Paradise Close Travel

25/12/2023

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

20/12/2023

Oooh! Love this deal!

18/12/2023

This a great deal!

18/12/2023

I'M SO EXCITED!!!!
My husband wanted to give me a special Christmas 🎁 present! He gave me 1 dart and a world map. My awesome hubby said, "Throw it and wherever it lands we will go there after the Christmas holidays!!!" ✈️
Well, it looks like we’ll be spending 2 weeks behind the fridge!! 😅
I borrowed this post and you can too. 😄🙃

10/12/2023

Had a really fun dinner experience! They have what they call the Unknown Dinner Club with different seating times. For $100pp, you get a mystery four-course dinner with a beverage pairing. Come hungry! This is not a dainty tasting--it is a LOT of REALLY good food. When you make your reservation online, there is a questionnaire so you can list any allergies or preferences. For instance, I listed an allergy to melon and a preference for less fish. So when the second course came with fish, I got a dish with cauliflower instead (otherwise similar ingredients). When you arrive, they'll seat you and give you a menu with cocktails, beer, mocktails, and a wine list with bottles and glasses. They poured us lime infused sparkling water start. I ordered a gin cocktail with lilac honey that was quite strong. The guys ordered a chili infused mezcal drink with blood orange. The first course was Chardonnay (more like a chablis) and butternut squash fritters in a basil sauce with dill and mustard seeds and cucumbers. SO delish! The next course was a sweet, light tequila drink and housemade tortilla chips with fish but mine had tempura cauliflower. There was plenty of food so I shared that dish wth everyone and they all loved it! The third course was a pinot noir and a pasta dish with pork tenderloin, red sauce, tortellini with parmesan and ricotta, sage, and nuts. Then came fresh, warm Focaccia bread. And for the final course, we got a bourbon drink with cherry (not my thing) and a fresh pumpkin doughnut topped with apple cinnamon ice cream, plum berry sauce, and rose petals with whipped cream dollops along the sides of the bowl. Everything was absolutely delicious! I highly recommend Black Iron Bystro! (They do have a small a la carte menu and a bar to sit at, but what fun is that?!)

06/12/2023

Hit a huge milestone this week! So grateful for all my amazing clients, friends, family, and everyone who recommends me and spreads the word. Cannot thank you enough! ❤️

23/11/2023

Thankful for all my family, friends, and clients. Thank you for trusting me to plan your vacations! I appreciate all of you!

21/11/2023

Here's my review of the Hilton Prague. The rooms are small. I had a split stay and both rooms were in the corner, but quite small. My friends had a bigger room where the toilet is in a separate room from the rest of the bathroom. The bathroom in my first room on floor 3 was big enough that I could sit on the toilet with the door open. This second room on the floor 1 must be smaller because the door slams into the toilet. The bathroom is big enough and it's nice that there's a shower and a tub, but even with the hot water turned all the way up, the water was just ok. The drain in my second room tub does not work. This room also smells like smoke. I don't know if someone nearby is smoking or if it's coming up from somewhere. When you first walk into the room after checking in, it is so so hot (both rooms, multiple people have agreed)--doesn't seem to matter what the thermostat says. There are two bottles of water sitting on the counter. There's a mini bar and a fridge, but with a charge for each item. There are no drawers, but for one in the nightstand (just one nightstand in my room, my friends had two). And there is one small closet. I draped most of my clothes over the only chair in the room or piled them on the small table. Unfortunately, the converter I brought does not work for Prague (but did for Italy). I'm thankful there are a couple of places to plug in USB cords so that's how I charged everything. The situation with the floors and elevators can be a bit frustrating. The rooms are laid out in a rectangle with only one spot to get the elevator. So if you're on the opposite side, it's a hike to get to the elevator. You will be closer to the only ice machine on each floor, as long as it works. The one on floor 1 is out of order and a note says to go to floor 2. But here's another problem with the elevator: although the are 6 elevators, you have to use your key card and can only access your floor (or the mezzanine, lobby, and lower lobby). Not sure how I'm supposed to get to floor 2 for the ice machine. To meet up with my friends on floor 6 or to borrow something, we had to meet in the lobby and then go to their room from there. There are a lot of amenities. The indoor pool looks gorgeous (as long as you don't mind people walking by watching you through the huge windows). There's a small casino in the lower lobby that was pretty busy when we visited with a poker tournament happening. I will say the food has been quite good. I visited the Atrium twice for the breakfast buffet (which I posted about previously) with so many options and everything I tried was fresh and tasty! I had a late dinner at the bistro where they served amazing bread before a delicious burger and fries. Tonight I was on my own for dinner so I headed to the Cloud 9 sky bar for dinner and drinks. I ordered the Korean tempura cauliflower and it was so flavorful! Overall, I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again, but there are some drawbacks. We were here for a conference and it's great for that. All the staff has been friendly and it really is beautiful.

21/11/2023

Our early lunch allowed us to have a great view of the astronomical clock right at noon!

21/11/2023

Thank you Prague Boats! We missed our 2:15 river cruise by a few minutes (thanks to traffic and a driver who took entirely too long to get to us--although he did try to make up time by driving on the wrong side of the road WITH a barrier so he could pass some cars...). We were offered a 4:15 or a different cruise in 10min! It was relaxing, we were out of the rain, got to have a drink, see the sights, and play cards! So very accommodating!

21/11/2023

Another little taste of Venice... Our hotel was amazing and gorgeous! The rooms and my bathroom was huge. I just wish I didn't have to walk up a narrow, steep set of stairs to use the bathroom! The breakfast place we went to both days was so tasty: Al Teatro. Today we got some gorgeous Murano glass and beautiful purses that are so unique!

20/11/2023

View from our hotel room at Domus Superior

19/11/2023

Having so much fun in Venice: eating, shopping, walking. Last night dinner at Taverna La Fenice (do not recommend), breakfast at Al Teatro, lunch at Rio Novo, dinner at Ristorante Sant'angelo.

17/11/2023

Day 2 in Prague: We did the breakfast buffet at the hotel. So much food, so many options! We booked a tour of the Prague Castle. Unfortunately, it was very disappointing. We only got to see the Cathedral after 2hrs in the cold! The tour has great reviews... I'm sure the weather didn't help. But I'm guessing a big part was out guide. He should have kept us out of the wind when possible. He should have moved us along faster. He should have probably told fewer stories. At least we got to see the Cathedral. Then we had another nice dinner at Cotto Crudo in the Four Seasons. Tomorrow we are off to Venice for a couple nights!

16/11/2023

Prague Day 1: Half the day was still traveling and then resting. We checked into the Hiltoon Prague, more on that tomorrow. But we did get to see the astronomical clock and enjoy an incredible dining experience. As many of you may know, visiting a Michelin star restaurant is usually $$$$$, but Prague is different, and in no way less amazing. Two of us did a tasting menu with wine pairing, and one did a tasting menu with nonalcoholic pairing--pretty cool that they have that option, and it was around $200pp (including a generous gratuity). The food and drinks were so so good. We learned a lot from the sommelier. Did you know that if you smell, for example, a crisp wine, even before eating something you don't normally like, you'll taste the crispness of the wine more than the other flavor? The kitchen is open and you can see the chefs preparing each dish. The experience starts with checking for allergies. I am not a big seafood fan, so they were very accommodating with any and all requests and I got a vegetable dish instead of the fish. There were a couple of courses we were served that weren't even on the tasting menu. Brought out first was beef tartare on crackers and pickled radishes, chestnut soup with creme, and a fancy plum and tomato puree. "This is meant to be fun so we want you to use your hands for the beef, drink the soup like a shot, and lick the plum like a kid!" I've never had beef tartare, but this was so good! So was the soup and the plum. Next was the golden beet with yogurt and poppyseeds. (PS: I'm one of those people who thinks beets taste like dirt, but this was really done well.) Then we had the catfish, tomato, ham. This was where I got cauliflower, broccoli, kale in a buttery cream with zucchini sauce sprinkled with local cheese. But after hearing how good the fish was, I decided to give it a try. It was not fishy at all and the flavors were unbelievable! Next was the duck that was sous vide and then grilled to crisp the skin, beetroot, and licorice powder. Again, the flavor was unreal. Then came the fallow deer with mushrooms and black truffle. This was my least favorite, even though I love mushrooms and truffle--guess I'm not a fan of deer. Finally, for dessert was walnut ice cream over rum caramel sauce with nuts and dried cranberries and sprinkled with cookie. It was DELISH! Then they brought another dish with waffle cookies with housemade cinnamon nutella and then another cookie that wasn't quite as good. The experience and ambiance was out of this world and I highly recommend it! I'm learning to be more adventurous with food and it is definitely paying off!

16/11/2023

So excited! Michelin! https://www.ladegustation.cz/en Pics to come

Oldřich Sahajdák and his team serve a multi-course tasting menu from Czech ingredients inspired by Central European cuisine.

08/11/2023

Who can guess where I'm headed in just one week?!

01/11/2023

Wow! This is a great deal!

31/10/2023

Before this month ends, I just want to thank all my clients, family, and friends for a successful first year of being in business! I can't wait to see what next year brings. Looking forward to helping you plan your next dream vacation, family trip, or even business trip! This was my anniversary gift to myself. ❤️🧳✈️🚢🌴

13/10/2023

Who has been to Boulder, CO before? That's where I'll be this weekend visiting family. Check back for fun photos!

07/10/2023

Just booked our Easter break trip to Puerto Rico! Next up: planning tours to El Yunque rainforest, bioluminescent bay, and one of the best beaches in the world--Flamenco Beach! Where can I help YOU go?!

27/09/2023

Two great Sandals deals. What would you choose? Winter or summer?

08/09/2023

Another milestone for my business! (Just need to change my name, but my family will appreciate it since that's what they call me.)

25/08/2023

Dang--that's a DEAL! *I* want to go!

24/08/2023

Great deal! And BUF to NAS as low as $424!

10/08/2023

Pretty excited about this one! Who wants to go to Greece?

21/07/2023

Celebrating something special on your vacation? Let me know and I'll work with the hotel to make your trip extra special! This was at each resort for my clients (and friends) on their honeymoon right now. ❤️

13/07/2023

Well played... 🤣

05/07/2023

Happy 4th of July!

28/06/2023

27/06/2023

Wow!!

27/06/2023

More great Sandals deals!

23/06/2023

Holy moly!!!

22/06/2023

This one was fun! I'm booking clients today for an amazing Rocky Mountaineer rail trip through the Canadian Rockies!

19/06/2023

Another certification! This will be great for helping anyone with special needs, disabilities, mobility challenges. I can help line up walkers, scooters, wheelchairs, oxygen, just to name a few. If you or a loved one think these things are holding you back from traveling, please reach out. I'd love to help!

16/06/2023

Flights from Buffalo are UNDER $500 for these dates!

14/06/2023

Wow! Another great deal at the all new Sandals Dunn River!

12/06/2023

4th of July in St. Lucia anyone?! ❤️🏖️