Dulce de leche and lost in translation

I explored Paraguay and Argentina for 10 days in May, sampling every steak and baked good dripping with dulce de leche along the way. This was by no means a relaxing vacation (aside for a half-day of pampering in Asuncion), but a fabulous whirlwind trip filled with sightseeing, shopping, a birthday celebration, late nights and early mornings. I was lucky enough to be in Paraguay for the 200th anniversary of independence (bicentenario), which meant concerts and fireworks every night and that the city was decorated in their patriotic red, white and blue. A few highlights:

Vive la France!

It has been FAR too long since I've blogged and I have so many stories to tell -- including a weekend in the laid-back Poconos, a weekend at the beach in The Hamptons, running a 5k down the shore, a culinary press trip to Nova Scotia....but first, the highlight of my summer: 12 days in the south of France.

We flew into Nice, stayed at an estate in quiet Mougins, and spent our days either laying by the crystal-blue pool at the house or exploring nearby cities such as Cannes, St. Tropez and Monaco. Two chefs prepared and presented gourmet French cuisine (picture fresh truffles shaved on your filet mignon) and we had access to a tennis court and free-flowing Laurent-Perrier's Cuvée Rosé Brut at happy hour (try it, you'll thank me).

Some photo highlights:

S'more Please!

Nothing screams summer quite like the smell of burning marshmallows over an open flame. When the roommates and I decided to host an impromptu barbecue the other night, we chose the dessert before the main course: S'MORES.

These were no standard recipe summer camp s'mores. Mara found jumbo-sized, "Giant Roasters" marshmallows at Shoprite that completely overshadowed the measly little graham crackers, creating an extra-gooey after-dinner treat. Go big or go home, right?

**What things bring back your favorite summer memories?

The (ultimate) destination wedding: Germany

I went to world's greatest destination wedding ever in September - the marriage of the sister of a life-long friend to her soul mate whom she met in college. For four fun-filled days and nights, we ate German pretzels, clinked beer mugs, and danced both the Hora and the polka, at this celebration of the union between a blonde-haired, blue-eyed German beauty and a tall dark and handsome eastern European Jew.

As we wound our way through the narrow, tree-lined streets of Bavaria, I couldn't help but think, "There's no way any other wedding I go to will compare to this one."





Right before the big day, we drank cocktails at Katrina's bachelorette party in charming Riedenburg, a quiet town set on the Danube and about an hour outside of Munich. The men toasted at David's bachelor party at a beer hall just across town before the groups of men and women met up to share a pint at the end of the night at a smoky pub in the center of the village.

Pre-wedding festivities also included a trip to a Bavarian monastery claiming to serve the oldest beer recipe in the world - which, by the way, is also organic (cheers for a healthy brew!)

The rehearsal dinner itself was better than some actual weddings I've been to, with a live band, dancing, and flowing local beer on tap. Guests couldn't help but wonder how the actual wedding day would beat that evening.



But beat it, they did. The wedding ceremony and reception was held at a beautiful castle set up on a hill. Perfect Operatic notes filled the air as the bride walked down the aisle in a small garden ceremony. Traditions from both cultures were included as they said their vows in front of friends and family.




Around 2pm, the champagne was popped and the festivities began (and didn't end until 3am). The food and beer flowed throughout the night, including a "snack" (huge spread of food) again at midnight for the guests still tearing it up on the dance floor.




Germans certainly know how to throw an incredible wedding.

Photo of the Day - Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Photo was taken from Granville Island, looking out on False Creek during a 2010 Winter Games press trip to British Columbia.

She's back!

After a one year hiatus and trips around the world, I'M BACK! Stay tuned for stories from my adventures including a wedding in Bavaria, a two-week stint working at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games and a week at the Miss Universe Pageant in The Bahamas. Upcoming trips include 10 days in Cannes, France and a week in London to visit a dear friend...

A Spanish Honeymoon

A friend is going to Barcelona, Sevilla and Madrid on her honeymoon and requested my advice. I told her:

In Barcelona, definitely go to Parque Guell, the Sagrada Familia, the Picasso Museum (one of my favorite art museums in the world...and I've been to MANY as the daughter of two artists), and of course, the beach. Definitely go to the Alhambra (amazing!!!!) in Granada, when you're down in Andalucia. In Sevilla, check out the huge mosque (soak up all you can about Spain's rich history of the Christians/Jews/Muslims while you're there...they call the interaction for so many years the "convivencia,"...it's really fascinating). Along those same lines, if you can while you're down in Andalucia, go to Cordoba and see the Mosque there - it's pretty cool (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Mosque_of_C%C3%B3rdoba) and maybe the Jewish Quarter, which is nearby -- I think it's the largest in Europe.

In Toledo, wander and get lost around the little streets - it's a fabulous little ancient town. In Madrid, check out the Palacio Real, go to Plaza Santa Ana and have some tapas outside in the big square, go shopping at El Corte Ingles (Spain's biggest department store) in Plaza del Sol (the center of the city), relax outside and walk around Retiro Park (maybe rent one of the paddle boats and go out on the pond in the middle?), go to the Prado Museum, and go out ALL night! If there's a Real Madrid soccer game while you're there, that could be really fun too. Spaniards love their futbol. For nightlife, I suggest Palacio Gaviria, it's this really cool huge club in what used to be a palace in the middle of Madrid. Just beware --- drinks are $$ there!

Must Do's for Spain (anywhere you go): drink some Rioja red wine and sangria, eat some tortilla espanola, and enjoy the blue skies and SUN.

***Would you add anything?***

Breakfast at Wimbledon

Made a delicious breakfast and now back in bed to watch Andy Roddick play at Wimbledon. Someday, my mother and I will make it to this famed tennis tournament. Bring on the strawberries and cream!

Photo by Sanchom

Photo Highlights from Colorado

Climbing rocks at Garden of the Gods:

Beautiful view:

Jody (my gracious Denver host/guide) and me with the bride-to-be:

After a delicious dinner at Mountain Sun in Boulder:

Red Rocks. I need to return for a concert here. What a gorgeous music venue:

The stairs at Red Rocks. We did these FOUR times:

Cara and Andrew's beautiful wedding - set at an amphitheater at the top of a mountain in Boulder:

Syracuse University reunion with the bride:

Redhead "sisters" at the reception:

Where to next?

"Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life." -Jack Kerouac

My upcoming travels:

-July: The Hamptons, Jersey Shore

-August: Vancouver/Whistler, The Bahamas

-September: Germany

Mile-High City

Greetings from lovely Colorado. Walked through Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs yesterday (photo), then had some authentic Mexican food at a local hole-in-the-wall spot with killer margaritas. Today's game plan: Working out at Red Rocks, hitting up the Denver Art Museum, shopping downtown, followed by a pre-wedding BBQ in Boulder.

More photos to come!

Sentiment of the day

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -- Mark Twain

Go Federer!

Spending a lovely Sunday morning at my parents' house, enjoying homemade quiche (my mother is a regular Martha Stewart), hot tea, and watching the French Open on NBC.

http://straightsets.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/07/man-all-but-accosts-federer-on-court/?hp

He just tied Pete Sampras for career Grand Slams (14). Can't wait to go to the U.S. Open in August!

Vancouver...Oh, how I adore thee.

My second business trip to Vancouver was just as exciting as the first. I came to the conclusion that I could truly live in this city someday. It has the perfect mix of laid-back atmosphere, health-consciousness and art and culture. Ahhh, just call me Zen Meredith.

We stayed at the new Shangri-La Vancouver, the luxury resort company's first North American property. I've never in my life experienced such service. As soon as you arrive at the hotel, an employee in reception excorts you up to your room for a unique in-room check-in experience.

Source: Shangri-La

Ever seen the moment in The Holiday (yep, just referenced that blockbuster of a movie) when Kate Winslet lays in her bed at the house she's staying at, realizes the buttons next to her head control the black-out curtains, the music, etc...and she squeals with delight??


...Yes, that was me.



The buttons by my head controlled the regular curtains, the black-out curtains, the electronic "do not disturb" message, the lights, etc. And to top it off, the room was bigger than my entire apartment in New York. It was pure bliss.



During my stay in Vancouver, I got a sneak peak of the facilities for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. And let me tell you, the Games are going to be amazing. [More to come on this]

Welcome to Miami

Each year, my childhood friends and I get together for a girls' weekend reunion. Our friends travel to one location from North Carolina, Maryland, New York and New Jersey. This year's reunion was set in gorgeous Miami, Florida. My childhood friend's sister's fiance's family (yes...I'm sure you had to read that a few times to grasp the connection) has a huge condo right on Miami Beach and they offered it to us for a long weekend. I was shocked when we arrived -- the place was enormous and spotless and they even left us keys to their Prius!

This was the view from the balcony:

The first day was cloudy and chilly, so we made the most of our (rare) quality time together by whipping up some spicy Mexican food and catching up each others' lives.

We stopped by and wandered around the new Fontainebleau Hotel, which was a convenient six blocks from our home for the weekend. Even on a Sunday evening, the Blue Bar and LIV Nightclub were packed. What do these people do for a living? Nobody has to work on a Monday?

We headed to South Beach to explore for a day and, at the recommendation of my sister-in-law, we stopped by beachside bar "Wet Willie's" to check out the impressive selection of frozen drinks:

Such a great, relaxing trip. Over the course of the four days, I was able to catch up with old friends, explore a new city and complete an entire novel. What more can you ask for in a girls' getaway?

A very busy spring...

My upcoming travels:

March: Vancouver (work meetings)
April: The Bahamas (Weather Conference)
May: San Francisco and L.A. (work events)
June: Colorado (for Cara's wedding!)
July: The Bahamas (press trip)

Angie needs the best job in the world

Tourism Queensland will pick one lucky travel and social media-savvy person to promote the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef (and I thought MY job was cool!)

The winner will be employed by the tourism board for six months and will live on the beach in Australia in a 3-bedroom house = if Angie wins, my next vacation will DEFINTELY be to Queensland, Australia.

www.islandreefjob.com/angie

Angie made the top 50 out of more than 34,000 applicants from around the world. Please give her some love and vote for her (every day, with every email address you have)!!

Clean air in Europe?

I distinctly remember shopping at a mall in Madrid that allowed customers to smoke freely inside. You'd buy a dress for a night on the town, and it would already smell like smoke when you put it on! Those days are long gone...http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28876293/

Photo by Jo Naylor

Sentiment of the Day

Photo by Diario de un Pixel

"If adventures do not befall a young lady in her own village, she must seek them abroad." -Jane Austen

Dreaming of warmer weather...

This freezing cold NYC weather (and the subsequent cold that I caught from being out in it) makes me miss the warm, sun-drenched Bahamas. In going through past posts, I realized I never posted pictures from this summer's "Learn to Cook and Relax" press trip to Eleuthera and Harbour Island (or the Scrubs shoot...but those will come at a later point).

Photos below:

The pink sand beaches of Harbour Island (known as "briland" to locals):

"Queen Conch" stop on Harbour Island cooking crawl. We learned to make our own conch salad:

Cottage at The Cove Eleuthera:


Snorkeling at a pond in Eleuthera (yes, that's an octopus):


Glass Window Bridge in Eleuthera - the dark, menacing-looking Atlantic Ocean on one side, and the turquoise, clear waters of the Caribbean on the other:



Our flight back to the states:




All in a day's work (well...five days, to be exact).