We Heart You, Boston

This week has been a hard one for the fine people of Boston, as well as all the visitors who were running in or supporting the marathon. Bad things happen and we can only hope they get resolved and move on. I am sending good thoughts for the victims and their families and decided we should honor them and their city with a post on fun things to do in their fair city.

This photo of Fenway Park is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Boston, Massachusetts is an overlooked seaside destination. It is chock full of restaurants serving clam chowdah, historical buildings and museums, but it also is home to Fenway Park, an awesome aquarium and the famous Cheers bar. 

This photo of New England Aquarium is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Save money on sightseeing with the Boston CityPASS. Valid for 9 days from first use and covers the top 5 Boston attractions for just $51 per person (adult). See the best of Boston with your pass and have plenty of time to do it in. There’s something for everyone and you save almost half off admission prices!

• New England Aquarium        
• Museum of Science 
• Skywalk Observatory 
• Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 
• Harvard Museum of Natural History OR The Old State House

This photo of Samuel Adams Brewery is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Like beer? Take the Samuel Adams Brewery Tour. At just a suggested donation of $2 per person, it's likely the most affordable tour you'll ever go on. Not only can you taste test some delicious brew, but you can watch the process of making beer from start to finish. Also awesome? Sam Adams doesn’t even need your money to run these tours, so your donation goes to local charities. You get to do something good and drink free beer! Arrive early, especially on Saturdays, because tours can fill up quickly.

If you didn’t rent a cah to pahk in Hahvad Yahd, you can take the T around town. That’s their subway system. It’s easy to use and even easier by using Urban Rail, which has printable maps and helpful tips and ways to use the rail system to get around. And when you aren’t in Boston, you can use it all over the world for public transport maps. Did I mention it’s free? 

Be your own tour guide with Stray Boots' treasure hunt tour games. Through clues and fun facts, you can see the city from a unique perspective. This is the perfect way to go on a tour without all the structure and it’s great for kids and adults alike. Each tour can last two to three hours, even more if you choose to spend more time at any of the stops along the way.

This photo of The Midtown Hotel is courtesy of TripAdvisor

If you need help finding a great vacation deal to Boston, then BookIt has you covered. Save even more with their 99-hour sale that ends on Friday at midnight (EST). Hotels have lower rates and may even include free activities and other extras and bonuses. Who doesn't want a sweet deal made even sweeter with things like free Wi-Fi and breakfast. So much extra savings!

What do you like most about Boston (or look forward to seeing the most when you visit)? 

Your Starter Travel Wardrobe

When you go on vacation, packing is often a step that people hate. I just think of it as a possibility to come up with a basic wardrobe that will get me through most any situation. You don't have to pack for Armageddon and bring everything you own with you. Think of it as packing as few necessities as possible, because you will also have to carry that closet with you. Now, you know I don't like to waste money, so my choices have to fit in a carry-on and any personal item sized bag I take with me. My rule is generally that all my clothes, accessories and no-liquid toiletries go into the carry-on and my electronics, snacks and 3-1-1 bag go in the smaller bag. Using this technique, my husband and I almost always get away with just two bags between the two of us. It's compact, it's easy to transport and we have everything we need. Since most people don't know where to start in packing a mostly-inclusive carry-on wardrobe, I have come up with a starting point for men and women. 

Women:

Starter travel wardrobe by shereentravels featuring high-waisted jean shorts

You don't need to take every 50 outfits to look great every day. Instead, pack this:

• Tank tops (2 or 3) which are perfect for layering or wearing alone.
• A good pair of jeans with stretch in them, like these from James Jeans.
• A nice pair of black pants. They don't show stains and can be dressed up for going out. I choose a pair of black James Jeans, because they can be casual or more formal and they are comfortable.
• Comfortable tee shirts (again, 2 or 3). These can go with everything and also layered.
• A cardigan or blazer. This can dress up an outfit or be used for layering and warmth.
• A fleece or warm jacket.
• Shorts. If you will be going to a warm climate, then 2 or 3 pair will work. If you're not, skip them.
• A comfortable black dress. You should always have an LBD on hand, unless you're going hiking for 2 weeks. A travel wrap dress can be worn during the day or out to dinner.
• Ballet flats. I know you want to wear your good heels when you go out, but a nice pair of flats will go with everything you packed and out dancing.
• Walking or running shoes. Chances are you'll be doing a lot of walking on your trip. don't regret your choice in footwear by day 2.
• Jewelry. This is not the time to break out your diamonds and other jewels. Pack a few statement pieces that can dress up your Plain Jane tanks and add a bit of luxe to to your dress.

Men:

Men's Starter Travel Wardrobe by shereentravels featuring a henley tee

Men have it easier when it comes to packing, and unlike women, they tend to wear 90% of what they bring, as opposed to only 20% women wear when they pack everything they want. It's nicer to pack more than just 2 pair of underwear and a tee though, so here's what should be in your carry-on.

• A good pair of jeans with stretch. You wear them at home, so bring them with you on vacation and you'll always be comfortable.
• Khakis. You can dress these up or down, so they work for checking out the Louvre, going to a Michelin-Starred restaurant, kicking back at the local pub or taking a walking tour of the city.
• Tee shirts. If these are what you love wearing, grab 2 or 3 to toss in your bag. They are easy to pack and go with both pants.
• Shorts. if your destination is somewhere warm, 2 or 3 pair will do you good. Make sure they are neutral colors or, if they aren't, will go with the shirts you bring.
• A nice button-up dress shirt. You only need one, no matter how many times you're taking your lady out, because you probably aren't going to be seeing the same people and you are going to use the next item to mix it up.
• Ties! These are the necklaces of the guy world. They take up little room and make a big statement. Bring at least 2 for a variety and you won't be sorry...unless you're going camping, in which case, it's not necessary.
• A blazer. Can be used as an extra layer for chilly days or for a jacket at a nice restaurant or the theater. 
• Walking or running shoes. Keep your feet happy with a comfortable pair of shoes.
• Dress shoes. Obviously you can't wear trainers everywhere, but you can find loafers and other dress-like shoes that are also good for walking. Just look for them.
• A hoodie, fleece or mid-weight jacket, because you never know when the temperatures might dip.

What I've left off this list, but always say there is room for, are flip flops. Always keep a pair in your carry-on, because they are nice for going to the lobby for continental breakfast, schlepping your laundry to the washing machines and also going to the pool or beach. They are a given and I suggest buying a pair that you just keep in your bag, so they are never forgotten. Trust me, I've learned that the hard way.

What are your must-have items on your trips?

Live and Learn: Los Angeles (Part 2)

Los Angeles is awesome. There are so many things to do in and around it, but people tend to get all riled up about how crowded it is that they can’t see how much there is to entertain you. I’ve probably made 15 trips to LA and Anaheim growing up (and grown up), so you would think that by now I’d have it all down. This last trip was the longest I’d ever been in SoCal and decided to do more than make a quick trip into Hollywood for a friend’s birthday. I did one thing right: this time I did a bit of research and started my visit to Hollywood on the Hollywood Blvd, where the action is. I did a lot of other things right, but even after so many vacations to LA, there is still stuff to learn. Last week I gave you my first 5 lessons, and this week I have a continuing list.

Take advantage of freebies at your lodging during downtime. Lesson number one, make sure you plan for downtime, or you will be crazy cranky from being go-go-go for days at a time. Eventually, it saps all your energy from only getting minimal rest. This is also why I like to travel in the fall. The weather doesn’t suck and attractions usually close earlier, making it easy to plan time to go back to your room and chill. Use that time to see what your accommodations have to offer, whether it’s the hot tub, exercise room, dining coupons, movies or other entertainment. We were lucky to get two free movie rentals, which we happily took advantage of while doing laundry and hanging out and relaxing. We also made sure to use the coupons available in the lobby, one of which netted us a free appetizer at Bubba Gump’s (which was only two blocks away).

You may need to use a fancy app to find out wait times at your favorite park rides or call and change a reservation. Whatever it is you need, it will be impossible if your phone is dead. Keep your mobile charged. While this seems like a no-brainer, it can be super-hard to keep your battery from draining in 10 minutes after taking videos of all the fake movie stars on Hollywood Blvd. Turn your background data off, keep your tweeting to a minimum, bring along your car charger or bring a backup battery, just in case. You never know when an emergency will occur, or you need to call to figure out why your attractions card doesn’t work.

Freak heat wave + outside activities = super uncomfortable. So, I always assume California will be warm, but when the temperatures soar over 90, I really don’t know what is happening. Once you get to the theme park and are standing in a barely-shaded line for an hour and you get totally sweaty, you can’t just leave and go back to your room and refresh. I wish I had thought to bring along deodorant wipes and wet naps. After 3 hours, I just felt like I had run 3 miles and then rolled around in dirt. Attractive! Those two things would have been a great addition to my bag…and will be for every vacation here on out, no matter where I’m going or what the weather is going to be.

Did you know it’s cheaper to park in Los Angeles than it is to park in Seattle? This is a good lesson learned, as I was able to park all day for $10. That is less than half the rate at even the cheapest parking garage in Seattle. I was shocked and thrilled, because it saved us a ton…at least on the one day we parked in the city.

So, despite what everyone says, there might be celebrities roaming Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive, but don’t expect to see any. I saw none the whole time I was there. Bummer. Not that I really thought I might see a ton, but something better than the wax figures at Madame Tussaud’s or fake Spiderman in front of Mann’s Chinese Theater. I think if you don’t hope to see anyone from TV, or don’t plan to take up residence in front of Louis Vuitton for the entire day, you should just assume you will see no one.

There’s something to be learned from every trip – some good and some bad – including the fact that I think it’s okay to hit up Weinerschnitzel for a quick meal (hello, pretzel bun!) and an extra camera battery needs to be in my bag or I will only get half a day’s worth of photos in before the first one dies. What are some of your must-remember lessons from past trips?