Valentine’s Day is for lovers suckers TRAVELING!
That is my second boy-less Valentine’s and I’m comfortable with it. Actually, I’m. I wasn’t the primary time however I’ve come to understand it and right here’s why. I’ve gone on two Valentine’s Day journeys through the years; one on my own and the opposite with a bunch. There have been no mushy-gushy playing cards or trying lovingly into somebody’s eyes however there was snowboarding, getting passport stamps, seeing new websites, assembly new individuals and there was nonetheless chocolate, wine and champagne. Rating!
Breckenridge
A gaggle of mates and I went on a Valentine’s journey to Breckenridge – certainly one of my favourite ski resorts for a lot of causes together with relative ease of touring, low value, nice lodging choices, properly groomed (and a spread) runs, yummy eating places, and so forth. Don’t get me improper, I really like Telluride, Beaver Creek, Vail, and so forth. however Breck is straightforward, chill, nearer and cheaper. I’ve stayed a few completely different locations when visiting Breck; a buddy’s house, the Marriott resort on the town and VRBO leases together with one ski-in/ski-out home. All nice lodging choices however ski-in/ski-out is the way in which to go – you could find any variety of these on VRBO at varied value factors and sizes. I additionally actually benefit from the city not simply due to the good restaurant choices however there’s additionally a wide range of ski outlets and different nice purchasing. My favourite eating places that I are inclined to return to repeatedly, in no explicit order are:
- Mi Casa (white queso and a thin woman margarita? Sure please!)
- Crepes A La Cart (holy Crepes – I at all times particular request mine – chocolate, banana, cream….NOM!)
- Eric’s the place I used to be first launched to consuming pizza crust with honey!
- Blue Stag Saloon (previously generally known as Whales Story)
- The Maggie for some fast lunch after snowboarding
- Empire Burger because generally you simply want a burger
We even determined at some point to not ski and get massages at Sol Impressions Therapeutic massage Studio – heavenly! One of many extra enjoyable experiences I had was a karaoke/bongo-using-your-partners-behind evening (I fortunately discovered an unknowing soul within the crowd that was greater than keen to let me use his backside as my bongo). Backside line (no pun supposed), is that Breck is a superb choice to skip the normal Valentine’s Day shenanigans and go together with a small or giant group and have all types of experiences and enjoyable – particularly this 12 months with all of the recent pow pow brah.
Seattle and Vancouver
I went on my very first solo journey (ever) to Seattle and Vancouver for a fast and brief weekend round Valentine’s Day; one evening in Seattle and one in Vancouver. I had by no means been to both, not to mention Canada, and simply determined I wanted to get away and go someplace sans different people and discover.
I acquired an awesome suggestion from an outdated buddy for a restaurant in Seattle referred to as The Walrus and the Carpenter and so I ventured over in a cab and acquired a bit nervous as a result of the realm wasn’t hoppin’. That turned out to be an awesome factor as a result of it wasn’t tremendous overdone and uncontrolled. It’s an space referred to as Ballard which has a kind of industrial vibe. Though I used to be a celebration of 1 (womp womp) there was nonetheless an hour wait to get into the quaint, teeny and pretty hidden scorching spot. I made a decision to have a drink and an appetizer on the bar subsequent door, Staple & Fancy Mercantile, which turned out to be a improbable concept. I met one other lone traveler who gave me an awesome suggestion for some spots in Boston for my go to there. That is in all probability certainly one of my favourite issues about touring – assembly people alongside the way in which and exchanging tales and proposals.
Earlier than I knew it my desk was prepared and off I went to my bar stool seat in entrance of essentially the most aromatic and assorted oysters I’d ever seen – tremendous recent. The whole lot I had was good and I’ve since returned and sampled extra of the menu and have by no means been dissatisfied. IF they’re serving The Ingesting Caramel whenever you go, do your self a favor and get it – O.M.G. After all, I made mates with two different ladies sitting on the bar they usually have been so pleasant similar to everybody I had met on this journey thus far – they invited me out with them that evening, however alas, I had a 7:00 am prepare trip to Vancouver the subsequent morning and needed to decline (lame I do know).
The subsequent morning got here early however I used to be excited for my first Canadian journey. It was a comparatively fast and cheap prepare trip over the border. Vancouver was nice and straightforward to enter, though it was sort of unusual as an American to have another very ‘American’ trying border brokers asking why you’re getting into the nation. When requested the aim of my journey I used to be like, ‘….umm, as a result of I wish to see Canada!! And since we’re virtually the identical nation proper haha?’ I used to be knowledgeable that, in actual fact, we’re two separate nations….study one thing new day by day, proper?
Anyhow, it was pretty chilly and so I didn’t get out as a lot as I had needed to by foot (I needed to skip Stanley Park) to discover however I did take the water taxi to Granville Island for lunch. I ended up sitting by a heat fireplace overlooking the water and the gorgeous marina and indulging in some scrumptious grub at Bridge’s Restaurant. After lunch I walked across the Granville Island Public Market and took within the sights. For dinner the one evening I used to be there, I went throughout the bridge over to Vij’s for some well-known Indian meals and it didn’t disappoint. They’ve complementary (and scrumptious) appetizers within the ready space the place patrons can combine and mingle whereas having a glass of wine. Vij personally greeted me when he noticed I used to be solo and gave me a suggestion upon my request of one other bar to take a look at whereas I used to be ready the lengthy hour and a half for my desk (this place is significantly in demand). Vij’s ended up being wonderful as anticipated and I crammed my stomach with sufficient marinated lamb popsicles in a fenugreek cream curry sauce to offer me a very good evening’s sleep. The subsequent morning for brunch I walked over to Twisted Fork and holy moly…so good. I’d undoubtedly suggest it and the a part of Vancouver (Yaletown) it’s in is a superb strolling space – a lot of individuals out and about however get there early – the road varieties earlier than the doorways open and there’s at all times a wait!
All in all, taking a solo trip (be it alone or with out a important different) could be daunting particularly on or round what is meant to be a pair’s vacation, BUT it builds a confidence, character and self-sufficiency that can shock you and naturally, make you extra well-traveled than you have been earlier than (plus you don’t have to fret about shopping for an excellent costly present for somebody and may spend all of it on yo’self)!
