I wanted to do a circuit workout at the gym today.
I wanted to get my heart rate pumpin’ to the tune of mountain climbers, plank holds and pushups, but the scrapes, scabs and bruises on my elbow and knee from Friday’s bike accident ruled out that possibility.
Instead I brought back a treadmill interval incline workout!
I forgot how hard interval treadmill workouts are… especially when you throw inclines in the mix. The speeds and inclines on this workout weren’t particularly crazy, but I was super sweaty at the end.
I completed the treadmill workout after a light 20-minute warm up on the elliptical and 10 minutes on the stair master.
Breakfast
I changed up breakfast a bit today!
Okay, that’s a blatant lie, but I did swap the muenster cheese on my egg, cheese and jelly sandwich for sharp cheddar.
Things are getting craaazy up in here!
A sliced apple was served on the side for some added sweetness and fiber.
City Dreamin’
On Tuesday’s hike with Ryan and Sadie, Ryan and I began talking about our desire to go on some kind of a vacation in 2012.
Longtime blog readers may remember when our initial honeymoon plans to St. Lucia were canceled 48 hours before we were supposed to leave because of a hurricane.
We ended up going on a “Tour de Florida” which was really fun, but we promised ourselves that we would make it to St. Lucia for our one-year wedding anniversary.
Well, that obviously didn’t happen.
With our unanticipated move to Ocala and Ryan beginning a new job, taking a week off work didn’t seem like a good idea, so our St. Lucia plans have been postponed. We’re now thinking St. Lucia might make a good five-year anniversary trip.
Anyway, we are hoping to take some sort of a vacation together in 2012. When we began talking about what we were looking for, we both agreed we want an active vacation with lots to see and explore.
The more we talked, the more we realized that a city vacation is what we’re looking for at the moment. New York City? Barcelona? San Francisco? Washington D.C.?
We obviously have no particular city in mind and haven’t started to research places yet, so I figured I would look to you guys for guidance since you always provide the best recommendations when it comes to travel.
So, I ask you…
Question of the Morning
- What is the most memorable city you’ve visited and what made it so special?
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interval workouts are BRUTAL. love em though because they are so time efficient. in and out in 30 minutes or less!
I love how you added Barcelona. 🙂 I’ve been to New York, San Francisco and Washington D.C. and ALL of them are amazing, but my personal favorite out of those three has to be D.C. I wasn’t too thrilled to go at first (I went for a PR conference) but as soon as we got there, my mind was changed. The history and culture of the city is so fascinating and I am dying to go back!
Have you thought about going somewhere REALLY far away? Another personal favorite of mine is Alaska. We went in the summer and it was incredibly beautiful. The glaciers and wildlife will definitely be something that stays with me forever.
Happy vacation planning! How exciting!
i would LOVE to go to alaska! my dad went a long time ago and said it was incredible.
Ditto on Alaska. We went for on a cruise two years ago and are dying to go back on our own to explore.
That’s what we did! We did a cruise in July 2009 and I suffered from severe post-vacation depression as soon as we got off the ship. Glad someone else agrees with me! Some people just look at me funny when I tell them Alaska is a great vacation spot. 🙂
Another ditto to Alaska!! It CHANGED me, literally. So peaceful and wonderful up there–so much to do and see! Go in June or July–my sister married an Alaskan, so if you guys decide there, I could hook you up with sweet deals and ideas. Just let me know 🙂
love incline workouts!
I just went to Alaska this summer too. The views are breathtaking!!! I went on a family trip which was tons of fun, however aside from the sightseeing, I didn’t think there was too much to do.
That said, for a couple’s city vacation, I have to vote for San Francisco! I also went this year with friends and cannot wait to take my fiance! It is such a great city, and so close to Sonoma and Napa, which I think is paradise! Good luck!
thanks so much, annette. alaska would be unreal!
I live in Alaska, and it is interesting to read about other people’s experiences in Alaska. Everyone I know loves in for their 1-2 week vacation, but after living here for 4.5 years–and experiencing it year-round, your viewpoint changes. (Well, at least mine did.)
I’m not saying you shouldn’t go, but I just had to comment about how interesting it is to read everyone’s take on Alaska.
OBVIOUSLY you should come to DC. No question. It’s much more compact that NYC but can offer you a cleaner subway system, more historic sites, and still plenty of great eateries to keep you entertained for a short trip. And it would certainly be active – there’s plenty of urban hiking available, lots of running trails, a gigantic national park in the middle of the city, and you have to walk everywhere. So come visit, y’all.
I think a big question is which time of year you plan to go. DO NOT go to DC or NYC in July or August. DO NOT go to Boston in January or February. Etc.
D.C. is a front runner! we’ve both been before (though i was too young to remember) and ryan went recently so that’s the only thing that’s holding us back.
Considering Victoria and I live 2 miles away from each other in DC, obviously I am with her 🙂
DC is really an incredible place to visit – you’ve got hiking trails, monuments, water, amazing food, nightlife, museums, etc. And, the best part is that SO much of it is FREE! Whenever I visit other cities, I am always so surprised to have to pay to see so many sites. Not here!
Other than DC, my favorite US cities to visit are San Fran, New Orleans and Chicago.
My top US city on my “to visit” list is Seattle.
As another DC resident, I agree! DC is spectacular location for a visit. I wouldn’t recommend coming in the dead of summer due to crippling humidity, but otherwise it’s a great time! If you do end up picking DC, I would be happy to give you some more specific ideas (like a boat ride along the Potomac from Georgetown’s waterfront).
DC is a great place to come! As many people have said, lots of the museums are free, and it’s very tourist-friendly! The metro isn’t too hard to figure out and with Groupon/Living Social deals, I’m sure you and Ryan could find a great deal online for a hotel. There is also great food here too 😉
I’m gonna jump on the DC train! I seriously love it here. Great food, so many free things to do, scenic (you can run/bike/kayak)…… 🙂
The husband and I have been to FL, Texas, Mexico, France, Ireland, Maui and our favorite by far was Ireland. We were based out of Dublin but you can travel anywhere in Ireland in less than a day.
It was beautiful, fun, lots to see, and history everywhere!
I’m gonna second Ireland. I went with my grandfather for my college graduation gift and wow, it’s something I’ll never forget and can’t wait to go back. We traveled so much of the country(excluding Northern Ireland), cities, country, hotels and bed and breakfasts. There’s soooo much to do and see. My ultimate goal is to go back and do an entire trip visiting different places but only stay in the bed and breakfast’s. There are sooo many and they’re EVERYWHERE! I loved the hotel we stayed at in Dublin, The Conrad, but the quaintness and charm of the Bed and Breakfasts we stayed in just couldn’t be beat.
I would definitely recommend San Diego! I am slightly partial, since I got engaged there in May, but it is an amazing city with beautiful weather and some of the best fish tacos I’ve ever had. You can rent bikes around Coronado (just don’t try sneaking up on anyone this time!) and it’s a really great time.
congrats on your engagement!!
NYC is always fun, but I really like Portland, OR. It’s a really neat city with so much to do….the Ocean & the mountains aren’t far away…and the city is very walkable. I really like hiking up behind Multnomah Falls, having a picnic lunch in the Rose Garden, & exploring Powell’s book store. I’d recommend going in the summer when it doesn’t rain as much and is so green.
Tough question! I grew up in DC, but I still really enjoy visiting it with friends who have never been. It gives me a chance to play tourist, which is always fun.
In terms of most memorable cities, I know it’s totally cliche, but I do love me some Paris. I think I’ve been at least 7-8 times, and every time, I find something new to love. La Sainte Chappelle is a phenomenal sight, and much like the song says, there’s nothing quite like Paris in the springtime (or the fall, or summer when it sizzles, or the winter, when it drizzles). In fact, I think one of my favorite Christmases was spent in Paris. We went to Notre Dame de Paris for the Christmas Eve service. Amazing. And highly recommended!
Jule- YOu can’t go wrong in DC or NYC. Both are AWESOME! It depends on what you are looking for–DC–history, museums, etc–Virginia is fun to see as well–hiking, biking, the Shenandoah. We combined our trip and toured Virginia and ended up in DC. It was awesome! NYC speaks for itself–shows, shopping, people, etc. E
Definitely Chicago or DC! Both are beautiful cities with tons of free things to do. Also both cities offer great public transportation to/from airports as well as getting around the area. They are both unique, clean, and offer a lot of culture. If you go to Chicago, I highly reccommend the Chicago Food Tour. Our guide was fantastic, and we learned so much about the various neighborhoods and it’s history.
Julie – maybe you should peruse http://www.travelviews.aaa.com for some vacation ideas… 😉
If you’re looking for an amazing time in Europe, I definitely recommend Paris. It’s romantic and there’s tons to do.
Also, Tim and I just went to NYC and it was so fun. I’m about to write a blog about it very soon!! 😀 I hope you and Ryan are doing well.
We need to meet up soon!!
I live in the DC Metro area, and especially due to the fact that your fabulous ST LUCIA trip was cancelled, I would DEFINITELY go somewhere outside of the US. Barcelona sounds very exciting, or Paris (romantic!!). DC and NYC are all “long-weekend” trips that you can do anytime. Ramp things up and go somewhere awesome. Don’t get me wrong… DC is cool, but far less exciting than somewhere completely unknown to you, like overseas.
I love DC – especially with the Cherry Blossoms in bloom! New Orleans would be cool too.
So I know it’s slightly random, but Edinburgh, Scotland was the most fun city I’ve ever been to. Tons of neat castles and history, but also pretty cool nightlife. I highly suggest it!
In the U.S., you can’t go wrong with San Francisco. Don’t tell my current boyfriend, but the most romantic weekend of my life was spent there with an ex. There’s SO much to do, the weather is beautiful and there are some great hikes and such right outside the city 🙂
I live in DC so I am totally biased. But it is an absolutely amazing city.. I’ve lived here my whole life and even with almost 24 years under my belt, my boyfriend and I still find new exciting stuff to do every weekend. Just last week we randomly took a double decker bus tour! Spring here is beautiful (think cherry blossoms!) — New York overwhelms me but I still have a fabulous time everytime I go. Just a bit intimidating to me! Looking forward to seeing what you guys decide- obviously down the road if you choose DC i’ll be happy to throw tons of suggestions your way 🙂 My boyf and I are going to San Fran next month (i’ll be there for work and he’s meeting me out there) and are *hopefully* going to make it to London for the Olympics this summer (He’s from there and I’ve never been!!)
There are SO many places I want to visit. I did go to California though and fell. in. love. I just went to southern Cali, but it was absolutely beautiful and we walked everywhere and hiked too!
You will LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Barcelona! You have the beach right there, plus amazing architecture, the crazy Gaudi constructions everywhere (the Sagrada Familia church has been in ACTIVE construction for over 130 years, how mindblowing is that?), the food is great, the town is super laid back and bike friendly (they have a “bike share station” in every block). I absolutely loved Barcelona!
If you want to travel further, both Hong Kong and Taipei were cool cities I visited this year (off to Singapore tomorrow, and we’re doing Bangkok in a couple of weeks when my parents come to visit).
I say it’s your anniversary, you can ALWAYS go to NYC (so easy!), but go outside of the country and make it count! My vote is for Barcelona!
Oh, and I don’t vote for DC at all. Like NYC you can go anytime, but it’s not that exciting (take it from a person that lived there 7 years…). Why don’t you plan a race at some point in DC (Army Ten Miler is a good one — my favorite race!), and use that as a reason to travel. But anniversary trip? Too boring.
I’m with Carla – if you have the vacation days to take a trip to Europe, make your city trip a real vacation and go to Barcelona. It’s an awesome city with so much to do.
And while you’re in Spain – go to Valencia. Definitely my favorite city in Europe for city trips, it’s so pretty, has tons of things to do and isn’t very touristy.
I vote Barcelona too! We went there for our honeymoon and loved the mix of architecture, museums, beach, boat trip, nice restaurants, shopping etc… Lots of fun things to do!
Having said that, we’d also love to go to NYC, but that’s more, from a UK perspective, for all the different food!! 😀
Washington D.C. is so fun with a lot to do and if you never went, it’s wonderful. I would have to say in terms of exploring and everything San Fran would be an awesome choice too! My parents rented a car and drove up the coast, said it was so fun! New York City is the BEST! (can you tell I’m a New Yorker?!) You must come one of these days because there is wayyyyyyy too many fun activities packed into this big city. It’s pretty incredible. Wait til spring, we’re around 20 degrees today 🙂
New Orleans, hands down! I’ve been to most of the major east coast cities and tourist destinations, but New Orleans was by far my favorite. It’s not all partying…you can do plantation tours (check out Oak Alley Plantation – gorgeous!), Hurricane Katrina tours, look at the beautiful homes in the Garden District…and the food was INCREDIBLE (seafood galore!). Everything was also very reasonably priced – yes, even hotels! We stayed at a nice Hampton Inn on Carondelet (2 blocks from the Bourbon St for quiet at night) – it was $89 per night on weekends, clean, updated, and included free breakfast. Flights are also reasonably priced. Iowa Girl Eats has great recaps on her webiste.
I lived in DC for two years but I just moved to San Franicsco and you should definitely check out SF if you have never been!! There is so many different parts of the city to explore, plus it’s such an active and outdoorsy city. Plus you are so close to Napa and Sonoma to go wine tasting. Not to mention some of the best restaurants in the world. I highly recommend SF!!
I vote for DC! I love visiting there – I’ve been 6 times & never get tired of it. My favorite place to go there is the Air & Space Museum 🙂
New Orleans!! It is such an underrated city, and is by far the best city I have ever been to (and I’ve been to a lot!). The food is AMAZING, and the whole city is a live with culture and is so vibrant. The locals are incredibly friendly and are always eager to show you around and talk to you. There are tons of historic sights to see, beautiful architecture, incredible jazz music, and great shopping. Although Bourbon Street is definitely something you have to see at least once and is very very fun, it is not all that the city has to offer. Many people think that New Orleans is just about partying really hard, but that is far from true! Also, everything is SO affordable. You could go to the best, fanciest restaurant in the city and it would cost the same as a mid-priced place in NYC. I highly recommend checking it out!!! Every neighborhood in the city has something to offer, and since the entire city is not that big, you can easily see everything in a 4-day weekend.
New Orleans!
My sis lives right across the Hudson from Midtown Manhatten so I’ve been to NYC a lot. I can go back many more times as there is always something new to visit!
I haven’t been outside the US besides the bahamas, but we were cruisin’ so I didn’t see much of the city.
Inside the US I LOVED Breckenridge, CO. That is the cutest little town EVAH. Paul and I rented a house with some close friends and went on a snowboarding trip for 6 days which was AWESOME, and super cheap since we all split a house, and more fun too! That would def be an active vacation for you!
Well my favorite city of all time is Chicago. But you probably already know that!!
I did love visiting San Francisco back in high school, too.
Also, just random, but my newest project at work is with a company in Ocala. I thought of you. I’m working on an analysis of an antenna piece.
DC was an amazing vacation, and I’m headed up to NYC in two weeks, which I seriously can’t wait for. I’m a city girl at heart and can see why y’all would have a blast exploring an adventure-packed city…my vote is for NY! (Or Miami if you want to stay a little closer – that one’s a blast too)
My husband and I are on our first real vacation that doesn’t involve a tent since our honeymoon in Hawaii 7 years ago. We are in NYC right now and it’s awesome. I would definitely do something that is easier to do when it’s just the 2 of you and there are no kids involved.
Have you two ever been to NYC? If not you absolutely have to go. It’s my favorite of all the cities I’ve been to (even more so since I got engaged there 3 weeks ago!), and I live in NY! I get down to NYC pretty frequently but it just never gets old. There’s just soooo much to do there, shows, amazing restaurants, the best shopping, great museums (Natural History is my favorite), my list could go on and on. If you do go, you should go on a running tour of the city, Susan over at susanruns.blogspot.comm recent posted about a running tour she led. What better way to be active on vacation?!
If in Europe … Paris and Barcelona are one of my favorites although Rome, Florence and especially Venice are near and dear to my heart. No August visits though.
Before moving to the US we went to DC … I had never been and was so pleasantly surprised … actually it was amazing … so easy to plan and visit … I did a lot of internet planning prior to the trip, which was the best thing I could have ever done.
San Francisco is another favorite of mine …
I live in DC, and I love it here. If either of you are history buffs, this is the place to go. Plus, the majority of the museums are free so it would be relatively cheap. Plus, there are plenty of great restaurants and some great trails to run on! However, although I’ve never lived there, my best friend lives in New York, and I try to get there every couple months to see her. I would never want to live there, but it’s unlike any other city in the world. The culture is so different. The people watching is amazing. The restaurants are fantastic. Plus if you’re trying to let loose, that’s the place to go. The bars and clubs don’t close until everyone leaves. I’m not much of a partyer, but when I go to NY I frequently stay out until 4 am and don’t even realize it.
Also, Vegas is pretty fantastic, whether or not you’re a gambler.
Also… I wouldn’t take the opinion of someone who hasn’t been to DC in the past five or so years too seriously. This city has had a real resurgence. It’s become a lot more fashionable, and a whole bunch of famous chefs are opening restaurants here now (Bobby Flay, for example!). It’s not the stuffy, scholarly place it once was.
You named it! Barcelona! Amazing place, great food and tons to explore.
NYC is my favorite “city” experience by far…but I’ve never been to San Fransisco. Those would be my top two!
Being a fellow Floridian, I get excited for the hussle of the busy city life for a few days. Although many might say Manhattan is where it’s at, I actually have enjoyed the culture, restaurants and nightlife of Soho and Upper East (or West…I can’t remember now!). Central Park is an obvious must, and it’s always great to go see a show on Broadway and eat at the infamous “Serendipity” <– one of my fav movies!
We're actually dabbling with the idea of dropping everything and moving up there! *Dare to dream* 😉
Good Luck picking your City Vaca!
I went to DC a few years ago and loved it. We stayed a little north of all the museum but were able to take the train to everything. All the museums are free and I think the only thing we paid for was a bus ride through Arlington because after 6 days of walking I was happy to pay for a ride. Also we contacted our congressman for tickets to go on a tour inside the white house and see congress in session. They did a background check on both of us and I think sent us a ‘ticket’.
If you’ve never been to NYC or DC, you guys should definitely go to one of them. My husband and I go to both a lot since we live in Philly (literally 2 hours away from both cities!). No matter how many times we go, we always find new things to do or restaurants to explore. San Fran is also amazing. I’ve only been once but I loved it. My sister goes there a few times a year to visit her boyfriend’s family and can’t get enough of SF!
I would have to say D.C. I lived in New York my whole life, i tell ya, it’s nothing to gaga over 🙂 But that may be different to someone outside the state. We go to NY and DC a couple of times a year and it is more fun in the District. And sometimes if you are lucky you see a politician… and throw a tomato… haha. Just kidding. Especially the fact that Busch Gardens and Williamsburg isn’t too far away. Lots to do and see! Or you may want to come right here to Virginia. Actually the state’s ad motto is ” Virginia is for Lovers”. I moved here a couple of years ago and the people are SO nice. There is that small town atmosphere around the state with the big city attractions. And it is not as expensive as the major places. Hope you consider it!
I live in DC so I have to vote for DC first. There is so much to see and do here so if you want an active vacation, DC is perfect. You can bike the sites, go for a nice long run on the National Mall around all the monuments, and even run over the Memorial Bridge out into Arlington National Cemetery. Another great thing about DC is that a lot of things are free: all of the Smithsonians, the Zoo. If you do come to DC, you have to get drinks at the W. It’s one of my favorite places in the city: you can see all of the monuments from the rooftop bar. Happy to share more suggestions for where to stay and where to eat if you decide to visit DC.
My husband and I went to Chicago at the end of October and absolutely loved it. We were only there for the weekend, and my husband was working, but we had a really nice time and look forward to going back when it’s warm.
When you were going on your trip to Europe with your family, all I could stress was getting to London. It is by far my favorite city in the world.
Since you’ve been there though, if you haven’t been to NYC, I recommend it. I live in CT so I’ve been able to go a bunch of times and it’s something you have to experience at least once. It’s crazy there.
I’ve been to DC a few times and that’s also an awesome city.
I’ve heard Barcelona is amazing. Edinburgh, Scottland is pretty cool too…not sure if you went there or not but it’s an awesome city.
DC was by far my favorite cities to visit within the US, and I haven’t been to many. Outside of the US, I would pick any place in Italy. Rome, Florence, Milan, Pisa…. or any small country town along the Italian Riviera.
Granada by far is the coolest city I have visited it….so beautiful and rich in history. budapest and Madrid are amazing too!
I absolutely LOVED Chicago – the shopping, the sites… it’s like a cleaner NYC with wider sidewalks.
DefInitely go out of the country if you can! I’ve been able to go to Paris and Barcelona and both of those were AMAZING! I went with about 50 other high school kids 2 years ago. Paris is a bit more spread out in my opinion with a lot more tourist sites. My group and I had a strict schedule everyday, but it was totally worth it! We actually spent 4 days there and took an overnight train to Barcelona, which was such a cool experience. Barcelona was more lively and we were pretty much allowed to do whatever we wanted there (lots of shopping!!). I loved being able to explore on my own with my friends. Both were such incredible cities, but both completely different! If you’re looking for a lot to do, I would definitely go Paris 🙂 plus, they have these bikes that you can check out in one location and ride anywhere around the city until you find another bike rake, which are ALL OVER THE CITY! Anyways, goodluck on your decision!! 🙂
My favorite city may not be as big as New York or DC, but I think it’s the most beautiful! My absolute favorite city is Denver, CO! There is so much to do right downtown including plenty of shopping and dining. The main drag has a ton of independent restaurants that have been around for years. Being such an active city, it is extremely walkable and there is skiing or hiking available if you don’t mind driving a bit. My husband is a huge Denver Broncos fan do I took him there for his graduation present. We took a tour of Invesco Field, went to a Rockies game, and to John Elway’s restaurant downtown. I obviously wanted that trip to be all for him, but I would for dure go again in a heartbeat!!
I love city vacations! My fiancé and I are currently trying to decide where to go on our honeymoon this summer and we definitely want a city as well! We live in NYC so I would definitely say New York if you want a fun city to explore for a few days! Between the museums, the restaurants, central parks and even the boroughs, there is so much to do and see! San Francsico is also another favorite (my fiancé is from there) but I have heard wonderful things about Barcelona too (it’s currently on our list of possibilities for a honeymoon!)
Chicago is an awesome city! Whenever my husband has a business trip there I try to tag along. I would recommend going in the spring or summer of course. Have a Happy New Year!
I am an Orlando native now living in Washington, D.C. and LOVE it! It is a wonderful city that provides for a different experience – we are a city filled with international transients, are the hub for American history and are the “movers and shakers” for political change.
BUT I think you and Ryan should look at where you want to be in the next few years. If you all are thinking about starting a family sooner rather than later then go abroad now. Madrid and Barcelona are two incredible cities that are relatively easy to travel between (think overnight speed train ride). I have been before and am traveling back with my boyfriend this March. They are both very romantic and exciting cities filled with passion, good eats and culture.
If you are thinking anywhere in Europe remember the Olympics are in London this summer which means travel around the summer months are getting pretty pricey. I was able to nab my flight for March at a good rate – around $600 which isn’t terrible for Europe.
Happy traveling 🙂
NYC or San Fran. NYC is awesome just cause it’s NYC, but lately I’ve been thinking more and more about how much I LOVE SF. It’s just got a really amazing vibe, and the weather can’t be beat! Plus, you could make a week out of it and spend some time in the city, some time in wine county, and some time hiking on the south peninsula. Beautiful.
I love D.C. My fiance and I stop there often on our drive to and from Florida (from CT) twice a year. It’s a cool city to explore because there is so much culture, as well as shopping and food. I’m sure all of the other cities you listed are great too!!!
This is a big trip- but you should consider Sydney! The city is absolutely gorgeous and SO laid back compared to US cities! And, within a mile you can be downtown or on the beach at Bondi. Plus, it’s Australia. 🙂
My sister-in-law lives in DC and I love visiting her. There is so much to do and great restaurants. I went to San Fran a few years ago in the summer and loved it. My favorite European city isn’t a big city… Zermatt, Switzerland. It is the ski town at the bottom of the Matterhorn. There are no cars (only electric vehicles), the hotels and ski chalets are amazing, and the skiing/hiking is amazing!
I loves Seattle and San Francisco! Both cities had so much to do, from museums, to shopping, site seeing, and the most important thing for me – very walkable! I especially loved morning runs along the marina in San Francisco, followed by a coffee shop stop on our way back to our hotel. I also found awesome hotels in both cities with great prices and locations.
I LOVE San Fran! Such an awesome city and so much to see. Plus fantastic food!!