Ford Experience Tour at Denver Snow Show

A recent invitation to the SnowSports Industry Snow Show in Denver, courtesy of the Ford Experience Tour, this past weekend (February 2, 2013), brought me to Denver’s Colorado Convention Center to get a look at the new 2013 Ford models. My hubby and I quickly found ourselves overwhelmed but the (literally) hundreds of snow-themed displays, from gear to clothing and everything in between.

We first stopped at a non-manned Ford display, with a couple of pretty hot Ford models, before moving to the main display of the Ford Experience Tour. A chat with the folks at the booth (thanks Jennifer!) confirmed that Ford is gearing up to become a leader with the outdoor adventure enthusiasts, thus the presence at the Snow Show. (more…)

Let’s Talk…Rekindling Romance

Rekindling romance with your spouse or significant other is an ongoing process, from your first date to a 50 year marriage.   It was a simple act. Really. I didn’t plan to offer this token act of love, a simple task of presenting my hubby with a heaping plate during our family’s recent Thanksgiving feast. An act that had all the men –in-laws from ages 20-73 — stepping back and telling me what an amazing thing I’d just done.

The guys didn’t have tosay another word as my hubby grinned from ear-to-ear when I handed him the plate. It made him feel good, and that made me feel good too.

Whether your idea of romance is a personally delivered heaping Thanksgiving plate, or a couple’s getaway, please join me on Monday, December 3, 7:00 pm MDT for a TravelingMom.com twitter party on Rekindling Romance. We’ll be celebrating Sony’s December 4, 2012 DVD release of Hope Springs. The movie explores a couples journey to marriage therapy and what happens as they try to re-ignite the spark that had them fall for each other in the first place.

What’s the most romantic thing your significant other has done for you? A romantic weekend trip away from the kids or an overnight stay at a vineyard or a romantic holiday getaway? Have (or would) you attend a couples’ counseling retreat to re-ignite the passion, like Kay (played by Meryl Streep) and Arnold (Tommy Lee Jones) do in the movie “Hope Springs”?

Join the TravelingMom Twitter party at 7pm ET Monday night to talk about romantic travel, inspired by the movie “Hope Springs” and sponsored by Sony.

For more information and to RSVP, visit: http://www.travelingmom.com/tipsproducts/twitter/5528-december-3-twitter-party-hope-springs.html

Bonus: Rekindle your romance with movie night with this Hope Springs $5 off coupon, DVD release December 4th, starting Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones. Click here to download coupon:http://bit.ly/StUAsx

Israel, Upcoming Visit to the Holy Land

The last 2 weeks of January 2012, I will be taking a once in a lifetime journey to Israel, the Holy Land. Growing up in the Bible Belt of Iowa, the legendary “land of milk and honey” was discussed often as a faraway land, where none of my family, mere farmers, blue collar workers and “gasp” Iowans.  But here I am looking forward to a visit to Galilee, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. I’m even going to throw in a camel safair and some other such adventures.

Israel boasts warm winter sunshine while we (Europeans and Americans) are shivering under layers of clothes and winter snows. Israel is a short few hour flight from Europe, but it is a lot of flight time out of Newark at 12+ hours!

But the opportunity to walk where Jesus did on the shores of Gailiee and in Jersulem! Israel is a heaping helping of sightseeing with unique religious, historical and cultural sites, and for the adventurer, sports and hiking, rapelling and camel safaris. For those that just want to kickback, there’s those miles of Mediterranean sea and sand.

And in the spirit of the holidays, may you and yours have a blessed holiday season.
Best wishes, Diana

Photos Courtesy of Israel Tourism Authority

Travels to New Zealand

Most travelers put New Zealand on their bucket list, and I’m no different. There’s so much to see and do — from ancient Kauri forests, rugged coastlines and the traditions of the Maori.

Getting to New Zealand is an adventure in itself. My November layovers and the long Air New Zealand flight from Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand and then on to Wellington was just the beginning.

Once your flight lands, you breath in the breathtaking New Zealand scenery, unique Maori culture and the Kiwi’s hospitality, and then you grab your luggage and you’re off for an adventure of a life time!

And then there’s the famous New Zealand wine, from pinot noir to sauvignon blanc, and the New Zealand cuisine, from green-lipped mussels to their home-grown lamb.

From Wellington (the coolest little capital in the world) to Hawke’s Bay (where the wine flows and the culinary scene is exquiste), one short article isn’t going to do it justice.

Take a look at my selection of New Zealand photos — and then click on a few of the links below to read more about my New Zealand adventures.

Wellington, New Zealand Restaurant & Culinary Reviews at Uptake.com

• Smith the Grocer, Wellington NZ
• Shed 5, Wellington, NZ
• Fratelli Fresh Italian, Wellington, NZ
• Wellington Floriditas Café Bakery

Until next time! Diana

Road Trip to Canon City, Colorado

On the road again…this time to Canon City, Colorado.  Its first territorial prison was built in 1871, followed by 12 additional state and federal prisons making Canon City the Corrections Capital of Colorado. But Canon City, located in the Pikes Peak region, is way more than its prison as one of the oldest tourist destinations in the West.

We’ve got three must-do places to see:

• Winery at Holy Cross Abbey
• All aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, dome car, gourmet dinner with all the views
• visit the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, test out the zipline, ride the coaster and walk across the bridge

We will be staying at a VBRO, Home Away vacation rental, my first experience vacation rental experience. The picture of our “home away from home” are inviting.  What do you think?

Stay tuned for details of our road trip to Canon City, Colorado.