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5 Resources for Planning Kansas Travel

May 11, 2021 by Vanessa Whiteside Leave a Comment

Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com.

Thinking of taking to the road for a trip through Kansas? As a native Wichitan, I’m familiar with my immediate locale, but if I want to plan a day trip or weekend elsewhere in the state, I rely on trusted resources to help me map it out.

I’m the kind of traveler who appreciates having a “loose” itinerary that leaves room for spontaneous stops. How would I have ever discovered Big Brutus in West Mineral, Kansas, if it hadn’t been for taking a detour when I saw the road sign? It was worth it!

What do you use to plan your travel across the Sunflower State? Consider these five resources that I highly recommend from personal experience:

FREE VISITORS GUIDES

Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs) are the experts when it comes to the best places to explore and dine in a particular area of the state. Their free guides are available upon request. You can sign up to receive them electronically or by mail depending on the visitor center’s website. I typically opt for the snail mail option because CVBs will include extra rack cards and brochures featuring area attractions along with their guide.

Recently, I’ve planned trips to visit Manhattan, Crawford County, and Visit KC mostly from the listings mentioned in their visitor guides. If the location you’d like to visit doesn’t have a convention and visitor’s bureau, search for the “City of (Insert Name)” and access their Community page or check the events calendar.

Newton, Kansas Mural

WORD-OF-MOUTH

Some of the best suggestions for dining or attractions have come from friends and family. Consider asking those you know about where they’ve traveled in the state to discover hidden away gems. Interested in going fishing or checking out a lake you’ve never been to? Rather than logging time researching the options, ask your family’s best angler! If you’re lucky, they’ll even tell you the best bait to use to catch a fish.

Years ago we drove to Cottonwood Falls and stayed at a cabin on a farmer’s ranch. We knew we wanted to check out the Chase Lake Falls after visiting with friends who had been to the area. The waterfall was worth the trip!

FACEBOOK GROUPS

Why not join a local travel group on Facebook? Group members are the ultimate resource when it comes to asking specific questions about visiting an unfamiliar place and they often know just the websites to visits for more information. I prefer to follow the discussions in Midwest Road Trip Adventures, The Local Tourist, Wichita Travel Tribe, and Kansas Tourism Industry group pages.

Additionally, group page admins often host daily themes prompting members to share images from their travels. Sharing is caring! If you explore a location and fall in love with it, the best way to entice someone else to visit is to share photos and videos.

Kansas Sunflower

GUIDEBOOKS

If I’m scanning the shelves of a local bookstore, you’ll most likely find me in the travel section perusing the guidebooks. Libraries and bookstores are treasure troves for excellent travel resources. Last year, I purchased “The Kansas Guidebook 2: For Explorers” by Marci Penner & WenDee Rowe while at Watermark Books in Wichita. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve flipped through its pages. Divided by region and then by county, the authors list well-known attractions as well as tucked away must-see places. As they say, it’s a guide for the explorer, the curious, the hungry, and those who love Kansas. Buy it online here.

MAGAZINES

A graduate of the University of Kansas with a degree in journalism, I’m a diehard fan of flipping through the glossy pages of magazines. The hands-down best tourism publication in the state is Kansas! magazine. You’ll find yourself entranced by its full-page guides, mesmerized by the gorgeous landscape photography, and impressed by its coverage of the people who make the Sunflower State great.

When in doubt, I hope you’ll use my Kansas travel page as a place to discover new destinations. I always give an honest account of my travel experiences!

How did you go about planning your last trip across the state? Leave a suggestion for a resource or destination in the comments below for others to use. From the wetlands to the open prairie and urban areas to small towns, Kansas offers something for everyone to enjoy.

Kansas Travel Planning

 

 

Filed Under: Kansas, Travel Tagged With: daytrip, guidebook, Kansas, Midwest, road trip, tourism, travel, trip

How to Enjoy Your Layover When You’re Stuck at the Airport

December 8, 2018 by Vanessa 4 Comments

It’s happened to all of us. We’ve had a  long layover at an airport, and there was nothing we could do about it but sit it out. Your layover doesn’t have to be boring!

I’ve spent hours stuck in Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, Minneapolis, and other airports long enough to know that if you follow the below recommendations, your time will fly by. In the meantime, enjoy yourself!

VISIT THE DUTY-FREE STORE

Let’s be clear. I’m not suggesting you spend a ton of money at the duty-free store. Instead, try on a new fragrance, volunteer for a make-up demonstration or men’s facial or try a sample of the gourmet chocolates they’re peddling. When you exit the store, you’ll feel refreshed (and smell divine!).

SHOP THE BOOKSTORE

Some bookstores are larger than others depending on the airport you’re visiting, but even the tiniest convenience store has entire shelves filled with reading material. I’ve spent up to 30 minutes or more just flipping through magazines and reading the latest headlines. Even better, purchase reading material to take back to your gate!

EAT LOCAL FOOD YOU’VE NEVER TRIED

You know the old saying, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Stuck in New Orleans? Try crawfish. Spending hours in Chicago? Dine on a hotdog with a cold local beer to wash it down. Waiting in Atlanta? Eat the fried chicken.

TAKE IN THE ARTWORK

Even the crummiest airports make an effort to put up wall displays of local artists’ work or historical timelines. I appreciate learning about Detroit’s water fountains or Wichita’s aviation history.

PEOPLE WATCHING

Instead of just sitting at your gate seat mindlessly watching people as they pass, consider imagining their lives. Who are these people? Where might they be going? Why might they be acting that way? Imagine their stories. Take it to another level and play this “game” with someone you’re stuck at an airport with and you’ll find they’ve concocted a different story for each person.

CHEER UP CHALLENGE

Tired of sitting? Take a stroll through the major traffic areas of the airport with one goal – to smile at strangers. I coined the name of this activity after a layover in Chicago at Christmas time. I began to notice that people were stuck in their thoughts and their faces showed their emotions. They were stressed, bored, or rushed. The goal of this activity is to smile at a stranger when you make eye contact with them. If they smile back, that’s one point for you (and a warm fuzzy for them!). If they don’t smile back, at least someone smiled at them. A total win-win.

airport interior

USE YOUR AIRLINE CLUB PASS

If you have an airline club pass burning a hole in your pocket, use it! Even if you only have an hour or two to spend in the VIP Lounge, it’s worth it. Enjoy the complimentary food, and drinks (grab a wine glass or beer!) and relax in plush chairs while you recharge your batteries….literally.

GET YOUR EXERCISE

After hours of sitting on a plane and at your gate, get your blood flowing by taking a long walk through the airport. Of course, you may have to wheel your carry-on bag behind you. Commit to walking the full length of the concourse and back without using the moving sidewalk because we all know that’s totally cheating.

MAKE A FRIEND

Not everyone is cranky at airports. Not all people are weirdos. I’ve met perfectly nice people from my hometown while sitting in airports in other states. Now, that’s a trip! Pun intended. See someone who needs to charge their phone and is looking for a station? Move over a seat and offer the charging portal next to you. Be nice. You’ll make an instant friend. It’s that simple.

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: air travel, airport, artwork, aviation, bookstore, bored, delayed flight, dining, free time, holiday travel, layover, travel, travel tips

Netflix Shows For People Who Like To Drool Over Food and Daydream About Traveling

March 26, 2018 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

True foodies. Nomadic travelers. I’m talking to you. Boy, do I have the ultimate Netflix list of must-watch shows hand-picked for your viewing pleasure!

Now, you could simply login to your account and scroll around until you discover a show that appeals to you, but I’m going to save you a ton of time. People who dream of food, who want to travel to another country vicariously through a reality culinary show, and who appreciate learning are going to love this post: Netflix Shows For People Who Like To Drool Over Food and Daydream About Traveling.

:: Bonus Discloser:: I’m pairing each of my show selections with one of my delicious cocktail recipes! Cheers!

In no particular order…(insert drumroll)

Somebody Feed Phil (2018) You can escape to New Orleans restaurant kitchens or ride in a riverboat in Bangkok’s market district when watching this series with Phil Rosenthal, the creator of “Everyone Loves Raymond.” Rosenthal travels the globe to sample all kinds of authentic dishes from extra spicy crawfish to savory bowls of hot pho.  As he says, “food is the great connector” and he certainly makes friends wherever he goes thanks to his quick wit and charming smile. His lovable personality is infectious and his culinary travels open your eyes to areas of the world you may never visit in-person. Warning: You’re going to want to check the expiration date on your passport after binge watching his series. You may get the travel bug and want to span the globe, too. (Rosenthal also has a Netflix series entitled “I’ll Have What Phil’s Having” (2015). )

Cocktail Suggestion: Cantaloupe Margaritas 

Ainsley Eats the Streets (2014) Set our on a journey with celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott as he tastes local street food in locales like the back alleys of Taipai and the tapas bars in Madrid. His curiosity for fresh ingredients typically leads him to street markets where he samples local food. Sometimes he doesn’t always know what he’s eating — but that’s the fun part of watching his explorations! Additionally, you will learn the history of each location’s food culture because Ainsley likes to pair up with a food guide or a food blogger from the area. Because Ainsley is a chef, viewers also learn how to prepare fresh side dishes while cooks alongside market cooks. You’ll walk away with a new, ethnic recipe with each episode!

The aspect of Ainsley’s travel show that I enjoy the most is honest reaction to trying new foods. If he loves it, he passionately explains why he is falling for it. Better yet, if he dislikes it, his opinion is transparent and refreshingly authentic.

Cocktail Suggestion: Grilled Pineapple and Peach Tequila Cocktail  

Poh and Co (2016) An Australian chef of Malaysian decent, Poh Ling Yeow is one of the most creative people, and happy people, you’ll witness on Netflix. When she’s not baking in the middle of the night, she’s gardening or creating small works of art from her basement studio. Somehow she makes time to run a highly successful space at an area food market. Her zest for life is so much fun to watch because if she flubs, she laughs at herself. When a recipe goes well, she laughs at herself. She’s a real person and is perfectly imperfect in every way. For example, she doesn’t know a thing about gardening yet she’s determined to not only grow fresh vegetables, but also tend bees for their honey.

By the end of the first episode, you’ll wish Poh was your best friend (or if you’re a guy, your girlfriend). She is a delight. Watching her giggle her way through a recipe is too much fun and she makes preparing delicious pastries look easy.

Cocktail Suggestion: Blueberry Vanilla Mint Mojito

While it’s overwhelming selecting what to watch on Netflix, I highly recommend this short list. I enjoy this selection because each reality chef teaches me something about cooking and/or living elsewhere. Naturally a curious person, I’m willing to set aside hours of my life to watch television if I can enhance the experience by gaining knowledge. If you enjoy researching future travel destinations, witnessing other cultures go about their day or want to learn about new foods, please take an hour to watch at least one of these shows.

Do you have a favorite travel documentary or cooking show you prefer to watch? Tell me about it in the comments below. I’d love to add it to my weeknight line-up. Until then, you’ll find me watching Planet Earth — it’s so amazing!

Note: None of the recommendations above are affiliates.

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Ainsley Eats the Streets, Australia, chef, cocktail, cooking show, cuisine, culture, destinations, drinks, episodes, food, food critic, I'll Have What Phil's Having, learn, Malaysian, Netflix, planet earth, Poh and Co, Poh Ling Yeow, reality, Somebody Feed Phil, television, travel, TV, writer

Puerto Vallarta – Barcelo Premium All-Inclusive Resort

June 22, 2016 by Vanessa 16 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for information. 

Welcome to paradise at Barcelo Puerto Vallarta. You have arrived. Well, not yet. But you will want to visit after reading this post!

It feels like I just got home from Mexico, but we visited last January. I highly recommend making the trip to PV. Stay at an all-inclusive resort miles outside of the bustling, loud center of the city. Honestly, I’m glad we didn’t hang out in the city. It was crowded and hot. Driving in town was a chore and it takes your full attention especially at confusing intersections with people randomly crossing the road. Once you cut through town from the airport to the resort, your vacation awaits. It’s worth it.

To help you book your all-inclusive trip to BPV, I’ve broken down the resort and the city into categories. I hope my insider tips will provide you with the best experience possible while at BPV.

Barcelo Premium Puerto Vallarta all-inclusive resort is located on Mismaloya Beach with views of the Bay of Banderas, south of Puerto Vallarta. It also faces the Pacific Ocean.
Barcelo Premium Puerto Vallarta all-inclusive resort is located on Mismaloya Beach with views of the Bay of Banderas, south of Puerto Vallarta. It also faces the Pacific Ocean.
barcelo-puerto-vallarta-lobby

ROOMS

We’ve stayed at more than one all-inclusive resort in Mexico and each one has its own unique qualities from the amenities to the color of the ocean water. One trait these resorts have in common-total relaxation! Barcelo Puerto Vallarta is no exception.

You definitely want to reserve a view of the ocean or overlooking the courtyard. When booking your room, ask about this option. Otherwise, you may be facing the employee parking lot or a massive grove of shady trees.

View from room's patio facing the center courtyard.
View from room’s patio facing the center courtyard.
barcelo-premium-resort13

We booked the Family Suite, which was 732 square feet of ample space. The rooms are quite spacious and you’ll be happy to find that some of them come with two bedrooms, two full bathrooms. Oh, and the showers! They’re HUGE glass encased spa-like showers with strong water pressure.

We were in agreement that the beds were some of the most comfortable ones we’ve ever slept on in a hotel.

Tip: The rooms stay cool thanks to a tile floor and black out curtains, but you may want to bring flip-flops or slippers. The bathrooms include basic toiletries, a hairdryer, plush white towels, and a robe in each bathroom. There is no need to order room service (an extra cost) unless you’re too hungover from the night before to get up for the breakfast spread downstairs. Also, the Wi-Fi does NOT work in your room unless you pay an extra fee for it at the front desk. The front desk manager claimed that Wi-Fi worked everywhere else within the resort without a charge. Not true!

DINING

If you stay several nights, you are gifted two to three passes to dine at the higher end restaurants at the resort: Don Quijote, Capri, or Los Arcos. Stay an additional night or longer and the resort gifts you an additional restaurant pass so you can enjoy all three eateries. Take advantage of these opportunities to dine at the resort but bring money to tip your waiter. It’s customary. Be prepared to have to book your reservation as soon as the concierge desk opens the day that you want to dine for dinner. A strict dress code applies and men must dress business casual in dress pants. Women usually wear a dress to dinner. If you don’t follow the dress code, they will graciously ask you to return to your room to change into something more formal.

What can you expect from the menus? It depends on the style of restaurant as some serve Spanish cuisine while another caters in seafood entrees. Plating of one’s food is exquisitely done and camera worthy. It was my boyfriend’s birthday during our stay. The concierge and waitstaff presented him with not one, but two birthday dessert surprises throughout the day as we dined. The server at Los Arcos also presented him with a bottle of champagne and rounded up his co-workers to sing “Happy Birthday” to him. The staff at Barcelo resorts always exceeds your expectations by anticipating your every need.

Tip: Don’t lose your dining reservation ticket, a slip that you must present at the restaurant’s hostess desk. Also, Los Arcos is a casual outdoor dining area during the afternoon serving handmade tortillas with taco bar. Enjoy views of Mismaloya Beach and the Bay of Banderas while munching on barbacoa mini tacos. Corona anyone?

SPA

If you’ve never had a massage near the ocean, you need to book one. This level of relaxation is unlike any hometown spa experience you’ve ever had. I should know…I worked at a well-known spa in my city for two years. You will feel your stress fade away while listening to the repetitive crash of the Pacific’s waves nearby.

Barcelo Puerto Vallarta spa packages are available and must be charged to your room. You can also just book an individual treatment. However, I recommend a full-body aromatherapy massage coupled with a deep cleansing facial. Both of my treatments were done by the same therapist, which was not something I expected.

So, imagine two hours at the spa followed by…oh, I don’t know…a day by the pool. That’s one delightful day!

barcelo-premium-resort14

Tip: If someone in your party rather not pay spa prices, you can walk about a quarter mile down the beach to a third-party “spa” and get a massage there for as little as $20 an hour. I also tried out this massage treatment and was glad I did. Yes, the dressing room is primitive. No, you shouldn’t expect infused water when greeted. But, it does include the backdrop of ocean waves, a foot bath, and a quality head to toe massage.

ENTERTAINMENT

Pool side entertainment includes a twenty-something disc jockey playing bass thumping hits from the golden oldies to 80s hair bands. The entertainment director isn’t a day older than twenty-one years old and his energy is contagious. Before you realize it, you’ve been persuaded to join in on a game of sand volleyball or happy hour shots at the swim up bar. Younger resort patrons can take advantage of a lengthy schedule of activities on the property. A life-size Jenga game never sat untouched and families with toddlers enjoyed the children’s pool.

Barcelo Premium Puerto Vallarta all-inclusive resort is located on Mismaloya Beach with views of the Bay of Banderas, south of Puerto Vallarta. It also faces the Pacific Ocean.
Barcelo Premium Puerto Vallarta all-inclusive resort is located on Mismaloya Beach with views of the Bay of Banderas, south of Puerto Vallarta. It also faces the Pacific Ocean.
barcelo-premium-resort3

An evening show is performed every night by a troupe of singers and dancers. I was not a fan of Night at the Circus. It probably wasn’t so much the dancers fault. A large table of incredibly drunk Canadians (they left everyone know where they were from) brought in a bottle of Patron and proceeded to drink nearly the entire bottle and celebrate. Loudly. They were not interested in the free popcorn.

BEACH

Not overly crowded the beach is relaxing and tranquil. The water is swift depending on the tide, which ebbs and flows. We were only prevented from using the beach once during our stay due to high tide.

You’ll enjoy watching the come and go activity of fishermen leaving in the morning and returning in the late afternoon as well as boys who ride the waves. The occasional salesman will ask you if you want to buy trinkets, but they only ask once and don’t bother you again.

The resort has two dining areas that provide ocean views. I highly recommend eating al fresco on the patio.

ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE THE RESORT

Since the resort is not close to town, you will want to rent a car or sign up for excursions that guarantee a shuttle pick up and drop off.  We drove our Enterprise rental car to Vallarta Botanical Gardens, a short winding drive through the hills. Talk about a breathtaking view! The owner, an American originally from the midwest, greeted us warmly and made small talk. This elaborate garden, featuring more than one hiking trail, is his creation. His friendly dog served as a “tour guide” during the entire route of our hike through the trees. Enjoy the educational center or dine for lunch on fresh tortillas and “the world’s best guacamole” before you leave.

Vallarta Botanical Gardens charges a low-price of admission to walk the grounds and view tropical plants and flowers.
Vallarta Botanical Gardens charges a low-price for admission to walk the grounds and view tropical plants and exotic flowers.

Deep sea adventures can be booked at the scuba hut near the beach. A German speaking dive coordinator with schedule your appointment to dive with one of his instructors.

Tip: Bring bug spray with Deet to the botanical garden. Posted signs warn guests to wear it, but we didn’t think to bring any. Big mistake. “No-see-ums,” or nearly invisible type of sandfly, will serve as your “tour guide” as well. Also, wear tennis shoes or hiking booths to enjoy the trails.

WEATHER

We vacationed at BPV during mid January and the weather was pleasantly sunny with slight overcast during the late afternoon. You should expect it to rain at some point during your stay but it won’t cancel your plans and is usually so brief, it doesn’t matter. It may be quite windy causing members of your party, who like to scuba dive, to have to wait until friendlier waters return. The tide definitely changes throughout the day at this semi-private beach. Don’t leave your beach towel on the beach.

Mismaloya Beach with views of the Bay of Banderas, south of Puerto Vallarta. It also faces the Pacific Ocean.
Mismaloya Beach with views of the Bay of Banderas, south of Puerto Vallarta. It also faces the Pacific Ocean.

PS. Check out my slideshow of botanicals taken while visiting Vallarta Botanical Gardens just outside of the resort.

Signature ODL 170x70px

Filed Under: Mexico, Travel Tagged With: all-inclusive resort, Barcelo resort, Bay of Banderas, beach getaway, Mexico, ocean, Pacific Ocean, Puerto Vallarta, resort, spa, travel, Vallarta Botanical Gardins

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Hello! I'm Vanessa. Welcome to One Delightful Life, a blog created to add more delight to your life with delicious recipes, travel destinations, and lifestyle improvement ideas. Thanks for exploring my blog!

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