" setting (Library Bistro), one with windows from floor to ceiling looking out to a harbor (Chinooks), and one on the other side of the city with an award winning buffett (Salty's). If you ever go to Seattle, visit them ALL!!!

Restaurant Iris - Memphis, TN While it may be in the city I reside in, which defeats the purpose of this "travel" post, I think this is one of the best food experiences a person could ever have. Dim lit, white table cloth, totally typical romantic, with every course imaginable, and a wine list to make your smile grow larger and larger with every sip, this is totally not Memphis style, yet pure perfection.

Picnic on an Island - Bermuda
Because sometimes, a restaurant is just overrated :)

 Ok, so as I finish this long post, it's 9:30 at night, and I haven't even begun to pack for a trip to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, and Italy that we leave for tomorrow! Maybe I will even have more to add to this list when I return!

Happy Travels, Blog Friends!!!

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I know your trip is going fabulously, Andrea!  Thanks for sharing your Travel Lovin' tips with us!  Look out for the last installment of this Travel Lovin' series tomorrow! 

One of my favorite gal's is up!