Earn 1000 Marriott Points with One Tweet

This weekend, I went to Chicago and attended Frequent Traveler University, a symposium of experts in the miles and points game. Workshops on everything from redemption programs to manufactured spending gave attendees tips and tricks to make everyday spending work for their practical and aspirational travel goals. 

One thing I didn't know was just how easy it is to accumulate points, both airline and hotel points when you're part of a loyalty program. For example, Marriott is running a promotion right now with the NFL called Extra Points Sunday. 

All you have to do is connect your Marriott account to your Twitter account before you play and reply to a question that's posted each week. 

Tweet your response with the hashtag #RewardsPoints and you will earn 1,000 points each week of the promotion. Questions are posted on Sundays and you have until 8:00 p.m. Eastern to answer. 

With points averaging about $.09/point, you're not going earn a free night, but every point counts. Earning $9 for a few minutes work is not bad at all. 

Happy tweeting!

I'm new to the miles and points game...any tips or tricks that worked for you? Please share in the comments. 

Flying through November...Literally

November is a great month for travel. It's considered off-season or shoulder season in many destinations and you can get great deals. The drawback? Throngs of travelers in the airport security line and on the road. 

November is flying for me...literally. This month, I am lucky to be traveling nearly every week and this is bliss to my nomadic soul. It's not for everyone, but for me, I'm almost giddy. 

Last weekend, I was in Miami, connecting with friends and co-workers, eating the most delicious Cuban food at Versailles, the most iconic Cuban restaurant on Calle Ocho... 

And later, savoring sunset (and a tasty frozen concoction) in Islamorada, in the Florida Keys. 

My TSA Pre-Check that comes with Global Entry, by the way, was worth its weight in gold in getting through the security line at MIA. While it doesn't help with international departures, it saves SO much time with domestic travel and when you're in international arrivals, the Global Entry program is a huge time saver as well. Just do it. Here's how. 

Next weekend, it's all about travel hacking as I join my friend and fellow WITS-er, Mona, in Chicago at Frequent Traveler University. 

The speaker line-up is impressive. From Tiffany Funk to Chris Guillebeau, there are speakers who will be offering their best in earning and redeeming miles and points to make every traveler's wish list a reality. It has been a few years since Mona and I caught up face-to-face, so this will be a real treat. 

And then, for Thanksgiving, we are crossing the Pond and spending the week in London. 

Despite traveling domestically for years and afflicted with wanderlust for a lifetime, London was my first experience with international solo travel. I haven't been there since 2009 and this will be our first time together, but we're ready. 

My husband wants a beer at Ye Olde Mitre Inn, I want to explore what's new at the Victoria and Albert Museum, and of course, we're hoping to score great seats at a show in the West End, like in 2009, when I got second row pit seat for Les Miserables. 

So, my friends, I will see you on the other side of November. What's new with you? How is your month going? 

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Friday 5: Market Musts When Air BnBing

When you want to live like a local, there's no better way to engage in a new community than by staying in a neighborhood through a house-sit or a home rental, like Air BnB. 

Whenever we visit a new city, one of the places we always visit is the market. I walk through, soaking in local fare, imagining what I would cook if I had a kitchen in my new temporary home. It's fun to plan imaginary menus and consider the dinner parties I would have with my fresh, locally sourced ingredients. 

When you're lucky enough to stay in a place with a kitchen, or even with a few kitchen comforts, it's fun to explore the local market and forage for what's fresh and perhaps, unique, to that city. 

Here are five items that we are sure to purchase when we're Air BnBing in a new city. 

In addition to the traditional food items we may buy, we always look for... 

1. Local beer and/or wine

2. Local or regional cheese

3. Fresh baked bread typical to that area

4. Local fish, fruit, and/or vegetable that we may not have ever tried or don't have at home

5. A local treat, like a pastry, chocolate, or candy that is unique to that area

How about you? Do you like to explore local markets or do you enjoy eating out for most meals? What items do you look for when you visit a local market while traveling?

Pastéis de Belém: A Food Must in Lisbon, Portugal

There are destination experiences, like taking a gondola ride in Venice or exploring the market in Istanbul. 

For people who love food, there are destination food experiences, like street food in Bangkok or macarons in Paris. 

We are food people.

When my husband and I visited Lisbon, there were many foods we were told to try, but one topped our list; one that was not negotiable: the Pastél de Nata from Pastéis de Belém, next to the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, Belém.

Getting to Belém from central Lisbon is easy. You can take one of two trams (15 or 127) from Praça do Comércio or Praça da Figueira Square. They both stop directly in front of the area between the Monastery and the pastry shop. 

These small egg custard tartlets are considered by many to be among the best pastries in Europe.

According to the history of the monastery, the nuns used egg whites for starching their white habits, leaving a glut of egg yolks for cooking and baking. 

After the Liberal Revolution in 1820 closed many of the local convents and monasteries, the nuns began selling the custards to workers in a nearby sugar refinery, hoping to raise money for their own monastery. 

After the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos closed in 1834, the monks sold the recipe to the refinery owners, who opened a pastry shop in 1837 and began selling the Pastéis de Belém.The decedents of the refinery still own the closely guarded recipe today and reportedly, only three chefs outside the family know the recipe. Women still shape each pastry by hand and they sell about 20,000 tartlets every day. 

There are always two line outside the shop: one for table service and the other for takeaway tartlets. 

Your pastéis de nata are sold warm with packets of powdered sugar and cinnamon to sprinkle on top if you want. 

If you opt for takeaway, there's a Starbucks next door, but iced coffee lovers take note: if you want cream in your coffee, it's real cream and not half and half that we're used to here in the States. They do have a nice loft space upstairs though, where you can enjoy your pastéis and coffee. 

The lovely little egg custards are worth their wait in line. Bom provecho!

Do you have a destination food experience? Please share in the comments. 

Conference Travel: My WITS17 Packing List and a GIVEAWAY

It's fly week for me as I join 500 women travel influencers, creators, and brands in Milwaukee for Wanderful's annual Women in Travel Summit. 

As someone who attended WITS'15 in Boston, I am excited for this event which has elements of personal and professional development, opportunities for collaboration, networking, and global sisterhood. 

I've started to think about packing and what will make my time in Milwaukee the most productive it can be. Here's what's going into my carry-on. 

My Bags

I am not checking luggage. Whenever it's possible, I carry-on and this year, I am bringing my Kelty Redwing 2500 Backpack. She's been traveling with me since 2010. This front-loading pack holds everything I need and fits comfortably in the overhead bin or under the airline seat. The waist and chest straps even the weight and make carrying it easier on my shoulders and hips. 

I'm also bringing my Samsonite Jordyn Laptop Tote, an attendee's gift from WITS'15.

Organizing

I never travel anywhere without my packing cubes. These organizers are like individual dresser drawers for my clothes and they save me time and space. I also use a charger organizer to keep my charger cables tangle-free. 

Tech

• My MacBook Pro. This travels everywhere with me. It allows me the flexibility to take notes and work on the road when I have down time before, after, or between sessions. 
• My iPhone. I will be using this as my primary camera for tours and conference photos. 
• A power strip. Outlets in hotel rooms and conference breakout rooms can be limited. By bringing a power strip, I can stay charged and help a friend. 
• Earbuds for my flight and shared hotel rooms. 
• My Jackery. This dual USB port charger was a game changer for me.

Other essentials

• Business cards for networking
• Ear plugs for shared hotel rooms
• A notebook and pens for quick notes
• A refillable water bottle and coffee mug
• Quest Bars and/or portioned bags of almonds for snacks
• Gum 
• A scarf and a sweater for chilly breakout rooms
• Rain gear: Because of this year's weather forecast, I am bringing my Eddie Bauer Insulated Trench. Thanks, Steph, for the recommendation. I have used this jacket since November and it keeps me warm and dry. 

When it comes to clothes, I pack light and functional. I choose a neutral color palette and plan around that. I make sure to pack comfortable shoes for offsite tours and a dressier outfit for evening networking and socials. 

Ready to win?

ENTER TO WIN...A WANDERFUL ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP GIVEAWAY

If you're a woman who loves to travel, Wanderful is for you. This community connects women around the world through meet-ups in over 22 cities, a thriving social media network, domestic and international travel, an influencer program, admission to special events around the world, a home sharing network, and discounts to the WITS conference. 

I am such a fan of this community that I am giving away 10 memberships to Wanderful, a $119 value. All you have to do to enter to win is leave a comment below about one gadget you never travel without. 

If you're not one of the 10 winners of this giveaway, you still can take advantage of a discounted membership with $15 off when you sign-up using the code LOVELYLIFE through May 1st. Click here for more information.

Good luck!

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Road Trip Essentials

Spring has sprung and that means it's time to start thinking about those summer road trips. 

Whether you're going to explore, visit family and friends, or spend time tooling around with no place in particular to be, it's a good idea to be prepared. 

The Señor and I love road trips. Clothes aside, here are some essentials that we're sure to pack and always keep in the car. 

1. Snacks and water 
For me, this is not negotiable. I eat every 3-4 hours, but my husband could eat once or twice a day. To keep away the hangry horrors, I pack snacks and then, I'm good to go; I'm a much happier co-pilot..and it's cheaper than stopping for convenience store snacks. If you pack a cooler, you have more snacking options, but it can be a space issue. 

2. Easy clean-up supplies
To keep the car relatively clean, I always pack a couple of plastic bags from the grocery store for trash and a packet of wet-wipes.

3. An electronic toll transponder
This is a time saver that is worth its weight in gold. States differ in their registration procedure, so if you're getting one for the first time, research before you go. We have one in each car. We also keep a few dollars in coins for parking meters, but the transponder is essential.

4. A road atlas
In the rare occasion that you have no cell service, a road atlas is good to have, and it makes it fun to pour over maps as you choose new paths to explore. 

5. A car emergency kit. 
We have AAA, so we're not overly concerned, but the triangle reflectors and jumper cables are nice to have. We also keep insurance information in the glove compartment. 

6. Downloaded podcasts, audio books, and/or a great playlist
When you and your drive partner have common interests, listening to a podcast serves as a great launchpad for later conversation. As an introvert, I appreciate the "quiet" time that allows me to recharge and simply enjoy sharing space with the one I love. 

7. A small notebook and pen. 
I use the notes feature on my phone for most things, but occasionally, paper and a pen comes in handy. We keep it in the glove compartment. 

8. Helpful apps
Everyone has their favorites, but here are the apps we use when we're out on the road: 

• Yelp & Around Me
• Hotel Tonight & Priceline
• Gas Buddy
• Groupon

9. Chargers

My car has USB chargers, but my husband's does not. As a result, we use dual USB chargers that go into the lighter port. For longer trips or working travel, we have a power inverter car charger, which will charge our laptops as well as USB charged devices. Our favorite mobile charger, though, is the Jackery, hands down. We each have one; it goes everywhere with us and we wouldn't trade it for anything. 

10. For good measure...

Outerwear of some sort is essential for me; whether it's a light sweater for chilly indoor air conditioning or a rain jacket for a pop-up shower, I make sure that I throw something in the car to keep me warm and dry. 

What are your road trip essentials? 

Travel Tips for Couples

It was a match made in heaven for my husband and me when we discovered that we were both blissfully afflicted with wanderlust. Our case is so severe that we need a fix at least once a week, even to travel to a new destination for our weekly Sunday afternoon coffee date.

Canoodling aside, travel is a big part of our lives, and we're hoping to travel full time as soon as possible. For some like us, the idea of traveling around the world with a partner 24/7 is bliss, but for others, cramped quarters and too much togetherness bring anxiety that could derail even a week's vacation. 

Here's how we do it. 

1. Obviously, shared interests are fabulous, but celebrate your differences. You're a beach girl. He's a mountain man. Or vice versa. No worries. Do some research and find locales that allow you to do both. Compromise.

2. Plan together. This is how you can be sure that both of you have the opportunity to have your needs and wants met. Discuss expectations about budget, activities and accommodations. Both of you will be emotionally invested and excited for all that awaits you. 

3. Travel light. No one wants to feel like a pack mule. Organize your stuff and then take out at least 10%. Don't pack for What if?. If you need it enough to carry it on your back for x hours or days, then keep it; otherwise keep pruning until you are happy and won't lament carrying your load...on your own...for the duration of the trip.

4. Don't sweat the small stuff. When you're together all the time, or at least when you're traveling together, your partner's habits may start to creep up on you when you're tired, frustrated, or hangry. Recognize that your frustration is really about you and your reaction; you control it. Is it worth it to alienate your partner? Doubtful. Don't take him or her into your world of crazy, because then, you'll have two problems. There's little that a snack, a nap, or a good belly laugh can't fix. And then kiss and make-up. 

5. Share the load. Are you driving? Offer to drive and give him or her a break to snooze, catch up on email or social media or to just look out the window. He or she will appreciate the break and your willingness to share the load.

6. Don't feel like you have to talk all the time. Share space and be confident in your quiet time to think, meditate, wonder at what you see and play with naughty thoughts to make your stay-over that much more fun.

7. Plan ahead. Pack a snack. Pack water. Pack tissues. Pack medicine for a pop-up headache. Pack antacids. It's better to be prepared. I eat every 3-4 hours, but my husband could eat once or twice a day. Know thyself, and I do, so I pack a protein bar. Then, I'm good to go and a much happier camper. 

8. Alone time is okay. Do you want to go for a run? An early morning dip in the pool? If one of you wants to do something in which the other simply has no interest, don't worry. Sometimes the time apart is the remedy for when you're getting on each other's nerves or it saves the other from resenting having to do something or go somewhere he or she really doesn't want to do or go. Plus, absence really does make the heart grow fonder. You can meet up later and share your experience. 

9. Don't be afraid to start small. Maybe a round-the-world trip is not your cup of tea. Start by playing tourist in your own town. Or travel to the closest biggest city. The first big date my husband and I had was to New York. We went for the day and it was magic. Central Park, the Met, tapas and sangria...how can you go wrong?

10. Make it a date. Hold hands. Kiss. Take goofy photos. Picnic. Play. You love each other; make loving memories to hold dear when you're not able to travel as much. 

Whether it's a weekend getaway, a day trip to the city, an afternoon at the museum, traveling around the world, or even a Sunday afternoon coffee date, travel with the one you love is an amazing experience. You connect in a way that may go unchecked in the craziness of chaotic days. Take a chance and see the world. And be sure to kiss all along the way. 

10 Travel-Inspired Date Night Ideas

When you love to travel, it permeates every fiber of your being. When you're lucky enough to have a partner who loves to travel as much as you do, feeding the wanderlust is a daily event. 

Looking to add some travel-inspired date nights to your cache of good ideas? 

Pin this for future reference. 

1. Choose a different restaurant featuring cuisine from around the world. 
2. Watch a foreign film from a country you want to visit or a film featuring that location. 
3. Take a foreign language course from a local community college and download the free DuoLingo app to practice with a meal out at that country's restaurant. Try to speak only that language. 
4. Be a tourist in your own town; find out what your town is known for and enjoy that. 
5. Spend a weekend in your state or provincial capital city. 
6. Cook themed dinners; choose a different country each month. Listen to a Pandora channel from that style of music. 
7. Take a cooking class from a country you want to visit. 
8. Take a road trip. Drive out a reasonable distance and meander back on the state roads instead of the interstate.  Stop at a cafe or local shop on the way home. Pick up a collectible. 
9. Take a photo walking tour and see an area through a different lens. 
10. Peruse the travel section of the bookstore; choose a new memoir to read or plan your next vacation. 

BONUS: Use your travel collectibles and mementos to create decor for your home. 

What's your best idea for a travel-inspired date? Inspire me. 

Global Entry: What You Need to Know

In the spring, the Señor and I decided to apply for Global Entry and skip the long TSA lines in airport departures and at passport control upon arrival back in the United States.  

Here's how it went.

Source

What is Global Entry?
The Global Entry program, according to the United States Customs and Border Protection website is described as:

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports.

At airports, program members proceed to Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport or U.S. permanent resident card, place their fingerprints on the scanner for fingerprint verification and complete a customs declaration. The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction receipt and directs the traveler to baggage claim and the exit.

Travelers must be pre-approved for the Global Entry program. All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrollment.

While Global Entry’s goal is to speed travelers through the process, members may still be selected for further examination when entering the United States. Any violation of the program’s terms and conditions will result in the appropriate enforcement action and termination of the traveler’s membership privileges.

Who can apply?
Global Entry is available* for U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, and citizens of Colombia, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Panama, Singapore, South Korea and Mexico.

There is no minimum age to apply, but children under age 18 must have parental consent to be in the program. Parents, themselves, are not required to be in the program, but like passports, everyone needs his or her own account.

*There may be additional requirements, depending on your country of citizenship. Certain restrictions resulting in ineligibility may apply. 


How much does it cost?
All participants, regardless of age, pay a one-time $100 non-refundable application fee by credit card or bank transfer. The $100 Global Entry includes TSA Pre-Check (an $85 fee on its own without Global Entry) 

Once accepted, Global Entry is valid for five years. 


The Application Process
First, applicants must register with GOES...the Global Online Enrollment System. Regardless of age, each applicant must have his or her own account. It is here that you pay your application fee and answer a number of questions including:

• personal information (name, gender, eye color, height, language preferences) and address history
• date and location of birth
• contact information
• citizenship information (including passport number, issue date and expiration date)
• driver's license number and expiration date
• current employment status and history for five years
• travel history for five years
• criminal history

After your application is submitted, it is reviewed by CBP. If you are conditionally approved, you will receive an email stating that there has been a change in your status and that there is a message in your GOES account. 

From here, you can schedule your interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center. 


The Interview Process
Each applicant must schedule his or her own individual interview. Bring your passport and another photo ID, preferably your driver's license. If you are a permanent resident, you must present your permanent resident card. 

The time between conditional approval and my scheduled interview took months. The interview, itself, took about ten minutes. You may be able to continue logging in to change your appointment time, but I had no luck. You can also use this option to reschedule, should you have a scheduling conflict. 

The Global Entry Enrollment Center in Boston is located at Logan International Airport, in Terminal E, Arrivals. There is a Dunkin' Donuts next to the office to make your wait time a bit more enjoyable. There is a wall lined with chairs and appointments (scheduled in 15 minute intervals). The interviews move quickly, taking in two people at a time, according to your appointment time. 

When I arrived in the office, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer took my passport and driver's license and compared it to the information I provided in my application. He was pleasant and conversational in tone and asked me a number of questions, similar to what had been asked on my application. 

Then he took my picture and my fingerprints and told me I would receive an email in about 24 hours from GOES, similar to my email with conditional approval, stating that I had been approved for Global Entry. 

He indicated that the number in my conditional approval letter was my Known Traveler Number which could be used immediately for TSA Pre-Check, and that I would receive my Global Entry card in about ten days to two weeks. 

The email had arrived before we left the airport, and my card arrived in nine days.

Is Global Entry worth it?
Yes. If you travel domestically, the TSA Pre-Check benefit ($85 on its own) makes it worth it. For $15 more, you have the international passport control benefit. And, the Global Entry benefits are included in NEXUS and SENTRI, two other Trusted Traveler programs. 

You're paying for the convenience of time, but for an average of $20 a year, I'll take it. And, if you hold certain premium travel reward-based credit cards, your fee may be reimbursed. 

For us, it's money well spent. There are Global Entry kiosks at these airports. 

Source

Do you have Global Entry? In your opinion, is it worth the money?

Exploring the Megalithic Dolmen de Axeitos

While vacationing in Galicia, in the northwest of Spain, we ventured out to explore the south of A Coruña's province, driving along the Ria de Arousa, in the municipality of Riviera. 

The Señor planned a lovely day for us and on our way home, we stopped here, at the Dolmen of Axeitos. 

The Dolmen of Axeitos is a prehistoric megalithic tomb dating back to 3,600-4,000 BCE, thought to have been erected in the Neolithic Era. 

It remains unclear as to how dolmens were made; the oldest dolmens date back 7,000 years. While they are regarded as tombs, there is no evidence to this fact, and archaeologists cannot prove exactly when, why, or by whom they were made. 

While not a destination site on its own, the Dolmen of Axeitos was a lovely surprise on our midweek day trip.  

A Castle on the Side of the Road: Exploring Vimianzo in Galicia, Spain

Vimianzo is a town on the way to the end of the world, Finisterre, in northwest, Galicia, Spain. 

As you make your way into the center of town, you pass this...

Spain has its share of castles, and this one is a lovely find. 

Castillo de Vimianzo is a 12th century castle built by the Moscoso family of Mariño de Lobeira. The castle changed ownership through the years, following conflict and reconstruction. 

On July 1st of every year, the castle is remembered with the Asalto de Castillo, or Attack on the Castle, commemorating the Irmandiño War, during which people rebelled against the feudal lords who oppressed and abused them by attacking their castles and forts. 

Today, the castle is open to visitors who can observe traditional Galician handworks, including bobbin lace makers, called palilleiras, leather workers, pottery makers, basket weavers, and silver and gold smiths. 

There are plenty of photo opps in this historical "playground."  

It's a fun place to explore after lunch and a Spanish siesta. 

Vimianzo Castle is open Tuesdays through Sundays. It is maintained by the local government and it is free to explore. 

Rúa de Torre 22

15129 Vimianzo Spain

981-716-354

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