6 Things You Learn at Your First Local Blogger Bash + A GIVEAWAY!

April 3, 2017April 3, 20171 Comment

Sure, I’m a travel blogger, sailor and writer, but I’m staying put for the moment as I plan my next adventure. So I was delighted at the chance to see what’s going on close to home, by heading down to Union Depot in St. Paul for the first annual Minnesota Blogger Bash sponsored by Lowertown Pop. I wasn’t sure what to expect from my first local blog event. Here’s what I learned:

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There are so many local makers I didn’t know about! From vodka made from sugar beets to designers offering versatile apparel for travelers, people in Minnesota are kicking ass with their entrepreneurial spirit.
From fitness to parenthood to travel to fashion, the Twin Cities is a haven for bloggers looking to collaborate. I only wish I could have stuck around long enough to meet more of them.
Getting there early pays! The first 50 bloggers in the door received a goodie bag to pack with free stuff from every maker, and of course I wanted to be one of them.
Food! Crave Catering showed up with a table full of treats.
Don’t be shy. Striking up conversations is how you get tips and collaborations. (Believe me, as an ambivert, I’m still working on this myself).
You can win prizes!!

Wait, actually you don’t have to go anywhere to win prizes. You can win them right here. I have 2 tickets (normally a $30 value) to give away to the inaugural Lowertown Pop, an even bigger, bolder version of the bash, happening April 15 at Union Depot. Here’s the details:

“A Minnesota Maker market featuring local artisans and craftspeople including brewers, bakers, distillers, artists and musicians. The annual market will be held on Saturday, April 15th, 2017 in the Waiting Room at Union Depot and will benefit River’s Edge Academy, a non-profit organization challenging students to discover their greatness by learning through experience in a small, supportive community. Lowertown Pop is a crowdfunding market, meaning 50 percent of ticket sales will be donated to River’s Edge Academy and 50 percent will be given to one lucky Minnesota Maker.”

So what do you have to do win these tickets? Leave me a message in the comments or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (“I want those tickets,” Gimme the tickets,” etc. etc.) I’ll choose a winner at random Monday, April 10.

Guest Post: Why 2017 Should Be the Year You Choose a Barge Cruise

February 27, 2017February 27, 2017Leave a comment

By Marie Nieves

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Venice, Jace Grandinetti, Unsplash

The more unusual your travel is, the more authentic experience you’ll have, so break away from your ordinary ways, and discover the charms of the meandering European canals that will take you through most enchanting landscapes. Imagine slowly flowing down a river, passing through the very hearts of Europe’s most beautiful cities or savoring a glass of fine wine while observing the flickering reflection of moonlight in the water. This sounds like any traveler’s dream, and a barge cruise is where it becomes a reality. Cruising along most magnificent manmade canals allows you to admire breathtaking scenery, taste the finest of European cuisine and get to know its diverse culture in a relaxing ambiance.

The Rustic Beauty of England

While meandering along England’s longest river Thames, you will have an opportunity to explore English picturesque countryside of charming villages and the elegance of English royalty. Henry VIII’s Court Palace in Hampton will draw in all antique lovers, tennis aficionados will be able to enjoy this sport in style at the private Lensbury Club, fans of the royal family can take a glimpse at their lifestyle at the Windsor Castle, while children can have their day of fun in Legoland. If you’ve always wanted to explore England’s diverse culture and its elegant old style, there’s no better way to do it than by following the flows of its iconic river.

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London, Arkadiusz Radek, Unsplash

France for Inspiration

As one of the oldest canals in Europe, Canal du Midi is among the top choices for a barge cruise. The beauty of the scenic landscape will inspire any artist or art lover, while the unique atmosphere of medieval towns will take you back in time. If you’re a wine aficionado, you won’t be able to resist the charms of the Champagne region and its vineyards – beware, no wine will ever taste the same.

Francophiles can learn about French history in Picardy or Loire Valley, or admire the country’s unique architecture in Alsace. Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Paris from another perspective and cruise along the Seine River.

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Paris, Jace Grandinetti, Unsplash

Life is Beautiful in Italy

Being one of the birthplaces of the Western culture, Italy is home to many historic attractions and World Heritage sites. A barge cruise is the perfect way to explore the sinking city of Venice and beauties of the Venetian lagoon. Opera lovers will have a unique opportunity to enjoy Puccini’s Madam Butterfly at the Arena di Verona and many tours of the opera houses. Of course, a journey to Italy wouldn’t be complete without wine tasting in charming cities of Mazzorbo, Chioggia and Adria – after all, Italian wines are among the finest.

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Venice, Jace Grandinetti, Unsplash

The Medieval Charms of Belgium

As a country of mixed influences, Belgium is rich in culture and history. Satisfy your thirst for knowledge and visit battlefield sites, memorials and museums, or spark your artistic side by visiting Ruben’s home in Antwerp. Explore the medieval city of Ghent by taking a break from cruising and joining a walking tour. If you’re travelling with your loved one, the romantic atmosphere of Bruges will be perfect for an intimate dinner under the stars.

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Belgium, roya ann miller, Unsplash

The Colors of Holland

Instead of admiring the idyllic landscape of colourful tulips and lovely windmills only in pictures, explore the unique Dutch atmosphere by cruising along the Amstel River. The country is one of the most popular destinations for canal cruises due to the authentic experience it offers. The village of Zaanse Schans will delight any architecture aficionado with its houses constructed in Dutch style in the 18 th and 19 th centuries. You can have a taste of Dutch cheese at a local cheese farm in Gouda, or discover the unique character of the city of Leiden.

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Amsterdam, Jace Grandinetti, Unsplash

Barge cruising is an authentic way to explore the finest European attractions in style. The charms and romance of the European rivers will enchant you the moment you set off on your cruise.

About the author

Marie Nieves is a lifestyle blogger who loves unusual trips, gadgets and creative ideas. On her travels she likes to read poetry and prose and to surf the Internet. Her favourite writer is Tracy Chevalier and she always carries one of her books in her bag. Most of her free time at home she spends walking her Labrador Retriever named Max. She is an avid lover of photography who loves to talk about her experiences. You can find Marie on Facebook or follow her on Twitter and Pinterest.

8 things you learn sailing on General Patton’s yacht

October 21, 2016October 21, 2016Leave a comment

This past Sunday, I was delighted to make my debut in my other hometown newspaper, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, writing about my journey from Marquette to Duluth aboard the When and If, the yacht belonging to General George S. Patton. Click here to see the PDF and get all the history on this amazing boat, the oldest and most authentic to visit Tall Ships Duluth.

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1. Making friends is easier when your boat is famous. Everywhere we went, from, people wanted to ask about the boat, talk about old Blood ‘n’ Guts, find out where we’d been, and learn our stories.

2. It helps to have a professional photographer on board. I wish I could have Emma Louise Wyn-Jones with me all the time! Check out more of her amazing photos on her Facebook page.

3. Even in August, swimming in the middle of Lake Superior is colder than you could possibly imagine, even when you’re diving headfirst from the legendary Black Rocks in the Upper Peninsula capital of Marquette.

4. A boat is the only way to get around the wild, unspoiled, and gorgeous Apostle Islands (which, despite living mere hours away, I had never visited before this summer).

5. Being a crewmember (even a guest one) at a Tall Ships Festival is like being a gorilla in a zoo (and I mean that in the best possible way). Luckily, we had intern Ben Shaiman (Official Blogger of Tall Ships America) onboard to show us the way.

7. Lake Superior is not to be taken for granted. The Edmund Fitzgerald is just for starters of shipwrecks.

8. Pasties are delicious for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

6 times the ocean left me speechless

June 8, 2016June 8, 20163 Comments

Happy World Oceans Day! As a Mermaid-American, I have been drawn to the ocean for as long as I can remember, and the more I travel, whether by sail or by land, the more I realize how much it means to me. Here are 6 times in my travels the ocean left me speechless. Let’s preserve our oceans so generations to come can experience its power and beauty.

Diving off the pier into the phosphorescent harbor of Ascension Island and feeling the blackfish nibble my feet.

Snorkeling (and kissing!) friendly wild stingrays off the reef in the Cayman Islands.

Climbing the mast of the Oosterschelde after 30 days at sea and seeing the entire Atlantic spread out before me like a shimmering blue carpet. I felt like time had stopped we now lived in a flooded world.

Releasing a baby sea turtle into the ocean off Baja, California at sunset, watching it crawl down the beach and get swept up by the waves, to happily live the rest of its life at sea.

The first time I stood in the bow of a schooner in rough weather, and felt the boat lift off the surface of the water. When I jumped, it was like leaving the earth for a while.

Racing a pod of joyful pod of hourglass dolphins off the Falkland Islands.

What’s your all-time favorite ocean experience?

I Got Zika While Traveling: Here’s What No One Told Me

May 31, 2016May 31, 20163 Comments

Did you know I got zika on my latest trip through Central American and the Caribbean? I knew it was a risk when I left, but I went anyway. I tried to spray myself with DEET as much as possible, but what most people don’t know is that in the tropics, it’s virtually impossible to protect yourself 24/7. The symptoms first kicked in in Rio Dulce, Guatemala, and followed me into Belize. It put me out of commission for a week, but I still wouldn’t trade my trip for anything. For me, it’s just part of being a traveler, but not everyone feels the same. My latest piece for Oyster explains everything: IMG_20160319_101644009

There’s a guy in Anguilla building robot boats, and it may revolutionize sailing for women

May 30, 2016May 30, 20161 Comment

Vincent Cate and his three sons have dubbed themselves the Island Boys. They sound like a boy band, but they’re actually a father-son team of boat designers living on the Caribbean island of Anguilla, and they may just change how we sail. Inspired by the Dashews, the supercouple of boat designers, he’s on a mission to build a better boat.

Vincent recently came to me for advice about why more women aren’t into sailing and if maybe a better designed boat might help?

My answer? Absolutely!

Let’s face it, as much as we talk about the romance of the sea, sailboats are just horrible to live in most of the time. Toilets you can’t flush properly and a frequent lack of hot showers; lack of laundry facilities, and getting really, really, really hot. When I’m on a smaller boat, I tend to feel like I’m constantly in the way of someone or something. My dream is to live on a boat full-time, but the more cramped the quarters are, the less appealing it is.

Women like adventure as much as men, and we aren’t complainers. For me, personally, I don’t like feeling useless or like I’m in the way, and on a small, cramped boat, that happens all the time.

Seasickness is a big issue too, especially on monohulls. (No, it doesn’t effect women more than men–women are just less likely to put up with it). Catamarans are much better, but even they’re not perfect. Vincent says he has a solution: a solar-powered robotic boat, that people will be able to live on full-time for next to nothing. Yes, please!

The read model on the Island Boys website shows the basic idea. There are 4 floats in the corners that are shaped so waves you can around them, which makes for even more stable boat than a catamaran.

Here is video showing model and some future ideas:

I had to ask him a few questions about this (not so) farfetched plan, and what it’s like to work with those four charming sons of his.

What gave you the idea to start designing solar boats?

When I was around 12 I had a little electric boat. I took out the 2 AA batteries and connected a small solar panel up with alegator clips. It went fine across the pool. I said, some day I will build a big solar boat.

So I have been thinking about it for a long time. I am 52 now.

How did the boys get involved?

The boys like doing something interesting and this is interesting. The older two are home schooled, so the programming of this was a home school assignment really.

What’s the appeal of this kind of boat? How does it improve on current designs?

I think it will sell because solar does not cost anything to operate (so much cheaper than power boat) and is simple to operate (does not require the skill level that sailing does).

The boat will be very roomy and stable. It can be roomy because we are above the water so space is sort of easier. Having the right shape floats spaced far apart makes for a very gentle motion. This makes the boat safer and less trouble with seasickness.

I think with lots of electricity we won’t worry about running the watermaker or water heater and with lots of room we can have a real shower. Real beds, real fridge, laundry, etc.

I really think it will feel closer to a regular home than to a normal sailboat. So I think women can feel like “nesting” and not “camping”.

Many people when sailing like to take a break in a hotel. With this boat I don’t think there would be much desire to switch to a hotel.

I live on a Caribbean island, Anguilla. A nice house next to the ocean costs a lot. If I can make floating houses that cost less, I think I can sell them. A boat gets a great view. Also, you don’t have to pay property tax. So if we can get the stability and costs, it should be good.

Not only will these boats be comfortable, roomy, and technologically advanced, but they’ll also be cheap to operate! Sounds like a win to me.

Cate has a crowdfunding campaign going on now, and adds in recent years there’s been a rush to snatch up the “.ai” domains assigned to Anguilla. Whether these are actually Artificial Intelligence researchers or just sci-fi nerds, it’s putting money in Cate’s pocket, which means these solar boats may become a reality sooner than later. And then I’m moving in.

Why Do I Sail? New Essay in Misadventures Magazine

May 22, 2016Leave a comment

I’m thrilled that my new essay–parsing out the whys (and why the hells) of why I sail, is featured in the new online edition of Misadventures Magazine, inspired by my recent pilgrimage through the Caribbean on wind power.

Misadventures is wonderful new print and online publication that seeks to cover adventure travel from a woman’s perspective, something that’s desperately needed in the current media landscape. Please check it out and subscribe!

Hand-Engraved Compass Necklace

I’ll tell you a secret about me: I have a terrible sense of direction. It’s gotten me in trouble while traveling too many times to count, up to and including missing flights! But these sterling-silver necklaces will always point me the right way.

Latitude Longitude Pendant

Personalize this pendant with any latitude and longitude for a memory that’s meaningful to you–even if it’s the middle of the ocean. For me, it’s Ascension Island–a place of sea turtles, lava rocks, and one magic night in the South Atlantic, onboard the tall ship Oosterschelde.

Custom Latitude Longitude Keychain

Not surprisingly, I’m a sucker for nautical-inspired jewelry. Shackles, lines, and rigging get my salty soul excited. That’s why I’m crazy about this customizable keychain. The whipped shock cord holding this keychain together makes me want to close my eyes and feel the spray on my face.

Custom Sand Bijoux Bracelet

I’ve fallen in love with a lot of beaches in my time, and I wish I could take them all home with me. Cayman, Port Antonio, Tulum, Ascension, Scheveningen. But what can you do with a bottle of sand? If you wear this bracelet, you can carry it with you wherever you go–even on the New York subway. Just send in your favorite sand using the custom mailer. Don’t have any? Designer Holly Daniels Christensen has a Sand Bank of hundreds of beaches from all over the world.

Custom Map Pillow

Travel feeds my soul–but so does arriving home after a long journey and laying my head down in my own bed. With these customizable map pillows, you can choose a nautical chart or land map from anywhere in the U.S. on which to curl up and dream of your next adventure.

Thanks to Uncommon Goods for sponsoring this post. As always, my opinions are my own!

Happy #Cinco de Mayo! Here are 5 reasons you’ll wish you were spending it in Yucatan

May 5, 2016May 5, 20165 Comments

Ole! Today, communities all over the country are celebrating the historic Cinco de Mayo battle by guzzling cheap tequila and wearing oversized novelty sombreros. But on my recent trip to Yucatan, I experienced the natural beauty and rich Mayan culture that represent the more authentic side of Mexico–and I can’t wait to go back. If you think Yucatan is just the beaches of Cancun, you couldn’t be more wrong. The capital city, Merida, is a destination in its own right, complete with boutique hotels like Luz en Yucatan. Here are 5 other reasons to go to Yucatan and experience “The real Mexico:”

Cenotes

There are no aboveground lakes or rivers in Yucatan or Quintana Roo, as the locals will remind you. What they do have are cenotes–underground caverns that were sacred to the Mayans, and it’s easy to see why. Some are above ground, some are in caves, and every one is different.

Practically every municipality in Yucatan has at least one or two, some nearly undiscovered (at least by tourists). Two of my favorites I visited were Casa Cenote, an above-ground oasis (perfect for claustrophobes) where the mangrove roots seems to sparkle under the water, and the Cenote Zaci a colossal cavern smack in the center of Valladolid that Batman would be proud of.

Culture

Most people go to Yucatan to relax and beach out, but they forget to take time out to visit the best art museums in Mexico. These include the MACAY museum in Merida, which features works by abstract painter Fernando García Ponce and muralist Fernando Castro Pacheco, and the utterly charming Casa de los Venados in Valladolid, the single biggest collection of Mexican folk art in private hands, including the most colorful examples of Day of the Dead Catrina art and Oaxacan alibrijes (fantastical animals) I’ve seen. The colonial architecture in Merida and the surrounding towns, including the Palacio Municipal (below) and the Casa de Montejo, built from recycled Mayan temples, is not to be missed.

Nature

The sleepy fishing village of Rio Lagartos, a few hours north of Merida, offers guided boat tours through the mangroves where you can spot flocks of flamingos up close, then have a refreshing natural spa day bathing in the same clay that makes the flamingos pink. Celestun and Progreso are other coastal areas off the tourist path, popular with vacationing Mexicans, where you can observe eagles, pelicans, crocodiles and other critters.

Food

Stale tortilla chips and guac can’t compare to the traditional Mayan specialties of Yucatan sopa de lima from La Chaya Maya, salbutes and panuchos from the Merida central market, or the delectable oddity known as marquesitas, a confection made like a rolled-up waffle and with the texture of a thin potato chip, filled with Nutella and cheese, sold at every event.

Entertainment

At night, Yucatecans love to get outdoors and have fun–and usually it’s for free! Every weekend, streets close to traffic and you can stroll up and down the avenues listening to Yucatecan Serenade, traditional big band music that Mexican old-timers will come out for and dance salsa all night long

Or you can see traditional Mayan athletes strain human endurance by playing pok ta pok, the traditional Mayan ballgame that involves hitting a ball through a stone ring using only their torsos. It’s not for weaklings!

Luz en Yucatan: Redefining the Urban Retreat in Merida, Mexico

May 1, 2016May 5, 20161 Comment

I have a confession: I’d never heard of Merida, Mexico before I was invited to go there as a guest of Donard and Tom, the cheeky proprietors of Luz en Yucatan, who claim to rent rooms “by the day or by the moment.” How was it possible that I’d never heard of Merida? I mean, come on! It’s the capital of Yucatan state! But part of the wonder of travel by sea is that you end up in the last places you expect, and after having spent two wonderful days at this hotel, using it as a basis to discover this charming, safe, and delightful city, I’m going to tell everyone I know to visit Merida, the capital of the Yucatan state and the epicenter of Mayan culture.

Located across from the 16th-century Santa Lucia chapel and just a few blocks away from the city’s Grand Plaza, the hotel is ideally located, within walking distance of the historical cathedrals and museums of downtown, as well as the grandiose architecture and nightlife of the Paseo Montejo just to the north, a king-sized, mansion-lined avenue that’s been called Mexico’s answer to the Champs-Elysees. After locating the small sign, backlit and almost mysterious against the facade, I rang the bell and entered the wrought-iron gate, already feeling like I was being ushered into a special hideaway, or some quaint turn-of-the century home that dates to when the henequen (sisal) barons of Merida were at their peak. In fact, the house was formerly part of the chapel, and it shows–the mood is plainly contemplative. Maybe it’s the buttery light filtering through the stained glass in every room–there’s a reason they call it Luz.

Handing me a towel for the pool, the front-desk attendant asked me if I wanted a beer, like I’d been invited to a backyard carne asada. “It’s free at Luz!” he announced grandly. Heck, yes. And so is tequila–I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the bar cart with six different types of Mexican tequila, as well as a bottle of ruby-red sangrita to mix it with in the traditional local way, shot glasses aligned like little topaz jewels. Filing it away for later, I took a refreshing dip in the lagoon-like courtyard pool, then climbed up an outdoor staircase trimmed with climbing vines, feeling like Rapunzel on the way to a tower–one I actually wanted to be stuck in. Sinking into the pillow-top mattress of the king-size bed I noticed the flatscreen TV, cavernous tile shower and vessel sink, not to mention the strong WiFi signal in every area of the hotel for when the outside world calls. A brand-new remote-controlled air conditioner and a 10-gallon jug of drinking water helped keep me cool and refreshed as a fruit salad, even as I air dried.

Decorated in folk art and with creamy orange light filtering through the stained glass windows, I was in paradise, but what really took my breath away was when I stepped out onto the private terrace. There, I could relax in one of Yucatan’s ubiquitous hand-woven hammocks or sit and drink a beer at the built-in bar, and let the buzz of the city rooftops fill my ears, in the bustle and yet apart from it.

A lot of hotels tell you to “make yourself at home:” Luz takes it to dizzying extremes. For those not staying in the penthouse, downstairs, there’s a communal kitchen and a full dining room. My penthouse included a full outdoor kitchen, complete with refrigerator, microwave, and anything you could need to throw a gourmet bash. A longer-term traveler would choose Luz in a heartbeat, and I pondered extending my stay myself. Fantasies of making a new life in the most charming city in the Yucatan, cooking out on the patio, and strolling down the Paseo on Sundays started to flit through my head.

Oh, and in case you weren’t convinced, pricing at Luz is on a sliding scale, based on how successful you feel. A struggling artist? Pay as little as $54 for a ground-floor single. A jetsetting CEO? Snag the penthouse for $104 and stay awhile. And don’t worry: they have no cancellation penalty because “life is hard enough.” Isn’t that the truth? Well, not at Luz, at least.

IF YOU GO

Luz en Yucatan is located at Calle 55 #499 x 60 y 58, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. Call 011-52-999-924-0035 (Mexico) for reservations or email info@luzenyucatan.com

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Thanks to Luz en Yucatan for inviting me to experience the hotel. As always, my opinion is my own!