Destination Thursday: Las Vegas

Aside from the vacation that I'm "planning" (i.e. haven't even started to plan yet) this summer, we're also going to Vegas. Here's the scoop: Mr. Frankel is in sales; his team made their quota this year, which means we're going on a QUOTA TRIP! 

His team narrowed it down to either Miami or Vegas, and this week they made the final vote for Vegas. *Truth be told I was really hoping for Miami, but I'm just the tag-along! We've never been to Vegas, and I've never had a burning desire to go. In a way, it's probably good that his team chose Vegas because if it weren't for this all-expenses-paid trip I'm not sure I'd ever plan a trip there on my own.  

I haven't spent much time thinking about Vegas yet- except for the wardrobe. My perception of Vegas is that sequins are acceptable attire any- and all- the time. True story? *I'm packing a suitcase full of sequins either way, regardless of your answer. 

So tell me, blog friends, what is there to do in Vegas??! We'll be there Thursday through Sunday (unless we decide to pay for an extra night or two on our own). *I'm not sure where we're staying yet, but I'd love to hear your suggestions on shopping, food, and activities! It should be noted that I've never gambled in my life- unless you count playing bingo at Krugh-Family-Christmas growing up. 

Quota trips are a lot of fun, I hear. Thank goodness I'm married to a rockstar! 




Image Credits: Grand Canyon, Chihuly Glass, Vegas buildings, Sign
*Also available via my Pinterest boards! 

Trip-Planning Thursday: Puerto Rico.... I Feel Pretty

The search continues for our summer vacation destination...

Destination: Puerto Rico-- I'd like to spend a few days in San Juan and a few days on Vieques Island at the W Retreat and Spa. I've never been to Puerto Rico, but I was Maria in West Side Story.  I'm thinking I could dust off my old accent and be good to go. I'm totally kidding. Sort of. 

Why Puerto Rico: The photos look amazing. No hassling with immigration. English-speaking. Great food from what I can tell. RELAXING. *I would have to be careful on the timing here as it would be hurricane season during the time we'd be traveling. 

So, tell me, what is there to do in Puerto Rico- besides relaxation domination? *Send your comments to Maria, please.  

Trip-Planning Thursday: Dublin

Trip-planning Thursday... what's that, you wonder? 


Let me explain. 


Last night I was aimlessly wandering the internet and decided to see what my 80,000 FF miles could get me. I figured I was only eligible for a few extra bags of pretzels or something, but apparently 80,000 FF miles is a decent amount (turns out all these silly work trips are going to pay off after all). So I started thinking.... Mr. Frankel and I should plan an anniversary trip in July. He'll be out of school for a week or so then, and our 3rd anniversary is July 18. Serendipitous, don't you think? 

So, good friends, we have a lot of planning to do before July. I say "we" because I often find that the best places to see and go aren't found in travel guides but through word of mouth. That being said, here's my plan: I'll set up places that I'd like to go and what I think might be fun to do there, and if you have anything to add or detract, PLEASE let me know. My hope is that within a few months I'll have a really good idea and understanding of where we'll have the best time. 

Let's put some guardrails on this thing. I don't want you guys suggesting Siberia or anything. A few things I'm looking for in a destination: 

Location: Anywhere but Asia. I've been there a lot lately and will probably be going again in the next few months. 

Transportation: Easy to get around and SAFE

Food: Lots, variety, and GOOD

Lodging: We'll most likely stay at a Starwood hotel for part of the trip (so that it's free), but we might like to stay at a bed and breakfast as well- depending on the location. 

Images (and explanations) via my Ireland Pinterest Board 

If I'm being completely honest I haven't done much research on Ireland yet (i.e. I impulsively wrote this late last night), but here are the clear benefits I see:

-Decent English-speaking population

-Beer, Meat, and Potatoes (Christopher would be one happy guy)

-Castles

-Greenery

-Westin Hotel in Dublin: I have beaucoup Starwood points, so I'm inclined to spend at least part of our stay there to save funds for food and sight-seeing. 

Help me out! What do I need to know about Dublin, Ireland?! Tell me the good, bad, and the ugly. I still have a lot of research to do. 

Any suggestions for next week's destination? I'm thinking Puerto Rico, Spain, or Greece-- just off the top of my head. Opinions, please!!!!  

Tokyo, Part 4

On our last night in Tokyo we visited Roppongi Hills- an area known for its high-end shopping and Christmas lights. These pictures really don't do it justice; it was breathtaking. 

I think I've pretty much covered the entire trip. I highly recommend a visit to Tokyo; it's tied with Istanbul for my favorite city I've visited this year! 

Tokyo, Part 3

Happy Wednesday! I'm officially on Christmas vacation!!!! --- because I did a pathetic job of taking vacation throughout the year--- because I was so busy traveling for work this year.... It's a vicious cycle, people. :)  

Speaking of traveling, we're on to Tokyo Part 3 today. I told you I took a lot of photos. Tell me, are my Tokyo posts becoming a little bit like the Rocky movies; 1 and 2 were pretty good, but then things just got a little out of hand???? Hopefully not, but  as it stands right now this blog is a dictatorship (a blog-tatorship, if you will), so I'm posting my photos from Tokyo regardless. 

Well, now that that's settled... 

Because Tokyo is a ridiculously large city, Nanette and I decided to take a tour one morning. On the tour we visited the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower, and Asakusa (a city known for the famous Senso-ji temple). 

When I said we visited the Imperial Palace, this is what I meant. The actual palace is only open two days a year for tours. They try to keep the riff raff (i.e. ME) out as much as possible. 

 

Unofficial Christmas card 2011. Merry Christmas from Tokyo Tower. 

Keep in mind this is the view from ONE part of Tokyo Tower. I told you it was a big city. Shanghai still beats Tokyo though by the way--- skyscrapers for MILES. 

View of the Tokyo Sky Tree from Asakusa. It's the "new Tokyo Tower", reaching over 2000 feet in height. It is the tallest tower in the world and second tallest structure in the world, so apparently our visit to the first Tokyo Tower is old news... 

I know I mentioned the other day that I quickly tired of eating raw fish and pickled vegetables, but I LOVED the "Japanese fair food" from the Asakusa tourist area (*I fully recognize that I am fulfilling the American stereotype right now when it comes to eating habits).  Yes, that is a hash brown on a stick with mayonnaise and BBQ sauce. :)  It wasn't my idea; I just ate it. 

Pork dumplings and "Japanese donuts" with bean jam. REALLY tasty! 

That's it for today. I'm off to do Christmas Vacation-y things, like blast Michael Buble and Mariah Carey Christmas music while I attempt to bathe a smelly Luca-Bear. It's going to be a good day. 

Tokyo, Part 2

During our adventures in Tokyo we spent a morning in Tsukiji market- a wholesale fish market. The morning is the best and busiest time to go; it was quite the experience! 

There are TONS of little booths like this where you can buy fresh fish and eat it within minutes.  I'm sure it would have been a great meal, but at 9 AM I am NOT eating fish. 

Mmm-mmm. Makes me hungry every time I see a red octopus in a bucket..... 

From now on I've decided that whenever I'm having a rough day instead of telling myself to put my "big girl pants on", (which is my current standard operating procedure) I will remind myself that at least I am not a dead, shrink-wrapped panda in Tsukiji market. Really, can you think of anything worse? 

We stopped at a tea shop and tried green-tea flavored almond cake. Very good actually! 

I swear I have a few decent photos of myself in Tokyo, but they're all on my mother-in-law's camera right now! 

And now it's time for the "cookie" story. On our way back to the hotel after a visit to Tsukiji market we decided to stop in a store for some "cookies". Nanette and I picked out the "cookies" that we thought looked especially tasty. The ones I picked out? Fish-flavored. Do you know how gross it is to think you're about to eat a sweet "cookie" only to bite into a rice cake that tastes the way over-cooked salmon smells? Really, stinking gross. 

Tokyo, Part 1

I'm back from a week in Tokyo! I was there for work, but most of it occurred in the late afternoon/evening, so I had some time for sightseeing. I asked my mother-in-law to join me; I think I would have chewed my arm off by the end of the week had I been alone the whole time. We had a great time. Tokyo is an extremely clean, safe, and polite city! 

I'm going to share photos of my trip over the next few days because I went a little crazy with my iphone and took A LOT. Today I'm sharing photos from Omotesando- a little neighborhood with lots of beautiful shops and restaurants. 

Pre-trip, airport stuff:

Our hotel keys. The REAL thing. 

Omotesando:

Tokyo is big on Christmas trees, Christmas music (they play it EVERYWHERE), and nativity scenes. It's apparently not as controversial in Japan to celebrate Christmas as it has become in the U.S. Who knew.... 

This was our favorite restaurant- a little French cafe. They had outdoor seating (it was in the 40s) with heaters and blankets.

As you can see, I tired of traditional Japanese cuisine pretty quickly. Thank goodness for cheeseburgers!

Three-story Swarovski crystal Disney Christmas tree.

Some fashion exhibit. I snapped some photos before I got distracted by spotting a Zara. :) 

More to come tomorrow!