Travel Bug By Amy

26/07/2024

Tokyo City Guide Is Here!

Introducing the Tokyo City Guide. With 20+ pages of all the need to know details of visiting this massive city, this guide is sure to make your travel planning a breeze.
Get yours for only $9.99 over on the website today! While there, check out our other guides available - Rome and Philadelphia. Be sure to subscribe to our e-mail list. Current e-mail subscribers received FREE pages of this guide, don't miss out on the next giveaway bonus.
www.travelbugbyamy.com

25/07/2024

It's Travel Inspiration Thursday!

It was beach week for our family last week which means Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. My kids live for this place, so here are their Top 5 things to do:

1. Waves and Sand - Right on the Atlantic Ocean, the waves are huge, so this activity has become more popular for them the older they get.
2. FUNLAND - and more Funland. Games, rides and fun for all ages. Reasonable prices too.
3. Walking on the Boardwalk - favorite places are Candy Kitchen and Dolles for salt water taffy
4. Ice Cream at The Ice Cream Store - literally about 100 unique flavors. Bo**er flavor anyone? Spin the wheel if you can't decide.
5. FOOD - Funnel cakes and seafood galore. My 8 year old loves raw oysters. Another favorite is The Cultured Pearl sushi restaurant where kids can feed the fish in elevated outdoor ponds. Food is amazing every time as well.

Funnel cake was the answer to yesterday's quiz. Who doesn't love fried dough? The Funnel Cake has been around since colonial times, when German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania and introduced their culinary traditions. The name Funnel Cake is exactly what it means – the cake is made by pouring batter through a funnel into hot oil, making the famous lattice shape. Typically dusted with powdered sugar, you can find these treats topped with just about anything and are quintessential food items at carnivals, fairs and beach boardwalks.

We have loads of fun at Rehoboth Beach every year. Check it out! Let Travel Bug By Amy help plan your next beach week. Find out more: www.travelbugbyamy.com
www.instragram.com/travelbugbyamy

24/07/2024

What Am I Eating Wednesday?

Answer will be posted in tomorrow's Travel Inspiration Thursday.

Check out my website or send me a message to start bringing your travel plans to life. Whether it is full travel planning services or through our famous city guides, your next vacation is closer than you think!
www.travelbugbyamy.com
https://www.instagram.com/travelbugbyamy/

11/07/2024

Travel Inspiration Thursday!

Today's destination is Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia is a city with much to offer. Our family took a recent long weekend trip there, and I was surprised at how much there was to see and do. We didn’t even do half the things on my list! There is also an AMAZING food scene. So, it was difficult to compile a Top 5 List, but here we go.

1. Rocky Statue
2. Reading Terminal Market
3. Liberty Bell and Independence Hall
4. Museums (such as Franklin Institute)
5. Elfreth’s Alley

And of course, that means the food yesterday was the Philly Cheesesteak. The Philly Cheesesteak originated in Philadelphia and is an iconic symbol of Philadelphia cuisine. Numerous variations and adaptations have been made domestically and internationally, but the original is best found on the streets of Philly. Served on a crusty Hoagie or Steak roll, the sandwich is classically heaped with thinly shaved beef. Often grilled onions or peppers are added per preference, as well as cheese. Get “Whiz” for a true Philadelphian experience or opt for American or Provolone. Locals are loyal to their cheesesteak vendor of choice and there is often a fierce rivalry between Pat’s and Geno’s for the best in town. Why not try both while you are there?

If you are craving more Philadelphia information, head over to my website. City Guides have launched, and Philadelphia is available! A comprehensive look of all the must do, must eat, must see and must stay places. Also with Pro Tips and personal favorites. All for $9.99!! Check it out!
www.travelbugbyamy.com

10/07/2024

It's BACK!
What Am I Eating Wednesday?

Answer will be posted tomorrow along with Travel Inspiration Thursday.

Hop on over to the website - City Guides have launched! These comprehensive guides have a great resource if you want to save hours of planning but don't want to commit to full travel planning services. Two cities available currently, but more in the works. Selling for only $9.99! Check them out!
www.travelbugbyamy.com

08/07/2024

Exciting News!! 🎉🎉

Travel Bug By Amy's City Guides are launched! Not ready to commit to full travel planning services? Then City Guides are for you! These comprehensive guides give you all the information you need to plan your own memorable vacation. Included in each guide are general planning tips, accommodation information, foodie info and must try foods, restaurant lists and more. Also included are priceless pro tips and personal favorites.
Rome and Philadelphia are available for purchase on the website NOW for $9.99. More to come soon including Tokyo, Washington D.C., Hong Kong, Prague and Florence.
Visit: www.travelbugbyamy.com for all the details!

30/06/2024

Final Destination on Our Midwest Family Vacation - Wisconsin!

First stop was New Glarus Brewing Company. Craft beer lovers go crazy for their delicious beer that can only be bought in Wisconsin. They have a great self guided brewery tour and museum along with tasting options set on beautiful grounds.

We then made a half day trip to Madison, the capital of Wisconsin. We ate at Ian's Pizza which has numerous creative options by the slice. They are known for their macaroni and cheese pizza, and it was delicious!
We then spent some time wandering through the State Capital, and climbing to the upper levels and outside terrace for great views.
After a caffeine fix, we strolled along the lakefront and then made our way to Lake Wingra, where we rented a Duck Paddle Boat. They have lots of other rental options as well. Wear your bathing suit, the water looked so inviting!

Last stop was Milwaukee, where we stayed at the Brewhouse Inn and Suites. A unique hotel for beer lovers, they converted the old Pabst Brewing facility into a hotel. A lot of the original equipment is still present.
Admittedly, we were a bit tired at this point and the kids were burning out, so we laid fairly low and didn't enjoy all Milwaukee has to offer. Some highlights were:
Food: Lakefront Brewery - try the fish fry and fried cheese curds and Cafe Benelux for amazing brunch and Bloody Mary options. For the kids, we ate at Safehouse - an interactive spy themed restaurant with a scavenger hunt and puzzles. The food was mediocre, but a big hit for the kids.
The 3rd Street Market Hall was amazing for families - tons of different food stalls so everyone can pick what they like. My kids went for ramen, my husband tacos and I chose a burger with lots of Wisconsin cheese. Also there is a beer tap, arcade games, Top Golf and other lawn type games to keep kids and adults occupied.
We saw some murals (one of my favorite things to do), and strolled along the River Walk and spotting cool sculptures.
The Historic Third Ward was a vibrant area, and home to the Public Market, which is home to a variety of food and craft vendors, as well as has a small Putt Putt golf course.
We also toured Miller Brewing Company. Highlight of this visit was going inside the Historic Miller Caves, which was recently featured in the most recent season of "Top Chef".

Thanks for reading! Need help planning your next family vacation? Let me know, and feel free to contact me with any questions.
www.travelbugbyamy.com

28/06/2024

Family Vacation Week Continued!

In my previous post, I detailed our time spent in St. Louis. From there, we drove 226 miles of cornfield to Iowa! We spent a little time in Davenport/Moline (IL), and then stayed in Dubuque with a side trip to Galena, Illinois.

Where We Stayed: We stayed with good friends of ours in Dubuque.

What We Saw:

Davenport/Moline: The John Deere Pavilion is a small museum of sorts with all kinds of different real size John Deere farm and construction equipment. Kids can climb in many of these giant machines. My kiddos loved it and we stayed here longer than I thought we would. Also with a huge gift store if you need some John Deere merch.

Dubuque: So many things to do and see here! Known as the "Masterpiece on the Mississippi", this city does not disappoint.
- National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium: Has many different hands on exhibits and a small but wonderful aquarium. Situated right on the Mississippi, you can also tour an old river dredging boat
- Fenelon Place Elevator "4th Street Elevator": The World's Steepest, Shortest and Scenic elevator! Who knew? It was built to save commute time way back in the 1800's. Fantastic views from the top of 3 states at the same time - Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa
- Murals: Dubuque has a plethora of murals around town and one of my favorite things to do in a city is to visit them.
- Breweries: My husband is a beer aficionado, so when we vacation we usually stop at a handful of local craft breweries. Notable here in Dubuque are Star Hill Brewing Company (one of the oldest in Iowa) which has games to play and a really fun ambiance right on the Mississippi. Also, Backpocket Brewing has a basement arcade which was great fun for the kids. Give them a cup of quarters and turn them loose! Dimensional Brewing was my favorite of the bunch.
- What We Ate: I checked off a handful of must-eat Iowa foods, most notably the impressively sized Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and gas station breakfast pizza. Both were delicious. We also ate at Brazen Open Kitchen - a restaurant with a fabulous seasonal menu featuring fresh, local ingredients. Owned by Kevin Scharpf who was a contestant in Top Chef Season 16.

Galena, Illinois: A cute little town about 1 hour from Dubuque and is a popular weekend get a away destination. The downtown is quaint and historic with lots of little shops and restaurants. Chestnut Mountain Resort is a popular ski resort in the winter, but in the summer they have an Alpine Slide which was fantastic and a highlight for my kids. At the bottom, you can walk and get great views of the Mississippi. We also "walked goats" with Hoof It Goat Treks. Walk through groomed trails with a herd of goats with lots of time to cuddle/pet/feed them as well as try to get selfies. It was a lot of fun!

Stay tuned, I still have one more state to post about! As always, reach out with questions and I'm always more than happy to hear your thoughts and recommendations. Follow me on Instagram , and check out my website www.travelbugbyamy.com

21/06/2024

It’s Family Vacation Week! We are doing a multi-state Midwest tour this summer and our first stop was St. Louis. We had a lot of fun and ate some really yummy food.
We stayed at the Embassy Suites Downtown which was great. Location was close to the arch and downtown and it had a sofa bed which is great because my boys don’t like sharing a bed!
This is what we did:
Walked by the Old Courthouse (closed to visit currently), visited the Basilica of St. Louis, walked around the baseball stadium area, went to Union Station (my oldest loved the ropes course - too scary for myself and my 6 year old), did a Budweiser Clydesdale tour (great experience, those horses are huge!), went to The Hill (Italian part of the city), visited the Gateway Arch and took the tram to the top, City Museum (never seen anything like this, my kids were in heaven), went to City Foundry and played unique putt putt at Putt Shack.
This is what we ate:
BBQ, toasted ravioli, gooey butter cake, baked meatballs, St. Louis style pizza, Slinger breakfast dish, chicken and waffles, Ted Drewes frozen custard.
Let me know if you have questions!
Curating hand crafted travel itineraries for anywhere your travel bug takes you!
www.travelbugbyamy.com

13/06/2024

Travel Inspiration Thursday!

The destination today is Rome, Italy!

The answer to yesterday's What Am I Eating Wednesday was Amatriciana, one of the 4 classic Rome pasta dishes. More info below.

Is there a more enchanting city than Rome? It is fascinating to me the ancient buildings from centuries ago still stand alongside what is now a metropolitan city home to food and fashion. You could spend weeks here and still have places and alleyways to explore, but here are the Top 6 Things to See In Rome. In no particular order.

1. Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Basilica
2. Pantheon
3. The Coliseum
4. Spanish Steps
5. Trevi Fountain
6. Piazza Navona

There are 4 classic Rome pasta dishes, and they are all delicious in their own way. You must sample all 4 when you visit.
When you break down their recipes, they all play off each other, but subtle differences make each one unique.

Pasta alla Gricia is the foundation of the pasta dishes, but don’t let the simplicity fool you. This pasta dish stands on its own. A simple combination of Pecorino Romano cheese and Guanciale (cured pork cheek) are the ingredients of this humble but delicious dish.

Cacio e Pepe literally translates to Cheese and Pepper because that’s all it is! But again, just because it sounds simple doesn’t mean you can’t get it wrong.

Spaghetti alla Carbonara is probably the most famous of the 4 Rome pastas. A true Rome carbonara consists of just four things: Guanciale, eggs, Pecorino Romano and black pepper. Basically pasta alla gricia, but the eggs had a luscious richness.

Bucatini all’Amatriciana is another play on pasta alla gricia. As tomatoes became less of a luxury item, they found their way into this classic Roman pasta. Guanciale is rendered, and then tomatoes and pasta water are added to the pan. This is tossed with the pasta and then sprinkled with Pecorino Romano.

And there you have it! The 4 classic Rome pasta dishes. Try them all. Which is your favorite?

As always, check out my website www.travelbugbyamy.com to see how travel planning services can help save you time and stress!

12/06/2024

What Am I Eating Wednesday?

Answer will be posted tomorrow along with Travel Inspiration.

Hop on over to my website and subscribe to my email list. A free 3 day travel itinerary is still available, and you don't want to miss what is coming next. E-mail subscribers will get exclusive access. More information coming soon!

www.travelbugbyamy.com

06/06/2024

It's Travel Inspiration Thursday!

We are visiting Shanghai, China today.

The answer to yesterdays food quiz was Xiao Long Bao, or soup dumpling. Xiao Long Bao are a Shanghai-style dumpling filled with a juicy broth.. Made by placing a gelatinous meat-based broth cube alongside meat filling in a delicate wrapper and steaming them – melting the broth cube into “soup”. Traditionally served at breakfast, you can now find these tasty treats at all mealtimes. Expect your tastebuds to be delighted with these luscious savory treats.

China has much to offer travelers. Each city boasts unique sights, customs, cuisine and culture. Shanghai is a bustling finance and cultural center, and welcomes millions of travelers a year. Whether you are exploring temples and gardens, or more into the extensive nightlife Shanghai offers, there is something for everyone.

Top 5 Places To Do In Shanghai:
1. Yuyuan Gardens
2. Longhau Temple
3. Take A Food Tour
4. Dongtai Antique Market
5. Take a day trip to Suzhou
BONUS PICTURES: Shanghai skyline and Nanjing Street

Where would you like to visit in China?

Check out my website - subscribe today and receive a FREE 3-day travel itinerary. www.travelbugbyamy.com

05/06/2024

What Food Am I Eating Wednesday?

This one is tough so here are your choices:
1. Cha Siu Bao
2. Gyoza
3. Xiao Long Bao

Answer will be posted tomorrow in Travel Inspiration Thursday!

Follow me on Instagram , and check out my website www.travelbugbyamy.com Subscribe to my e-mail list so you don't miss you on a FREE 3-day travel itinerary and other giveaways happening in the near future!

30/05/2024

It's Travel Inspiration Thursday!

Staying domestically today and visiting Maine.

The answer to yesterday's food post was lobster roll.

Lobster rolls are native to New England’s six states – Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. The sandwich has humble beginnings – a cheap, easy to make sandwich for the lobstermen who did the catching. Two slices of white bread and the meat from unsold or less than perfect lobsters from that day’s catch. Today, the lobster roll is served in award winning restaurants, food trucks and pop-up seafood beach shacks around the country. You can find it all across the United States, but this sandwich is proudly East Coast.

Maine has much to offer and is a must-visit U.S. destination. Indulge in the freshest seafood, visit breathtaking lighthouses, get your toes wet along miles of coastline, try your luck digging for clams and visit one of the countries best National Parks. A perfect honeymoon destination, as well as a great family vacation – Maine has it all!

Top 5 Places To Visit:
#1: Portland
#2: Portland Head Lighthouse
#3: Acadia National Park
#4: Kennebunkport
#5: Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Camping - Freeport

PM me for email [email protected] with questions. Follow me on Instagram to watch these inspirations on reels.

Check out my website – for a limited time receive a FREE 3 day travel itinerary when you subscribe to e-mail list. Being on the list will provide you access to more free itineraries, more detailed Top 5 Travel Lists and more.

30/05/2024

It was fun sitting down with Dr. Michelle Quirk, a friend, colleague and run coach to talk about how traveling and running fit as well together as your favorite pair of running shoes shoes. 😊 Take a listen!

Thrilled to welcome Dr. Amy Raynes Travel Bug By Amy to Mindful Marathon Conversations!

Amy is my friend, fellow pediatrician, and travel lover who has started a new adventure as a travel planner! She is using her experiences from overseas living and travel to 20+ countries over 5 continents to create custom travel itineraries for her clients.

Join us for a chat about running while traveling, destination races, and exploring new areas while in our running sneakers!

Be sure to have a listen to this fun conversation here. Copy & Paste this the link: https://youtu.be/BIf2ZE3kquY

29/05/2024

It's What Am I Eating Wednesday!

I'll post the answer tomorrow with travel inspiration.

www.travelbugbyamy.com
Check out my website and subscribe to the e-mail list to receive a FREE 3-day travel itinerary.

28/05/2024

Good morning travelers!

Head on over to the website and subscribe to the e-mail list to receive a FREE 3-day travel itinerary to a surprise location! Picture below will give it away. 😉
Being on the list will also give you access to other free itinerary give aways, Top 5 Travel lists and more. You don't want to miss it!

www.travelbugbyamy.com

23/05/2024

It's Travel Inspiration Thursday!

Today, we are going to Tokyo, Japan.

The answer to yesterday's food past was RAMEN! Ramen is quintessential Japanese food. It comes in many diverse flavors, with different broths, toppings and noodle styles, as well as regional variations. From shoyu, miso and tonkatsu broth to toppings such as chashu, menma, eggs, corn and Naruto, you really can't go wrong!

Japan is one of my favorite countries, and it is hard to make Top 5 lists because there is just so much to see and do. So, today focuses on just Tokyo and the Top 5 things you should see and do while there. Tokyo is an enormous city, and you likely won’t see everything in one visit. Take some time to wander down alleyways and small streets, eat at places you might not normally choose and have fun exploring! Have sushi breakfast at the fish market, snack on edamame at the baseball game and eat your way down Nakamise street on your way to Senso-ji Temple. Sumo tournaments occur 3 times a year in Tokyo, and a must see if you happen to be there at the same time.

#1: Catch a Baseball Game
#2: Imperial Palace
#3: Tsukiji Fish Market
#4: Watch a Sumo Tournament
#5: Senso-ji Temple

Those are my Top 5! Do you have a different list?

PM me or email [email protected] with questions. Follow me on Instagram to watch these inspirations on reels.
Check out my website - for a limited time receive a FREE 3 day itinerary to New Orleans (perfect for a girls trip) when you subscribe to my e-mail list.
www.travelbugbyamy.com

Stay tuned - Japan is sure to be featured again. It is my favorite country afterall. ;)

22/05/2024

It's time for another..

What Am I Eating Wednesday?

I'll post the answer tomorrow along with some Travel Inspiration.

And go!

16/05/2024

It's travel inspiration Thursday!

Todays destination is the Netherlands!

The answer to yesterday's quiz was stroopwafel, which is delicacy born in the Netherlands. Two thin round waffle cookies are melded together with a layer of sticky syrupy filling. Delicious on their own, or warm up over a cup of coffee.

There are so many beautiful places to visit in the Netherlands. If you are aiming to see the famous tulips, plan to visit mid April to mid May. Peak travel months are July and August, if you are looking for less crowds and cheaper fares, early spring and September-November are best. Be sure to pack an umbrella, the Netherlands weather is unpredictable, even during peak months.

My Top 6 Places to Visit In The Netherlands:
1. Amsterdam
2. Tulip Fields Outside Keukenhof Gardens
3. Alkmaar
4. Haarlem
5. Giethoorn
6. Kinderdijk Windmills

PM me or email [email protected] with questions. Follow me on Instragram Travel Bug By Amy to watch these inspirations on reels.

Stay tuned - the Netherlands may be featured more than once, there are plenty of other must eat treats to be found there!

15/05/2024

Time for a new weekly series..
What food am I eating Wednesday?

Each week I will post a food and you guess what it is! I will update the post later in the day with the answer.

On Thursday, I will post information/pictures about the area that makes that food famous.

Ready...set...guess!

13/05/2024

Doing the work so you don't have to.

Does having 10+ browser windows open make you want to run and hide? Does the stress of planning and organizing make traveling difficult for you?

Travel Bug By Amy will do all of this for you, crafting a beautiful custom itinerary for your trip. All you have to do is sit back and daydream about vacation!

www.travelbugbyamy.com

Discover how your next adventure can come to life with our travel planning services.

10/05/2024

It's Baseball Season!

Growing up, we would always include a baseball game on our vacations.
Sport venue ticket information can easily be included in your custom travel itinerary!

While we frequent the Washington Nationals stadium now, I will always be a Cubbie fan at heart! ❤️💙

Pro Tip: With littles, minor league games can be just (if not more!) fun, at a lower ticket price. I have great memories of games watching the Lansing Lugnuts!

06/05/2024

I can’t start my day without coffee.

When traveling, I love to try the unique or local specialties of the area or country I’m traveling to. On your custom itinerary, you won’t find generic chain coffee recommendations.

Which looks best to you?
1. Luwak Coffee – Indonesia
2. Vietnamese Iced Coffee – Vietnam
3. Turkish Coffee – Bosnia
4. Cappuccino – Italy
5. Matcha Latte – Japan (not quite coffee, but still good)

03/05/2024

Happy FriYAY!

Traveling isn’t always faraway places and time off work and school. Traveling can include weekend trips just a short drive away from your home. A few years ago, my family and I went shark tooth hunting just a few hours drive from our house and had an amazing time.
Let me do the research and planning for your short weekend trip – you never know what adventures might be just steps away from your own backyard!
Do you have plans this weekend?

30/04/2024

Spring is in full bloom!
While the blooms might be past their peak for this year, it is never too early to start planning a vacation for next spring - perhaps to see some beautiful spring flowers. From international destinations, to places closer to home, I can plan a fun spring travel itinerary for your needs!

Which below would be your dream flower destination?
1. Tulips in the Netherlands
2. Sakura (cherry blossoms) in Japan
3. Nemophila (baby blue eyes) in Japan
4. Assortment of blooms in New Zealand

29/04/2024

Hello! Welcome to Travel Bug By Amy! Let me introduce myself. My name is Amy, and I am a travel fanatic. I love it. I have lived overseas for 5 years (Japan and Italy), traveled to over 20 countries across 5 continents and have been to countless cites and destinations across the United States. A lot of these travel experiences have been with small children. One of my favorite parts of traveling is the planning and organizing! For some people, this is the process that hinders travel. That’s why I am here. Let me plan for you an ideal vacation – specifically tailored to meet your needs and goals of that particular trip. Then all you have to do is sit back, relax and daydream about your upcoming vacation!

Check out my website and follow along with me on Facebook and Instagram! Contact me at [email protected] with any questions. Happy traveling!

Discover how your next travel adventure can come to life.

27/04/2024

Travel Bug By Amy goes live Monday, April 29th. Stay tuned and check back!