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Viking Antarctica Expedition: Everything You Need to Know
Antarctica has always been in my top 5 of ultimate bucket list experiences. It always felt like a “someday” type of trip. But then travel friend Kelli and I were panicking because we hadn’t planned our annual trip for autumn 2025. Since we are nearing the end of our work project, we had a “f*ck it, book it” moment. We spent a couple of weeks researching Antarctica cruises – specifically the luxury cruise lines. Ultimately, we booked the Viking Antarctic Explorer onboard the Octantis. We booked on the last day of the Autumn sale (September 30) for a December 9 departure! The booking said that they had one cabin left…
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Colorado Speakeasy Guide – The Best Secret Bars NOT In Denver
Colorado’s best speakeasies aren’t all hiding in Denver. From our cute mountain towns and college cities to unexpected corners of the Centennial State, these secret bars in Colorado reward curious drinkers willing to wander off the obvious path. This Colorado Speakeasy Guide uncovers the hidden bars scattered across the state—perfect for travelers, road-trippers, and anyone who believes the best drinks are the ones you have to hunt for. Admittedly, these are not all going to be speakeasies. But if they call themselves speakeasies, we owe them a look! Loveland Sage Speakeasy & Lounge On our way to Fort Collins, a quick Google search found Sage in Loveland, a perfect small…
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Ghent: What to See, Eat, and Drink in Belgium’s Hidden Gem
A medieval feel, with a modern drinking scene A recent work trip took me to Brussels, Belgium for the week. There would be plenty of free evenings for exploring the drinking scene of Brussels. But first we decided to spend the weekend prior to my conference in Ghent. This blog was dedicated to drinking, but we also want to give a couple of our favorite finds in Ghent because it was a great weekend and a beautiful city. Why Should I Go to Ghent? Well, I’m glad you asked. We debated between Ghent and Brugges. It was a struggle of a decision, but we ultimately decided that Ghent was easier…
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Paris Speakeasy Guide: Chic, Secret, Très Unique
Paris is the City of Lights, but what about the a dark, mysterious side? What is happening in the secret world of hidden bars? We had to find out. I recently was lucky enough to be scheduled for a work trip to Belgium. And you do not go spend a weekend in Belgium without taking the train over to Paris for the weekend, I mean, as long as you have come that far. Naturally, Peggy was not going to pass up this opportunity. First off, I want to give a fantastic nod to Eliza Dumais for her fantastic 2019 article on drinking culture on Thrillist: French Drinking Culture, Explained: Are…
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A New Favorite – The Populus Denver
If you recall in our 2024 Wrap Up, Peggy selected The Ramble in Denver as her hotel of the year (with good reason). So, I definitely raised an eyebrow or two when she booked us into Populus Denver on our recent trip to Colorado for a much-needed Denver Speakeasy update. Location The nightly rate at Populus beat out all our Denver favorite hotels, but it was a little out of our preferred areas. We love the LoHi, RiNo, and Union Station areas. Populus is just opposite the Capital building, but close to the Denver Art Museum, Colorado Convention Center, and the Denver Performing Arts Complex. But, what the heck, we…
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The Best Places for Day Drinking in Austin Right Now
What do you think of when you think of Austin? Capital of Texas? Keep Austin Weird? Cowboy boots? Live Music Capital of the World? Bats? Cocktail bars? Lots and lots of cocktails? That is how we will remember Austin for the foreseeable future – lots and lots of eclectic drinking spots with lots and lots of cocktails. This is a great town for drinking. If you’ve already read our Austin Speakeasy blog, then you know: our long weekend in Austin was packed with all the places you must drink when you are in the city for a fun girls’ weekend, college friends reunion, or bachelorette party. But it’s also prime…
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Pushing Your Austin City Limits – A Speakeasy Guide
Austin may be the Live Music Capital of the World, but the Austin speakeasy scene takes that spirit to the next level. The vast number of hidden bars is overwhelming – even for us – so let us help guide you through the city’s most unforgettable spots! My day job’s corporate office is located in Austin, TX. And the fact that the city promotes the “Keep Austin Weird” life, I was ready to explore and embrace the lifestyle. A work trip presented itself, Peggy was absolutely down to join me. Thus, the planning began, and the holy cow there are a lot of speakeasies in Austin. And some seriously cool…
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Getting To Know Bali – A Beginner’s Guide
The small island of Bali has surprisingly many personalities depending on what you are searching for. Although a small island, Bali has something for everyone, and a certain vibe and feel for each of the towns. Not all towns are created equal in Bali, so before planning your trip, think about what you want to do, what your focus is, and also what will make you miserable (ie, traffic or college kids, old people, or slow service). Updating this after my seventh trip to Bali. I may be obsessed, but there is nothing like this island. And I finally traveled over to Amed on the East side, and then Lovina…
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Discovering the Hidden Bar Scene of Canggu, Bali
Today, I present to you a new guest attendee to our Canggu Speakeasy experience, my husband, Pat (yes, we are Pat and Patti). I am on my yearly trek to Bali, and he accompanied me this time to celebrate the Balinese New Year, Nyepi. Peggy said, “Hell no, I won’t go”, to a return trip to Bali, plus her ticket prices from Colorado were out of control. Sister Side Note (ssn ) – I would never say that!! But those ticket prices…ugh! I shall call this segment “Mrs-behaving” – and it will be a rarity. Not that I am not very much in love with this man, but (sorry, honey)…
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Seattle Speakeasy Guide – Secrets Spots in the Emerald City
This speakeasy gig is fun, yes, and every time we take a trip, I fall in love all over again. Especially when it comes to Seattle. We little “l” love a speakeasy but we capital “L” Love Seattle. Even in the dreary rainy winter months, Seattle is beautiful, fun, and so welcoming. Or maybe that’s just us: beautiful, fun, and so welcoming. Especially when we violate our one-and-done rule, multiple times. The Speakeasy Plan Peggy, the ultimate planner, needed a trip. We realized that while we had covered Seattle Day Drinking and all things Seattle, we had neglected to ever write about the speakeasy scene. So, the planning began. With…
