My Portland Coffee Tour - Part 11

Happy end of the month! Do you need a little pick-me-up? Maybe a steaming hot cup of coffee? While I can't get that for you, I can bring you a few reviews of coffee shops that I've been to this month. It's been a crazy busy month and not in a great way. We've been battling the flu off and on, so I've not gotten out of the house as much as I'd like, plus I threw myself a 40th birthday party which took up a lot of time planning and prepping for, but it turned out awesome. You can see some pics on Instagram if you're interested.

So, this month I only made it to two shops on one of my rare days off where I didn't feel like I was dying and didn't want to get out of bed, and I wasn't off doing something I had planned previously with family/friends.

Triump Cofee 

This was a lucky find for me. I had been planning a trip to the next coffee shop (below) and searched for others in the area. I checked out their website and was sold. Their food sounded awesome and I liked the feel of it. When I got there, I liked it even better. 

I described this shop as having coffee at your grandma's house, but in the best possible way, because there are comfy 70s-era seating options (look at those goldenrod velvet chairs!) and all the servingware is mismatched. I glimpsed a set of of 70s plates my mom had in my childhood. It felt a bit like home. 

I was pretty confident in a recommendation from the barista, and he suggested the Cubano latte ($4.75) and I'm never turning down a coffee with cinnamon. I also settled on a ham and cheese croissant ($4.50) from the case and it was warmed up for me. The two made a pretty hearty breakfast and I was not disappointed. The croissant was perfectly flaky and yummy and the coffee was smooth and just spicy enough. I didn't need any sugar, because it wasn't too bitter. If you can find a parking spot, or are walking through the neighborhood, this is absolutely worth a stop. I could tell there were a bunch of regulars here, but I didn't feel out of place at all. This is a true gem in Portland.

Push X Pull Coffee

I found this shop on Insta and was INSTAntly intrigued (sorry). They just opened a few weeks ago and do all their own roasting. In fact, their website says "roasting coffee since a couple of days ago" and that made me giggle. They don't purport to be a long-time roaster at all, so I figured it would be interesting to give it a shot. 

As you can see, the space is bright and airy, with a definite modern minimalist vibe. There are coffee sacks around the shop and this amazing roasting machine that looks like it belongs in a science lab. I, again, asked for a recommendation and the barista asked me a few questions and then we decided on a latte made with a newly-roasted Colombian bean ($4.50) and I couldn't pass up a fantastic looking apple danish ($4.25) sitting with some other pastries on the counter. She found me one that hadn't been sitting out and it came out on a square white plate. 

I loved the vibe of this place instantly, but I was quickly disappointed. They obviously have a bit of work to do here, but I'm sure this a place that you will either love or hate. The pastry was super dry, except for the middle, and the apples were "rustic" and still had their peels, making it tough to eat. My latte was nothing special, and not at all worth the price when I had paid just $.25 more for a fantastic cup at a shop up the street. I added some raw sugar for a bit of sweetness, but I still think this shop is a bit overpriced. 

I loved the open space, but the high industrial-feel ceilings just made everything much louder and hard to relax and enjoy yourself. Perhaps Push x Pull will settle into its own as it gains experience, but with so many other options so nearby, I won't be giving it a second shot.

Here's to next month when I hopefully can caffeinate myself a bit more outside the house, but I hope these two reviews gave you the little coffee bump you needed today.

Tell me about your favorite coffee shop where you live or from your travels.

How to Keep Yourself Safe On Vacation

When you travel, you don't just have to worry about your safety out in the world, but also for your travel companions and your stuff back home. With a few pointers, you can assure that you'll be fine wherever you are and when you get back home. We've all seen movies like Hostel and The Shallows, so don't let any of that happen to you if you can help it.

You can also find more infographics at Visualistan

What are your tips for staying safe on vacation?

The Good and the Bad of All-Inclusive Resorts for Couples

The popularity of all-inclusive resorts among vacationing couples is at an all-time high. At face value, they are the epitome of stress-free travel. Who wouldn’t want a travel package that covers all the fun parts of travel including entry fees, dining and accommodations? Not many people would resist the offer.

With all its advantages, all-inclusive resorts also have some downside. Before you book with an all-inclusive resort, you need to evaluate if the pros outweigh the cons. Here are some of the typical pros and cons of staying at an all-inclusive resort as a couple.

The Good

Specifically Designed to Be Stress-Free

Mexico and the Caribbean have mastered the art of the all-inclusive resort.

Usually, the target market for these resorts is couples looking for an easy and stress-free vacation where everything is taken care of. Usually all the inclusions in an all-inclusive vacation are listed on the resort’s website, so you know exactly what you’re getting before you book.

These packages usually include a listing of food, drink, spa access, accommodations, activities, and more.

Better for Budgeting

With an all-inclusive resort handling your vacation, you can basically leave your wallet at home. An all-inclusive price allows you to know how much your trip will cost in totality even before you leave your home.

There’s no better way to stay within your budget than to decide how much you are going to spend. If you spend your money upfront and then pay nothing else going forward, you’ll know exactly the cost. This arrangement will also help you avoid arguments surrounding the topic of money with your partner during the trip.

Everything is Grown Up

Choose an all-inclusive that caters to adults, and it will be more peaceful than your average hotel or resort that takes kids. If you are traveling as a couple with no kids, keep off the destinations that are marketed as specifically as family-friendly resorts. You won’t want a romantic vacation to be ruined with the cries of upset children.

A Beach, Pools and Endless Drinks

Nothing gives you the license to be lazy as an all-inclusive resort with beach access, a pool and the offer of an unlimited supply of drinks. You can be as lazy and as gluttonous as you want and no one will judge you. This is the promise of all-inclusive resorts, after all.

The Bad

Feeling as if Your Freedom Is Limited

After paying for an all-inclusive vacation, your vacation activities are pretty much limited to the offers specified in the package, unless you fork out more money.

Since you will have already paid for the lined up activities, you will be reluctant to skip them in favor of other activities that you may have to pay extra for, even if they seem more enjoyable.

Given the nature of most pre-packaged all-inclusive resort vacations, you will probably miss out on impromptu tours and may not get a chance to escape to the local streets to try out authentic cuisines. The majority of your vacation will probably be spent at one resort. This means that your experience of the destination will depend on your host’s accommodation and not on the choices you make day-to-day.

May Not Be Value For Money

Pricing is a tricky subject to navigate as different people value things and experiences differently. Further, when booking an all-inclusive vacation, you might be paying for services you will probably not take advantage of.

Resorts may be priced differently based on differences in star rating, location, experience of staff, celebrity value, brand recognition, and various other intangible factors. While researching for a place to stay, you and your partner should sit down and take the time to find a resort that meets all the factors that are important to you and at a fair price.

Expensive does not always mean better. You can find a very good all-inclusive resort at affordable prices.

Resort Life is Not for Everyone

The typical all-inclusive resort is miles away from most inland attractions, offer limited opportunities to meet different people every day, and have a list of designated activities. If you are used to a fast paced life and want several options every day, an all-inclusive resort may start to become boring the longer you stay.

The cure for this problem is to spend more money to experience other things outside of the offered menu. This contravenes the first principle of an all-inclusive resort that promises that everything you could probably want is included in your package.

Upsells and the Lure of Extras

No matter what all-inclusive resort you go to, there will always be some services that are not included in your package. These services could be in-land excursions or basic on-site services such as spa treatments.

You will probably be tempted to fork over more money to enjoy these services and the decision may lead to your budget to get out of control. Just do your research before you book and know what you’re getting. If there’s anything extra you can do, it will almost definitely be listed on the website and you can budget for that beforehand as well. 

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What are your biggest questions regarding all-inclusive resorts?

Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Sandals Resorts.