• Scandinavian Heritage Park

• Shop in downtown Minot

• State Fair grounds. There seems to be a market, fair, or some sort of expo there quite frequently. Check out the schedule here. However, if you are in Minot, ND in July, make sure to visit the North Dakota State Fair! This year the fair is scheduled for July 19-27, 2013.
• Dakota Square Mall, which features 4 department stores, many more stores, and an indoor water park!
• Eat at Sakura – Japanese Steak House. If it is your birthday, the restaurant has a fun song for you! If you like sake, well, get ready to drink!

For a listing of more attractions in Minot, ND, go to TripAdvisor.com.

Enjoy Minot!

A couple weeks ago someone I know went on a ski vacation in Colorado at a resort called Steamboat Ski & Resort.  I had never really wanted to go on a ski vacation before, but, after seeing his pictures, I have been doing some research on where the best ski resorts are for beginners like me.   This research is in hopes that next winter Matt and I will be able to take a true ski vacation.

Below I have listed some of the ski resorts that I found that are said to be good for beginners, some of which may be luxury ski resorts.   Now, I will fully admit that I have not done thorough research just yet, but I thought I would put out the list on CourtneyMara.com and next year do some follow-up research.  So, without further ado, below is a list of ski resorts that I found through research I conducted through Google that are said to be good for beginners.  Please let me know in the comments section if you are familiar with any of these destinations!

CALIFORNIA

Alpine Meadows

Heavenly Mountain Resort

Northstar-at-Tahoe

Squaw Valley

CANADA 

Mont Sainte Anne

COLORADO:

Aspen

Breckenridge

Copper Mountain

Keystone Ski Resort

Steamboat Ski Resort

Telluride

IDAHO

Sun Valley

MAINE

Sunday River

NEVADA

Diamond Peak

OREGON

Timberline Lodge

UTAH

Brian Head

Brighton

Deer Valley

Powder Mountain

Solitude

Wolf Creek

VERMONT

Stratton Mountain Ski Resort

Mount Snow

Do you have a recommendation for a great ski resort for beginners?    Please share your tips on CourtneyMara.com!

Happy Travels!

In November 2010, Matt and I spent four days in San Francisco.  We had the best time and constantly remind ourselves of how much we love San Francisco.  The following is an itinerary for our four days in San Fran:

Day 1:

Walk around Fisherman’s Wharf.

Eat clam chowder in a bread bowl.

Eat ice cream sundae at Gharadelli.

Go to Pier 39.  See the sea lions. DON’T do the mirror maze.

Walk up Lombard Street.

Take the trolley.

Visit Chinatown.

Day 2:

Visit Alcatraz.  Book your tickets well in advance.

Have lunch at the Ferry Building Marketplace.

Day 3:

DO a wine tour in Sonoma and Napa Valley.

Day 4: 

Bike to Sausalito.  You’ll bike over the Golden Gate Bridge.

DO eat in the Italian district.  We loved North Beach Restaurant.

• Definitely have the pork chops at Ella’s Restaurant at the Inn at Carnall Hall.

• Run along the paths in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

• Get some food and drinks on Dickson Street.
• Go to a University of Arkansas football game.
• Swim and fish at Beaver Lake.
• Clinton House Museum
• Find more things to do in Fayetteville, Arkansas here.

Canoeing*

Kayaking*

Rafting*

(photo is from River & Trail Outfitters)

Canopy Tour

Tubing* (my personal favorite)

(photo is from River Riders)

Biking*

Fishing

Camping*

The Haunted Cottage

Harpers Ferry National Historic Park

* Also try River & Trail Outfitters for the same activities

A few weeks ago Matt and I camped with some friends at Assateague (MD).  It is an island near Ocean City that is a state park on the Maryland side and a national wildlife refuge on the Virginia part.  However, the island is most well known for the wild ponies.

You are able to camp on the Maryland side and there are great facilities and campgrounds that include a picnic table and fire pit.  For anyone that likes to camp, I highly recommend this adventure. Click here for information on the campgrounds and to find out how to book a site.

The activities on the island could include swimming, reading on the beach, walking, running, fishing, and much more.  It is a perfect place for people that just love to lay on a nice beach and not have thousands of people, noise, and boardwalks.

I lived in Brazil for a year from 2003-2004 and I traveled back to Brazil for five weeks in 2007.  I have seen a lot of the country, but I still have a lot more to see.  Here are my recommendations of the MUST SEE spots in Brazil:

Iguacu Falls:  Cute animals.  Beautiful waterfalls.  Easy to get to Paraguay for a day of shopping.

Sao Paulo:  Huge city.  Tons to do.  Recommend exploring for at least a day!

Santos, Sao Paulo:  Beautiful beach town with few non-Brazilian tourists (since most everyone goes up to Rio).  Highly recommend.

Northeast Brazil:  If you love beaches and culture then you must head to the northeast of Brazil.  I especially love the state of Bahia.  Amazing culture, beaches, and food.  MUST MUST MUST!

Rio:  MUST SEE.  Obviously go to Sugar Loaf Mountain.  Hang out on the beaches.  Just explore!  Amazing city!

Florianopolis, Santa Catarina:  Another amazing, beautiful city that does not get a lot of non-Brazilian tourists.  There is an island and main land and so much to do including eating seafood, sand boarding, and tons more.

Curitiba, Parana:  I love this city.  Not a huge tourist destination, but nice to visit if you have time.  Can get really cold in winter.

Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais:   Must see if you like history and/or historical towns!  Lots of culture here!

Enjoy Brazil!

Every summer Matt and I go to Ocean City, MD for one night – just to get away.  Well, this summer we decided to switch it up and try Virginia Beach, VA.  Neither of us had ever been there so we thought it would be a great, new ocean adventure.  We booked one night at the Econo Lodge on the Ocean and drove down the four hours from DC.

Things to know about Virginia Beach, VA:

• If you need some place quiet, reasonably priced ($200/night holiday weekend in summer), conveniently located (on the ocean with balconies – if you are a non-smoker – see our view below), and you are ok with a motel, then the Econo Lodge on the Ocean is a good option.  They offered us free bikes to use one hour a day, which was an added bonus.

• The boardwalk has great biking and walking paths that are separated so you don’t have to worry about hitting anyone.  The boardwalk is three miles long, so it is very bike-able and there are no real “boards” that are coming apart or nails sticking out so it is also walk- and run-able. We spent a lot of time just walking up and down the boardwalk exploring.
• If you are used to Ocean City, MD or Atlantic City, NJ, get ready for a completely different layout of a beach town.  The cheesy beach shops, eats, and amusement rides aren’t really on the boardwalk.  Instead, they are on a street over called Atlantic Street.   The actual boardwalk is a lot cleaner, smoother, and really just has the hotels with a few hotel restaurants.  Different layout, but easy to learn – just walk the boardwalk for relaxation and walk Atlantic St. back to see all the shops.
• If you like frozen yogurt, try Sweet Frog.  It was the BEST frozen yogurt I have ever had.

• There are A LOT of free events in the summer.  The one night we were there, we were able to see two outdoor concerts (there were more, but we only went to two of them) and watch a movie on the beach.  Check out the schedule that they post near the beach and in their local magazine and take advantage!
• Beach chairs near the ritzy hotels are more expensive.  Two beach chairs + an umbrella in front of our motel was $39 for the day.  The same set up a couple blocks down in front of the Hilton was $50 for the day.
• Nightlife:  We were told about “the block” where the 21 age group goes = around 21st Street.  We were recommended to go to Calypso.  It was ok.  Can’t really speak to any of the other places.
• Parking in the Hilton parking garage for the day is $10.  The Hilton is on the beach, so it is a great location.

Enjoy Virginia Beach, VA!

SOUTH BEACH

• The Catalina Hotel on South Beach has a free happy hour from 7pm-8pm.  All well drinks are free, so throw ‘em down before dinner.
• Miami restaurant hot spots ($$$$) are: Joe’s Stone Crab (now in season if you like crabs), Prime 112 (steak), Nobu (japanese), and Barton G’s (high end continental with great presentations)
• A Fish Called Avalon is right on Ocean drive and has really great seafood.  If you can sit outside, they have a great live band and is also great for people watching.
• Walk around Lincoln Road for lunch/dinner.  Menus are all outside and many times the owners come up and try to convince you to eat at their restaurant.  Just go for the type of food you want and/or the best people watching spot.   Make sure to catch some street performers.
• On the way, stop by Espanola Way  just before 15th street (if you’re heading north) between Washington and Drexel.  There is a great Spanish tapas restaurant on the corner called Tapas and Tintos.
• Late night food: Best sandwich I have had on Sobe (and maybe ever) is from La Sandwicherie on 14th and Washington.  It’s open until 6am.
• The nicest part of the beach (not sure where your hotel is) is up by 15th and ocean or down by 1st, 2nd.  If you’re down by 2nd, make sure to stop by the famous south beach establishment Big Pink’s for whatever type of food you can imagine because they’ve got it all.
• Wet Willie’s is an icecream shop for frozen alcoholic beverages. Do it! At least once.  As the great Ludacris says “if you wit me ain’t no time to sleep, especially at Wet Willie’s on Miami Beach.”
• Jazid has great live music
• The Room is a great little bar with an amazing selection of beer on tap.  Then head to Primo’s pizza for the best slice on SoBe.
• In terms of clubs, as I was leaving school in May 2010, the hot new clubs Liv and Louis.  Liv is the most exclusive.  Set is also really cool.  Mansion is the big ticket.  I’ve also been to Cameo.  These are both huge, impersonal clubs, but if you just want to dance you’ll have a good time.  There will be promoters trying to drag you into their clubs, and a lot of times they can get you in at a reduced cover, if that’s something you want.

BRICKELL (DOWNTOWN)

• My favorite restaurant (both for the food and value) is Perricone’s in Brickell.  Perhaps one night, make a reservation to sit in their outside deck where they sometimes will open up the roof on a nice night while a jazz band plays from the second floor loft.  Really amazing setting.
• Then there are a number of bars where most young professionals hang out at (i.e. Irish Pub, Blue Martini,  Tobacco Road (oldest bar in Miami-but not centrally located), and for a great view of Brickell (on the Miami River), head to Waxy O’Connor’s.  I would cab to Waxy O’Connor’s though because the neighborhood becomes dicey along the walk.
• If you want an “authentic” Miami club experience, try taking a cab to Gloria Estefan’s Bongos (it’s close to the American Airlines Arena).  It’s more of a Latin crowd, along with Segafredo’s in Brickell.

CUBAN FOOD

• The best Cuban food I know of is Havana Harry’s (located by University of Miami) and Versailles if you’re feeling adventurous and want to cab to Calle 8.

MIAMI AT ITS BEST

• Monty’s in Coconut Grove for happy hour (I would suggest going Friday).  ½ price drinks and raw bar, tiki set up on Biscayne bay, music, etc.  (4pm-8pm)
• Beach at Key Biscayne (South)

EVENTS

• If you happen to be there for a full moon, head up to the beach on  82 and Collins (North Miami Beach) around 10-11pm for the monthly drum circles.  it is usually just a random group of people with drums, fire dancers, singing, screaming, whistles, dancing, drugs, booze, and oh-the police generally come and break it up but don’t give too many problems as long as you’re respectful!