​Something tells me it’s time for a little cooking class to break up the monotony that is winter 2021. Large parts of the country are seeing a snowier than usual winter – while other parts are seeing their first snow in decades – not to mention record cold. Well, I say there is nothing like a homecooked Italian dinner to warm your belly and your heart and there is no one to cook it like an Italian Chef!
 
That being said – I invite you to take a peek at the video above from when Chef Anthony of The Italian Elixir joined us from his home in northeastern Italy - to share his passion for food and talk to us about his food tours and cooking classes. As a bonus - at the end of our chat we are going to treat you to an authentic Italian cooking class where Chef Anthony will prepare Spaghetti alla Carbonara right before our eyes. Warning – you may not want to watch this if you are hungry and don’t have food nearby!
 
Now – when we can once again travel to Italy safely this year – Chef Anthony has some amazing tours that I can set you up with – based around the main ingredients in most Italian dishes of course! There is The Parmigiano Experience – where you will learn (among other interesting facts) that in the farm region where parmigiano – known as parmesan cheese in the US – is made, the cows who produce the milk must all be certified, that it takes 145 gallons of milk to make one 80-pound wheel of parmigiano and if you don’t see that parmigiano stamp on the rind it’s not authentic parmigiano. Then there is the Making Balsamic Vinegar experience – where you will discover that authentic balsamic vinegar comes from only two regions in Italy – Modena and Reggio Emilia, that its origins go back 1000 years and that it must be aged at the very least 12 months – but longer is preferred. And finally, there is Torrechiara Castle in the city of Parma where you will learn all of the intricacies of how prosciutto or Parma ham is curated, including that it’s made from pure pork leg, is gluten free and 100% free of preservatives – unlike other cold cuts.
 
In addition to the tours, there are also opportunities for cooking classes led by Chef Anthony. They are mainly offered in Venice, but we can set them up for you at other locations including private homes. And don’t worry about your cooking skills! Chef Anthony will design a personalized menu for you and your traveling companions to prepare and when you are finished you will all sit down and enjoy it together. You can even request specific menus – perhaps an old family favorite handed down from generation to generation? Such a fabulous way to create memories and have that cultural immersion through food that we love here at Book Here, Give Here!
 
But don’t despair – because until we can travel and learn from Chef Anthony in person, we can do it virtually thanks to his amazing online cooking classes which you will find listed on his website – theitalianelixir.com. Simply visit his website and there you will be able to sign up for the class – or classes – that you would like to participate in. This is a really fun way to get a taste of Italy while we wait for travel to return and includes favorites such as homemade pasta or gnocchi, Venetian seafood and fish as well as deserts.
 
So please enjoy your virtual tour of the super-awesome Italian cuisine and then let’s get the conversation started about getting you over there to experience it all in person!
 
Namaste! Or shall I say Arrivederci?

PS - You can check out Chef Anthony's website here. 

If you’re still nervous about flying but can’t stand the thoughts of staying home much longer, there is an alternative that many people are turning to since the pandemic hit. They’re skipping security lines and hitting the road for good old fashioned road trips!
 
The Travel Gurus here at Book Here, Give Here have actually been curating road trips for our clients for years as an alternative for those who aren’t fond of flying – so we have lots of experience in this type of get away. And now, since the pandemic hit, those who had no issues with flying previously are finding themselves a bit weary of getting back in the air and we are seeing an influx of requests for these types of itineraries. (Although rest assured the airlines have done a fabulous job of upping their safety game as far as health risks are concerned.)
 
So – just how do we go about putting together the perfect road trip for you and your traveling companions? It’s really quite simple. We put the same love and care into every piece of a road trip as we would if you were traveling via air. You tell us where you are heading, what is important for you to see and do, how many hours per day you want to travel, what kind of accommodations you are looking for and we take it from there. Should you want to rent a car or perhaps an RV – we can make that happen too.  And of course – we also make sure to add in our four main pillars to enhance your experience – ​which include wellness, gastronomy, off the beaten path destinations and travel as a living classroom.
 
Now we realize that this may be a new way of travel for many of you – unlike most of the children of the 70’s who thought this was the ONLY way to travel. So, perhaps the best way to explain how a road trip would work is to map out a sample itinerary for you. Shall we? Ok then – let’s do it!
 
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So, let’s say you saw our super awesome video chat with Graham from Sweet Home Alabama and decided you want to explore this hidden gem of a state from top to bottom. And you are bringing along your kids – who you have been homeschooling – to give them a change of scenery as well. Oh, and to sneak in some travel as a living classroom experiences – but – shhhh – ​we won’t tell them. And they will be having so much fun they won’t realize that they are being schooled! 
 
We would start you out say up north in Huntsville where you can check out the US Space and Rocket Center -which is the world's largest space and artifact museum where you can stand within a foot of an actual moonrock. Yes – something that was once on the surface of the moon – how incredible is that? And if you plan to be there on a weekend, we can get you hooked up with one of their programs that they offer for moms and dads to participate in with their sons and daughters – making this stop truly educational for all of you.
 
Next you can head down to Decatur where you can check out the Cook Museum of Natural Science for another fantastic educational opportunity, especially if the kiddos are into bugs and insects and the whole study of entomology! But even if they aren’t – they will be after visiting this beautiful state of the art facility!
 
Moving on from STEM subjects you can then take them on a deeply moving tour of history with stops along the US Civil Rights Trail which is a catalog of the different sites throughout the southeast that played pivotal roles in the modern civil rights movement. In Birmingham, you can visit 16th Street Baptist Church where four young girls tragically lost their lives to a Ku Klux Klan bombing in 1963. In Selma, you can make a stop at the Edmund Pettus Bridge which was the site of the brutal Bloody Sunday beatings of civil rights marchers. And in Montgomery, you don’t want to miss a tour of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church – ​which is the only church that Dr. Martin Luther King ever pastored at.
 
And to end up your tour of the state and have some relaxation and play time – a stay at one of the sugar white sand beaches that are much sought after by those who visit Alabama is on the agenda. Be it Gulf Shores Main Public Beach, Cotton Bayou Beach or a host of others – you have your choice of where to lay your blanket thanks to a coastline that stretches 32 miles.
 
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Of course – this is just a broad overview and just one of the infinite possibilities for a road trip itinerary here in the good old USA. Also included in your curated vacation will be fabulous local restaurants to dine in along the way – with reservations pre-made if possible, the perfect accommodations in those cities and towns you choose to overnight in (including campgrounds if you are RV’ing it!), where you can find gas stations and rest areas along the route and pretty much whatever else you can think of that you would need to make your trip complete!
 
You may come to us with exactly where you want to go and the things you want to stop and experience along the way or you may come to us with absolutely no idea other than the fact that you need to get out of your four walls and hit the road. Either way – we would love to assist you in making that road trip a reality so let’s get that conversation started!


Namaste!

If April showers bring May flowers what do February snowstorms bring? The overwhelming urge to flock to a Caribbean Island! Well at least for me. And I’m sure there’s probably a whole bunch of you reading this that are shaking your hands wildly saying “Me too! Me too!”
 
Sooo...how about surprising your sweetheart with something out of the {chocolate} box this Valentine’s Day? Forget the flowers, toss the teddy bear, cancel the candy – give the love of your life memories to last a lifetime – the gift of travel. And for those of you that have been getting hit with snowstorm after snowstorm – hello Northeast! – there is no better place to travel to than a destination with the other white or golden stuff – sand! Not sure about you guys – but I absolutely prefer digging my toes into the sand instead of digging my way out of the snow!
 
I know a lot of you are wondering where you can go at this particular point in time and with good reason, as destinations continue to open and the requirements for arrivals – and now departures back to the US – tend to change from month to month. And – each island has its own protocols – which can be anything from presenting a negative coronavirus test, to being chosen at random to have a test administered upon arrival, to getting your temperature checked to filling out a health survey. The biggest change that has occurred recently is that all passengers arriving back to the US from out of the country must submit a negative coronavirus test in order to be allowed back in. But no worries – when you book with your Travel Guru, you can book with confidence as I continuously keep abreast of all of the current policies, restrictions and guidelines before travel, during travel and as you make your way home back from travel – to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
 
Ok now that I got that out of the way – let’s talk about how we can add some romance to your gift. I mean it’s not as if whisking away your lover to a Caribbean island isn’t romantic enough – but I have plenty of other ideas to ensure it will be a vacation to remember. From having champagne and strawberries in your room upon arrival to reservations for an intimate dinner for two on the beach to your own private catamaran for an afternoon – you name it – I can make it happen thanks to my fabulous colleagues on the ground in these destinations.
 
And of course – you can travel at your comfort level. Meaning if you are ready to hit the ground running, we can plan for a winter trip, if you prefer to give it more time, we can do fall. Or we can do anytime in between or even look ahead to winter of 2022. It is entirely your call!  So that being said…let’s take a look at some of the Caribbean destinations that are open for travel and what they have to offer you and your Valentine.
 
Dominican Republic
 
The Dominican Republic offers many destinations to choose from but if you are looking for the white sand beaches and turquoise waters then you want to head to the resort areas of Punta Cana or Puerto Plata - the most popular areas on the island. Both are filled with fabulous all-inclusive options – which is the way to go on this island. Punta Cana lies on the eastern most tip of the DR and is where the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea meet. With almost 20 miles of beach there is plenty of room for social distancing in this paradise. Puerto Plata sits on the northern Atlantic coast and is actually where tourism first got its start here. Both offer plenty of activities as well for you and your valentine – from golf to zip lining to windsurfing to horseback riding to ATV’ing and more – so if you want to get off your chair, put your drink down and get moving – there are lots of options.
 
St. Lucia
 
This eastern Caribbean island is most recognizable for its mountainous landscape – in particular, The Pitons – two towering peaks which are actually volcanic plugs. The most popular area to stay here is definitely Rodney Bay Village – which sits on the golden beaches in the extreme north of the island. However, if you are a fan of sugar white sand you want to head south to Sugar Beach – which is actually imported white sand from Guyana. Of course, if you feel the need to leave your beach chair and spend a day or two out and about there are many activities here for you to partake in. Thanks to the mountains, of course you have fabulous hiking and climbing – and thanks to the lush tropical forests there is ziplining. If you and your main squeeze want something a bit calmer you can always golf, fish or head to a hot spring for a mud bath.
 
Turks and Caicos
 
This archipelago consists of 40 islands and sits in the Atlantic Ocean just south of the Bahamas. Without a doubt the most popular destination is Providenciales – which is also known as Provo. This area is home to Grace Bay Beach – with – yes – white sand beaches and perfect turquoise blue water – as well as plenty of shops and restaurants. Grand Turk Island – largest and the capital island of Turks and Caicos – comes in a close second. Here you will find more gorgeous beaches as well as plenty of history, culture and a lighthouse!  If you and your sweetheart are scuba divers – you are in luck as there is a 14-mile barrier reef here to explore – which of course makes it popular for snorkeling as well. If you prefer to stay above the sea you can opt for sailing, whale watching, fishing charters, bird watching and even safaris! 
 
Jamaica
 
How about Jamaica mon? Jamaica – like the DR has quite a few popular beach areas – with Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Negril being the three most sought after. Completely surrounded by the Caribbean Sea there is no shortage of white and golden sand beaches in Jamaica.  Montego Bay lies on the north coast and is the second largest city on the island after it’s capital of Kingston. Ocho Rios – also on the north coast but on the east end, is popular not only for the beaches but for Dunn’s River Falls as well – a waterfall that you are encouraged to scale. And Negril – sitting on the western most tip of the island – is known for its seven miles of pristine white beaches as well as a cliff side which features a landscape of picturesque well, cliffs. Activities here are abundant as well – from every water sport you can think of – to riding seahorses – yes – you read that right! – to floating down the river on a bamboo raft to – of course – cliff diving! Whether you and your partner are looking for soft adventures or want to go all in – Jamaica will not disappoint.
 
And there you have it – four fabulous island destination ideas to gift your sweetie with this Valentine’s Day. Of course, there are many, many more destinations with white sand beaches that you can choose from and I would love to discuss all of them with you to be sure to curate the most wonderful adventure possible for you and your loved one. Plus, you do have another option – instead of choosing the destination and planning it on your own – Book Here, Give Here offers gift certificates in any denomination you want! What an amazing gift to give someone you love – the chance to plan a trip with you to a destination they have always dreamed of. Either way – it's just what cupid ordered so let’s get this conversation started!
 
Namaste!

Well, we did it! We made it to 2021! And although the first two weeks or so of this long-awaited year don’t look that much different than the last few weeks of 2020 – there is hope on the horizon. We have a vaccine – two in fact – with a third one being approved in the UK. Immunizations have started, and for the first time in months there is a light at the end of that tunnel that seemed to get longer and longer as each month of 2020 came and went. We still have a long way to go – there is no doubt about that – but it is with a very hopeful heart that I move towards that light and get back to the business of doing what I so love to do – curate adventures for my clients that are not just simply vacations – but something so much deeper – life changing, eye opening journeys to destinations everywhere and anywhere on this marvelous planet. So, in honor of National Plan Your Vacation Day – which is designated as the last Tuesday of January – making it January 26th this year - let’s talk about getting back out there to continue seeing the world and all of its wonders in 2021.
 
Now, while there is absolutely no arguing that the past ten months have seen much heartbreak and sorrow -there are certainly positives that came about thanks to COVID-19 if we choose to look for them. In my beloved travel industry alone, I have seen new trends that are going to guarantee travelers a safer, more hygienic experience - one that in truth should have been in play long before this.
 
I have heard it said that travel will never be the same again – and a lot of the time the tone of those words insinuated that it was a negative thing – and obviously, I disagree. Hotels, airplanes, theme parks, trains, cruise ships and more have all taken measures that are above and beyond anything we have ever seen before to ensure the health and well-being of everyone who stays, fly’s, plays, rides or cruises with them. From partnering with cleaning companies, creating more and more touchless environments and requiring negative COVID-19 tests - just to name a few - they are committed to their guest’s wellbeing like never before.
 
That being said where exactly can we travel to at this point? What are our options? There are actually quite a few destinations that are open and welcoming tourists. Depending on the type of vacation experience you are looking for – whether it be a beach getaway, adventure travel or a back to nature excursion – they are all viable options as we head into this new year.
 
Fun in the Sun
 
If you are longing for a Caribbean getaway where you can experience two separate islands – it used to be that cruising was the way to go. However, with the cruise industry at a standstill a great alterative is venturing to islands that are close enough that you can hop between them. Two such destinations are the islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Described as a place of beautiful barefoot elegance – these Leeward Islands offer you the opportunity to lay on the beach with a drink and book in hand - they literally have a beach for each day of the year - or immerse yourself in the history and culture that abounds across both. As of this writing a negative corona virus test taken within seven days of arrival and a temperature check and health screening upon arrival are the COVID-19 requirements to enter both islands.
 
Another option for island hopping? How about the ABC Islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao? Aruba – who’s tagline is One Happy Island is also known as the Sunniest Destination in the Caribbean and I know we can all use a little Vitamin D about now. Entrance to this island includes completion of an online embarkation / disembarkation card and a health assessment, plus a negative coronavirus test (for everyone 15 and older) taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. Bonaire – which is consistently recognized as one of the top destinations in the world for sustainable tourism – is a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in the US with a pace that is slow and stress free – and is abundant with marine life. Though there are no direct flights from the US to Bonaire at the moment, Bonaire is accepting US citizens who travel through Curacao and comply with the Curacao entry requirements. And of course, Curacao with its charming colonial pastel-colored buildings and the unique pontoon bridge across St. Anna Bay – the Queen Emma Bridge - offers plenty of gorgeous white sand beaches with turquoise waters and Instagramable moments. US citizens are welcome here with the stipulation that they show a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival, have adequate insurance, a completed digital immigration card and a Health Department passenger locator card.
 
All About Adventure
 
Looking for some adventure travel? How about a multi-country trip to the South American countries of Brazil and Chile? Brazil offers plenty of opportunities for adventure! Home to the designated UNESCO World Heritage Site Iguassu Falls - which are stunning semicircular waterfalls that together make up the largest waterfall in the world, the Amazon Rainforest, and the amazing phenomena The Meeting of the Water where two rivers – the dark Rio Negro and the sandy colored Amazon meet – but do not mix. Americans are permitted with proof of a negative Coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours prior to boarding the plane and there are some health screening procedures in place at airports but no required quarantine period upon arrival. Not to be outdone, Chile offers a chance to explore glaciers, trek through world-famous Torres del Paine National Park or sand surf in the world’s driest desert – Atacama. Getting into Chili requires a completed “Affidavit of Travelers” electronic form, negative results from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of travel and proof of insurance coverage that will take care of any coronavirus-related health issues.
 
Another alternative? You can always head to Central America and get your Indiana Jones on with a trifecta of Costa Rica, Belize and Guatemala which are three more destinations that are open and awaiting visitors! In Costa Rica, a visit to Arenal Volcano National Park is just the ticket to get your adrenaline going – be it white water rafting, venturing out on to hanging bridges or ziplining. To gain entry here visitors are required to purchase medical insurance to cover any possible coronavirus-related costs they may incur and complete health pass forms. Heading to Guatemala you can partake in a helicopter ride to the Mayan Ruins deep in the jungle for a look up close – and a climb up – ancient pyramids rising above the forest canopy. Entry here means a health screening and completing a health pass form online as well as proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 96 hours before arrival. Belize – which is pretty much an off the beaten path haven – and perfect for social distancing - offers you the opportunity to swim, snorkel or dive in the infamous Blue Hole or go cave exploring at Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave where you can check out the skeletal remains from a Mayan family burial! Requirements here are a stay at a Gold Standard hotel which ensures travelers are vacationing in spots that place a high emphasis on cleanliness and health. In addition, you are required to present a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure. If you don’t present a negative test, you’ll have to front a $50 fee and take a test upon arrival.
 
 
Wild About the Wilderness
 
Into wildlife? Head to Africa for a bucket list safari in Tanzania! This beautiful East African destination - featuring the popular plains of Serengeti National Park and home to Mount Kilimanjaro - is a must for that perfect out of Africa experience! Here the requirements are a bit different as the necessity for a negative COVID-19 test depends on the airline's requirements rather than the country's rules, but visitors are required to partake in health screenings upon arrival. Combine your Tanzania adventure this with a stop in Botswana in Southern Africa where 38% of the total land area of the country is devoted to national parks, reserves and wildlife management areas giving you ample opportunities to get up close to lions, rhinos, giraffes, hyenas, jackal, leopards and much, much more. Stipulations for entry are proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours before departure to avoid a 14-day quarantine.   
 
So what do you say? Let's get the planning started - Book Here, Give Here would love to help you curate your next adventure!

Namaste!

Howdy! I'm your Chief Travel Guru, Loulu Lima.  I'm excited to welcome you to our space to talk travel.  Social Media channels have been flooded with lots of toxic between politics, banter and more...  I decided to move our community to a neutral place, where we focus on travel.  How it is transformational, makes us better as humans and as a society. 

So welcome! Come and share your fav travel inspirations, ask your travel questions and let's chat travel! 

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