 Originally published on wedkc.com. To my dear hubby, thank you for planning our honeymoon. It was romantic and beautiful. You really did “yo thang” with our trip to Italy. However, for newly engaged girls, let’s chat about why that might not be the best idea, for you. Traditionally speaking, the honeymoon dates back to a more transactional marriage when the groom would take the bride away from the family after paying a steep price. (Ladies, know your worth, okay!) According to Brides’s website, “ The word "honeymoon" itself is derived from the Scandinavian practice of drinking mead, or fermented honey, during the first month of the marriage (measured by one moon cycle) in order to improve the likelihood of conception.” Right now in the year of our good Lord 2022, your honeymoon is a precious trip. You have worked so hard to plan your special day. It probably took you a whole year to get that wedding together, the honeymoon is your time to relax and just be one with your spouse. So what were the snafus of my honeymoon? Let’s get into it, girl!  Leaving the country the day after the wedding Remember your honeymoon doesn’t have to be immediately after the wedding. If you have out-of-town guests, it might be kind of you to wait a day and say farewell before you float off into married bliss. We left the next day in the morning. There was no time to luxuriate in the swanky hotel suite my hubby arranged for us to stay in. Not even breakfast. 5 am came and we had to catch a flight. And my mom had to come get us because I still had my wedding dress (but girl, that’s just poor planning on my part really.) Take the day, my friend. Wake up with each other slowly and reflect on what just happened. Trust me, there will be a lot to talk about. But I guess if you have a long flight you can also chat on the flight. Your spouse might miss the main attraction My hubby purchased a hop-on-hop-off tour of Rome. This was great to see the well-known spots in Rome but it didn’t include a tour of the Vatican. I am not Catholic but we both love art and history, why wouldn’t we go visit? We made a last-minute decision to hop off the tour after viewing a few spots like the Colosseum, to spend a few hours at the Vatican before hopping back on to return to our hotel.  Renting a car in a foreign country I don’t think I need to say much after that headline. Renting a car in a foreign country, especially if they drive on the opposite side is bold. Now in this country that wasn’t the case, but much like in a large city, public transportation is easier to use and we just didn’t need it. The train system was smooth, clean, and affordable. Plus they gave us a Jeep when all the parking spots were so tiny. Also, we received a fine because we didn’t understand the “no drive-through” signs and drive on those streets. It wasn’t too expensive but could have been avoided. Not being aware of how far things are If you want to see a lot of things during your honeymoon and visit lots of places, first of all girl, are you me? Secondly, it’s important to factor in the time and distance so you aren’t traveling for hours instead of actually enjoying your vacation. In hindsight, Venice was our favorite place but we didn’t get to spend too much time there because of how long it took to get there. As my hubby slept on the train ride back to the hotel, I remember texting my childhood bestie, it was a long trip, but worth it. Missing an activity Due to the two forementioned reasons, having a rental car and not being aware of time, distance and traffic, we missed a morning walking tour of Pisa. We got stuck in traffic to be very honest and struggled to find parking once we got there. While we found a kind citizen who let us park the car, you probably do not want those problems on your honeymoon. The only solution would have been to hop on a train instead of driving down and struggling to find parking in the large Jeep. Once again, dear hubby, you did what you could do and I loved it. Oh, but if I knew what I knew now. I would have called a travel agent to plan the trip. My travel business, Free to Dream, would have eased the planning process for any future bride and groom.  So what would I as a travel agent have done differently?
I would have determined what the couple really wanted to do on the trip. That’s the beauty of working with me as a travel agent, I will pull what you want and can afford together and present it to you with options. It’s so important to release the honeymoon planning responsibilities to a travel agent. At Free to Dream Vacay, I specialize in custom itineraries based on your travel style and budget. As your travel agent, I make sure to match your budget and your travel style so you can enjoy your honeymoon. If you are ready to book your trip, you can reach out by visiting the contact section of Free to Dream Vacay website: www.freetodreamvacay.com.
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 The sun, the beach, and the food! Though I wouldn't consider myself an island girl, I think the island vibes are quite relaxing. After a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, I enjoyed all the activities and chill time. After a long flight, we finally arrived on the island. The sun set as we drove to grab food before heading to the hotel. The following day kicked off our vacation vibe activities with a beer tasting at Kona Brewing Co. During this hourlong tour; we had four 4oz beer samples and viewed the brewery. After lunch, we thought a little more light beer wouldn't hurt us! So we checked out Ola Brew. They offer Hard Seltzer and Hard Tea!  The grand finale for the day was our evening activity. It's Luau Time at the Royal Kona Resort. The traditional luau made COVID-friendly safety modifications to accommodate guests and to protect the performers. We had our fair share of Mai Tais and good food. The evening ended under the stars at the Voyagers of the Pacific Luau. My travel style is to be as immersed in the culture as possible. Like tasting beers the previous day, I wanted to explore low-cost, culturally relevant activities locals might enjoy. So we visited Kona Coffee the following day and toured the facilities. The island vibes welcomed us as we visited Nāpō'opo'o Pier before getting ready for our last day activity.  Just two days in, I experienced one of the biggest highlights of the trip. Stargazing time! We were driven to Mauna Kea Summit and Onizuka Center. With a light meal in our bags, we headed up the mountain just before the sunset. And wow! What a sunset. Afterward, our tour guides walked us through all the different stars. My husband loved this! It was such a memorable moment. On the third day, we headed to the other side of the island today. Sadly horseback riding over the Waipopo Valley was not an option as it was temporarily closed. However, we still had the opportunity to get very close by taking an ATV ride. The fast paced tour to the valley also allowed us to taste some sweet and delicious guava. I still dream about that fruit.  As it rained, my dad, husband, and I straddled up for our hour-long horseback ride. I was on total vacation vibes at this point. I couldn't beat the views from atop my horse, Mimi.
The following morning, we explored Volcanoes National Park. But we had to stop at the southernmost bakery in the USA, Punalu'u Bake Shop. While at the Volcanoes National Park, we took a hike through steam vents along the Crater Rim Trail before walking through the Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube). The easy walk was very gentle and suitable for all ages. What else is there to do? Head to the beach! We spent the rest of our vacation at Manini Beach before returning home.  This post was originally posted on my lifestyle page, Young Black MRS. After two and a half years of constant work work work work work a la Rihanna, it's important to slow down. I stumbled upon Civana Wellness Resort and Spa located in Carefree, AZ because of someone I followed on social media. To this day, I can't find that particular influencer, but thank you girl! The resort gives wellness trip vibes and that is why I, quite accurately, kept calling it my wellness retreat. Civana, for me, had everything I needed right at the resort. From the plant-forward food to the luxury room, fitness center and classes, full-service spa, gorgeous pools, and hydration station (because I was in the desert!). I honestly can't wait to come back! So, you might be thinking, "Okay, what is this place?" The best way I can describe it is a place to reconnect and recharge with yourself, especially after the past few years we have had as a country and a society. I convinced three girlfriends to go with me, but I think this would also be great for couples. The Experience What can you expect? Firstly, the grounds are just breath-takingly beautiful. It is a serene area where you can truly relax. After the first night, even the front desk said I looked more relaxed (which I chose to take as a compliment.) When we arrived on the grounds, we quickly learned how important it was to stay hydrated. At the resort, there were several hydration stations and you were provided a Civana water bottle to keep hydrated in the desert heat. One of the bellhops gave us a full tour of the resort and led us to our room. We were also given a notebook (with our key) and were encouraged to reflect daily on our time at the resort. Each day the resort highly encourages participating in their daily intention and nightly gratitude ceremonies. This spoke volumes as to what to expect from the resort.  The Classes Before arriving, you can select two classes per day. Classes include all different types of yoga, mediation, sound therapy, and other fitness style classes. Here are the courses I took:
Only one course was truly a fitness class, in my opinion...you guessed it, Yoga Sculpt. The instructor kicked my butt with the intense workout. The combination of weights, cardio, and frankly, HIIT, made this one of my favorite classes. The aerial yoga class was a bit scary for me but I didn't give up. I was the last person to flip upside down but I enjoyed the relaxed cocoon-like mediation at the end. I was so moved by the Myofascial Release that I spent $17 on some workout equipment to use at home. The power of breathing and sound amazed me during the mediation courses. The sound of the gong and even other sounds in the Sunset Sound Healing really offered relaxation and calmingness to my rapid mind. Forty-five minutes of breathing and stretching truly put my mind at ease. Bar setup for Mindful Mixology After a few days at the resort, I understood the focus on mindfulness. This might sound like a "hippie-dippie" concept but to me, it meant being present, intentional, and thoughtful about your actions and overall behavior. This was reflected in the Mindful Mixology class. I did a last-minute switch to this class because I didn't want to spend 90 minutes of my time on a nice Saturday. Alone, I joined the class to learn how to make cocktails but soon learned that the bar should be thoughtful too. The bar basically only had locally sourced, ethically produced spirits. And there were no added sugars to the drinks! SCORE! Three drinks in with a little hummus to help me out, I thoroughly knew what mindfulness was. The final course I took was the humanbeing workshop. The course was exactly what I needed to tie everything up into a pretty little wrapped gift. We focused on the disease of being busy. This felt way too relatable, and I lowkey felt personally attacked because I always pride myself on keeping busy before I pass out on the couch at night. But the wellness trip as a whole allowed me to reset, recharge and reconnect.  The Food
With two dining options at the resort, I thought I might get tired of the food options. As a vegan, there are usually only one or two options available. But ya girl was pleasantly wrong. The plant-forward menu from both Seed (their grab & go market for smoothies and coffee) and Terras (the main restaurant) were amazing! I enjoyed the Happiness Hour too with zero-proof drinks and appetizers. During my trip, I tried the Mushroom-Lentil Pate, tacos, and roasted cauliflower with lentils and rice. The Spa I could probably live in the spa. Between the steam room, the aquatic therapy circuit, and the saltwater pool, plus of course the spa amenities themselves, it was wonderful. I went in for a facial called a Essential Marine Oxygen Facial. It was part facial part mediation part massage. I even purchased some some spa items to take the experience home. Recommendations for your visit to Civana Wellness Resort & Spa When I return, it will be during a little cooler time, as the middle of June was not the move. Without the humidity you don't really sweat. I was completely spoiled by the amenities and the people. My favorite amenity was the tea and clearly the hydration station was amazing. From my experience, I reset. I was able to truly pause. I walked the grounds just for fun. I would definitely return to Civana Wellness Resort & Spa. I would love to take my husband with me. With stay at home orders in effect, your vacation vibes are temporarily postponed. (😞) As your trusty travel friend, I’ve found a few ways to keep that travel animal alive. I can personally vouch for each of these experiences, as I’ve seen each with my own two eyes.  The Louvre Museum in Paris France Skip the line with a Virtual Tour of Paris’ greatest attraction. During my trip to the Louvre, I explored about three out of the four floors. (There were so many steps.) I took a quick view of the Mona Lisa. The sculpture exhibit was my favorite part. But everything was pretty exciting to see. And now you can skip the flight and take a virtual tour.  Stream Broadway Plays from New York City Ah the theatre! I have no clue where that saying is from but if felt fitting. As a lover of Broadway and just good musicals/plays, I’m excited to see that Broadway HD offers a 7-day free trial for their service. After the trial ends you can continue to enjoy this service via streaming. I’m excited to watch Kinky Boots through the free trial period.  Vatican Museum
I can not believe you are able to take a virtual tour of the Sistine Chapel! When we visited, the cell phone restrictions were insane! I don’t have any photos inside because phones were being taken very quickly. But you can enjoy the beauty from the floor to the ceiling. Take your virtual tour. What place will you be taking a virtual tour this week?  We are in different times. Travel might not be on your mind at this moment. But maybe it should be. Consider this, you’ve likely been asked to stay home, work from home and only leave your home for groceries. Yet your mind longs for experiences and beautiful places to visit. Let’s take this time to dream about your vacay.
Here’s what you can do: Let’s pivot our Travel Tuesdays to Transfer Tuesdays. This is a term used among Financial Influencers on social media to describe how to save money towards their goals. I encourage you to open a new online-only account, my favorite is Ally Bank. I suggest online-only because this makes your money inconvenient to access for at least a day or two. Plus, the interest rates are usually higher than the brick and mortar banks. Each Tuesday deposit something into this new travel savings account. Watch it grow as you take care of yourself and your family. Perhaps use the funds you would spend on going out to eat or other entertainment to add to this account. I’ve created a PDF for you to keep track of your savings. Create a Pinterest Board Create a Pinterest board for your dream vacay. Add things you would love to do. Don’t forget to include places you would like to visit on your dream trip. Don’t think too deeply, just allow your mind to dream. Now is the perfect time for dreaming. When you are ready to plan this trip, your board will guide. I’ll use this Pinterest as a guide to plan your Carefree Free Vacay. Travel with food Test out your cooking techniques by learning how to create your favorite foods from different countries. When you are ready for your trip, you can take a cooking class or try a food tour in your dream vacation location. If you aren’t amazing in the kitchen, perhaps takeout from a different local restaurant will pull out your adventurous side. Also, enjoy wines from different wineries, local or in other states. These businesses are likely offering specials during this time, so be sure to enjoy those. For example, Scribe Winery in Sonoma, CA is offering their weekly tasting at home called Hacienda At Home. This includes a 4-pack of wine, music playlist and recipes to pair the wines with during your tasting. Learn a new language Invest this time in you! Perhaps you’ve always wanted to learn French or Italian. Here’s your chance. There are free and paid options to learn a foreign language. The free options would include using YouTube videos or podcasts to learn key word/phases. I enjoy listening to ”Learn XXX language while you sleep” videos. Downloading an app on your phone such as Babbel or Rosetta Stone are reliable apps to get you conversational quickly. Additional Tips:
What are ways you are virtually traveling?  It’s important to see yourselves represented even as you travel. As 2020’s Black History Month comes to a close, I would like to highlight a few black-owned businesses you should visit while traveling the US. In 1980 the Brown family purchased an abandoned ranch on the eastern hills of Napa Valley. The family’s three children decided to make wine from the fruits of their parents’ labor in 1995, so to speak. Brown Estates in Napa Valley has a tasting room in Downtown Napa and the Winery is located in St. Helena, CA. At the Downtown Napa location, guests can enjoy flights, Prixe Fixe menu or wine and small plates. Reservations are highly encouraged over the weekends. Since the 1990s Akwaaba Bed & Breakfast Inns has offered an upscale lodging experience. It is owned by husband and wife duo, Glenn Pogue and Monique Greenwood. Akwaaba Bed & Breakfast Inns has multiple locations including Brooklyn, NY, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, PA, Cape May, NJ and The Poconos, PA. Each location has its own vibe and feel. So you’ll have multiple places to visit in the USA. There are several black owned breweries around the country for you to visit. If you are in Minneapolis, MN, ONE Fermentary & Taproom is a trendy brewery. If you are in the ATL, Khonso Brewing Company offers an eclectic beer recipe that has bold flavors, aromas and a distinct vibe. If you are in Harlem or the NYC area, Harlem Brewing Company is a black woman owned brewery with deep African roots. Those are just a few. Share your favorite black owned business in the comments. The city of Kansas City is known as the Paris of the Midwest. I don’t know how accurate that is but I’ll allow it. Some may say it’s in the middle of nowhere with beautiful greenery surrounding it, gives me comfort. Kansas City has amazing food, cool art, classy bars and great sporting teams. If you visit Kansas City or if you’ve lived here all your life, there’s always something interesting to do. Here are some of my favorite Kansas City spots.  The PlazaThe Country Club Plaza or The Plaza as it affectionately known, is my favorite spot in Kansas City. With 15 blocks of shops, chain and local restaurants, coupled with European and Spanish architecture that you might take for granted, it is the place to be in Kansas City. (I’ll go more in-depth with my favorite restaurants on the Plaza.) My favorite thing to do on the Plaza is take an evening stroll and head to the JC Nicholas Fountain. If you are feeling truly fancy a gondola ride from Ambiance on the Water. The Plaza Food T. Loft - Multiple Locations The best way to describe this local spot is to imagine if Panera and Chipotle has a child. I think they would birth T. Loft. It is a health-minded fast casual restaurant. I love the meal bowls and salads. T. loft also has tasty juices. This is a great place to visit for a nice lunch. Rye Rye offers locally sourced ingredients with every plate. You gain a real KC feel when visiting this restaurant. The meal is filled with comfort and tradition. I love the Shrimp & Grits. I can’t forget the innovative cocktails. Ruby Jean's Juicery This isn't quite on the Plaza but I had to mention it. From fresh juices, smoothies and plenty of options to choose. I enjoy a juice or smoothie with a fresh salad at the Troost location. Made in KC Marketplace If you are looking for trendy Kansas City gear even the locals love to wear, this is a great catch all spot. Local food brands such as Kansas City Canning Company are also housed in this store. You can grab a drink or food from the up and coming restaurants housed in the Marketplace.  Brookside/Waldo/Ward Parkway AreaThese areas are within 5-10 minutes of each other. Each spot has its only vibe but I’ll group them together. Ward Parkway feels like an extension of the Plaza to me. There are a variety of chain restaurants and stores you know and love. The fountains on your way from the Plaza to Ward Parkway. Taking photos in front of the fountains around Kansas City is an instant date night or day out with the kids. Brookside is very local. Local bank, local grocery store, and local boutiques. I remember chatting with the owner of Skin KC about why she moved from the Plaza to Brookside. She wanted to be in a more local area. This is where the locals go! When I’m in Brookside, I love to walk through STUFF. The accessories are beautiful and there’s always something unique to purchase. To this day, I own a gorgeous gold pair of earrings. EB and Co. sells leather handbags and accessories. I’m also obsessed with the thoughtful elegance of the jewelry line. When I’m in the mood to decorate my home, I like to ooo and aah through Jorjy. It gives me good HGTV vibes. Waldo makes me want to ride a bike or dance. Probably because I’ve spent many weekends attending Pub Crawls in Waldo. I also enjoy thrift shopping at the Red Racks in Waldo. (I purchased pieces for my vacation photo shoot.) The Food Michael Forbes I believe this might be my favorite local restaurant. Michael Forbes is just fancy enough to feel indulgent, but affordable enough that a crowd can come too! I love the homemade chips to start. There are daily specials to keep things interesting. You’ll find this restaurant in Brookside. I crave ice cream more often than I’m comfortable admitting. Betty Rae's Betty Rae’s is my favorite ice cream shop. There’s a variety of different flavors, even vegan ones! There are multiple locations, but I’ll stick to the Waldo location. Drinks As I mentioned, there are great cocktails in Waldo. District Pour House & Kitchen and Louie’s Wine Dive offer great cocktails and happy hour deals. Good eats in Waldo include Taj Mahal Restaurant (Indian food) or Summit Grill (American). The CrossroadsThe Crossroads District is surrounded by art, culture and great food! Every first Friday, these district is on crowded with art-lovers and food lovers. There are open art galleries on First Fridays and sometimes complimentary snacks and wine! Some of my favorite galleries are Jones Gallery and Blue Gallery. The Food Lulu's Thai Noodles The food here is quite delicious and authentic. Lulu's Thai Noodles offers fresh ingredients and rich tradition. From curry to wok dishes, you really can't go wrong in this restaurant. The Jacobson Just next door is The Jacobson, which is an amazing local restaurant. The menu is contemporary and creativity. It's also a tasty spot for brunch. KC Wineworks When it's time for a glass of wine, KC Wineworks is my go-to. From the Crossroads Red to the Norton Reserve, (which are both reds), you really can't go wrong. You can sip on a glass or taste a few pours. There are cheese trays available and the occasional pairings with local business. If your ready to visit Kansas City, I don't blame you! But wait, where's the BBQ? Stay tuned!  And so it beginsA trip of my dreams, maybe even a trip of a lifetime. My trip to London and Paris was something I’ll never forget. Both cities were unique and beautiful. I recommend going to each place for different reasons and just providing an overview of my experience wouldn’t do either city justice. But as a travel blogger, I will try my best. Here’s part one of my trip to London and Paris.
The Night Before I couldn't sleep. I was too excited. Perhaps a better word would be anxious. That night, I had a slight panic because my husband's passport was missing. No worries we found it. Later, I could not sleep because I knew I wouldn't really sleep on the plane even with sleeping pills. So I did what any other person does when she can't sleep: watch TV. At about 2 a.m. I finally made my way to the bed. Day 1 - Travel I’ll spare you the details of heading through TSA, but I was pleased to receive a compliment for the way I displayed my electronics from a TSA agent. The struggle to keep my luggage to just a carry on and a personal item was real though. I packed strategically with a duffel bag stuffed with clothes inside my carry-on suitcase, with the intention of bringing souvenirs in the carry-on to check for later. Genius, right? We met two lovely older couples while waiting for our flight. They were funny and friendly but I thought to myself, “I can't be older and traveling. I want to do it now!” We boarded the plane and flew to Charlotte. Then we waited there for hours. I noticed Raiders fans were boarding the plane to our first stop in London. As a Kansas City sometime-Chiefs fan, I wondered what are they going to London for and why are they wearing very touristy Raiders gear but I let it go. Who cares? I'm going to Paris and London. American Airline is not quite as luxurious as Delta Airline. Though we were seated in the main cabin with “extra legroom” and first dibs on boarding, I don't know if it was worth the upgrade. Sitting behind us were some annoying guys incorrectly rapping Drake lyrics. I put my headphones on and try to tune them out. The meal and the wine on the plane didn't really help me fall asleep and, as expected, neither did the sleeping pill. I knew I was going to arrive in London in the morning and wanted to get some sleep. I think I eventually dozed off. But I never missed meals or the snacks. Day 2- London Finally after an 8-hour flight we landed at London Heathrow airport. It was a breeze through customs because we had nothing to declare. We also didn't have any luggage at baggage claim. We headed to meet our chauffeur after a quick bathroom stop and a change of clothes. The chauffeur was holding a sign that said our names on it which is pretty cool. An hour drive later, watching the chauffeur take time to check his Facebook feed, we made it to the President Hotel. I enjoyed listening to the radio in the car. Driving on the opposite side of the road was very confusing though. I was happy I wasn't driving. We checked into our hotel and didn't spend any time resting. We had things to do. The day has come! My major announcement is I'm a Travel Consultant! I believe this mixes all the things I excel at, from planning to meeting the needs of others and of course my love of travel.
Working with me means I'll provide you access to your Dream Vacay! Whether your dreaming of an international trip for a week or just want to relax in the USA, Ready to chat about your Dream Vacay? When I need to get away to wine county but can’t quite fit the bill of Napa Valley or Sonoma, I head to Hermann, MO. Just about 2.5 hours from Kansas City and the ride isn’t too bad! My husband drove the entire time, what a champ! We visited several wineries and distilleries on our three-day adventure. We stayed in a hotel in New Florence, I would recommend staying in an Air BnB in town instead of a hotel or cottage. But the availability for an Air BnB was lacking that weekend. Pinckney Bend Pinckney Bend is actually not in Hermann proper, it is in New Haven. All of these towns are a little country but still very cute. Back to Pinckney Bend. This wasn’t our first time at this whiskey, vodka and gin distillery. But it felt much more personal this time because it was a rainy Friday. We had personal attention from Keith, who explained different ways to use the gin and the whiskey. We tried five tastings for $5 and finished with the Perfect Gin &Tonic. This features your choice of gin and their special Tonic Syrup. This distillery keeps it local with barrels from Washington, MO. My favorite was the Hibiscus Gin. My husband went for the Whiskey tasting and purchased the Rested American Whiskey.  Endless Summer Winery Endless Summer Winery is a family-owned winery that only uses fruit to create the wines. What a nice way to start the day? The tastings were free so we tried EVERYTHING! We met one of the owners, but the wine was so strong, I can’t recall her name. Haha! My favorites were the Apple, Pecan, Steak Drizzle and Pineapple Habanero Sauce. The bottles of wine were pretty reasonably priced too!  Adam Puchta Winery Adam Puchta Winery has beautiful views. It has a few spots for a picnic. The next time we come back we will remember to bring a cooler bag for wine, cheese and meats. This tasting was a $1 per taste. We tried eight total. Missouri is known for its Norton wine, so I had to try the Norton at pretty much every winery. But I ended up grabbing a bottle of the Situation Red instead. Along with some meat and a wine bag to carry on the trolley. ( What upset me is I had a cooler back at the hotel. Grr! Poor planning.) Stone Hill Winery Stone Hill Winery offers tours and tastings. The tours are free and the tasting is $5 per person. We already did the tour so we just went for the wine. We met a couple that lived 15 minutes away from us at the tasting. Small world! You know I tried the Norton and I really liked it. Honorable Mentions are the Chambourcin and Hermannsberger. There’s also a restaurant called The Vintage, we ate there on Sunday. We both tried a German Trio with a fresh Harvest Salad. Stomp N Ground We got hungry after all that drinking and the cheese and meats I purchased just weren’t enough. I headed to a cute local coffee shop for a grilled cheese sandwich. I hydrated with a few cups of water and was ready for more. Blackshire Distillery Blackshire Distillery wasn’t my favorite. But I want to explain what happened because it’s important to know as a person of color in 2019, when I took the trip, ignorance is still alive. My husband, being the nice guy that he is, started talking to this man. My husband was just describing what whiskeys he liked to the stranger. I guess my hubz didn’t notice the guy had on a Hermann shirt. The guy immediately asked where are you from? We said Kansas City and had a conversation with him. This stranger talked about hunting and drinking beers while doing so. Right at the end of the tasting, he invited my husband back to Hermann to go hunting sometime. He said… “ No offense,” mentioned his pastor and said, “ There’s not a lot of coloreds out here.” I don’t know what my face did. I don’t. I just know I was mad my husband left a tip and I didn’t purchase anything. If he said black people, no problem. And duh sir. It was hard to move forward after that. The rest of my trip was kind of tainted. Hermannoff Winery. In Hermannoff Winery the Norton was on my mind. The tasting was $6 according to my bank statement. To be honest, I can’t really remember. I was pretty pissed off to be honest. Luckily, I had been there before so, I wasn’t going to purchase. I do remember talking to a lovely couple we met at Endless Weekend. This winery is basically in the center of Hermann and is definitely a must-go. Dierberg Winery This was a little confusing because there are three wineries in one? Or they serve wines from three different places. These are wines from Napa, CA. My husband did a tasting because I reached my limit. The atmosphere was beautiful and my husband seemed to really enjoy the wine. Oak Glenn Winery
Oak Glenn Winery had the most breathtaking views of the Missouri River. The tastings were $5 per person. We could select whatever we wanted from the menu of whites, reds, semi-sweets, and ports! I tried a little of everything and took home the White Muscadine. I should have come to this place first with lunch to really enjoy the views. Overall, Hermann is a beautiful place for wine lovers and drinkers alike. It’s a cute little small town. And I do plan to return. One bad apple doesn’t spoil the whole bunch! |
Morgane FThe girl who didn't get on plane until 18, but now just can't stop. Archives
October 2022
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