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  • A Taste of Patagonia

    A Taste of Patagonia

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When we spur of the moment bought plane tickets to Santiago, Chile (thanks again Orbitz and your error fare!) I had no intention of going to Patagonia. Between cost and the limited amount of time we had, it didn’t seem like it was even an option.

    After I did a little bit of research I quickly realized it was 100% possible (the fact that our flights from Los Angeles to Santiago were only $200 were definitely helping the budget factor).[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”773″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We booked flights on SKY Airline – a budget airline in Chile that didn’t seem all that different from Spirit – but got the job done. We took an early morning flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas, grabbed some lunch at the airport and then set off on a two-and-a-half hour bus we had prebooked with the bus company, Bus Sur.

    I know what you’re thinking. That’s A LOT of travel already. And it was. But the plane and bus both make great spots for extra naps (I can pretty much sleep anywhere) and the scenery was pretty great on the bus ride as well. Alternatively, you could rent a car, but the option for sleeping, gazing at the scenery, and a $10 bus ride appealed to me more.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    Where to Stay

    If you’re not doing one of the Torres del Paine treks it’s pretty expensive to stay within the gates of the national park. Most people stay in the town of Puerto Natales, about an hour and a half from the park. We opted to stay at a hotel right outside of town (about a $3 taxi ride) called Altiplanico Sur (thanks, Chase Sapphire Reserve points!). Every room had a beautiful view of the mountains and water, the bathroom had heated floors and a heated towel rack (some personal home dreams of mine), a standard breakfast was included, and all of the staff was overwhelmingly nice. I definitely recommend![/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”761″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    Where to Eat & Drink

    Afrigonia – A yummy fusion restaurant located right in town. A mixture of Chilean and African food. Definitely on the pricier side but everything we had (including a bottle of Camenere) was delicious.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Singular Patagonia – While located slightly farther outside of town than our own hotel, I feel like this is a must do, even if it’s just for a drink. It’s an old meat refrigeration plant that was converted into an amazing hotel a few years ago. They have a gorgeous restaurant and bar area with beautiful views. We went for a few sunset drinks and charcuterie board, relaxed, and enjoyed the views.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1491529732101-5de53121-ccda-4″ include=”762,763″][vc_single_image image=”764″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Santolla – can you say King Crab? Our hotel recommended this place and we were not disappointed! Located in Hotel IF in Puerto Natales, the restaurant is actually made out of shipping containers that have been constructed together. But, in addition to the aesthetically cool factor, the food was delicious (plus some more wine, of course!).[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”765″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Baguales Brewery – if you find yourself needing a break from wine and Pisco Sours, head here. Fun little microbrewery that seemed to be the popular place to hang out in town.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1491530279666-930d589d-f07d-1″ include=”766,767″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    Torres del Paine

    Of course, one of the main reasons you probably flew down to Punta Arenas, and definitely the main reason you’re hanging out in Puerto Natales, is to go to Torres del Paine National Park. Many people opt to do one of the multi-day treks but with our limited amount of time, one day was all we could manage.

    Although we typically try to avoid tours at all costs, this was one time where it seemed to be the easiest way to see the most sites in our limited amount of time. We went with Patagonia Adventure. Being outside of town we were the last pick up around 9am. We made a stop at a little country store on the border of Argentina to pick up snacks, lunch, coffee, and make a bathroom stop and off we went. We made it back to the hotel around 7pm. While we had incredibly wonderful weather, the scenery was magnificent regardless. I’ll let the photos below do the rest of the talking.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”771″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_single_image image=”775″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1491530567205-dff2746e-15fa-10″ include=”768,769″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”770″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Visiting Vineyards in Valle de Guadalupe

    Visiting Vineyards in Valle de Guadalupe

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]There have been a variety of articles written about Guadalupe Valley being the next Napa – being that Mexico is a drive, walk, and quick uber away (and much less expensive than Napa) I was excited to check it out.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We walked across the border a little before 11am and called an uber. If you’ve never walked across the border into Tijuana, you should expect a little bit of chaos. There is one road where taxis, Uber, and friends and family are coming to pick up anyone and everyone who has just walked across the border so the traffic is constant. Buy a bottle of water or some street tacos while you wait – it could be a little while.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1490065548307-5b45a17b-bf52-0″ include=”750,743″][vc_column_text]I had read about UberValle (seemingly similar to UberWine in the Paso Robles wine region) but the option was coming up on my phone. Assuming I’d be able to utilize the feature later, I selected an UberX, and twenty minutes later Miguel pulled up in his red Chevy Spark.

    Miguel was wonderful. And talkative. And a lifesaver. Once we got down to the Guadalupe region (we decided to start at the farthest winery we were interested in visiting, about an hour and 45 minutes from the border) I tried to pull UberValle up on my app to no avail. So, I’m not sure if this service never gained popularity and was discontinued, but I won’t assume it’s an option in the future. Miguel was happy to stay with us for the remainder of the day – even letting me end every ride and start up again between wineries.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    The Wine

    Our first stop was Vinos Las Nubes, which sat perched on top of hill overlooking gorgeous rolling hills and vines. They had two tasting options – one regular tasting of 5 wines for about $8 and a reserve tasting that was a few dollars more. We opted for the regular tasting and a cheese plate – we were in need of a snack after our two+ hour adventure to get there! Their wines are mostly blends, and all mostly delicious. I really enjoyed all of the reds and went home with a bottle of the Seleccion de las Barricas (for under $12!). I definitely recommend heading here, enjoying some wine, and taking in the gorgeous views.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”745″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_column_text]Our second stop was Villa Montefiori, relatively close by. This winery focused on Italian wines – so if you’re not a big fan of Italian wines I would steer clear. They were smaller than Vinos Las Nubes, but had a nice outdoor patio and the same beautiful views. They had a few different tasting options for $10 and $15 so we did one of each. The wines were okay, but nothing special enough to buy a bottle of, and I don’t think I’ll plan on visiting them again (and, while I drank a bottle of Italian wine every night when I lived in Italy 11 years ago, it’s not usually what I’m drawn to these days).[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”749″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]At this point we were starving, so we opted for a winery that also had a restaurant, Corona del Valle. Corona del Valle had a bit of a rustic feel when you walked in, but then led out to a large patio. There wasn’t much in the way of views here, but the food was yummy (and necessary) and the wine was fantastic. We snacked on some delicious guacamole and fresh ceviche and did two different tastings. I really enjoyed all of the wine I tried here and went home with a bottle of the Merlot and a bottle of the Tempranillo/Nebbiolo. The Malbec was another favorite, but a little bit pricey for my wine-tour-on-a-budget plan in Mexico.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1490065235345-0462e8a4-389e-3″ include=”751,754″][vc_column_text]After Corona del Valle we had time for one more stop, but since we were crossing the border back to the United States that evening, we decided to start our journey back. From our last stop it was about an hour and twenty minutes to the border.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”748″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]All in all the day was wonderful. Next time I’ll probably plan to have dinner in Tijuana on the way back or stay the night in Ensenada or Rosarito. For more recommendations for dinner in Tijuana on the way back, read on here.

    Our Uber for the day (for about 7.5 hours) was right around $100. Wine tastings were anywhere from $8-$15 and bottles of wine started as low as $11.50 a bottle. With those kinds of prices and the close proximity to San Diego, I’ll definitely be going back![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Making the Most of a Long Layover

    Making the Most of a Long Layover

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When I booked my first trip that had an extended layover in London, I knew I had to get out of the airport. One of my best friends from college had been living there for 8 years, and while we had traveled the world together, I had never been to London while she lived there. I started researching what I could do with an eight hour layover and came across many forums warning people not to bother leaving the airport, it’s too far, just stay in the lounge, etc. etc.

    Well, I was determined, so I bought the more expensive Heathrow Express train ticket and found myself in Central London in no time. I had plenty of time to run around and quickly see the sights, have a delicious brunch, and enjoy some beers in Covent Garden.  After that I was sold on long layovers.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1487297397247-3b2ab382-3eeb-9″ include=”727,726,724″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]These are some things I would consider when deciding if you’ll be leaving the airport or not:

    • What time is your layover? (a 12 hour layover during the day is far different than a 12 hour layover overnight)
    • How far is the airport from the city you want to explore?
    • How long does it take to get to where you want to explore?
    • Do you have to get your checked luggage and then recheck your bag?
    • Or if you’re carrying on, where is the luggage storage?

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Once you’ve determined it makes sense to leave the airport and explore I always prefer to have some idea of what I want to see and do. On a 17-hour overnight layover in Tokyo I was overwhelmed by the sheer size of the city. We decided to explore just a handful of neighborhoods and felt like we saw a lot in a short amount of time.

    Things we accomplished in 17 hours:

    • Took the train into the city (chose the neighborhood of Shinjuku due to it’s central location and ease of getting from the airport)
    • Ate sushi
    • Checked out the giant crosswalks and famous statue of the dog, Haichiko in Shibuya
    • Ate ramen
    • Wandered around the little alleyways and tiny bars of Golden Gai
    • Had some cocktails

    On the way back we had a 6 hour layover so spent some time in much closer, Narita. We ate some sticky buns, more ramen, had personalized chopsticks made (tourist alert!) and checked out some temples.

    • Took a shower and got some sleep
    • Spent the morning at the Meiji Shrine near Harajuku

    [/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1487297434734-814b9500-3197-2″ include=”725,722″][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1487297459027-8396eb72-d728-9″ include=”721,723″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A year later I was in a similar situation in Shanghai. An overnight layer on the way to Hong Kong and an afternoon layover on the way home. This time I was able to:

    • Take in the beautiful skyline at night and during a bright, sunny day
    • Head to 86th floor of the Hyatt Jin Mao for drinks and (some) views – it was pretty smoggy up there
    • Enjoy authentic Chinese food
    • Wander around The Bund
    • Visit Yu Yuan Garden
    • …and of course sleep and shower!

    [/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1487297488004-4f20b5e3-1fd4-6″ include=”728,729,730″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Now I am not only determined to make the most of any long layover, I actually look for them when booking flights! Where’s your favorite long layover or stopover you’ve been?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Your San Diego Guide to Brunch

    Your San Diego Guide to Brunch

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Who doesn’t love a good brunch? Everyone in San Diego does. Whether you live here or are just passing through for a weekend, definitely make sure to indulge in some yummy brunch cocktails and food that might be a little bit more creative than your classic diner food (not that I am hating on a good diner!).

    There are endless brunch spots in San Diego, but here are some we love and frequent (in no particular order).

    Prep Kitchen – always a favorite of ours – for dinner and drinks as well – you can find locations in Little Italy, La Jolla, and Del Mar. They have your classic mimosas and bloody mary’s, but the rest of their drink menu is definitely worth exploring. Pair your chilaquiles with some ricotta donut holes for the table and enjoy!
    Address:
    Little Italy: 1660 India Street, San Diego, CA
    La Jolla: 1044 Wall Street, La Jolla, CA
    Del Mar: 1201 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Fig Tree Eatery – another one with numerous locations, this place has a bit of an earthy crunchy feel. Order the breakfast sushi for something different, and definitely a side of man candy for the table.
    Address:
    Pacific Beach: 5119 Cass Street, San Diego, CA
    Hillcrest: 416 University Avenue, San Diego, CA
    Liberty Station: 2400 Historic Decatur Road, Suite 103, San Diego, CA    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Great Maple – this is one of those few popular brunch spots I’ve found that actually takes reservations – major bonus. But their food is great too! Start with an order of beignets and then choose an entree – I’m a fan of their scramble melts. Then head over to the Hillcrest Farmer’s Market!
    Address: 1451 Washington Street, San Diego, CA[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Breakfast Republic – this place is so popular they’ve already opened numerous locations in San Diego. The wait can be long, but, hopefully, you’re able to grab a tasty cocktail while you wait. The entire menu is mouthwatering to me, so I don’t think you can really go wrong. I’d recommend going with a few people so you can try different things, and what’s an order or Oreo pancakes between friends?
    Address:
    North Park: 2730 University Avenue, San Diego, CA
    Liberty Station: 2865 Sims Road, Suite 106, San Diego, CA
    Encinitas: 251 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Backyard Kitchen & Tap – definitely a favorite of mine for 10am NFL games. The food is good no matter what time of the year, but when you’re trying to get a group of different people together on a Sunday morning during football season, this is a great place to check out. The $15 bottles of champagne don’t hurt either. Chicken and waffles is always a favorite of mine (and I’d have to say, stay away from the donuts – too sticky for my taste!).
    Address: 832 Garnet Avenue, San Diego, CA[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Mission – another place you can expect a wait, I recommend checking this place out if you are looking for something slightly healthier. They even have a gluten-free menu. Some of my favorites are the chicken apple sausage and soy chorizo.
    Address:
    Mission Beach: 3795 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA
    North Park: 2801 University Ave, San Diego, CA
    East Village: 1250 J Street, San Diego, CA [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Cafe 21 – Two words: mimosa flights. If that doesn’t start your brunch off right, they have a variety of delicious omelets and crepes!
    Address:
    Gaslamp: 802 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, CA
    University Heights: 2736 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Isabel’s Cantina – scrambles, hash and oh-so-good coconut french toast. Not to mention their lunch that includes single and double happiness (check out the menu to see what I’m talking about!). This place is great for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
    Address: 966 Felspar Street, San Diego, CA

    There are many other great brunch spots out there – some that I’ve tried and others that I haven’t – this list really could be endless! Have a favorite brunch spot to San Diego? I’d love to check it out![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Road Trippin’ California

    Road Trippin’ California

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]After almost nine years of living in California, I finally made some time to visit Big Sur. Living down in San Diego meant that I couldn’t make it an easy day, or even weekend trip, so with a week off between Christmas and New Years I made a mini-road trip itinerary.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    Day 1 – Paso Robles

    Being that I’m a wine lover and had explored Temecula, Santa Ynez and Sonoma, it only made sense that the first stop to break up the drive would be Paso Robles.

    Stay

    There are some winery resorts to stay at, but since we were only there for one night we opted to stay in town. Town didn’t have too many higher end options, and their mid to low range options were relatively expensive. I opted to use points for the Paso Robles Inn and was not disappointed. The location couldn’t have been better for staying in town and the room we had was nice (with a very spacious bathroom).

    Eat

    We had dinner at La Cosecha – Restaurant & Bar. The paella and cioppino were so so, but my mezcal drink in a smoked glass was quite good. The scallops appetizer was delicious. Not my favorite place I’ve ever been, but I’d go back, if just for drinks and appetizers.

    Red Scooter Deli – anxious to get on our way to Big Sur, I stopped into this little place for some breakfast sandwiches and cappuccinos. Both were delicious.

    [/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”699″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Wine!

    Of course, the main reason I decided to stop here was for all of the wine. We spent about four hours wine tasting that afternoon. There are about 200 wineries in the area so I know there a lot more to taste, but here’s where we went and what we thought!

    Adelaida – I honestly chose this place because it looked pretty in a photo (and because I had decided we would stick to the west side) but was impressed with all of the wines we tasted. It was here I learned about the Mourvedre grape and where we decided to pick up a bottle of Mourvedre wine. They snuck in a little extra wine, port, some walnuts and chocolates too.

    Halter Ranch – at this point we decided to let our UberWINE driver lead the way. He brought us down the road to Halter Ranch which was absolutely gorgeous. They just built a brand new building for their tastings. Everything we tasted there was delicious as well and the views were gorgeous.

    JUSTIN Winery – we were warned that they had been purchased and turned corporate, and it definitely felt that way. The wines were all pretty great and they had two different tastings you could do. One was more expensive than the other so we split them. (some of the wines overlapped). We didn’t purchase any wine here but ended up buying some merchandise for our friend Justin and received the tastings for free (a $35 value).

    Turley Wine Cellars – it seems that most wineries in Paso make a white wine or two just to appease those coming along for the ride who might not love red wine. Well, at Turley we tasted 100% red, and 100% Zinfandel. While they were good, I’d prefer a more diverse tasting menu (and perhaps they do have a more diverse menu at times).

    Cypher Winery – our last stop of the day was a smaller winery called Cypher. To be honest, at this point I was pretty tipsy and a little bit more focused on an adorable yellow lab puppy, but I had no complaints and they gave us wine glasses when we left. There was also another winery right next door but they were closed (it was the day after Christmas and a Monday).[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1483503378910-3087c671-6fc5-6″ include=”698,703″][vc_single_image image=”693″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Tip!

    UberWINE was great. It can get expensive (averages around $40 an hour) but you have a private driver the entire afternoon. So, if four of you go wine tasting for four hours, what’s $40 a person?! If you’re not doing a pre-planned wine tour or have a designated driver, I’d highly recommend this option as cell phone service was not the best, sometimes non-existent out at the wineries.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    Day 2 – Big Sur & Monterey

    We woke up bright and early and started our drive to Big Sur. These were the stops we made along the way:

    Elephant Seals Vista Point (San Simeon) – early on in the drive we decided to check out the elephant seals – worth a few minutes to check these guys out if you have any interest![/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”702″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]McWay Falls & Julia Pfeiffer State Park – pretty crowded, but amazingly beautiful. Definitely worth the stop.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”697″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_single_image image=”692″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Nepenthe Restaurant – we had actually been told the food wasn’t very good, and with an hour and a half wait we weren’t very interested, but it was easy enough to order a glass of wine at the bar and take in some gorgeous views.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”696″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Big Sur River Inn – we stopped for a late lunch here – a rustic, woodsy feeling place and enjoyed some beers, a burger and a delicious pulled pork sandwich.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”701″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Bixby Bridge – probably one of the most photographed spots in Big Sur, we obviously joined the crowds during golden hour for a few great shots. It was a wonderful end to our drive (until we realized we were on a one lane road of traffic leaving Big Sur and Point Lobos State Park at the same time)![/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”695″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We then checked into The Monterey Hotel in downtown Monterey for the next two nights. It is a historic hotel but our room was rather modern and again, the location made everything easy.

    Still full from our late lunch we opted to do some more wine tasting at Sovino Wine Bar & Merchant and then had a late dinner at a really cool restaurant called Restaurant 1833 (also, delicious!).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    Day 3 – Redwoods & Carmel-by-the-Sea

    Our original plan was to explore Point Lobos State Park, but after spending all day driving the coast the day before, we decided to find some redwoods instead. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park was closest, about an hour drive away, and we wandered around in the cold forest for a while, in awe of these amazing trees.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1483503378923-bd9041ee-eae3-8″ include=”700,694″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The park was actually just east of Santa Cruz so we decided to head there for a quick lunch. Santa Cruz has yet to impress me, so after a little bit of seafood we made our way back down to Monterey to drop off the car and yet again, taste some wine.

    We spent mid-afternoon to early evening visiting a few wine bars in Carmel (there are about 14 in a couple of square blocks – they actually call it the Carmel Wine Walk By-The-Sea). We picked up a couple of bottles from Blaire Estate and Shale Canyon Vineyards and then were ready for dinner.

    It was recommended to us to go to Grasings and it did not disappoint. We managed to snag a table in the bar area during a busy dinner time and enjoyed good drinks, lobster mac and cheese, paella and duck. Definitely passing along this recommendation!

    The next day we started our journey home after picking up some more breakfast sandwiches at Caffe Trieste Monterey – it just happened to be across the street from our hotel, but another good (and relatively quick) breakfast spot if you’re downtown.

    Can’t wait to explore even more of this amazing state![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1483503400128-de37b3f6-835e-2″ include=”708,709″][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1483503436122-40ef62d2-09c0-5″ include=”707,706″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Long Layover: Shanghai Edition

    Long Layover: Shanghai Edition

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]While I have some recommendations and tips for a long layover in Shanghai, I have to admit, it didn’t make it on the favorite places list. Perhaps Shanghai requires a longer stay in order to truly appreciate it (and I must admit there were places I had on my list of things to do and see that I didn’t make it to) but I tried to make the best of my long layovers anyhow![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    Customs:

    The negative experiences really started as soon as I got off the plane. I bee-lined it to the 144-hour visa line and luckily there were only about 10 or so people in front of me. Piece of cake, right? Wrong. I’m not sure what was going on with the couple at the front of the line but we just didn’t move. They finally opened up a second line for those of us staying in Shanghai for under 24 hours (although I’m really not sure why this would be a requirement to be in one line over another) and that cut the number of people in front of me down to 5. The line started to move but it still took me about an hour to get through customs.

    As a side note, on my way back through Shanghai on the way home this entire process took less than 15 minutes.

    Tip: make sure you have proof of your flight that will be taking you out of Shanghai within the 144-hour visa. I also had the name of the hotel I was staying at but they didn’t inquire.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”676″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    Cash:

    Once through customs, I made my way to the ATM. It didn’t work. A woman working at a car service desk told me it only worked with domestic cards. To be honest, I have no idea if there was another ATM in the airport that would have taken international cards because at this point I just wanted to get to my hotel. I paid for the car service with credit card and after a few minutes wait I was on my way. The car ride was about 40 minutes and cost $65.

    You’re probably thinking, “she showed up in China with no cash?” and you’d be right. Aside from being the crazy cash girl in Cuba where I knew I would have to bring all of the cash I needed for the entire trip, I’ve never had an issue using the ATM at any airport so yes, I showed up in China with $3.

    Luckily I knew it would be easy to find an ATM once I was in the city. The only problem was it was a Saturday evening and there seemed to be only banks lining The Bund with no outdoor ATMs. When I finally came across an ATM it was in Chinese and there didn’t seem to be an English option. Hopefully, you don’t find yourself in this bind, but if you do, the Waldorf Astoria (on The Bund) has an ATM near reception.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    Stay:

    Due to my limited time I chose a hotel on The Bund. I picked Les Suites Orient as they were reasonably priced (and I could use Chase Sapphire Reward points). The hotel room was very nice and I took the below picture after just walking across the street from the hotel. It was on the more southern end of The Bund but near restaurants and Yu Yuan Garden.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”686″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    Eat & Drink:

    Another issue I had was finding a place to eat dinner that Saturday evening. By the time I had gotten settled, took some skyline photos and was ready for dinner, it was after 9pm. I had a few spots written down that were close to the hotel (since I was cash-less at this point I knew a taxi was off limits) and both were closed when I went to eat. What kind of restaurants are closed before 9:30pm on a Saturday night right on The Bund in a city of 23 million people?! I still don’t understand.

    After my unsuccessful attempts at scoring some Chinese food I settled for Pop, a rooftop bar restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. It was a rather warm (and humid) night so I choose to enjoy my yummy almond curry outside. At least I had a pretty view of skyline and was eating some sort of Asian food?[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”684″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_column_text]Luckily, on my way back through Shanghai I did make it to Shanghai Grandmother Restaurant which had been on my list of restaurants to try. We had a noodle soup (I was freezing that day, but it honestly didn’t have much taste) and some chicken with peanuts and rice that reminded me of a Kung Pao chicken. Our waiter did not speak English much at all but the menu was filled with photos which made things a lot easier.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”677″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Cloud 9 in Hyatt Jin Mao – after attempting to go to the Shanghai Tower, realizing we had to buy tickets in advance, and seeing how smoggy it looked from the camera up above, we settled on drinks at the bar on the 87th floor of the Hyatt Jin Mao. We went between tea time and dinner time so we had the bar area we were in mostly to ourselves and enjoyed $15 glasses of wine before heading to the airport to make our way home.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”678″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    Do:

    With my first layover primarily being overnight, I didn’t have time to do much besides wander around The Bund and take photos of the skyline (especially considering I had no cash to get anywhere very far). In my opinion walking along The Bund is a must at some point in your trip.

    On our daytime layover, we did try to make it over to Yu Yuan Garden. It was a cool area to walk around, but it was a Sunday so it was packed. We took a few photos but never actually made it into the garden – maybe if you can, save that for a weekday!

    If I went back I’d definitely want to check out the French Concession neighborhood and try to make it to the top of Shanghai Tower (if the weather was agreeable).[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1482290783318-bf1e7f45-f1f7-5″ include=”682,679,681″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    Additional Tips:

    On our second layover in Shanghai we bought roundtrip tickets on the Maglev (the fastest magnetic levitation train in the world) and it took about 8 minutes to get from the airport to the city. Once you get to the city you are still a taxi ride away from anywhere you are probably looking to go to.

    Once you get in a taxi, make sure you have a taxi card for your hotel, or wherever you are going translated into Chinese – otherwise there seems to be a decent chance your taxi driver will have no idea what you are saying – even if you try to show him on a map.

    Have cash! We paid for taxis in cabs and some food as well. Of course, the hotels will take credit card but it’s definitely more of a cash society than most other big cities I’ve been to.

    Enjoy! While Shanghai wasn’t my favorite city, there were still good experiences during both layovers and now I’ve finally gotten to experience mainland China, if only for a short amount of time![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • I’m on a Boat…In Coron, Philippines

    I’m on a Boat…In Coron, Philippines

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When we decided to go to the Philippines we knew we would only be able to pick one place to go due to time constraints. We would be coming from Hong Kong and it seemed no matter where we wanted to go we’d have to fly through Manila to get there.

    After chatting with some friends that had been to various islands, reading countless blog posts, and considering travel times, we chose Coron.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”635″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]So why did we choose Coron?

    1. Once we got to the airport in Busuanga we were only a 45-minute van ride from town.
    2. We could fly Cebu Pacific, a more budget airline, which helped keep costs down.
    3. The beautiful limestone cliffs and formations on Coron Island. While I’m sure you can’t really go wrong with any of the touristy islands in the Philippines, we live at the beach and wanted something a bit different.
    4. Boats! Again, while the water in San Diego is nothing like the water in the Philippines, we can lie on the beach most months out of the year and the different boat tours Coron had to offer interested us.
    5. Scuba Diving. If you’re into diving (or even snorkeling) there are many wrecks in the area which you can’t necessarily find everywhere else that scuba diving is popular.

    Have I convinced you to go yet? Here’s where we stayed, where we ate and what we did:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    Stay

    We chose Corto del Mar – walking distance to everything in town but away from the busy, loud streets (however, there are roosters nearby). The hotel was nice, there is a pool and large jacuzzi (that wasn’t hot the one time we went to take a dip) and a good breakfast was included. I originally stumbled upon the hotel looking through my Chase Sapphire Rewards Points but found a great rate on agoda.com so opted to pay for our stay.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”622″ img_size=”540×360″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    Eat

    Sinugba sa Balay – located near the center of town, this outdoor eatery serves up great local food – we ended up having dinner here two of the four nights we were in Coron. From chicken to fish and shrimp, to noodles and rice, smoothies and local beers, we enjoyed everything we tried here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Altrove – if you need a break from Filipino food, Altrove is the place to grab pastas and pizza. It’s located up on the second floor, so we actually missed it the first time we walked by. We had their pesto pasta which tasted so fresh and delicious, and a thin crust pepperoni pizza.

    Asia Grandview Hotel – one downside of Coron is that you can’t really just sit on the beach and enjoy the sunset. We ended up choosing to have some post-boat tour drinks and appetizers at the Asia Grandview Hotel, located above the harbor with excellent sunset views.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”623″ img_size=”540×360″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    Do

    Get on a boat! If you don’t want to spend your days on boats, I probably wouldn’t recommend that you come to Coron. We had three full days in Coron and spent the better part of every day on a boat.

    Calamian Tours – we actually ended up with Calamian Tours because when we arrived to Coron it was sunset so we decided to just book a tour through the hotel. We did the Coron Island Ultimate Tour which I’d recommend. Kayangan Lake was beautiful, and it was cool to swim through the Twin Lagoons and check out snorkel spots, beaches and a shipwreck. Lunch was included, and while alcohol wasn’t they are totally happy with you buying beers or rum before starting the day![/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1481082046726-2e4b3190-5ea5-4″ include=”624,625″ css=”.vc_custom_1481081588893{border-radius: 5px !important;}”][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”15″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1481082046729-b03685a6-244f-9″ include=”626,627″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Scuba Diving – I don’t actually dive (I hurt my ear in a Discovery Dive in Bali in 2009 and have been a baby about it since) but Toby does and I went along for the ride (luckily two of the three stops were shallow enough that I could actually snorkel around and see fish, coral and one of the wrecks. We used Reggae Dive Center (or Rocksteady Dive Center – they were in the middle of rebranding to Reggae when we were there) and they were great. Lunch was included, as well as a post-scuba beer.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”628″ img_size=”360×540″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Rent a Private Boat – on our third day we decided to sleep in a bit and then just wander down to the docks to see if we could get a private boat for the afternoon. We walked about 10 feet out of hotel when a tricycle driver asked if we wanted a ride and made it his mission to help us find a private boat for the afternoon. Once we found a boat we went to the market by the water and chose a fish, rice, veggies and some items for cooking so that they could make us lunch while we were out. We chose three beaches we hadn’t visited in our previous tour and they boated us around and let us stay as long as we liked. It was a wonderful, relaxing, romantic way to end our trip in Coron.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1481082046730-57c0e5d3-799b-5″ include=”629,630,631″][vc_single_image image=”632″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_column_text]

    What to Bring

    You’re heading to the Philippines – of course, you already know to bring your bathing suits, shorts, and sundresses, but here are a few of our favorite things that we brought along:

    • Bug Spray! One option I like is the Repel 100 bundled with the mosquito wipes.
    • Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag 45L – some may opt for the larger, 60L size but 45L has gotten Toby through trips lasting up to a couple of weeks!
    • Exofficio Underwear – not just for traveling, but awesome quick-dry, moisture wicking fabric that Toby swears by.
    • REI Traverse 48 Pack – they make larger versions, but being that I’m pretty small, I opted for a smaller backpack and I’ve been able to make it work for trips up to a couple of weeks long with no problem!
    • REI Expandable Packing Cubes – no doubt these guys help keep us organized and make packing in smaller duffels and backpacks just a little bit easier. I really like that these are expandable too!
    • Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones – whether it’s for a long flight, noisy hotel neighbors or to get you through a boring layover, I haven’t taken a trip without my Bose since 2011.
    • Longchamp Tote Bag – a favorite of mine since back in 2009, this tote weighs nothing and the material is very durable – my tote has been on countless trips with me! It also folds up to be quite small so you could also bring it as an extra bag for day trips during a trip or if you find yourself buying too many souvenirs and need an extra bag to carry them all on the trip home.
    • Cabeau Evolution Cool Memory Foam Neck Pillow – Toby’s new favorite accessory for long flights – no more neck pain after falling asleep on the plane!
    • Inflatable Travel U-Pillow – I, on the other hand, have had my trusty inflatable neck pillow for a couple of years and am perfectly happy with it. I’m also short enough to use the tray table as a place to lay my head and tend to use the shape of the neck pillow like a massage table.
    • Kindle E-Reader – Yes, I know, I could read on my iPad, but I like my Kindle. Plus, while I’m reading my Kindle I’m not using my iPad’s battery. Of course it does take up a little bit more space in my carry-on, but I always bring it on longer trips.
    • Apple iPad Air – while many long haul flights come with a seemingly never-ending library of movies and tv shows, some do not. Before flying to the Philippines we flew China Eastern over and I was glad to have options on my iPad – and, while I’ve only found myself watching tv on vacation when I had food poisoning, it’s always a nice backup option to have!

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As most places I’ve been in Southeast Asia, I completely fell in love with the sleepy little town of Coron. I only wish I had had more time to explore other islands in the Philippines – but I guess it just means I’ll need to go back one day!

    Have a favorite island? I’d love to hear your recommendations![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • A Hong Kong Weekend

    A Hong Kong Weekend

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I loved Hong Kong. It reminded me a bit of a cross between New York City and San Francisco, in Asia. My “weekend” in Hong Kong was actually parts of two weekends but it makes up a Friday night through Monday morning, on both Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, in the humid sunshine and cooler rain, so I feel like I got a wide range of experiences in.

    Do

    I arrived midday on a Sunday and was staying in Kowloon. My hotel was close to the harbor and Nathan Rd., so it was easy to wander around for awhile snapping photos and taking it all in.

    Shop – I didn’t fly halfway around the world to go to the mall, but if that’s what you want to do you don’t have to travel too far to find one! I ended up eating lunch in a mall one day and that was enough for me.

    Nan Lian Garden – a bit farther away, but completely free and while a little crowded, it was peaceful. It appeared that you could have tea there, but I just wandered around and took in the pretty sights.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”605″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Temple Street Night Market – I didn’t end up making it here and I’m not sure if I’m disappointed about that or not. If you haven’t been to a lot of markets and bazaars I’m sure it’s worth going to – but I didn’t really feel the need to haggle over DVDs and things I just didn’t need.

    Lan Kwai Fong – if you find yourself on Hong Kong Island (or hop on the ferry or train and head over) this area is full of bars and people drinking on the streets. We had fun wandering around and people-watching until 3am (when we got tired, but it didn’t seem like anything was dying down yet).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Victoria Peak – unfortunately, the day we planned to do this started out a bit foggy with drizzle. We waited until things appeared to be clearing up and halfway up to the peak it started raining. And raining. And raining. How we even managed to get a picture this good is beyond me. If I go back to Hong Kong (which I hope I do one day!) I’d like to go up at night, and maybe again during the day if it’s sunny! Tip: if the line for the tram is long, take a taxi – it’ll be a similar price and you won’t be waiting in line. However, the lines to leave were tremendously long. I’m not sure if this was due to the weather, but we ended paying surcharges to get an Uber back to our hotel – well worth it since we were tired and it was cold and dreary out.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”606″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Light Show – at 8pm every night you’ll see a light show from Kowloon. I was up on a rooftop bar so I had a great view, but apparently, there is also music you can hear if you are closer to the harbor.

    Star Ferry – ridiculously cheap and why not? We took the ferry from Hong Kong to Kowloon one morning, but I’m sure taking it at night during the light show would be great.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”615″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    Eat

    Tim Wan Ho – Three words. BBQ Pork Buns. Yes, this is the cheapest Michelin star restaurant in the world. Yes, it is a chain. Yes, it is as good as people say. The two of us spent less than $20 on lunch, ordered more than we meant to, and enjoyed every single bite. Get the BBQ Pork Buns, perhaps two orders (and when the menu says “bun” understand that means three will come in your order.

    Din Tai Fung – another chain that you can even find in the United States, but we don’t have one in San Diego and I had never been. There was one around the corner from my hotel in Kowloon so I grabbed a quick lunch there (across from a Ruby Tuesday in a mall).

    Kin’s Kitchen – described as upscale Cantonese, we found ourselves feeling like some of the only tourists in the restaurant on a Saturday night (making us feel that we had made the right choice). We had one of their signature dishes, the smoked half chicken, which was delicious (and appears that the chicken has been cut right down the middle – head and all), some BBQ pork (no bun here) and some fried rice. Everything was delicious.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Budaoweng Hot Pot Cuisine – this was my first hot pot experience and my waitress was really helpful with showing me what to do and helped me make a sauce. I’d definitely recommend checking this place out and the more people the merrier! It’s also on a high floor in the Tsim Sha Tsui neighborhood so if you sit near a window you’ll have great views of Hong Kong Island. Afterward head even higher up to Eye Bar which has indoor and outdoor seating.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1480482818496-6d77115a-30b1-10″ include=”608,609,610″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    Stay

    Due to the fact that our “weekend” in Hong Kong was spread over two weekends, we opted to spend the first part on the Kowloon side of the harbor and the second part on the Hong Kong side.

    Hotel Pravo – located in the Tsim Sha Tsui area of Kowloon, this hotel was close to the harbor, Nathan Road, and the MTR, making it easy to get around. The hotel itself was rather dark, but the bedroom was a decent size with a couch and the bathroom was nice. For the price and location, I’d stay there again.

    Metropark Hotel Wanchai – I think they may be very soon changing the name of this hotel to Kew Green. The hotel was in a decent location on Hong Kong Island in the Wan Chai neighborhood, a close ride to Central, to get to the Peak or the ferry. The room smelled of stale smoke, though, so if possible I’d request a non-smoking room or floor.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Your San Diego Guide to Tacos

    Your San Diego Guide to Tacos

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When many people come to San Diego and think about food, they think about Mexican. At least that’s what I thought (and ate a little bit too much of) when I moved here. After years of eating tacos all over San Diego, here is our wide variety of favorite spots. Don’t see yours on here? We’d love to hear about new taco spots to try!

    Puesto – with locations in both the Seaport District and La Jolla Cove, this is not only a delicious spot but makes it an easy lunch or dinner stop if you’re touring around San Diego. I honestly love all of their tacos, and they have lots of yummy tequila and mezcal drinks to wash them down with. While the food is well priced, swing by for dinner on Taco Tuesday and grab some tacos for $2.50 each.
    Address: 1026 Wall St., La Jolla, CA 92037

    Pacific Beach Fish Shop – as the name might allude to, we’re talking about fish tacos here. Pick your fish, your marinade and your style (salads, sandwiches and plates are also available), grab a beer and enjoy indoor or outdoor seating. My favorite things to order are the TKO Taco and the Fish Shop Shrimp. Tip: while they sell wine there, you can also BYOW as well! And if you like oysters, they sell them for $1 each starting at 4pm until they run out! Lastly, this place is so good, they opened a second location in Encinitas.
    Address: 1775 Garnet Ave., San Diego, CA 92109

    City Tacos – if you find yourself craving tacos in North Park, City Tacos is the place to go. We ended up trying this place out on Cinco de Mayo which corresponded with their anniversary so found ourselves drinking some free beer with lots of entertainment around the tiny restaurant. But, I promise, this place is still good – free beer or not. The chorizo asado was my favorite.
    Address: 3028 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92104

    Oscars Mexican Seafood – with two locations in Pacific Beach, one in Hillcrest and one in East Village, Oscars popularity is obviously growing. We’ve only been to the central Pacific Beach location and we definitely recommend grabbing some fish tacos and watching the sunset over the Pacific.
    Address: 746 Emerald St., San Diego, CA 92109

    Luche Libre Taco Shop – their original location is in Mission Hills and you should always prepare yourself to wait in line. However, they’ve recently opened another location in North Park. And while I didn’t sample anything, I did notice you can pick up some Luche Libre the next time you’re at a Padres game. I definitely recommend the Surf & Turf taco.
    Address: 1810 W. Washington St., San Diego, CA 92103

    South Beach Bar & Grill – another fish taco spot next to another beach. Head to Ocean Beach and grab some grilled or fried tacos. The lobster taco here is one of my favorites. Check their website for a variety of daily specials.
    Address: 5059 Newport Ave., San Diego, CA 92107

    Taco Surf – if you really want some classic, good old Mexican food, look no further than Taco Surf. While I have to warn you, you might end up in a Mexican food coma after visiting here, you won’t be disappointed. There are tacos are cheap, delicious, and you have the option to get crispy tacos as well!
    Address: 4657 Mission Blvd., San Diego, CA 92109

    Rubio’s – yes, I am including a chain, fast food restaurant here. But it’s good. And it’s really not that bad for you! Get yourself an Original Fish Taco, but try out some of the grilled fish, steak and chicken options too.
    Address: All over San Diego

    Again, we realize this is just a sampling of taco spots in San Diego, but these are some of our favorites that we wanted to share! New recommendations for us? Comment below![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Review: Chase Sapphire Reserve

    Review: Chase Sapphire Reserve

    I had been a Chase Sapphire Preferred customer for about four years when the Chase Sapphire Reserve came out. I had no complaints. The 2x points that I received for all travel-related purchases were great, the flexibility I had to use my points for travel was wonderful. So did I need to the Chase Sapphire Reserve? No. Did I want to go from a $95 annual fee to a $450 annual fee? No. But 3x the points on travel-related purchases, the $300 annual travel credit, 100K point bonus and the Priority Pass Lounge access did me in.

    So what do I think now that I’m two months in? I love it!

    $450 Annual Fee – Yes, this is a big increase from $95 a year. But if you take the $300 annual travel credit into account that’s leaves you with only a $55 difference. Plus the fact that you’ll be racking up 3x the points on travel-related purchases, resulting in more points to spend (at a better rate) in the future.

    $300 Travel Credit – I’ve heard this can get slowly credited back to you over time for small purchases, like Uber rides. However, I happened to be purchasing over $300 worth of flights soon after I received my card and by the next day the $300 travel credit had been issued to my account.

    100,000 Point Bonus – I’m one of those people who puts everything on their credit card and [almost] always pays it off that month. I see spending money through a debit card as a waste – no one is rewarding you for that! So I hit my $4,000 spend in less than 2 months and a few days later the 100,000 points were sitting in my account. Pretty sweet! I know that I won’t get this bonus every year, but the fact that this bonus points will help pay for 8 nights on my upcoming trip to Chile isn’t anything to shrug your shoulders at!

    Priority Pass – What I like about this is the flexibility (especially internationally, you usually have access to multiple lounges compared to say, one United or Delta lounge), the fact that I can bring a guest for free, or even add someone to my account for $75 a year and they can use it on their own, and that this was just an added benefit of the card – not another additional fee. Beware though – this is not automatic and you need to activate this through your Chase Account once you get your credit card. Update: I used this for the first time in November 2016 – I checked out the lounges in Los Angeles, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Manila. Log Angeles and one of the lounges in Hong Kong were definitely my favorite – but at the end of the day they all give you a little bit of a quiet escape with free snacks, meals, drinks, etc. and I can’t really complain about that!

    Rewards Flexibility – While this isn’t just limited to the Reserve card, I love the flexibility I have with using my points. I can transfer them to a number of hotel or airline partners (if it makes sense) or I can just book rewards through the Chase Rewards Portal at a 1.5 rate. This also means I’m not tied to booking at a Marriott or a Hyatt, but I could end up at any number of different boutique hotels – which can be especially important if you are traveling to a smaller town or somewhere off the beaten track. I do recommend always checking the hotel’s rates on their websites or sites like hotels.com or agoda.com as sometimes you can get a great deal and the valuation on the Chase site is not a good one.

    Chase Sapphire Preferred – What did I do with this guy? Well, I knew once I had my Reserve card I wouldn’t be using the Preferred card much anymore and it seemed silly to pay two annual fees, so I downgraded it to one of the no-fee Chase Freedom cards (rather than canceling it and affecting my credit). Make sure you do not just upgrade the Preferred to the Reserve either, or you will lose out on the 100,000 point bonus!

    In conclusion, if you’re in the market for a new card (or maybe even if you are not) I highly recommend considering the Chase Sapphire Reserve! Feel free to comment with any questions you may have and I’ll be happy to share my experience!