2021-05-04 20:34
Most people love the beaches of Mexico – which are quite beautiful – but there are so many other places to explore. One of my favorite places is Oaxaca. Luckily for m… Read More
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Florida Keys Girl - Loving Life, Food, Wine And Tr Blog
floridakeysgirl.com
Loving Life, Food, Wine and Travel.
2021-02-27 13:36
For many of us, imagining a place where there is nobody around to bother us, where we can simply enjoy solitude (and a good cocktail) is as good as it gets. So, here are my top 7 places to g… Read More
2021-02-08 16:31
Getting to Pacuare Lodge is a big part of the adventure. Our day started with a 6 AM pickup from our hotel, Grano de Oro in San Jose, Costa Rica. We traversed the city, and after about an ho… Read More
2021-01-06 13:40
Working on a cruise ship seems like fun, right? You get to travel the world, meet new people and explore places that you might otherwise never get to see. But if you have been aboard a ship… Read More
2021-01-05 14:16
I love Egypt because it is like walking into a history book – the amount of history is powerful and overwhelming. The myriad of sights are as old as time and a feast for the sens… Read More
2020-12-02 14:56
It’s December already. I can’t believe it. You know what that means, right? It is time to start thinking about holiday gifts, and I am here to help. Travel is my passion –… Read More
2020-11-18 18:15
When most people think of Mexican food, they think tacos, and for good reason. There are tacos everywhere. From street food to fine dining, the taco is ubiquitous and also yummy. But there i… Read More
2020-10-29 11:21
In the interest of full disclosure, I will tell you that Mexico City was not at the top of my travel list. It wasn’t really even in the middle. I hadn’t given it much thought, to… Read More
2020-10-28 16:41
For our first trip in eight months, we headed to Mexico. The last pre-pandemic trip was also to Mexico, where we visited the excellent Le Blanc Resort, Cancun. This time I wanted something d… Read More
2020-10-15 11:42
The single best part of my job is that I get to craft vacations enabling my clients to create memories that last a lifetime. That is why I do what I do. Period. Some of those vacations are j… Read More
2020-10-01 11:41
The last trip I took before Covid swept across the world was to Le Blanc Resort and Spa in Cancun. It has taken me until now to write about it, but really, no time like the present, as Mexic… Read More
2020-08-26 19:01
Teton Village, home to the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, was our home base, and we loved it! We were within one mile of the southern entrance to the Grand Teton National Park and 20 minutes… Read More
2020-08-12 13:23
Like a lot of other people ready to travel, we decided to make the best of a pandemic and visit places in the United States which were on our bucket list. Enter bucket list item: Deer Valley… Read More
2020-07-29 15:57
Sometimes bringing travel home involves schlepping jars and bags of delicious goodies!Can I start by announcing the obvious? I cannot believe it is practically August. And we are still, more… Read More
2020-07-01 11:12
Wonderful oysters at Fleet Landing in Charleston, SCA trip to Charleston is like a trip back in time – except with amazing food and outstanding accommodations. My husband grew up… Read More
2020-06-16 11:00
No FOMO aboard Seabourn’s wonderful transatlantic cruise.Over the past several months, we have dealt with all sorts of situations for clients: trips canceled, vacations rescheduled, vo… Read More
2020-06-02 11:00
New foods, especially in small bites, are not very scary.I’ll start by telling you that I had a completely different message for today. But after this weekend’s news, that can wa… Read More
2020-05-06 11:02
High tea in Buenos Aires? Absolutely! Buenos Aires is a sophisticated, cosmopolitan, hustling-bustling port city of 4 million, reminiscent of the great European capitals. I… Read More
2020-02-20 12:06
Smaller ports, fewer crowds, more enjoyment.Cruising can be a wonderful way to travel. If you have not been on a cruise, you may have images of gigantic floating cities, and long lines. Whil… Read More
2020-02-06 13:00
This is what people think of when they think Alaska.Alaska is known for vast open spaces, glaciers, wildlife, and stark beauty. It is also a wonderful summer vacation destination via cruise… Read More
2020-01-09 13:00
Happy New Year! Now that we have recovered from the endless party-shopping-cooking-whatever-you-do of the holiday season, it is time to think about the upcoming year and where you will go. F… Read More
2019-10-17 12:48
Porto is a beautiful and charming city, and definitely worth a visit.Portugal has become a super popular vacation destination. There are beaches in the southern part of the country. The capi… Read More
2019-04-25 12:18
The stunning Grand Velas Riviera Maya¡Buenos dias!
I am recently back from a fantastic trip to Riviera Maya, in Mexico, where I was able to visit and enjoy a number of spectacular reso… Read More
2019-02-28 12:59
Vienna, a city of music, art and cake.One of the highlights of a Danube river cruise is the visit to Vienna. Our Uniworld Enchanting Danube was no exception. Unlike many other cities on the… Read More
2019-02-13 13:25
Caviar and Champagne al fresco, on our balcony aboard the Seabourn QuestAcross the globe are countless destinations that invoke romance: exclusive resorts, remote islands, wonderful propert… Read More
2018-10-19 12:19
Passau, Germany is hardly a hotbed of activity. In fact, many Americans have never heard of this quaint town, just over 100 miles east of Munich. We embarked on our Enchanting Danube c… Read More
2018-10-12 12:22
Uniworld Enchanting Danube: Our French Balcony Stateroom.Uniworld Boutique River Cruises are some of the best in the ever-more-crowded river cruising industry, so naturally FKGuy and I neede… Read More
2018-10-05 12:30
Munich is a beautiful and livable city.After a restful night’s sleep on a horribly uncomfortable bed, we made our way to breakfast where we met some of our fellow travelers for day two… Read More
2018-09-28 12:26
Dachau Concentration Camp MemorialAn overnight flight hardly ever leaves a person feeling rested and refreshed, even if you have the luxury of traveling in business or first class. Our long… Read More
2018-05-22 18:35
Havana is gorgeous, even in the rain.
“Excuse me. Do you know where I would find this address?” I asked the closest pedestrian I could find, in passable Spanish. I understood pre… Read More
2018-05-05 12:54
The beautiful Viñales Valley, Cuba.
After disembarking the Norwegian Sky, we made our way through customs, to the currency exchange and out into the middle of Havana. But the beautifu… Read More
2018-04-27 12:50
Norwegian Sky leaving the Port of Miami
Last year, my travel agency had a contest, and whoever booked the most Norwegian cruises within a particular time frame won a cruise to Cuba (and I wo… Read More
2018-04-20 12:57
Delta One: Those are comfortable seats.
“Which is the best airline?” or “Is [Insert Airline Name] the worst? I’ve heard bad things…” These are common que… Read More
2018-04-13 13:21
Bruges: Breakfast of Champions.
“I’ll just pick up a few chocolates as gifts for my friends,” I thought, in advance of our day-with-no-plans in Bruges. As we wandered the q… Read More
2018-04-06 12:40
In case you missed it, I was recently featured on Inside South Florida, on The CW. I sat down with Dave Aizer to talk about all things travel. From family trips to great getaways, I can hel… Read More
2017-12-22 13:51
Kinsale, Ireland.
Cobh, the port of call for Cork, Ireland, may be best known as the last port call on the Titanic. Oh, and it is pronounced like “cove,” in case you were wo… Read More
2017-12-15 16:28
Dublin, Ireland: The library at Trinity College.
I would have liked to spend a couple of days in Dublin, Ireland. The city has a wonderful energy, is easy to navigate, and the people are ext… Read More
2017-12-01 13:52
Belfast, Northern Ireland: The Antrim Coast is gorgeous.
As I talked about our cruise itinerary, perhaps my least anticipated port was Belfast. In advance of our cruise, I hired a guide with… Read More
2017-11-10 13:27
A jaunt to Northern Wales: Conwy Castle
While in Liverpool, people tend to do some sort of Beatles-related tour. Alas, I don’t really like the Beatles. Mind you, I don’t not like… Read More
2017-11-03 12:41
Edinburgh, Scotland: You never know who you’ll meet.
Edinburgh, Scotland was easily my most-anticipated port stop of the cruise. We would be there during the Fringe festival and had ti… Read More
2017-10-23 13:41
Inverness, Scotland: Celebrity Silhouette
Boarding the Celebrity Silhouette in Amsterdam was a bit hectic. But once we dropped luggage and waited in a short check-in line, we made our way th… Read More
2017-10-13 12:01
Two Days In Amsterdam: Portrait of Three Weary Travelers.
When I have only a short period of time someplace, I like to cram in as much as possible. With that in mind, I was overly optimistic… Read More
2017-10-06 13:45
Two days in Amsterdam is not enough.
I could spend a month wandering the streets of Amsterdam, strolling along the canals and soaking up the ambiance. Unfortunately, I only had two days in A… Read More
2017-09-29 15:47
London Travelogue: Our friend/awesome tour guide.
Last year we sailed on the Seabourn Quest from Fort Lauderdale to Monte Carlo. On a sixteen night trip, with twelve sea days, you are going… Read More
2017-09-15 12:05
London Travelogue – Westminster Abbey
Another morning, another gorgeous stroll, this time to Westminster Abbey. We got there just before the 9:30 AM opening, and with advance tickets… Read More
2017-09-14 11:54
I can’t possibly thank you enough, my readers and friends, for the outpouring of support and concern before and during this storm. I am thrilled to report that we are just fine. W… Read More
2017-09-01 13:00
London Travelogue Part II: Starting the day in Green Park.
We awoke to beautiful sunshine and a freezing, Florida-winter-esque temperature of 58 degrees. But my long sleeves, jeans, and flee… Read More
2017-08-24 21:58
London Travelogue: Someone needs to guard the Crown Jewels.
The plan was to arrive in London, get to the hotel, have some lunch and then tour the Tower of London. That didn’t happen. T… Read More
2017-08-11 12:24
Champagne is always a good way to start a vacation.
Forrest Gump may have said it best: sh*t happens. Don’t let a small (or large) mishap ruin your vacation. Things happen. That i… Read More
2017-08-04 12:55
Travel tip (and random picture of the Duomo in Florence. Go visit. It is better in person.)
Americans are the worst. We are terrible at using up all of our vacation time, and then some peopl… Read More
2017-07-28 12:45
Mary’s friendly smile greets customers at Hoss and Mary’s.
“There’s a new food truck in town and I’ve heard they have great burgers. Want to go?” I am cer… Read More
2017-07-21 13:00
Eden Brown Co-Owner of Isle Cook, Key West, and one of the only people I know who can successfully pull off that lipstick.
I have been trying to get to one of the fantastic wine and food tas… Read More
2017-07-07 13:05
American English Kitchen and Bar – we brought the Martinelli.
While searching for a restaurant recently, I saw several reviews of American English Kitchen and Bar in Hollywood. Th… Read More
2017-06-30 13:13
Papa’s Pilar Distillery, Key West
Local distilleries are popping up everywhere, it seems. We now have three rum distilleries on our tiny island. The latest addition is Papa’s Pil… Read More
2017-06-23 13:00
Oceania Regatta
Oceania Regatta is a beautiful ship. She started life as R-Two, a Renaissance Cruises cruise ship. When Renaissance went out of business in 2001, she was transferred to Crui… Read More
2017-06-16 15:42
The envy-inducing tuna brulée.
The tiny, sometimes frenetic, lovely space that formerly housed Seven Fish is now Little Pearl. Although the decor has changed somewhat, and the menu is… Read More
2017-06-09 13:51
Stunning view from the deck.
The first time FKGuy and I visited Key West, in 1996, we stayed at The Pier House. Perched at the end of Duval Street, overlooking the water, with lush gardens a… Read More
2017-06-02 14:53
The parting gift from brunch, a great next-day breakfast.
Mother’s Day Brunch takes brunching to a whole new level. There are annoying people to contend with, family drama, and hard-to… Read More
2017-05-26 13:05
Cheddar cheese fritters make any day better.
May in New York City should be sunny, crisp, and delightful. Instead, we woke up to a gray, cold, rain-soaked Manhattan, while still kind of in a… Read More
2017-05-19 14:36
I’ll save you the Googling: it means I came, I saw, I ate. After living in New York City for six years, admittedly a while ago, we don’t need to sightsee when we are there. We v… Read More
2017-05-12 13:00
Norwegian Escape pool deck.
Recently, I toured the NCL Escape, Norwegian’s newest ship to date. This mega-ship has enough eating and drinking venues to make your head spin, as well as… Read More
2017-05-08 16:50
It’s a gorgeous view, especially now that it stays light later.
In the building that formerly housed Kaya Island Eats, now stands Fish waterfront restaurant. Our friends wanted to go r… Read More
2017-05-01 13:45
The Boardwalk
Carrying a maximum of 6,300 passengers, it is fair to say that the Allure of the Seas is gigantic. Until a recent tour, I didn’t quite get the impressive size and feature… Read More
2017-04-17 20:34
One of the newer hotels in Key West, The Saint Hotel, a Marriott Autograph Collection property, offers a lovely bar serving craft cocktails and tasty food. Though they had a rough start get… Read More
2017-04-07 12:48
My grandparents, circa 1974, enjoying a laugh.
My grandmother was the type of person that people talked to about everything. Standing in line at the bank or grocery store, perfect strangers… Read More
2017-03-31 13:00
Old Fashioned on tap is a very good thing.
While having brunch at Azur with friends recently, there were multiple conversations going on at once. After all, six loud people plus mimosas will… Read More
2017-03-24 13:19
Our week in Panama and Costa Rica was mostly at sea level. We were on boats, hiking, viewing wildlife, and lounging in the warm water. After disembarking the cruise ship, we met our driver… Read More
2017-03-17 14:59
The highlight of our visit to Costa Rica was the wildlife. We saw four species of monkeys, scarlet macaws, sloths, and coati. There was evidence that a puma may have been enjoying the bea… Read More
2017-03-10 15:02
The embarkation process.
In June 2010 we were last aboard the ship now known as the Star Breeze. Then, she was named the Seabourn Spirit. Although a lot has changed since that week in the M… Read More
2017-03-06 19:20
The Panama Canal
The day after boarding the beautiful Windstar Star Breeze in Colon, we were cruising the Panama Canal. Completed in 1914, this marvel of engineering continues to amaze over… Read More
2017-03-03 13:37
Day one, Panama City, part two. After a much-needed nap (FKGuy), and an adventure in purchasing two toothbrushes (me) we headed downstairs, straight to the Champagne bar. Because every even… Read More
2017-02-27 18:02
When in Rome, er, Panama…
We had a mere 24 hours in Panama City before our cruise on Windstar’s Star Breeze. I booked the earliest flight possible, departing Miami at 7 AM, to m… Read More
2017-02-17 13:40
I love these corks.
From time to time, I get boxes of wine that just show up, unannounced. As opposed to the ones that I have ordered, and know are en route. That happened again recently, an… Read More
2017-02-13 13:55
Key West boasts a plethora of great restaurants, and it is impossible to frequent them all. We hadn’t been to Michaels in ages when friends came to town, reserved, and said, “we… Read More
2017-02-10 13:08
Among my clients are many first time cruisers. If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know that I love cruises. Visit all seven continents by ship, enjoy champagne in the middle… Read More
2017-02-06 17:55
Selfie in a Telsa.
You know the part I look forward to the most at the Key West Food and Wine Festival? Sitting. I spend a lot of time running around, pouring wine and helping others, s… Read More
2017-02-03 15:27
Pouring (and sipping) champagne on the beach. Life doesn’t get better.
Key West Food and Wine Festival springs up at the end of January every year to bring our little town something we… Read More
2017-01-30 18:01
Al Maidah, Arabic for “the table filled with food,” is Key West’s newest Middle Eastern restaurant. Housed off the tourist path on White Street, this location has housed s… Read More
2017-01-27 14:26
The few, sad, mediocre restaurants in downtown Hollywood are slowly being replaced by places that don’t suck. First Ends Meat came along, bringing casual and delicious food to a sorel… Read More
2017-01-23 14:37
I came from unpacking; my cousin came from working. Clearly, he wins the best-dressed award.
One cannot live on smoked fish alone. Well, maybe some people can, but as much as I love the stuf… Read More
2017-01-20 15:37
Everyone has fun at the Key West Food and Wine Festival.
While the rest of the country is freezing (I know, I was in New York City last week), we will be enjoying our flip-flop wearing and w… Read More
2017-01-16 14:36
Welcome to NY, have some smoked fish.
Most people travel to New York City to see a Broadway show, dine in fabulous restaurants, and visit the Empire State Building. Me? I spent last week unp… Read More
2017-01-13 13:20
Complimentary bruschetta brought to the table, but it was a sad, soggy mess.
I wanted to like it. Any time a new restaurant, bar, or shop opens in town, I hope it’s excellent and succe… Read More
2017-01-09 13:34
One big iced tea.
Driving down the Overseas Highway, we usually only stop for gas, coffee, or a (human or canine) bathroom break. Whether I am driving southbound on a typical weekend, or aft… Read More
2017-01-06 15:39
The Florida Keys enjoy an abundance of seafood, laid-back charm, and beautiful scenery. It is not difficult to find a roadside restaurant with fantastic water views and Made 2 Order is… Read More
2017-01-04 14:26
The folks at Seven Fish, formerly housed on the corner of Olivia and Elizabeth Streets in Key West, bought land and built a shiny new restaurant. Watching the construction, it seemed l… Read More
2016-12-23 13:53
I’d like more days like this.
Goodbye, 2016. Adios. I wish I could say it has been a pleasure, but… Well, there were certainly some highlights. The year started with a visit to… Read More
2016-12-14 13:39
I don’t swim. I mean, I can swim, but case in point: when we built our (tiny) pool, the pool guy said, “well, you won’t be able to do laps here.” My response? &ldquo&helli…Read More
2016-12-12 18:18
Over the course of several visits, we had yet to make it to the French side of St. Martin, the half-Dutch, half-French Caribbean island. I knew this was our moment of opportunity. When I sa… Read More
2016-12-07 13:43
This was how we were first greeted in Luminae on Day 1.
Sometimes in life, you get what you pay for, and Celebrity Cruises Suite Class program is no exception. I’ve been fortunate enou… Read More
2016-12-05 17:13
The Celebrity Solstice-class ships, including the Silhouette, all have an expansive lawn club. Real grass growing on the top deck of the ship, perfect for lounging, reading, relaxing, or in… Read More
2016-12-02 15:15
Goat cheese souffle at Murano.
It may seem like all we did on our vacation was eat, but that is not true. We also drank. Celebrity Silhouette offers six specialty dining venues in addition t… Read More
2016-11-30 13:44
Disco shrimp, a house specialty.
I’ve cruised on one other Celebrity ship with Qsine restaurant before, but never tried it because it seemed, well, kitschy. And when I dine, I prefer g… Read More
2016-11-28 16:22
This is far more relaxing than preparing a meal for twenty.
Last week I was aboard a beautiful ship with friends and family. Thursday was Thanksgiving. While we already celebrated with tu… Read More
2016-11-18 13:07
I don’t get seasick. Well, I never used to get seasick. Now? It has happened recently, and it will likely happen again. But I will not let seasickness keep me home, and neither should… Read More
2016-11-14 17:36
Thanksgiving is not entirely about the turkey.
Thanksgiving is not just a day. It is a feeling of gratitude, a moment of celebrating the good in our lives and sharing those good feeling… Read More
2016-11-11 16:12
Babka exercises her right to join us in voting.
I can’t speak for others, but I can tell you this: I have an election hangover, and I didn’t even have any wine that night. In ret… Read More
2016-11-07 15:52
From the Le Gavroche website. What the souffle should look like.
Souffles are those delicious, fluffy, eggy dishes that, when made properly, are the best things ever. That is not hyperbole… Read More
2016-11-04 13:43
Nothing says the morning after a big event, like a wedding or bar mitzvah, quite like a bagel brunch. It’s a great way to gather friends and family before everyone heads out of town o… Read More
2016-10-31 16:03
Farmhouse Kitchen is a lovely choice in Boca.
We recently met some friends for dinner, and in choosing a location it had to meet a stringent set of criteria. Somewhere between Delray Beach a… Read More
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