While I’m grounded at home until the world is open to Americans again, I’m revisiting my travel love life through fun posts like this.  Hope you enjoy!

“Where is Your Husband?” is a question I’ve been asked so many times over the years as I’ve traveled solo that I wrote a post about questions to stop asking solo travelers.  At first, I laughed it off and said “my parents would love to know that too so let me know when you find him” and then I went through a bit of anger phase asking myself the same “why haven’t I met that guy yet to travel and have a life with”? I even tried online dating (unsuccessfully) as no one matched my requirements of “owns passport, wants to explore the world and is open to adventure”. Now I’ve settled into a phase of contentment with myself and my solo-ness.  When someone recently asked me “aren’t you lonely traveling solo?” I replied “not at all, I’m dating the world” and each city is my “new blind date with potential”.  Snarky works to shut down people’s preconceived notions of what my life should look like.

Just like any date or relationship, there are a few places that linger as first loves, a few in the love/hate relationship, a few bad boys that still tempt me and yet a few more with the potential to be the “the one” – that long term image of walking hand in hand as we grow old together with memories (yes, too many movie moments in my head).  Of course, just like dating, there have been some duds along the way (it really was you not me) but each time I’ve learned something new about myself, my beliefs and how I need to be open to the world. I’ve had peeks at what my life should look like vs. what my life could look like.  I’ve laughed that the world is too big to keep returning to the same places and yet there are places (and people) that I keep in my heart that call me back on a regular basis (my home and heart are definitely in more than one place).

New Zealand – Pushing My Limits

Some places give you the taste of being “fearless”, some relationships are so raw that you can’t help but be afraid to be vulnerable but once you establish that trust, wow! What a feeling to discover your kick ass power and potential.  This is the guy that believes you can do anything in the world as life is an adventure every day!  The downside to the everyday adventure is wanting to just be still and enjoy the surrounding.

New Zealand is one country that wants you to experience pure adventure – it’s their marketing tagline “Pure Adventure”.  Whether in the thrill of adventure or savoring the food & wine scene, New Zealand pushes you out of your comfort zone to let you experience fun, tempt your taste buds and gasp at the incredible beauty of the landscape.  Fly in a helicopter to put on crampons and walk across the icy surfaces of the Franz Josef glacier.  Learn to kayak for the first time even if you are scared to flip over in the massive lake.  I swear the air whispers “you can do it” (ok, maybe the cute guide trying to get me to push past the fear and catch up to the group was a bit of incentive but in the movie version it was the air).

London – Friends with Benefits

London was my first international destination, the city that gave me a taste of what the world outside of Philadelphia had to offer.  With the funny accents and phrases like “the weather is pants”, London told me “to look left” and continued to offer up just enough to keep me coming back anticipating something new and left me wanting so much more.  We understood each other, it was (and still is) easy to be in London.  We shared ups and downs. With a great history of over twenty years, I tried to make it more permanent but London said “sorry Tier 2 visa hurdle, you’d actually need to meet (and marry) an actual British guy to change our status” so alas we remain friends with benefits.  We have fun, I find comfort in my visits, enjoy my favorite London chocolates and for now can’t be more than that. During the lockdown, I missed my annual transatlantic cruise to London and I’m longing to return.  I’ve not been away from the city for this long in a very long time.  I miss my friend with benefits a bit more than I thought, chances are London is my deep true love but without the opportunity to live/work there, I have to dream.

Venice & the Amalfi Coast – My First Travel Love(s)

Venice & the Amalfi Coast continue to be my first “love at first sight” cities.  Over the years, I cherish the memories and look with sadness at the changes each has gone through as we’ve aged.  They knew that they had the allure, the romance, the views – they had it all.  But everyone wanted them, to preserve their beauty and not let them change and grow – and over the years, all the beauty is still there but underneath their souls have been changed and it makes me sad.  It’s harder to find the unique experience of my youth, we are still friends and I can visit and act like a local, happy to stroll the streets (drive the roads) of my travel youth and relive the memories of the first time we locked eyes and shared the weekend. We are in the “remember when…..” stage of first love(s).

Paris – Torn between Two Lovers (Love & Hate)

Ah…..Paris.  Paris is that one city that evokes either love or hate with travelers and rarely a middle ground. For me, it was awkward at first as I wandered lost in a city of foreign language, culture and (at the time) currency.  I had to find my own way back to the flat to find my friend (before mobile phones).  On our second date, Paris loved me back but my friend hated it and she left me in the city abandoned at Valentine’s Day and I learned to be a solo traveler.  It was my third time lucky that we fell into our love/hate relationship which has matured over the years.  Yes, we still have differences but it’s those differences that make it such a strong, passionate, relationship.  I’ve reignited my love of the city the past few years with visits for Paris at Thanksgiving (when Mom boycotted the holiday) on the way home from my Round the World trip, Paris with my niece (the 11 yo foodie), on my European travel sabbatical and the Paris visit with my mom.  I’ve reliving my past in the present and future with my family now. Seeing the city with fresh eyes and years of experience make it memorable again.

Bad First Travel Impressions

Budapest, I’m looking at you twenty years ago.  We started off on the wrong foot (or in my case the wrong hotel in a sketchy part of town) but found a common ground (once I moved to the five star Intercontinental Budapest Hotel) and I saw past the surface to see a great beauty of a city.  I’m hopeful to return soon to see how much you’ve changed in the years as I continue to see your photos everywhere as a travel rock star.

Gozo – The Ugly Duckling Blind Date

When I arrived from the ferry and saw the limestone sameness, the unpaved roads, the unending construction in the villages and only one traffic light, I wondered where the hell I was and why I had said yes to this island in Malta. It wasn’t pretty…at first.  The island of Gozo would slowly reveal all of the hidden gems on the island, it was definitely a trust issue.   We started off fumbling with “did we like each other” but after three weeks, it was a torrid love affair, one I was hesitant to leave as I was lost in a world of wonder….far away from the drama at home.  My island home became a beauty once I stopped being all judgey with it. We met locals, dined on local wine and learned to tune out the church bells that rung every fifteen minutes to tell time. We fell into a comfortable routine that I hadn’t experienced with anyone else.  The five star Kempinski Gozo helped wash away the bad start to help me hit reset and be open to discovering so much more.

Houston: We Have A Problem

Houston, Texas (USA) – At first I thought it’s me, there’s more to the city than the cold highways, megachurches and shopping malls.  I even agreed to a second date to give you another chance.  You are Oil and I’m Water there is just no future for us.  I don’t even have a photo to share!

Sydney – The Supermodel Guy Who Surfs

Sydney, Australia is the cover model who is a smart businessman by day, cultured food & wine connoisseur at night and a surfer on the weekends.  He is multi-faceted and constantly surprising you.  He won’t commit to just you because he doesn’t realize you are smitten with him (everyone is in love with him) but he’s too nice to notice.  He’s happy with his awesome life and wants you to be happy too.  He shows you the beach, pours his friend’s wine from the Hunter Valley and introduces you to his family and friends.  You feel special with him because his attention is all on your happiness.  There’s no long term to this relationship but your ego (and photos) definitely get a confident boost when you are with him.

Miami – It’s Definitely Me Not You

Miami – we are so different that even in the opposites attract category….we don’t.  You are the perennial party-er with money, you keep saying we’re all good but I don’t feel we travel in the same circle. It’s probably my insecurities but I don’t fit in your world.  I’ll still say a transient “hello” on the way to the cruise terminal and maybe meet you for a drink or two but thats all.

Solo Traveler: Independent & Brave

I’ve had many more blind dates with the cities of the world (and small towns) and I still enjoy the awkward first meeting, the getting to know you stage and then waiting to see if it will be love, lust, like or loathing.  So I’m “still single” because I’m still dating the world, Mom says “I’m too picky”.  For the rest of the world, I’m independent, bold and brave and yet missing “my husband”.  As for me?  I’m still having a good time exploring the world. What about you – what’s your travel love life look like? How would you label your dates with cities/countries? Are you dating the world too?

It’s no secret, I’m a chocoholic.  I developed this chocolate sweet tooth later in life and as I get older, I’m definitely more selective in what I choose to indulge in.  So when I planned my last-minute trip to Rotterdam and Belgium (Bruges and Ghent), I knew I needed to leave room in my suitcase to bring home chocolate – a lot of Belgian chocolate.  When I started researching Chocolate in Bruges, imagine my surprise to learn there are over ninety (yes 90!) chocolate shops (the Visit Flanders Chocolate Brochure press material lists over 300 chocolate shops in the region) which doesn’t include donuts, cookies and bakery shops selling chocolate flavored treats. In addition to my research, I asked for recommendations.  I would need to eat a lot of chocolate over my three days to find my best chocolate shops in Bruges.  While these are my three favorite chocolate shops, I would urge you to also explore the many local shops to find what you like best.  There is literally every flavor you can imagine, textures and options in milk, dark and white chocolate.

Life Before Posh Chocolates

Growing up in the U.S. on Hershey’s, M&M (Mars) and Nestle (to name a few) plus my love of Twix, I didn’t know any better – I didn’t know the world of chocolate that existed outside of the name brands at the supermarket, pharmacies and Wawa. My Halloween pillowcases were full of KitKat, Nestle Crunch, Hershey bars and kisses and a whole lot of Reese cups.  That’s the chocolate of my youth – the chocolate that my dad introduced us to as my mom hated chocolate (I don’t understand this either).

My parents were shocked when I started spending more than $7+ on a chocolate bar from Vosges (Chicago) or Éclat (Philadelphia) or came home with bags of posh chocolates from Europe (or the very different tasting Twix and Kit Kats).  I still remember how crushed I was when I brought my dad a fancy box of chocolates from Paris and with his first bite, his face said it all and then he his words matched his face with “yuck”.  He had only ever eaten US milk chocolate so wasn’t ready to jump into other types of chocolate.   The dark chocolate and creamier milk chocolates in Europe (and beyond) were definitely flavors and textures that I needed to learn to appreciate with a lot of tasty research. Pairing with local wine made the chocolates even better. Some people like to travel and shop for clothes, I like to travel and shop for chocolate and wine, my way to taste the destination.

Belgian Chocolates

What makes Belgian chocolate so coveted and tasty?  I learned a few things during my tour of the chocolate museum – a Choco Story Bruges – which traces chocolate from the Aztecs and Mayas to European chocolate. Belgian chocolates have a high cocoa content, use 100% cocoa butter and are credited with creating the classic praline.  Belgian chocolate is exported (over 60% of production) around the world via brands like Neuhaus, Leonidas, Callebaut, Belcolade and Godiva to name a few. There are so many more award-winning chefs and chocolatiers throughout the country creating new chocolate varieties, flavors and tastings for everyone to enjoy. There is also the Salon du Chocolat each year, celebrating all things chocolate (add that to your festivals list – who needs a music fest when you can have a chocolate fest?).

Bruges Chocolate Shops

For my visit to Bruges, I focused on the smaller chocolatiers in the city.  In my short visit, I visited ten chocolate shops over three days buying small samples and then going back for larger purchases to bring home with me to the U.S.  These were my favorite three chocolate shops in Bruges (alphabetical order).

Chocolatier Dumon Bruges

Chocolatier Dumon is a cute little shop located a few yards away from the central market square.  When I entered, I was immediately overwhelmed (in a good way) by the smell of chocolate and the vast choice of shiny chocolates in prepared packages or made to order.  The chocolates are not labeled and the store is geared for tourists who order boxes based on size (number of pieces) and price and need only say “nuts or no nuts”.  The associates will then choose a sample for you.

Me being picky me, wanted to know what each chocolate was filled with.  The store was empty so I didn’t think it was too much to ask for what I wanted.  One woman was a bit annoyed by me (if she only knew my much pickier chocolate friends) and did the “nuts or no nuts” while her colleague indulged my curiosity.  The chocolates are quite creamy and filled with classic crèmes, caramel and fruit flavors.  My box of 12 pieces was a nice mix and surprisingly very affordable (under 10 euro) as were the prices of prepackaged options on the shelves.  The store sells ice packs for the chocolates if you are there on a hot day or transporting the chocolates home.   I ate the chocolates during my visit to Bruges – they are easy to enjoy but very rich so you can’t eat too many at once (I tried).

Verdict – There are no surprises at Chocolatier Dumon Bruges – this is the classic chocolate shop with affordable chocolates to please everyone on your list.  Note that as they are handmade and fresh, the shelf life is not long (maybe a week or less) for optimal tasting enjoyment.

Pierre Marcolini Bruges

The small chocolate shop is on the market square (next to Godiva). The Pierre Marcolini window was so pretty that I was face pressed to peer into the closed shop window featuring the artwork in cake. I would research the shop back at the hotel and plan my morning visit for the next day.

The pretty cakes in the window were what originally called to me. Once inside the store, I was lured by the boxes of hearts, the handmade jellies and so much more.  Unlike Dumon, Pierre Marcolini has everything in boxes and collections as well as offers individuals cakes and ice cream options.

It was like walking into a luxury store that you could actually afford something – if not a boxed collection, a cake, if not a cake then ice cream or ice cream bar. The saleswoman hadn’t even taken the covers off of the glass cases when I arrived ready to buy as quickly as possible.

I took the chocolate mousse cake with me to Ghent 1898 The Post Hotel to enjoy with a glass of wine (perfect combination).  I brought boxes of chocolate hearts, chocolate sampler and fruit jellies home for my family to enjoy. Pierre Marcolini has been called a “taste designer” in search of creating a better and lighter chocolate experience.  I’d say he’s definitely succeeded with the taste and experience.  I thoroughly enjoyed the Pierre Marcolini creations as did my family.

Verdict – This is a luxury chocolate shop for fancy chocolate gifts hence “Haute Chocolatier”.  It is also a social media goldmine of colorful cakes (almost too pretty to eat), ice cream and chocolates heart in flavors that you already love – raspberry, caramel, passion fruit, praline, lime and pistachio. Stores are located around the world, weirdly the only U.S. store is in Hawaii?!

The Chocolate Line Bruges

The Chocolate Line is a five-minute walk from the Belfry and market square past the many shops.  You’ll see a tree-lined pedestrian area on the left hand side in the middle of the road as well as fast food and fast casual cafes on either side. The Chocolate Line shop is by the award-winning chef Dominique Persoone. His creation of chocolates in over 40 flavors, tree to bar chocolates and single source chocolate bars will overwhelm you with choice in Bruges and Antwerp. The shop had just opened at 9:30 am and the chocolates were stacked to the top ready for the swells of customers, tour groups and locals. I was customer number one that morning and the associate was more than willing to indulge my questions to ensure I chose the best chocolates for me that represented The Chocolate Line.

The chocolates are all labeled to make it easy to navigate (their website is quite nice with ingredients and allergens).  With so many choices, it’s hard to narrow down what you want to add to your purple box.  I chose a box of 18 (gluttony embraced) pieces as my research box.  I started off with my comfort zone of raspberry, nuts, caramel, chocolate fillings before indulging in flavors like the miss piggy (chocolate ganache, almond praline, bacon and quinoa), apple, liquor filled options (Zapata rum, vodka, Cabernet Sauvignon and Bombay sapphire gin in red lips) and other interesting flavors.

I added in single source chocolate bars to taste the flavors of Costa Rica, Peru and Ecuador, just a few of the nine countries represented by chocolate bars.

The Chocolate Line uses ingredients others may be surprised by – onion, sake, beetroot, Havana leaves, basil, rice vinegar, sansho pepper, sun-dried tomatoes, chili pepper, wasabi, hemp seeds and poppy seeds.  You may enjoy the espresso coffee, lavender, mint leaves, passion fruit, banana, raisin and marzipan.  There is a bit of rock star glamour to the chocolate involving showing the Rolling Stones how to sniff the chocolate powder in the shooter. Persoone also created a chocolate lipstick and other offshoots with chocolate.  The Chocolate Line is about flavors, adventure and pushing chocolate comfort zones in a variety of ways.

Verdict – If you are an adventurous chocolate lover, The Chocolate Line is your happy place.  If you are just a simple chocolate fan, you’ll find a lot to love here as well from chocolate bars, origin chocolate discs and souvenir boxes sorted by type (fruit, nuts, etc.). For individual chocolate pieces,  try to eat within a week to fully enjoy the experience.  

Non-Chocolate Options in Bruges

Ok, maybe you’re like my mother who had a negative chocolate experience growing up or you prefer other types of desserts/treats.  Don’t despair, Pierre Marcolini has fruit jellies that are gorgeous to look at and eat.  There are other sugar options in the city of Bruges. You can enjoy donuts at Hill’s Donuts, cookies at Juliette’s or pastries/croissants at the many bakeries in town. You might even want a Belgian waffle with ice cream (Mom’s favorite).

More Chocolate Shops in Bruges

There is a chocolate shop for everyone in Bruges.  If you want cute animals, naughty bits and sayings, packaged Bruges souvenirs.  There are chocolate dusted truffles in bins, chocolate by the kilo, chocolate by the piece, bricks of chocolate that are hammered into pieces.  If you have a sweet tooth, Bruges is the place to (over) indulge.  It’s ok if you just want to eat chocolate all day – there’s even a museum with all you can eat chocolate discs while you tour at the Choco-Story Bruges.

There are chocolate tours in Bruges as well as classes on making/working with chocolate. Since I’ve done chocolate classes at home and have done behind the scenes pastry tours of chocolate I wanted to run around the city on my own tasting chocolate croissants, chocolate donuts, chocolate truffles, chocolate cookies and chocolates.

Final Thoughts – Chocolate Shops in Bruges

The Belfry in Bruges has 366 steps to climb to the top and 366 steps back to the bottom.  In my mind, those stairs helped negate some of the chocolate calories consumed (let’s not get technical and point out that I probably burned enough calories for only one truffle). Thankfully, you gained no weight reading this post (I can’t say the same) as I had a lot of fun with the blog research into my three Best Chocolate Shops in Bruges. Note that because it was a hot summer day, I skipped the drinking chocolates and hot chocolate options – those will need to wait for my next visit along with the other 80 chocolate shops!

Do you have a favorite chocolate shop in Bruges? A favorite Belgian chocolate brand? Share in the comments please so I can add to my list of chocolates to research next time.

Chances are you have a friend or family member that is a traveler like me and chances are they are a pain in the ass to buy for at holiday (and birthday) time because they just want to be on a trip anywhere but here and that’s not in your $50 holiday gift budget. My family gave up a long time ago when it came to buying me presents.  “You’re too hard to buy for” was the common cry to which I replied “Not really” as I opened up yet another Nordstrom gift card (don’t get me wrong, I love Nordstrom and shoes).   In the past, I received many photo albums back when I had piles of printed travel photos to show (annoy) friends and family. But now my photos are prisoners online and rarely see the front of photo paper to even get near an album.  So unless you are uber-wealthy and can afford to jet away on an amazing travel experience to give the traveler in your life, here are a few of my suggestions for my updated 2018 Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers (p.s. to my family – I already have these so try again) that are Practical, Fun and a bit Whimsical and yet all are under $50!

Travel Gifts that Make the Airport Suck Less

Starbucks Gift Card – I don’t drink coffee but there’s usually a Starbucks in every U.S. airport so I use the gift cards for bottled water and snacks. Funny how easy it is to indulge in the lemon pound cake when you don’t need to pay for it when you have a gift card.

XpresSpa – For those who get to the airport early or favor connecting flights to save money, there’s a bit of downtime at the airport so treat the to a chair massage to reduce stress or manicure to make a bit of the airport experience pretty. If they don’t have time for a mani/pedi, they can buy nail polish to go (just don’t paint your nails on the flight)

SwissGear Backpack – this is on my wishlist as it is a brand I like and use and the ease of use to store a laptop or Ipad plus the multiple pockets are great.  It’s slightly above my $50 range at $59.99 but still worth it for your favorite traveler. I used my current backpack for flight essentials – Bose Noise Canceling Headsets, Cashmere Scarf, Fleece Jacket, Snack Bag, Magazine and Toiletries.

Travel Essentials

TripIt Pro – I love TripIt Pro to organize all of my travel reservations and have been a user since the start.  The Pro version, which costs $49 a year, gives you up to the minute information on the flight (on time/delayed, gate numbers) and access to alternative flights in case you need to make last minute changes or are offered to volunteer to bump the flight (you can see what the next best flight would be and how long your wait could be). When I’m not traveling, I organize my OpenTable, Ticketmaster and other local events in the app.

Zero Grid Passport Wallet ($23.77 on Amazon) – My passport has extra pages and is usually stuffed with my loyalty cards and other airport specific items.  This RFID passport case has two pockets for loyalty cards (or credit cards), fit my passport easily and includes a pen which is always needed to fill out landing cards.  It zips up so nothing falls out.  I never had a passport case before, I always thought I’d buy the fancy leather one but they are so expensive.  This one is water resistant, easy to use and keep my stuff together.  http://amzn.to/2zmGrZ7

Zero Grid Money Belt with RFID Blocking ($17.02)– this money belt fits easily under your clothes and can attach through your belt loops on your pants, if applicable.  With RFID blocking, you can travel safe that your credit cards and ATM are not being read.

Zero Grid Umbrella ($23.80 on Amazon)– An umbrella is not a sexy gift but is very practical.  I have umbrellas for my purse, backpack, suitcase, in my car and in my desk.  I have two travel umbrellas I travel with – the colorful Nicole Miller umbrella and the ZeroGrid umbrella with built in flashlight (genius!).  I’ve been using this umbrella for weeks now and I’m really impressed by it – i love that the case is attached and is easy to slip on/off and the flashlight is easy to use as well.  http://amzn.to/2hTvMhH

Fun and Whimsical Travel Gifts

AirportTag – I love their travel quote magnets and tote bags – large and small.  I also ordered a custom printed tote bag for my recent flight to London as well as a pouch bag and luggage tags (I may have gone overboard on the cute travel factor!).  The t-shirts are fun and the airport code series is hard not to play “I’ve been there!” There are travel quotes, airport codes, fun t-shirts, posters and so much more!  Its hard buying just one gift so buy two or three or ten like I did!

Highland Titles in Scotland –  Yes, you can buy a title if you dream of being called “Lady” or “Lord”.  This one is just for fun as you can buy a piece of land in Scotland starting at $44 for one square foot.  You can add a tree to be planted when you buy 100 sq. ft. for $176.  This clever conservation project, deeds you a plot of land thus becoming a “landowner” with the right to be called “Lady” , “Laird” or “Lord” and who doesn’t secretly want a title?  As close to royalty or Downton Abbey as you can get.  Lady Suzanne has a nice ring to it – imagine having that printed on your credit card!

Gifts for Travel Workouts on the Road

Massage Ball –  The hard spiky ball is awesome for me to massage sore feet (just like a tennis ball can) and tight muscles while traveling. For only $6.99, it’s a great deal.

Stretch Bands – I own the Gaiam stretch bands which are easy to use, easy to pack they can go everywhere with you to do stretches and other workouts on the go or in your hotel room. For less than $15, these fit in a purse and backpack for easy workouts on the road.

Hopefully you find something on my list to help you shop for the traveler in your life.  If you live in the UK, then check out the Foodie options in Taste of London post and look for more UK gift ideas on my upcoming #MadeinBritain post.  Happy Shopping!

**This post contains affiliate links for Amazon for which I may earn a small commission (enough for a cookie) should you click the link(s) above and make a purchase within x days.  As always, all opinions are mine and frankly, I wouldn’t recommend something that I wouldn’t want to own/use myself ***

No visit to Philadelphia is complete without a visit to the Reading Terminal Market (tagline Fresh and Local Every Day) located in downtown Center City across from the Pennsylvania Convention Center.  The market is one of the largest and oldest markets in the U.S. with its origin in 1892 as part of the Reading Railroad train shed (the market was located below the tracks).  Over the years with the bankruptcy of the Reading Railroad and neglect, the market was in disrepair.  In the 1980’s, the city embarked on a massive relocation of the commuter rail system to bypass the terminal and in the 1990’s the Convention Center bought the building and set about to rebuild the historic market and train shed.  All of this happened before I started working in Center City, so I only know the Reading Terminal that I visit weekly.  I often think how nice it would have been to see the old train station live (not in historic photos) and the market area prior to all of the new buildings which are now almost 25 years old.  For the past twenty five years, many vendors have come and gone but the spirit of the market remains as each day it is filled with locals, tourists and convention attendees – it really is a gem in Philadelphia.

Before you enter, you will hear the street musicians outside the market and see the One Step Away vendors who are trying to combat homelessness by writing, producing and selling a street newspaper for $1.00 (it is a great local cause to help people earn money to find housing and jobs).

As I enter Reading Terminal Market, the four corners are enough to keep me blissfully happy without exploring the middle of the market.

In one corner, my favorite Amish counter, The Dutch Eating Place, for breakfast (blueberry pancakes, crispy bacon and fresh squeezed orange juice) or lunch (hot turkey platter with fresh squeezed lemonade).  In another corner, I’m indulging my sweet tooth at the PA General Store with locally made treats and goods such as chocolate from Asher’s, John & Kira’s and Neuchatel and my favorite cookies from Hope’s Cookies. Across the aisle are freshly made baked goods from Metropolitan Bakery (love their sour cherry sea salted chocolate chip cookie).  A new entrant to the tempting baked goods is Beiler’s Donuts which are made right in front of you – try to buy (eat) one!  All are included in my Philly Dessert Guide!

As you wander the aisles trying to decide what to try first, you may hear live music coming from the piano player in one of the seating areas.  You will see the lines at the stands (which move quickly).  You will wonder if you can snag a seat (this takes a bit of skill to learn the nuances of when someone is done eating and about to leave their table) – we generally find a table and take turns going for our food during busy times.  You will start to eat your food and then look around and see all the other foods people are eating – don’t worry you picked well for today, you can come back later to try something else.  If your visit is short, many vendors have online ordering to ship in the U.S.  I always encourage folks to take foods with them on the car/plane ride as it will be better than what is served along the way (I always travel with Hope’s Cookies).

The far corner of the market is where Iovine Brothers Produce sells a myriad of fresh fruit and vegetables (a healthy balance).  The final corner for me is Termini’s Italian bakery – cannoli or baker’s cheesecake anyone?  If these are not enough to tempt you to bring your stretchy pants and divorce your food journal when you visit Philadelphia then step inside the four corners to the fresh fish, market made cheese at Valley Shepherd Creamery & Meltkraft, DiNic’s Roast Pork (best sandwich in 2012 by the Travel Channel’s Adam Richman)  and over 70 tempting  stalls to eat, drink and shop while supporting the local small businesses.

To say Philly is spoiled with food choice is an understatement, the Reading Terminal Market alone can keep you busy for days while trying to eat your way through all of the options.  Other famous vendors are Bassett’s Ice Cream (since 1861 – the oldest ice cream shop), Bassett’s Turkey and the Down Home Diner.  I read a post recently of a man in Vancouver, Canada who shipped Bassett’s Ice Cream to a friend in Seattle and then drove down to pick it up – that is dedication!  The Amish section of the market is a big draw, their stalls are open Wednesday – Saturday.  There is a demonstration kitchen, private event space and market tours every Wednesday and Saturday at 10 a.m (there is a fee for the tour). For the holidays, a big draw is the toy train display, it reminds me of my childhood when we would visit the light show and see the toy trains with Santa at Gimbel’s.

The Reading Terminal Market really does a great job to showcase the diversity of our city through the food and brings people together with the many events throughout the year.  So if you visit the market on your Philly visit, do reach out and I can save a table for you!

I enrolled in a 1/2 day National Geographic Traveler Photography Seminar which was held in Philadelphia at a cost of $90.  My session was entitled “The Art of Nature Photography” presented by Eddie Soloway.  It was lecture of photo tips, examples and definitely not hands on given that there were over 200 attendees.  The four hour seminar was broken into different sessions with a handout of highlights and references.  Nature photography with the varying light, textures, depths, colors, etc. can be a lifetime of challenge and discovery and I was hoping for a bit of new insight.

While everyone needs to discover their own view, what made me smile was the session “How Come Mine Don’t Look Like That?” as I recalled the presentation at TBEX last year by Trey Radcliffe of Stuck in Customs.  Trey’s HDR photography is one continual OMG! WOW!  Both Trey and Eddie run photo workshops during the year for more hands on work, I’d love to be a student in those classes.  Eddie  shared his photo tips while showing examples of his work to demonstrate the point.  His work also gets a WOW! His photos really gave me hope that all the crazy things I do and see has some value. I learned a few new ideas and it was encouraging to know that I was already doing a few of his suggestions already as I continue to experiment.  My interpretations of a few of his photo tips using some of my favorite photos from my African safaris are above and below.

My Photo History

When I started to travel, I carried both color and black/white film in speeds such as 100 and 400 and with a maximum of 36 photos per roll.  I had to be a bit deliberate with what I was taking a photo of since I was limited and hoped that it was good when I got home and waited a few days for the photos to be developed.  I wanted it to be perfect.  Not to sound THAT old, but I continue to be astounded by how much photography has changed with the digital camera and smartphone.

Everyone can be a photographer and share their slice of life around the world instantly on social media. My 11 year old niece proudly exclaims she has more Instagram follows than her Aunt Sue (if you’d like to help me beat her numbers, follow me on Instagram – shameful I know).  Her feed allows me to see all the cool new clothes she likes, her pet cats and a bit too much One Direction.  At her age, I was playing outside, ignorant to the world around me, now she takes photos of everything but I wonder if she stops to appreciate and experience it.  I now take photos of everything as well, documenting my life and the world around me. With the hope of elevating my photography skills, I am always cognizant that I need to put the camera(s) down to use all of my senses to capture the experience for just me.

Digital has certainly changed how I travel and shoot photos – whereas I was limited to the ten canisters of film I traveled with (360 pictures), I now take thousands of photos on a longer trip, hoping to find a few gems. Gone is the worry of running out of film but also gone is the deliberate photo. I’ve had leeway to experiment along the way and am always seeking to learn more.

Safari Photo Tip #1 – Reveal part of your subject

The paw of the leopard laying on the ground seemingly docile.  If I were to pull back this photo you would first see the beautiful leopard and to pull back further she is laying in front of a tree.  Even further, you would see that she is guarding the impala that she killed and hung in her tree above her head. The paw doesn’t show this but seeing the dead animal above doesn’t quite make a nice photo either. Just an example of revealing a part of the photo as well as all of the other photos this could be.

Safari Photo Tip #2 – Photograph Outside of your Genre

I rarely take photos of people but there are exception as I continue to change my perspective and try to layer the photos that I set up, trying to tell a story about a moment in time.  The background is Table Mountain and there was a bit too much of blue sky so I moved the camera to find my shot which included the couple. 

Safari Photo Tip #3 – Change your Perspective

In the Okavango Delta, I was in a mokoro boat at the level of the reeds for my photos.  How different would these be if I stood up or lied down?  The guide’s view is much different from the passenger.

Safari Photo Tip #4 – Photograph through natural (found) filters or use selective focus

For this lioness, it would have been easy to just focus on her but I chose to focus on the grass instead creating what I feel is a bit of danger.  What do you see?

Safari Photo Tip #5 – Anticipate the Moment

I had to wait a bit for the giraffe to bend over like this.  It was worth the wait as it was amazing to see.  Sometimes you need to slow down and wait for the photo to present itself to you.

Safari Photo Tip #6 – Play with Light

I love this giraffe shadowed as I shot into the sun (generally a no, no) but the outline is enough for you to know it’s a giraffe.

Safari Photo Tips – Final Thoughts 

I loved that Eddie said “Be a detective of cool things” it made me realize that we need to channel our inner toddler experiencing things for the first time without boundaries.  How many cool things have you discovered when you stood still for a moment and listened, looked and felt the experience? How did you choose to capture the moment?

Three years ago, I started writing about my travels and pressed “publish” on this blog.  I had no idea how my life would change from that action – the blog has helped me overcome sudden loss, connected me with new friends in London and around the world and has been my creative outlet during my job transition.  Suddenly I was sharing stories, photos and tips outside my circle of family and friends and receiving feedback from strangers that I would get to know and start to call friends and fellow travelers.  I remember the first time I received a “thank you” and how amazing it felt to play a small part in someone’s trip.  Whether it was a restaurant recommendation, a secret sweet treat or a favorite hotel, someone tried it and liked it too.  I remember when someone said “I booked my stay there next month” and worrying for a month whether or not they would like it.  So after years of suggesting where to go, what to do and helping people plan their journeys, I’m now branching out into a new venture, Arden Road Travel. Vist my new website for more information.

I’ve created Arden Road Travel to help collaborate and curate travel experiences – if you can dream it, I can plan and now book it for you.  I was asked recently “Do travel agents still exist?” and I laughed said, “We’ve evolved and are now your travel advisor, consultant, concierge and therapist all rolled into one”.  I read somewhere that the average person spends time on over twenty websites doing research on where to go, when to go, what to do, how to budget for it and what to pack.  For those who love the thrill of the chase and putting together the DIY puzzle of a trip, you don’t need me but for everyone else, I’m here to help.  You hire experts to save you time, money and provide expertise for all parts of your life why shouldn’t you do so for travel?

My good friend decided to be my guinea pig as my first client after my Virtuoso training. When he tried to crowdsource his vacation (it’s what he does), his group settled on a week sitting on a beach in Cancun. We live in that world where you ask on Facebook or Twitter “where should I go”.  I laughed when he asked “will I like it there”.  Of course, his social media followers know the persona he puts out there but I’ve known him for over ten years and know that he can’t be still so a beach vacation is a horrible fit.  I suggested a cruise on Norwegian from Miami in a studio (solo) cabin.  A cruise allows him to enjoy all the food he wants, provides constant entertainment and has a gorgeous spa/gym to disconnect and relax in his own way.  Knowing what he likes (speciality dining, tours, spa) and doesn’t like (unlimited drinks, internet) helped me craft a vacation for him on a ship that fit him.  He’s been texting me all day with O-M-G with each new feature he found as he explored the ship, I love his spirit and he’s made me smile the whole time.  What a great feeling!

Having spent over twenty years in the corporate, luxury travel space as well as personal travel to over forty countries, I am now rounding out my travel knowledge in the leisure space.  Whether you want to find a hotel or rent an island, attend surf school or a yoga retreat, embark on a cruise (barge, river, yacht, or mass market), I can help you sort through all the choices in the quest to find the right fit.

I’m still working through all of the changes but am excited to open this door to the many possibilities out there to enjoy life as we discover the world together.  I’ve decided to align myself with the Virtuoso network to have access to a plethora of vendors, added benefits and expertise around the world.  Last week, I was speaking with local owners in Belize, Chile and Denver crafting experiences for clients and also meeting the Four Seasons reps to learn about thei properties (I really want to stay at the Four Seasons Orlando at Disney World!).  It’s been fun having personal contact with folks who know and love their products, service and experiences.  I’m not looking in a brochure and putting you on a bus with other people – I’m customizing a trip just for you and your family/friends/pet.

So I hope you will continue to follow my journey here on PhilaTravelGirl and when you need assistance planning your vacation, you visit me on Arden Road Travel or contact me.

Thank you for your support, words of encouragement and patience with the site changes and posting schedule the past few months.