JET Travel Newsletter - September 2017

I'd like to start out by saying that my thoughts and prayers go out to Houston and all those who were in the path of Hurricane Harvey.   Having the 12th anniversary of Katrina just a couple days ago I can tell you that I certainly don't envy Texans.   We're doing what we can from here and I encourage everyone to volunteer and/or donate.   Unless you've been through it, it can be hard to wrap your mind around the enormity of what needs to be done once the water recedes.

Believe it or not, I have not traveled anywhere since July!   That might be a record for my family and me but August is a pretty busy month with school starting so I like to keep it close to home if I can.

Back in the August Newsletter I mentioned that we had been to London and Edinburgh and that I'd talk more about Scotland in September.   People told me that Scotland was beautiful and I thought it would be as I fell in love with the country through a historical book series that I read.   Here I am to tell you that Edinburgh and the Highlands far surpassed even my high expectations.   We came home and started looking for property to buy!   Of course then we found out that Pitty Mixes are banned in the UK (*gasp*) so that curtailed our searching for property.   My point is that it's a beautiful friendly country (except to certain dog breeds) and we'd go back tomorrow if we could.

I've got video footage from both trips but haven't had time to put them together and upload to our YouTube Channel yet.   It's on my list!

One of my favorite ways to travel in Europe is by train and so we arrived via train from London into Edinburgh late morning on a Saturday.   We belong to an international food and wine group called Chaine des Rotisseurs and as it happened they were having a Grande Chapitre meeting while we were there.  Our hotel was only a block and a half from the train station so we schlepped our bags to the hotel, checked in and headed to the Chaine hotel to let them know we arrived and then head an exclusive excursion to Broomhall House.  Broomhall house is the family home of Edward the Bruce and the tour guide was a great great .... grandson.  No photos were allowed sadly but we were greeted with a bagpiper.

After our excursion we headed back to our hotel to get ready for our formal Grande Chapitre dinner.  Kenny rented a formal kilt and he got more compliments on his kilt than I did on my dress.   *sigh*   We had a fabulous time and met some great new friends.   As a side note, we're heading to another in Chicago in Oct!

Sunday found us doing a city tour with Rabbies and honestly we weren't overly thrilled.   It was nice to get a good overview of the city but we'd have preferred a live tour guide rather than the voice on the headphone jack.

Monday was the day I had been waiting years for!   A tour of the Highlands!   Again, we chose Rabbies and a real life tour guide really does make all the difference.   I'd highly recommend Rabbies to anyone visiting Scotland.  Here are some of the highlights.

Doune Castle

Highland Cows

Loch Lomond

Tuesday we meandered and did some shopping as we were heading home the next day.   Five days is certainly not long enough to be in Edinburgh but we got a good feel for it and it will definitely be a place we go back to over and over.

We found a ferris wheel to ride and I didn't want to be the chicken still living after my people fell to their deaths so I rode it.   As you can see I enjoyed it immensely.    I'm told the video is funnier than this photo.







Goodbye Edinburgh!  We'll see you again some day!

Remember:  Price is what you pay.  Value is what you get.  

Where are we headed next?    In September I have two work trips scheduled.  We'll be in Atlanta for Delta Vacations Convention and then I'll be in Jacksonville for a Destination Wedding Seminar so I should have some interesting things to share in October!

Ready, JET...Go!

Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or YouTube to keep up and ask questions about any place we go. 
 

See you in October!

                                                   Jen

August 2017 Newsletter

London.  

Up until this trip, I would always say London was my favorite city when asked which surprised most people.   Honestly, while I still enjoy London, it has slipped out of the top slot.   More on that in the September Newsletter.  

Kenny and I have different favorites when it comes to preferred airlines and since I was making the reservations we flew American.   I much prefer the new American product to the older BA product.   He prefers the BA lounge which admittedly is better than the American lounges.   Really, it's a toss up.   




   



   Kenny and I getting settled in our seats.











Here is Zoey enjoying her time in the air.  

Upon arrival into Heathrow we generally grab the Heathrow Express as it is just so much faster getting into London.   Fifteen minutes and you're at Paddington Station.   We grab a taxi or Uber from there and head to our hotel.   Interestingly, on this particular trip, we zoomed throughthe airport.   From the time the plane landed to the time we got on the Express (including getting through customs and getting our luggage) was 25 mintues.   We were shocked as we've never been through that fast before!  

Next stop:   Apex Temple Court: 

Our room wasn't ready when we arrived so we walked around our​neighborhood to get acquainted and then headed to one of our favorite places to eat; Tapas Brindas which is in Borough Market.   








Kenny was working so Zoey and I did a bit of shopping and meandering as we usually do.  Of course we ate at some new restaurants and visited some old favorites as well.  Here is a photo of probably the one restaurant we eat at each trip.   It's THAT good.  Jose.    I'm not a dessert eater but I always have the chocolate pot (bottom right in photo below).  

One thing we did this trip that we hadn't done before is have afternoon tea on a double decker bus!   The weather was super hot while we were in London and the bus was like a sauna!   However, it is so rare for them to have this type of weather I'd still highly suggest it.   The food was tasty and it was a fun couple of hours.  

Another new one for us was Milk Train.

Yep.  That's ice cream with toppings surrounded by cotton candy or as they call it, candy floss.




We had some great visits with friends while we were in London that we've met while in our travels.  Apparently we're drawn towards Brits.   :)   

More details in our youtube videos so please head over and subscribe so you'll get the updates.  


Remember:  Price is what you pay.  Value is what you get.  

Where are we headed next?    As of now we're actually staying put for all of August!   The kids are starting school and it's a very busy month.   Sept looks to be busy so stay tuned!

Ready, JET...Go!

Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or YouTube to keep up and ask questions about any place we go. 

See you in September!

                                                   Jen