At Amazing Journeys, we think travel is seriously fun!  Over the years, we have clocked thousands of miles traveling by trains, planes and automobiles and now we want to share some “insider information” from our travels around the world.

In this third edition of Staff Picks, we’re sharing our favorite drinks from the road.  With each destination offering up their ‘signature drink’, we’ve picked our favorite and explain why it is at the top of our list!

Malori: It was a drink hand-crafted just for me.  I’ll call it Malori’s Delight because it was!  At the Le Chateau Frontenac in Old Quebec City in Canada, we took at seat at 1608 Bar.  The bar itself was gorgeous and we had stunning views of the St. Lawrence River below.  Our bartender asked what I liked to drink and when I told him vodka, he took out a bottle of gin.  That’s where it began.  A sprig of rosemary, another liqueur or two, everything lit on fire inside the glass to get a smoky taste, topped off with lemon and who knows what else and viola!  Malori’s Delight was born and it was delicious!

Stacey: Favorite drink per country?  Recently in Zimbabwe we fell in love with a Zim Shandy which is a local orange juice, ginger beer, sprite, bitters and vodka.  In Ireland we loved a Jameson, Ginger & Lime.  In Peru, it’s the classic Pisco Sour.  In…

Erin: If given the choice between a cocktail and a dessert, I will pick the dessert 100% of the time.  And my favorite dessert ever?  Hula pie in Hawaii!  Imagine macadamia nut ice cream piled high on a chocolate cookie crust and topped with chocolate fudge, whipped cream, and more macadamia nuts. And then picture eating it on a patio in Honolulu watching the sun set over Waikiki Beach! It does not get any better than that my friends!

Michele: This would just depend on where I am, of course!  I always like to try a local specialty so in Peru a Pisco Sour is a must but beware of their strength coupled with the altitude, as this recipe has a mind of its own!  In Hawaii, a Mai Tai, please.  When at sea on a beautiful ship with endless possibilities, my favorite is a picture perfect chocolate martini with a splash of banana liquor.  Cheers!

At Amazing Journeys, we think travel is seriously fun!  Over the years, we have clocked thousands of miles traveling by trains, planes and automobiles and now we want to share some “insider information” from our travels around the world.

In this second edition of Staff Picks, we’re sharing our favorite new foods from the road.  With so many delicious options to choose from, we each narrowed it down to our favorite food and explain why it is at the top of our list!

Stacey: I am obsessed with these ENORMOUS dried lima beans from Peru.  I brought back a huge stash of them and ate them all in about no time flat.

Malori: The freshest fish you can imagine is in Ketchikan, Alaska.  When I’m there in June, I go to this small diner alongside the bay and get fresh halibut and in July and August, it’s fresh salmon.  Yumm!  Then I mosey over to Ketchi-Candies for some homemade chocolates!

Erin: Dumpling banquet in China – they kept bringing over basket after basket of amazing dumplings shaped beautifully like what they were filled with.  My favorites were walnut and red bean dumplings!

Michele: Fried bread made by Native Americans in the Taos Pueblo in New Mexico.  It is simple, light and airy, sweet and absolutely delicious… oh and addicting!

At Amazing Journeys, we think travel is seriously fun!  Over the years, we have clocked thousands of miles traveling by trains, planes and automobiles and now we want to share some “insider information” from our travels around the world.  In this first edition of Staff Picks, we will be focusing on our favorite hotels.  With so many fun options to choose from, we each narrowed it down to our favorite hotel and explain why it is at the top of our list!

Malori: Without a doubt, the W Barcelona. Perched along the beach in the newly revitalized area of Barceloneta, this chic and modern hotel had everything we wanted from a free day in Barcelona after a busy trip.  Big comfortable loungers poolside with a never ending supply of iced tea and marcona almonds – check.  Seaside views – check.  Fun décor – check.  Stellar service – check.  Rooftop bar – check.  Trendy party by the pool that went on until 5am – check.  We didn’t want to leave!

Michele: Baldi Hot Springs Hotel in Costa Rica.  Imagine going inside the hotel but you are still outside in nature… in the hot springs, no less.  The ambiance is like no other.  You can experience over 20 thermo mineral hot water pools flowing naturally from the base of Arenal Volcano.  Each “pool” is magnificently lit and surrounded by magnificent landscape.  If you are lucky, as you continue traveling up to the top of the hotel where you find the hottest water temperature, you will also have the amazing view of the volcano.   An amazing experience for the soul!

Stacey: The Leela Palace in Udaipur, India.  It is the most gorgeous hotel, has stellar sunset views over a lake, amazing grounds that you could spend hours exploring, and the staff is some of the best I’ve ever worked with.  And when you step off of the ferry and enter the hotel, they shower you with rose pedals from above.  I could not make this up.  Oh yeah, and they give you freshly baked gourmet cookies in your room and they are magically replaced every time you eat them!

Erin: The Grand Wailea Resort in Maui – the rooms have amazing balcony views of the incredible grounds, beautiful gardens, an incredible world-class spa and included classes like sunrise yoga on the beach and scuba lessons in the tiled pool.