How To Spend Your “On Own” Time In Olde Mistick Village

October 14, 2016Posted in Destinations, Things to DoWritten by VictoriaLeave a comment

Olde Mistick Village is a top-rated hot spot in Mystic, Connecticut! A trip to this quaint New England village is like a journey into Colonial New England where fastidious attention to detail gives visitors an authentic historical experience into the 18th-century. Known for its tranquil and serene atmosphere, you can get lost in the charming shop windows and divine restaurants. There are no two places the same! So when you take your trip to Olde Mistick Village and you have some free time to explore, how on earth do you choose what to do?

Here are some inside tips to some of the best and most popular things to do in the area:

Browse the shops! Enjoy a leisurely stroll down the brick pathways, popping in and out of the adorable shops along your way. From specialty food stores highlighting products like honey, chocolate, and olive oil, to international stores with items from Tibet, Ireland, and Scandinavia, you’re sure to find unique items to bring home with you! There’s even a general store! With men’s and women’s clothing, jewelry, home décor, and much more, these shops really have everything and more!

Feeling hungry? Grab some lunch or a snack at one of Olde Mistick Village’s one-of-a-kind restaurants. Enjoy a classic wood-fired pizza at Mango’s Wood-Fired Pizza Co. Watch as they prepare your pizza in the open kitchen with traditional artisan methods. This option is sure to be a hit! For a fun and modern setting, you might want to opt for some seafood at Go Fish. When you’re back on the move and you have a bit of a sweet tooth, stop by Bleu Squid, known for their award-winning cupcakes, or Mango’s Homemade Ice Cream!

Sit back and relax! After you’ve browsed the shops and found your treasures, grab lunch and sit outside. Picturesque settings of trees and flowers and a duck pond are the perfect backdrop to people watching and leisurely conversation.

At Starr, we love giving our customers the opportunity to go off on their own and explore the destinations a little more. This is exactly why we’ve added some “on own” time to your agenda! How you spend this time is all up to you, but there is no question that every minute is sure to be enjoyable in Olde Mistick Village. Between the shops, the dining, and the scenery, there is something for everyone!

You can visit Olde Mistick Village on the following tours:
Cape Cod & Martha’s Vineyard
Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, & Nantucket
Gloucester Whale Watch
Newport Lobsterfest
Newport Flower Show

Olde Mistick Village Photo Courtesy of Mystic County Connecticut

7 Tips For Eating Healthy While Traveling

October 7, 2016Posted in Food & Drink, Travel TipsWritten by VictoriaLeave a comment

It’s easy to think that traveling and healthy eating don’t mix. You’re going to a boardwalk and there’s an ice cream shop there that you HAVE to try, or your cousin raved about the food at an Italian restaurant. Traveling doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice eating healthy; you just have to know how to do it!

Here are seven key tips for eating healthy and still enjoying your vacation:

Pack your own snacks. This is simple enough, right? When the hunger bug strikes, instead of jetting for chips in the closest vending machine, just pull out those yummy nuts or granola bars that you packed. Other great snacks are dried fruit, roasted chickpeas, or a single serving packet of nut butter. Make your own before you go and save money for more souvenirs!
Opt for water. Sure, you can enjoy a cocktail. Let yourself live a little. But whenever you have the chance, always opt for water. It’ll keep you hydrated and it’s the best drink for you – no calories!
Resist the urge to splurge. It’s easy to just say, “I’m on vacation!” and throw all healthy eating out the window. No one says you can’t go off track some, but you don’t need to order the entire dessert menu just because you’re on vacation. Which leads to my next tip…
Allow yourself one treat per day. You wouldn’t go to Italy without trying gelato, would you? It’s okay to treat yourself, but moderation is key. Like tip #3, instead of splurging, give yourself one treat to look forward to. Maybe even tell yourself that today is the day you’re going to try that ice cream parlor! It gives you a treat to look forward to, making it easier to avoid the others that might cross your path.
Only eat when you’re hungry. When you’re strolling along and see something yummy being sold, but you just ate an hour ago, then you probably don’t need that treat right now. If it is something you must try, buy it now and use it as a snack for later, or split it with a friend.
Choose the healthy menu items. If you’re dining out, go straight to the healthy selections to avoid the temptation of other less-healthy options. If the menu doesn’t have a designated “healthy option” section, you can ask your server what their options are.
Choose a restaurant with fresh foods. Lots of times, you can see the menu on the website before you even go. Look for the places that offer salads, wraps, or seafood. These are almost always healthy meal options.

As always, staying active is also key. Go for a walk around your hotel, or opt to stroll down the street and window shop during your free time instead of sitting in a restaurant. The more calories you burn, the less impact those extra vacation food calories will have later.

There’s no reason why you can’t have it all. You can see the world and keep your health while doing it!

Photo credit: Max Straeten

Picking the Perfect Pair: Wine & Dine

September 23, 2016Posted in Food & Drink, General TipsWritten by Victoria2 Comments

Wine is a wonderful way to complement nearly any meal. From seafood to steak, to the most decadent of desserts, a nice glass of something red or white can complete your entire dining experience. But do you know what pairs best with your entrée?

Here are some tips for picking the perfect pairing:

Light to Dark:

Experts say that you should always drink “light to dark.” This means that with appetizers, such as cheese or salad, start with a light dry white wine. Examples of this could be Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Albarino. Light dry whites also pair well with fish.

Your sweet white wines, such as Riesling, Chenin Blanc, or Moscato (my personal favorite), pair best with soft cheeses, carbs, cured or smoked meats, and desserts. Rich whites, like Chardonnay or Oaked Whites, go together with roasted veggies, carbs, rich fish (like crab/lobster) or white meat. If you prefer something sparkling, like champagne, the taste is best suited with appetizers or with fish.

All of your standard red wines pair best with meat, as they embody a fuller, richer taste. A light red wine like Pinot Noir can easily go with rich fish as well, like crab or lobster, and can also pair with chicken. For your red meats and cured or smoked meat, your best bet is to go with a deeper red (a medium or big red) like Merlot, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Zinfandel.

Finishing off your wines with big flavor are the dessert wines – Port and Tawny Port, Sherry, or Lake Harvest. These wines naturally pair well with dessert, cured and smoked meats, or carbs.

Pairing by Flavor:

If you’re more interested in pairing by flavor, with items such as pasta, which typically boasts of tomato-based red sauces, then look for a versatile wine like Pinot Noir. If your dish has a bit of a spicy kick to it then you might prefer a red wine like Sangiovese.

When all else fails and you find that your dish has a variety of flavors and cannot figure out which wine would go best, consult your waiter’s opinion. They are usually very knowledgeable on these pairings as well and will be happy to help you find the right wine for your meal. Often times, a restaurant may even offer a tasting to help you see if the wine suits your preference.

For further consideration, I highly recommend this chart to help you better decide your pairing. Happy tasting!

4 Tips For Making Friends When Traveling Solo

September 16, 2016Posted in Travel TipsWritten by Victoria1 Comment

Traveling solo can seem a bit daunting or lonely, but it does not have to be! Making friends when traveling solo just requires a little bit of effort – and sometimes a willingness to try something new. It serves even the most introverted person well to get out of the box once in a while. Take your trip and dare yourself to make a new friend!

Here are a four tips to help:

#1: Start a conversation on transit

At Starr, many of our trips require a bit of time before reaching your destination. Instead of plugging in headphones or turning to the next chapter in your book, why not start up a conversation with your fellow travelers? You already have your destination in common. With that knowledge, you can simply ask what they are looking forward to seeing on the trip, have they visited before, etc. Make the most of the drive by socializing.

#2: Make small talk over meals

Dining with others is always an easy entry to making small talk. A few simple conversation starters are: Where are you from? Is this your first trip with Starr? What has been your favorite part of the trip so far? Open-ended questions are always best because they leave room for the conversation to grow.

#3: What NOT to do

Don’t expect everyone to have everything in common with you. It’s a GOOD thing to meet new people who are passionate about different things. Be open to people with diverse backgrounds and interests, varying ages and life experiences. This gives you the opportunity to learn from each other and you might find out you have more in common than you think. Don’t be discouraged to make a new friend or let your fears hold you back. Many times, we can “clam up” if the conversation goes dry. If that happens, just ask another question! Don’t ask personal questions too quickly or act nosy. This can deter people away.

#4: Forget Your Hang-Ups

This might be the most important tip. If you’re anything like me, you might make excuses for meeting people or trying something new. You might say you’re too old, too young, too scared; the list goes on. Leave the excuses at home and meet someone new.

#4 Staying in touch

After returning from your trip with new friends, find a way to keep in touch. It may be a little awkward to say, “Hey, I really enjoyed spending time with you on this trip. Would you like to exchange numbers and meet for lunch sometime?” but put yourself out there. The worst they can do is say no. Exchange numbers and other contact info – connect over social media. Find a fun class to take together or, better yet, plan to get together again on another Starr trip! A friend you meet traveling can easily turn into a friend for life!

When traveling solo, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to put your fears aside and enjoy the adventure. Strike up a conversation while standing in line or step out of your comfort zone to try a new class. There’s no need to stick to the norm, especially when it comes to meeting new people. Traveling solo is all what you make of it. Make your trip a great one and make a new friend!

Coming Soon: DC’s Newest Museum!

August 26, 2016Posted in Destinations, History, NewsWritten by VictoriaLeave a comment

DC_AfricanAmericanHistory-rendering_web-icontact Ground-breaking history is soon to happen in Washington, DC as the new National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) opens its doors to the public on September 24th. It will be the 19th and newest museum of the Smithsonian Institution. The NMAAHC captures the roots of African American history where you can explore the story of America through the lens of the African American experience. Like the Smithsonian museums in DC, cost to the NMAAHC is free to all, which makes this a great stop on any trip to the city.

The NMAAHC will exhibit showcases and stories of African Americans who paved the way as trailblazers, innovators, visionaries and history makers. The primary focus is on history, culture, and community. More than 33,000 artifacts have been collected and will be on display throughout the museum. Currently, “Through the African American Lens” is the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s eighth exhibition and is on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History until the NMAAHC opens its doors on September 24^th.

The artifacts on display at the museum have been graciously donated by individuals across the nation. They cover a multitude of topics like education, military service, popular culture, religion, sports, and visual arts. These are wonderful and historic examples of the African American struggle, determination, and pride that has built our nation.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is sure to be an educational and enlightening experience on any trip to the nation’s capital. Let us take you there!

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