Colleen & Catie’s Picks for Business Travel
Colleen
Destination: Nantucket, Massachusetts
An island about 30 miles by ferry south from Cape Cod
Fly into Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK) otherwise you could fly into Boston Int’l Airport, rent a car and drive (91 miles, but it’s a pretty drive)
Nantucket, is primarily a summer destination but you can get some great deals there this time of year.
Known for dune-backed beaches, and unpainted cedar-shingled buildings, many surrounded by manicured privets.
The wharves and cobblestoned streets are lined with restaurants, high-end boutiques and steepled churches.
Accommodations: White Elephant
An island landmark, the iconic White Elephant, has been named among the finest luxury hotels on Nantucket Island for decades.
This waterfront resort has grown to include chic rooms with abundant natural light, spacious suites many with balconies and magnificent harbor views, garden cottages, luxurious residences and downtown lofts.
Edging the harbor, White Elephant is steps from Children’s Beach, the Brant Point Lighthouse, and Nantucket Town.
Relax by the outdoor heated pool in a private cabana or hop on a bike and explore the area.
Enjoy steaks and seafood, sip cocktails on the Harborside Lawn, or rejuvenate in our world-class spa.
Take in the sights of Nantucket Harbor and experience the beauty, serenity, and romantic nature of Nantucket Island.
Prices start around $225/night. You’ll likely get the starting rate if you go off-season (winter) and stay during the week.
Dining:
Cru – Stylish hot spot, right on the water, offers expansive raw bar options & cooked seafood fare. Located in Nantucket Downtown Historic District.
Dune – Upscale eatery for refined New American fare & craft cocktails in modern surrounds, plus a patio. Also in the Downtown Historic District
Activities:
Sailing – A perfect adventure for you as a couple.
Endeavor Sailing Excursions in Nantucket Downtown Historic District. Rent a boat or sail with an expert.
Historic Lighthouses – Even tour one.
Beach Bonfires – Great for snuggling up with your partner!
Tips for Couples Traveling Together:
Try not to take each other too seriously. You’re on vacation, try to keep the mood light when possible.
Also be sure to plan trips with your girlfriends!
Catie
Destination: Healdsburg in Sonoma Co., California – North of Santa Rosa. Best to fly into Sonoma County Airport.
Accommodations: Hotel Healdsburg
Starting around $330/night, this upscale hotel with a hip vibe is next to the seasonal Healdsburg Farmers Market, and 3 miles from hiking at Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve and 15 miles from Lake Sonoma.
Rooms and suites with teak platform beds and Tibetan carpets offer in-room dining, free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs; some have balconies, French doors and scenic views.
Complimentary perks include hot breakfast, valet parking and bike rentals. A fireplace cocktail lounge features light bites, an elegant eatery serves wine-country cuisine, and a casual pizza parlor provides poolside service. There’s also a gym, a luxe beauty spa (fee), and a garden pool and Jacuzzi.
Dining: Campo Fina
Little italian cafe with great italian food and you can play bocce ball in their courtyard.
Activities: Wine Country Bikes
We rented electric bikes here, but you can also rent regular bikes.
Go to https://www.winecountrybikes.com for pricing and to make a reservation for whatever type of bike you’d like. Prices vary.
Tips for Couples Traveling Together: I did spa… he watched football. Give each other space… you don’t have to do everything together. We planned some restaurants. The other we found just by walking the town. Find a new activity you can do together. Compromise.
“What’s” with the “Trip Sisters”
What’s in Your Suitcase?
Tinggly Gift Box of Experiences – Prices range from $89 to $359 at https://www.tinggly.com
Give your loved one an experience! There are 26 gift boxes with different themes and price points, each with hundreds of experiences and gift boxes meant for men, women, couples. The buyer can simply choose the most suitable gift box and the gift recipients will have the freedom to decide what they want to do, when and where. Experiences include cultural tours, skydiving, bungee jumping, gourmet experiences, adventure driving, spa and beauty, landmark visits, extreme sports and more. Gift receivers will have 5 years to choose an experience from their gift box, giving them plenty of time to plan ahead.
What’s on your phone?
For Staying Local – DateNight (free on iOS) – https://apps.apple.com/us/app/datenight-explore-new-date-ideas/id1156931469
Using this app, couples can find the perfect date night idea, no matter where they are. DateNight lets you explore new and interesting date ideas. Find the perfect adventure for your next date by browsing curated lists, or tailor your search by keyword, category, or location. Submit your own idea if you don’t already see it, or vote on ideas written by others to make sure only the best get approved!
For traveling/long distance – Pathshare – Free on iOS and Android – https://pathsha.re/
This is a location-sharing app for couples that users can use to share their real-time location with their partner. They can set up a time to share the location and once that time is over, Pathshare will automatically stop sharing their location. Use this app to keep partners updated about whereabouts when they are out late at night or in a potentially dangerous situation.
What’s the tip?
Traveling with your Partner
Studies show that you should wait to travel with your partner until you’ve been together at least 6 months. Try going on a weekend getaway first before committing to a big trip.
Consider scheduling in a little time apart during your vacation. If one of you loves laying around the beach while the other loves hiking, it’s okay to take some time apart to do the things you enjoy. This could also be an opportunity to try new things that your partner enjoys.
Talk openly about what you like to do and don’t like to do on vacation. If one of you loves getting up early and the other loves sleeping in, you might run into issues. It’s best to know these things ahead of time so you can plan for them and avoid a fight later.
If you do start feeling stressed or frustrated with your partner while on vacation, try doing a spa or massage together.
If you’re dating, decide on how to pay for things ahead of time. It may be a hard conversation to have, but it’ll avoid one person taking the brunt of things or even resentments later.
