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United States

Travel, United States

Old Edwards Inn and Spa in Highlands, North Carolina Review

From the moment you arrive at Old Edwards Inn and Spa – greeted with a glass of champagne, no less – you’ll know that you are in for a luxurious couple of days, with spoils that extend from the hotel’s AAA Four Diamond food and drink program to its awarding winning spa and posh accommodations (seriously, I never slept on linens so comfortable). It’s why the Old Edwards Inn and Spa (445…

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Travel, United States

A Guide to the Top St Simons Island Restaurants

This St Simons Island Restaurants Guide is my delicious and humorous account of eating and drinking my way through the island over a long weekend. Feel free to spread this guide over a week-long vacation if you have the time.     Day 1 2:43 pm Annoyed. I’m running late for the welcome reception at the King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on St Simons Island, Georgia, racing the clock to…

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Travel, United States

Where to Stay in New York City – Best Neighborhood Hotels

I made the mistake of staying in Times Square just once. It was overly crowded with tourists pushing back and forth, annoying “comedians” trying to sell tickets to shows, and an obnoxious sense of chaos. And no, I don’t want to buy your knock-off purses or sunglasses! Plus, there’s hardly any good food with the likes of Applebee’s, Olive Garden, and other chain restaurants occupying the brightly lit storefronts. Times Square is…

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Travel, United States

15 Tips for Visiting New York City with a Baby

My very popular (and helpful) post on visiting New York City with a baby has been revised as of August 2018. It’s filled with even more tips on how to navigate the Big Apple for a fun and safe family vacation. I know what you’re thinking. Visiting New York City with a baby sounds more than a little cray-cray. I understand where you’re coming from – hordes of people, the subway, tiny…

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Travel, United States

72 Hours in Milwaukee – A Milwaukee Food Guide

This Milwaukee Food Guide is my first-hand account of devouring my way through the original Beer City USA over a long weekend. Feel free to condense the schedule if you must, but Milwaukee is definitely deserving of three full days. From an exploding craft beer scene to old-school working-class bars, supper clubs, and brat houses, you won’t go home sober or hungry!     Milwaukee Food Guide Day 1 1:15 pm –…

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Beer Flights, Craft Beer Travel, Travel, United States

Beer Flights – Pizza Port Brewing Carlsbad Beer Review

Of the breweries on my itinerary for Carlsbad, California, I was most excited to visit Pizza Port Brewing. With the company’s 90-plus Great American Beer Festival medals coupled with the fact that Pizza Port Brewery is not widely distributed on the East Coast, you can easily understand why. Pizza Port Brewing traces its roots back to 1987 when brother and sister team Gina and Vince Marsaglia purchased a struggling pizza parlor in…

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Travel, United States

48 Hours in Carlsbad, California

Day 1 – 48 Hours in Carlsbad 10:38 am Who schedules a 45 minute layover in LAX? This guy. My flight arrived 15 minutes early but ground control held us for a half hour. I now have 24 minutes to change terminals. I hit the ground running, praying that I make my flight given the wait for the shuttle bus. There goes any notion of grabbing lunch to bring on the plane….

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Charlotte, Travel, United States

How to Plan a Charlotte Winery Crawl

This story is sponsored by Charlotte Limo, which offers smart, fun, and safe choices for exploring Charlotte area wineries. Please note that I’ve been to and approve of each destination mentioned below. A winery experience is something that soothes the senses. In the age of hustle and bustle, it’s nice to be able to sit back and relax in a low key environment with a glass of your favorite vintage in hand….

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Brewery Reviews, Craft Beer Travel, Travel, United States

Mother Bunch Brewing and the Story of a Modern Alewife

I thought a great way to wrap up my mini-series on Phoenix’s craft beer scene was with a Brewery Snapshot on Mother Brunch Brewing. I visited Mother Bunch Brewing last September on a whirlwind tour of breweries lead by Arizona Brewery Tours. As my guide for the day, Hoppy Motto, explained, our itinerary included breweries in the “Beermuda Triangle” – Mother Bunch Brewing, Helton Brewing, Helio Basin Brewery, and Wren House Brewing….

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Beer Flights, Craft Beer Travel, Travel, United States

Beer Flights – A Helton Brewing Beer Review

Brian Helton opened Helton Brewing a year ago in the midst of Phoenix’s rapid growing beer scene. While many breweries need several months to work out the kinks with their recipes and equipment, Helton Brewing opened their doors with taps pouring well thought out and brewed beers – thanks to Helton’s decades long career as a store brewer and then regional brewer with Rock Bottom Brewery (he even racked up a few…

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