Ravenswood Travel

01/24/2016

And we made it! The Chicago Travel & Adventure Show at Rosemont was filled with fun, but let's be honest......we just want the free Tahiti trip. Here's to a year of exciting new travel!

01/17/2016

So excited for the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show next week! This year, we are planning trips for clients to Australia, New Zealand, Amsterdam, the Carolinas, Oregon & California. Big year ahead of us! Let us know where you want to travel this year and we'll be on the look out for information at the expo - just for you!
http://travelshows.com/shows/chicago/

01/10/2016

Did you know that in a single day in western Seattle, you can surf and hike in a rain forest? As the only rain forest in the U.S. (not including Puerto Rico), the Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park is a magical place to visit. Take a trip here to experience the beautiful trees, wildlife and sounds of a true rain forest. Then end your trip in downtown Seattle! http://forkswa.com/day-1-hoh-rain-forest-and-kalaloch-beaches/

01/03/2016

Cold weather in Illinois means shutting ourselves indoors with no where to go.....or maybe its an opportunity to try new things! In Wisconsin, you can go dog sledding! And in Indiana you can tobaggon!
http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/4699.htm http://www.wolfsongadventures.com/

12/28/2015

Important travel update! As of this summer (no official date announced yet), all U.S. domestic flights will require a passport. Driver's licenses will no longer be accepted on flights or at any federal facilities as a valid form of identification. Plan ahead so you aren't paying fees to expedite your passport processing in 2016.

12/22/2015

What is the top travel destination this winter? Puerto Rico! Because of its beaches & growing foodie scene, this is the place to be. Three of our clients are headed there after the holidays to enjoy the sun. Congrats to our travelers for being trend setters!

http://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/americas-best-cities-for-winter-travel

Readers don't underestimate the value of sunshine and stellar deals. The capital of Puerto Rico gets high marks for being affordable, but it’s more than just beach chairs and cocktails. New, celeb chef-helmed restaurants and design-driven hotels, such as El Blok, have made it a true luxury destinati…

12/15/2015

After a brief hiatus to start my new career in real estate, our travel has continued! Latest stop was New York. The previous trip to New York was 1 day before I found out I had cancer. This time it was 1 month after being cancer free! Win! We had fun meeting up with awesome friends at secret bars, famous diners & firehouses, and being a hipster in Brooklyn. The Park Lane Hotel was amazing with a free daily happy hour featuring craft beer, a candy bar & pizza, in addition to a complimentary dessert (pictured) and credit in the cafe. The location could not be beat - right across from Central Park & 2 doors down from the Plaza. Until next year NYC!

11/08/2015

This weekend Ed and I went to Starved Rock Lodge to enjoy from R&R in addition to the beautiful changing colors! What a great time! We were the youngest people by at least 30 years, but the old lodge was really cool and the hiking was fun. I suggested going to the Lodge in the Fall or very early summer as they are usually sold out in summer over a year in advance (on weekends). Matthiesson State Park is just down the way with awesome canyons and waterfalls to explore!

10/28/2015

Renting a car is always a pain, especially when deciding whether or not to purchase insurance. The best way to decide is to check your credit card coverage. Most major credit cards provide insurance for rentals for free, so before you purchase - give your card a call to check. http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/credit-card-benefits/rental-car-insurance/

+*-The question arises every time you rent a car: Do I really need rental car insurance? Many rental agencies offer damage waivers for about $15 to $25 a day, selling peace…

10/18/2015

One of our clients just returned from their European vacation. After looking through their pictures, there was one that made me want to go to Belgium. In a Belgian hot chocolate shop, you choose your flavor among hundreds by adding a spoonful of your choice to milk for $3.80 euros. Why is this not in the U.S.?!

10/10/2015

I typically book through Southwest for domestic travel because of their free baggage policies, but Virgin America is winning my personal business for west coast trips. For a weekend in October, I can fly round-trip directly to San Fran for $260pp from Chicago. It's $160 more for non-stop flights on Southwest! Definitely check out www.virginamerica.com for your flights west.

Check out Virgin America's fly new website at virginamerica.com on your desktop, mobile device, or tablet!

09/28/2015

One of the best places to go during the Fall is upstate New York, as its not too far from downtown, but allows you to see the changing tree colors. For a fun pre-Halloween treat, you can visit Sleepy Hollow, New York. Originally Tarrytown, the residents of this town that originated the Ichabod Crane tale voted to change the name in 1996 in order to draw up more interest from tourists. It now has one of the largest Halloween celebrations in the nation. Stop here on your tour of the fall colors! http://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/11/nyregion/north-tarrytown-votes-to-pursue-its-future-as-sleepy-hollow.html

Photo of legendary bridge in Icabod's headless horseman adventure.

**Photo not owned by Ravenswood Travel**