A Traveler's Tales As Bridal Guide's global girl and travel editor, I criss-cross the map, jumping planes, trains and buses to uncover the best bets. Want to be in the know before you go? Join me as I share my insider tricks, hot picks and travel tips to help you plan the vacation of a lifetime.

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July 22, 2008

My Trip to Italy!

I packed two travel bags with me, one of which I’m wearing in this picture in front of the fountain at Repubblica. Having a bag with straps long enough to put over your head and rest around your body protects against those daring pick-pockets, and the infamous “gypsies” around Rome that we were told to watch out for. (Seriously, they look like gypsies—think Esmeralda, The Hunchback of Notre Dame style.)

We got to spend one Saturday with a resident of Sacrofano, a medieval town about a half hour north of central Rome. People who live in the city often travel to Sacrofano for its restaurants. I understood why after a full spread of antipastos, three different pasta dishes, an assortment of grilled meats served with potatoes and salad, and cookies dipped in dessert wine at L’unico Ristorante “da Tonino” . Everyone agreed that it was the best meal we had the entire two weeks!

We frequented this bridge, the Ponte Sisto, in the Trastevere area, which was often our destination for meetings with Italian women and a few dinners. The bridge crosses the Tiber River—a beautiful picture during both the day and night.

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Posted by Lisa at 3:06 p.m. | Comments (0)

July 18, 2008

Spend Wisely Abroad

Italy—it’s known for its biggest collection of art in the world, incredible food and high-end fashion. Needless to say, the two weeks I was there, it was difficult not to max out my “in case of emergency” credit card—and the exchange rate was an additional burden on my spending (while I was there, one U.S. dollar was approximately .65 euros).

Some notes on exchanging currencies:

• Don’t exchange at airports or hotels—their rates are killers
• Banks usually give good rates, but they all add a convenience charge. (Check your local bank before jetting.)
• Withdrawing money from an ATM seems to be the fastest way to get cash at a pretty good rate, but, depending on your bank you may be charged above the normal different ATM tariff.

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Posted by Lisa at 11:13 a.m. | Comments (0)

July 16, 2008

Packing 101

I wish I could say I’m an efficient packer. But the reality is I have to literally sit on my suitcase to close it. When I was accepted to a cultural exchange program run by the National Organization of Italian American Women, I decided to make my first trip to Italy a cure for my over-packing disease. And with the weight limits for checked baggage on airlines always changing (in the downward trend) I had even more motivation.

Having an itinerary of sights, activities and the like, made my first step in the cure a bunch easier. The Sistine Chapel, like many houses of worship, requires visitors to cover their shoulders and knees. So, for that outing I packed white linen pants, a navy blue sleeveless button-down blouse, and a white pashmina to drape over my shoulders. Also on the docket were mentoring sessions with top Italian biz women, for which no jeans or shorts were allowed—I packed my favorite J. Crew summer weight chinos in navy and khaki, a few business casual, yet fun floaty tops from Forever 21 (I love it—never breaks the bank!), and I threw in two cotton dresses from the Gap for good measure.

For the total tourism hits to the Coliseum, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps, I packed solid colored, lightweight (and breathable) cotton tees and some J. Crew shorts. My shorts in white, khaki, and olive never fail to mix and match perfectly with any top. Lots of walking requires a comfortable shoe, so I bought Michael Kors sandals with the supportive sole of a Birkenstock, but ooh-la-la chic of a black patent leather strap.

Some tips:

• Placing shoes in plastic bags and at the bottom of your suitcase when it’s standing up mean your clothes won’t be permanently stamped by any icky remnants from your soles.

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Posted by Lisa at 12:14 p.m. | Comments (0)

July 15, 2008

Passport Prep

Hey! I’m Lisa, an intern here at Bridal Guide this summer. I’m a journalism major at New York University, I love avocadoes, and I really want to skydive. I’m also quickly becoming a member of the jet set. (It’s kinda perf that I’m interning in the travel department, huh?) After two family vacays on the beaches of Bermuda at Tucker's Point Club, I really earned my wings with a jaunt to Japan this past winter. My week in Tokyo was spent touring temples, eating authentic sushi, and sipping sake from a box. But the real reason I was there—to celebrate a dear friend’s birthday. Being a new member of the frequent flier club, I’ve learned a lot about getting my passport in order. Here are some tips:

• Allow at least six weeks to get a new passport. Generally it takes a month for renewals. Applications can be found online at the U.S. Department of State website.
• You can get your passport photo taken at a local Kinko's, a major post office or even a big box retailer. (I got mine at CVS Pharmacy.)
• Once your paperwork is completed and you have your photo, hand everything in to a passport agency or acceptance facility—these include post offices, libraries, courthouses, and municipal offices. (I went to my local town hall.)
• A new passport for adults costs $100. Renewals are $75.

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Posted by Lisa at 12:48 p.m. | Comments (0)

June 26, 2008

product picks:

Don’t Cry For Me

I went to Argentina last week.

Regular readers of this blog know how obsessified I am with the guidebooks, so it may come as a little bit of shock and awe when I tell you that I’ve been so beyond biz that I haven’t gotten around to doing my usual pre-trip research. (I blame it on all of that wedding planning.) Luckily, I edited and read (no less than 17 times) our July/August issue, which highlights the best bets, hottest hotels and excellent eateries across the capital city of Buenos Aires. (If you haven’t checked it out yet, run, don’t walk, to your kiosk. The issue is just that good!) And since I spent two days in the birthplace of tango about five years ago, I felt like I was in OK shape to do some exploring on my own.

But just when I was feeling all slack-a-dazical, behold the first edition of The Rough Guide to Buenos Aires. Yep, I’m just that important that the guidebook gods heard my cries and sent this hot-off-the-presses release to me literally two days before I was scheduled to take off for the land of Evita. And thank goodness, too.

The city-centric guide outlines all the must-sees like the Casa Rosada (Argentina’s White House and exact spot where Evita and Madonna (!) gave the final good-bye), the Recoleta Cemetery (the most expensive land in the entire city and resting place—finally—of the polemic former first lady) and La Boca (the famous portside neighborhood with brightly colored tin buildings). But it also gives some serious info on the real importants like where to shop. No joke, this 300-page book lists more than 100 shops, plus it breaks down the nitty gritty on the famous flea market held in the San Telmo neighborhood each Sunday. All I can say is gracias al Rough Guide for helping my trip be a little more memorable.

The Rough Guide to Buenos Aires, $18.99. Go to dk.com for more info.

Posted by Jenna at 2:55 p.m. | Comments (0)

June 16, 2008

Life in the Fab Lane

This one’s a scene from that hit TV show: I can’t believe this is actually my life! A few nights ago I was invited to an intimate dinner with R&B superstar Usher. I know, I know it's totes O.T.T., specially since Benny Medina (AKA manager to the divas La Lopez, Tyra, my girl Mariah and—gasp!—the style-setter with the best hair in Hollywood, Nicole Richie) was one of the 15 or so peeps there. But don’t worry; I still love all the little people.

Now for reals, the reason I was at this oh-my-goshness-pinch-me-now event was to celebrate—and I quote—Usher’s “new album, new fragrance and [his] son.” And while the rest of the crowd was buzzing about the cutie baby and his hottie papa, I was swooning over the limited-edition fragrance, which is available in September at the beauty hot-spot Sephora. It’s a light blend of pretty florals, jasmine and gardenia, with a lingering top note of sweet peach. The scent is so pretty and delicate I think I’ve found my special wedding-day scent.

That’s me with Usher. JK, Tameka and Novio….Gosh, people can get so sensitive.

Posted by Jenna at 5:15 p.m. | Comments (0)

June 6, 2008

website watch:

The Old Country

There are a thousand and one ga-jillion travel websites out there, and figuring out which one to trust can be a major time-suck. That’s where I come in.

J’adore Europa. And when I say that I mean j’adore waaaay more than your average beer. You see the first time I traveled to the Continent was in 1995 for a wedding in Innsbruck, Austria. My mom and I took an Alpine train ride (sooo pretty!) and partied at a local pub, where I tried RedBull for the first time. (At that point it had yet to be released in the U.S.—I know, so. cool.) We also toured Rome and Venice and drank viel Bier on a Sunday at the famed Hofbräuhaus in Munich, Germany. I had such a fantastic time exploring the Old World that (with the exception of 1997) I’ve been back to Europe every year since that first voyage.

But now with the Euro being so sky-high, it can be a challenge enjoying the finer things in the Old World without breaking the bank. Enter: EuroCheapo.com, a travel portal that specializes in highlighting the best—and you guessed it—cheapest dealios from Amsterdam to Vienna. The hotel reviews are what got this little site that could off the ground. And not only are the bits helpful, honest and insightful, they’re also crafted by folks who’ve actually stayed there. (I know it sounds crazy, but some guidebook writers just do site inspections, they don’t stay overnight in every. single. spot they review.)

But what I really like about EuroCheapo are the blogs. They are regularly updated with fantastically fun and uber cheap (and a lot of times free!) activities like the best walking tours in London and the coolest churches in Roma, plus they post deals on airfare, train travel and hotel stays. Vive le cheap!

Even though my play-group instructor taught me a ton of German songs when I was two, the only thing I can say now is vier Glas Bier bitte, which means “four beers” please. Thankfully at Munich’s Hofbräuhaus that’s all the German I need; well that andwo es das Zimmer der Dame(where’s the ladies’ wash room)?

Posted by Jenna at 12:35 p.m. | Comments (0)

June 5, 2008

club wed:

15 Minutes

Hey ladies, now is your chance to get all Hills-level famous. We’re looking for real couples to share your honeymoon stories in the pages of Bridal Guide. Don’t worry—we don’t need the naughty bits. We want to highlight your raves, faves and a few pics of your fabu honeymoon destination. Give me a shout at editorial@bridalguide.com. Please include the dates of your trip, a photo of you and your boo, and your contact info. I look forward to hearing all of your stories.

xoxo

Posted by Jenna at 11:51 a.m. | Comments (0)

June 3, 2008

travel tip:

The Fast and Furious

Did you hear about that new study that just came out? It states that fasting may alleviate the effects of jet lag. Apparently some hot shots at Harvard concluded that since daily sleep cycles, behavior and metabolism are all governed by something called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (say that five times fast), which in turn is governed by sunlight. The scientists, who studied the behaviors of mice found that the “feeding clock” actually overrides the “master clock.” And when one forgoes meals, he is actually overriding the part of the nervous system that is in sync with hour, light and darkness.

OK, got that? Yeah, I’m not so sure either. But I do think it is interesting that fasting for a 16-hour flight will help alleviate the effects of jet lag, especially tiredness. While napping for a few hours on your long hauls can mess up the body rhythm nation and have you feelin’ all groany and groggy. But I’ve got one question: Did American Airlines sponsor the study? That way they don’t need any excuse not to feed us in the friendly skies…

Posted by Jenna at 5:11 p.m. | Comments (0)

May 29, 2008

club wed:

Notes on a Theme

Since I got engaged, I’ve been making up for lost time with the lady doctor and the gastro guy. (T’ain’t no way in Hades I’m going be all m-squared bloat-o monster on my big day.) The obligatory small talk always comes around to “Where have you been?” (I’m a championship MD avoider), “Oooh! What a pretty ring!” and “What’s your wedding theme?”

And this is the scene in the movie when I have to say: “My wedding theme is no theme. My theme is a nice, pretty wedding.” It isn’t that I’m anti-theme or anything, it’s just the thought of emblazoning everything from my save-the-dates to the escort cards and multiple-tiered cake with starfish and shells gets me as excited as the prospects of sitting in a tollbooth. And while (yes, Mom) I realize that having a theme may make my planning a little more cohesive and perhaps a bit easier, I just think it seems a little hokey and unnecessary.

Case in point: The Eyeliner Wonder Twins AKA the Wentzes. They had an Alice in Wonderland–themed wedding complete with a crazy cake featuring a hat, tea pot, stopwatch and a pot of flowers on top. I don’t know, guess I’m being all judgy-facey here, but does anyone else find this a little childish? (Bluebelle Madonna AKA daughter of Ginger Spice just had a similarly themed birthday party—she’s 2 b-t-dubs.) And does anyone else remember that episode of Newlyweds when big sis Jess had an Alice in Wonderland cake at her bday celebration? I guess it comes down to me just not digging it. But I’m wondering, what are you other brides thinking—is it a yea or nay on the theme?

Rumor has it these pop rockers had black flowers as their centerpieces. Who said punk was dead?

Posted by Jenna at 4:15 p.m. | Comments (0)