From me to you...Happy Thanksgiving!

I want to take time to reflect on how grateful I am for the blessings in my life.  I am so appreciative to have a loving group of family and friends who are always there with support and encouragement.  I am also greatly appreciative to have continued support from existing and new clients who entrust my travel services in planning memorable vacations and providing expert consultation.  It is the support from all of you that encourages me to keep striving and work diligently towards providing the greatest resources that offer the best travel experiences.  I pray that each of you have a wonderful holiday season.  In recognition of my faith, be sure to remember the reason for the season: Christ Is Born!  From me to you, you are truly appreciated and I am truly thankful!

Love Your Travel Agent,

Loren J. Adams

 

Source: Crosswalk.com

A Ladies Getaway In The City That Never Sleeps...NYC!

We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful, unseasonably warm day to take in our ladies getaway to the NYC, the capital of extreme fashion and nightlife!  We stayed at the Roger New York in the Flatiron District, located off of Madison Avenue.  This quaint boutique hotel had my name all over it!  It is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Times Square, but it is still within walking distance (approx. 20 min.).  The hotel is simply defined by its trendy, chic décor.  The cool, pastel colors definitely contribute to the hotel’s relaxed ambience. The customer service at check-in was welcoming and non-confrontational which is an A+ in my book.  And as for security, guests must use their room key cards to access the elevator.  Here, security is on lock...literally.

Comfortable seating in the front lobby

Lobby Bar

Trend-setting decor: None other than Prince!

Hallway (7th Floor)

Room Category: Double Beds (Rm #717)

After settling into our rooms, we regrouped and headed to Times Square for tapas and evening cocktails at R Lounge.  R Lounge is the Renaissance New York Times Square hotel's staple lounge. The setting is simply remarkable!  The wide, elongated windows offer one of the best view's of Manhattan.  Note: It should definitely be included as a must for your next date night.  Evening cocktails consisted of Mojitos and Lemon Drop martinis, and our decadent small plates included crispy calamari, mini lobster rolls, and cheese burger sliders.  All three were simply delightlful!  I tell you.  There was NOTHING to take back.

 

Note: It is best to arrive close to 5 p.m. to reserve the lounge seating in the center. 

Beautiful view of Times Square

We simply love our Lemon Drop Martinis!

(Right to left: Erika, Me, and Nika)

Mini Lobster Rolls - Incredible!

 

Later that evening, we experienced fine dining at Tao Restaurant.  We are foodies at heart!  Tao is definitely the HOT spot for those looking their best and ready to take in some tasty cuisine.  The ambience is dark, but there is just enough lighting to set the mood.  A large Buddha graces the entire restaurant with its calming stance, but there is nothing laid back about this set as a live conga percussionist makes his way throughout the restaurant entertaining the crowd.  The menu offers Asian cuisine that is extremely flavorable.  I ordered the Jumbo Shrimp Tempura with garlic chili sauce and the Soy Ginger Glazed Salmon with udon noodles and spinach.  BOTH dishes were delectable!  And being one that truly enjoys a great cocktail, the Ruby Red Dragon martini is out of this world!  Slightly sweet, gently tangy, and perfectly chilled! 

 

Tao Restaurant and Lounge

 

Ruby Red Dragon Martini - Phenomenal!

Courtesy of: SimplyShaka.com

 

Lovely Ladies!

(Right to left: Shanta, Erin, Bianca, Yunika, Erika, Anita, Me, and Marcie)

View of Tao from the upper deck

 

The evening did not stop there.  We definitely wanted to see what the NYC had to offer as far as nightlife. We headed to the Meat Packing District to check out the club scene.  This particular set is all about who you know!  It’s best to know someone working at the door in order to avoid waiting in line for long periods of time.  But, if you dress  your best and catch the bouncer's eye, it may all work in your favor.  But, if you're looking for a chill vibe and you're less concerned about bumping into one of the Kardashians - literally - than the Lower East Side (LES) may be a better fit.  And that's exactly what we did!  This side of town is simply about letting loose and having a good time.  It's for listening to some local music acts, bar hopping, and partying the night away.  We headed to a bar called, Pianos.  While there’s nothing real fancy or eye catching about this spot, it definitely allowed you to see a more artsy side of the city.  This crowd was here for one reason and one reason only: to have a good time.  And that’s exactly what we did!

 

                                                       Courtesy of: NYCMagazine.com

 

Good times and letting loose! @ Pianos

 

Our ladies’ getaway will definitely be a trip to remember.  And I’m glad the city of the Empire State allowed us to take in all that it has to offer...at least until next time!  We're coming to see you Rhianna @ Barclay Center.  We can't wait!

Give me a call to help plan your next girlfriends getaway filled with where to go for the latest fashion trends and happening hot spots!!!

 

Where Southern Charm Embraces History and Families! - Atlanta, GA

It's a city known for reality shows and luxurious estates, but it's primary angle is maintaining a love for families and southern charm. My recent family trip to the ATL was a vacation to remember, forming lasting memories and taking in wonderful sites. Our stay at the Hampton Inn - Cumberland was quite satisfying. There were no discrepancies upon check-in and they anticipated our arrival with true hospitality. While we did experience some construction noises during the day as lobby renovations were underway, by early evening the noise ceased. The standard rooms and suites met company standards as well as our own expectations. The standard rooms offer two queen beds, a full size bathroom, a workstation with free Wi Fi, and a cable television with movie rentals. The suites include a full size living area with a pull-out bed, a separate sleeping area with either a King bed or two Queen beds, a full bathroom, and a kitchen. The hotel offers complimentary breakfast consisting of belgian waffles, sausage, eggs, cereal, and fresh fruit. Housekeeping was timely and manerable, and each day I looked forward to my Hershey kisses on my pillow upon return.

Our vacation started with a visit to Centennial Park. Jaya (our lil' angel) loved the fountain and playing with the other children. Children definitely remind you of what it means to just have fun! The park hosts a live jazz concert on Wednesdays during the summer. The featured band - the 911 Band - did their thing, while swooning the ladies with Usher and R. Kelly ballads. And they didn't forget the "oldies but goodies" of Frankie Beverly and Maze. In unison, "Joy and Pain...Come on, come on, come on!"

The next day, we visited the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Site. It was not my first visit, but it's always a great experience reeducating myself about the history of such a great leader and the civil rights movement, as well as taking in the culture of the Sweet Auburn district.  Later that evening, we visited Stone Mountain National Park to witness the laser show at night. Unfortunately, a major storm made its way through and cancelled the show, but the park features many recreational/water activities for all ages. Overnight accommodations at the phenomenal Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort are available, also. Be sure to contact me for great family packages.

Friday lead us to the Georgia Aquarium. It definitely holds the title for the world's best aquarium. The exhibits, display of exotic fish, and screenings were wonderful! And to top it all, the Dolphin Tales dolphin show is out of this world! The story of a sailor being rescued by his fellow dolphin companions was a tale worth seeing. This is truly a must-see show!

That evening, me and the "fam" experienced a bit of the ATL nightlife. We headed to Indigo Rooftop Lounge. To be straight to the point. It wasn't close to being posh, but it definitely had a "down home" vibe. There was no room for being a snob, but it was simply an environment for having a good time. And for your convenience, food was sold outside on the deck. Let me just say that the barbeque shrimp kebabs were superb! Okay, I confess. I had two! : )

Our last day consisted of the Atlanta Zoo, Cascade Family Skating Rink, and our family dinner at Paschal's. Paschal's is a city landmark acknowledged for it history and famous soul food. It well deserves its title.
If it's not clear, our recent family vacation to Atlanta was wonderful and a trip to remember. I always enjoy visiting the ATL, but taking it all in with family makes it all worthwhile!

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historial Site

Centennial Park

 

 

 Georgia Aquarium

Max's Coal Oven Pizzeria (300 Marietta Street, NW)

 After visiting the aquarium, head over to Max's - the pizza is heavenly!

Stone Mountain National Park

Zoo Atlanta

Cascade Family Skating

Paschal's Restaurant

(The Adams Family - Me, Jerome, and Jaya)

The Boys! - Ryan and Stephan

The Wilkerson Family

Aunts and their nephews! - Aunt Margaret, Aunt Barbara, Jerome, and Ronnel