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Travel Tuesday: Chicago Architectural Boat Tour

December 1, 2015 in Travel by traveleatlove | 3 comments

Our trip to Chicago feels like it was such a long time ago, but I didn’t want to leave out posting about the architectural boat tour that we took, which was one of the highlights of the trip.

Chicago has many options for architectural boat tours, and since we really wanted a combination of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River, we went with Mercury Cruises, which turned out to be a great choice.

First of all, it’s location was lovely, right on the River Walk, where I loved spending time.

The boat was beautiful, and we got seats right on the bow so that we could see everything. The boat also had a comfortable interior where we went when it got a little windy. Inside was a bar that served local beer, which was a really nice touch.

Going through the locks from the Chicago River into Lake Michigan was a fun experience, and once out of the river, we were really on our way.

I can’t get over Lake Michigan’s vastness; it really feels like the ocean and with the windy day we had, there were some nice swells.

Even though we had an overcast day, the sights were absolutely beautiful. Seeing the skyline from the lake was really special, and our Captain had all sorts of interesting historical tips to share with us.

Boating on the river was equally as beautiful and interesting. The skyscrapers really lived up to their name, and we saw Willis Tower, Aon Center, John Hancock Building, Museum Campus, Trump Tower, Marina City, and others. Chicago’s history is so interesting and rich, and I would love to do another boat tour as well as a land tour so that I can learn more.

(The Trump Tower was as obnoxious as the person behind the name.)

There’s so much to do in Chicago, but when we were planning our trip everyone told us to do an architectural tour. They were all right!

Tags: architecture, boats, Chicago, tours, Travel, travel blog, vacation

Travel Tuesday: Cultural Heritage Centre, Arusha Tanzania

July 21, 2015 in Travel by traveleatlove | No comments

It’s been months since our trip to Tanzania, and we still talk about it just about every day. I can’t say enough what an amazing place it was, and if you would like to read the rest of my Tanzania posts, please visit my Travel Blog page.

One of our stops on our trip was at the Cultural Heritage Centre in Arusha. The Centre is a really cool space full of art and information on Tanzanian culture. We toured the property on our own, taking in arts and crafts, animal sculptures, dishes, jewelry, antiques, and beautiful grounds. We also had the opportunity to do some shopping for arts and crafts as well as the rare gem Tanzanite, something I regret not buying as it will soon be gone.

It wasn’t quite as exciting as camping in the Serengeti, but this was still a really worthwhile stop and one I enjoyed. Tanzania is full of beauty, in its landscape, its people, and its arts and culture. and the Centre is a wonderful glimpse into that.

Tags: Africa, Arusha, culture, safari, Tanzania, Travel, travel blogger, Travel Tuesday, vacation

Coastal Living at its Finest

July 7, 2015 in cocktail, Cocktails, Food, Living, Restaurants, Travel by traveleatlove | 3 comments

That’s Massachusetts for you. Just when you think you’ve discovered all of your favorite MA beaches, seaside towns, and waterside watering holes, friends have suggestions for more, and locals lead you in new directions. The possibilities of summer in Massachusetts are endless; why is the season so short?! Next year, we are taking a week off for a staycation. I long to have extra days to sip and linger at Westport Rivers Sunset Music Series and trips to Horseneck Beach and to camp at Spectacle Island or hike at World’s End, to take the ferry to Provincetown, not to mention to indulge in the bounty of the sea and local farms. It is summer, and I am in my annual love affair with Massachusetts.

Our July 3 truly felt like a holiday. We got together with friends and headed North to the sweet town of Ipswich where we were introduced to Salt Kitchen & Rum Bar and instantly saw why it is a local favorite. And it’s not just because they offer so many different types of rums, including local option Privateer. The interior is adorably coastal and rustic, staff is friendly and warm, and the food was delicious.

I loved my Big Foot cocktail, which included Ragged Mountain Rum, Chipotle Maple Syrup, and Lime, for a sweet and spicy kick.

For lunch I indulged in the Lobster Wellington, which was amazing, with its tender sweet lobster and corn in a flaky puff pastry, served with a salad to balance it out.

During lunch we learned that our destination, Crane Beach, was at capacity, which 1) made it impossible to go there but 2) made us not really want to even attempt it if it was that crowded. Luckily, bartenders and bar patrons always have the best knowledge, and we were on our way to a hidden gem of a beach nearby that turned out to be even better than our first choice. The water and sky were perfectly blue, and it felt so good to be on the hot sand. The water, on the other hand, was a little chilly, as you can see from my bracing below. Still, it was all so perfect, the quintessential New England summer day, so very welcome after a hellish winter.

Since laying at the beach works up quite an appetite, we stopped at CK Pearl on our way home. This was another new-to-us spot, and it is a new favorite. The deck is right on the water, providing great views of beautiful nature and boats.

The filter for this photo is sunscreen. I love it.

Our waterside feast included Octopus Carpaccio and oysters, paired with bubbly, of course. CK Pearl is an amazing spot to relax, and it’s right across the street from the famous Woodman’s if you also need a fried clam fix. We’ll definitely be back this summer.

I took a little over a week off from blogging to visit family, get lots of work done, and enjoy a holiday weekend, and I am now excited and refreshed and looking forward to catching up on all of your blogs and updating my own.