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The Mackenzie-Childs Farmhouse: Design Inspiration in the Finger Lakes
“Where’s Tim Burton?” That was my first question for tour guide Patricia, as she opened the front door to the Mackenzie-Childs farmhouse and asked us to slip on paper booties. From the exterior, the...
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Nun for a Weekend: Quebec City’s Le Monastere des Augustines
Looking for a hotel in Quebec City for a weekend getaway? Traditional options abound but if you want a unique experience, consider a stay at Le Monastere des Augustines, a renovated historical...
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What’s Shutter Speed Got to Do With It? How to Take Better Photos.
Want to take better photos? The key is practice, practice, practice. And, if you get the chance to practice in the company of a pro, do it! Taking a photo tour with a legit photographer gives you the...
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Visiting Grand Rapids: Beer, Art, Beer, Repeat
Tell people you’re visiting Grand Rapids and you’re likely to get a confused look. This city of 200,000, located in Western Michigan, is still an under the radar travel destination, but it won’t be for...
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Help! I Need Travel Ideas for the New Year
The Open Suitcase needs travel ideas for the new year. Where’d you go in 2016? What did you love? Or hate? Leave your suggestions for places to visit, foods to eat, and things to do, or not do, in the...
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3 Perfect Places to Travel in 2017
Ask and ye shall receive. Photo: Cathy Bennett Kopf/The Open Suitcase LLC I posted my request for submissions for the best places to travel in 2017 a couple of weeks ago, and held my breath. I expected...
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When in Edinburgh: Scotch Tasting at The Balmoral Hotel
I subscribe to the “When in Rome…” approach to travel. Why go to Memphis if you’re not going to eat BBQ and sample late night blues, right? So, when planning a trip to Scotland, I included an Edinburgh...
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A Woman Walked into a Spa and…
Looking for the punchline? So was I. A prior trip to a Munich sauna involved lots of naked Germans. I was neither relaxed nor renewed. So I approached my visit to a Canadian spa with caution. Spa...
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Where Have You Been All My Life, Disney Springs?
What to See at Disney Springs I had no idea what to expect when I climbed the stairs to the pedestrian walkway leading to the entrance to Disney Springs. And I’m glad I didn’t. During my many previous...
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Mangia! Arthur Avenue – NY’s Other Little Italy
If your summer plans include a family trip to the New York Botanical Gardens or Bronx Zoo, take a detour to Arthur Avenue before heading home or back to your hotel. Insiders consider it the real...
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5 Tips for Slackers Visiting Pandora at Disney World
“Did you book your FastPass+ yet?” My sister-in-law asked this question every time we talked about our upcoming trip to Walt Disney World. “Nope. I’ll get to it,” was my standard reply. When I finally...
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Gifting Outside the Box
Let’s start with the facts. No guy wants another tie. And no woman wants a gift card. What do you get for the boomer who has more than they need or want? Most of my friends are packing up their...
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Visiting Grand Rapids: Beer, Art, Beer, Repeat
Tell people you’re visiting Grand Rapids and you’re likely to get a confused look. This city of 200,000, located in Western Michigan, is still an under the radar travel destination, but it won’t be for...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Help! I Need Travel Ideas for the New Year
The Open Suitcase needs travel ideas for the new year. Where’d you go in 2016? What did you love? Or hate? Leave your suggestions for places to visit, foods to eat, and things to do, or not do, in the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
3 Perfect Places to Travel in 2017
Ask and ye shall receive. Photo: Cathy Bennett Kopf/The Open Suitcase LLC I posted my request for submissions for the best places to travel in 2017 a couple of weeks ago, and held my breath. I expected...
View ArticleClik here to view.
When in Edinburgh: Scotch Tasting at The Balmoral Hotel
I subscribe to the “When in Rome…” approach to travel. Why go to Memphis if you’re not going to eat BBQ and sample late night blues, right? So, when planning a trip to Scotland, I included an Edinburgh...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Woman Walked into a Spa and…
Looking for the punchline? So was I. A prior trip to a Munich sauna involved lots of naked Germans. I was neither relaxed nor renewed. So I approached my visit to a Canadian spa with caution. Spa...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Where Have You Been All My Life, Disney Springs?
What to See at Disney Springs I had no idea what to expect when I climbed the stairs to the pedestrian walkway leading to the entrance to Disney Springs. And I’m glad I didn’t. During my many previous...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Mangia! Arthur Avenue – NY’s Other Little Italy
If your summer plans include a family trip to the New York Botanical Gardens or Bronx Zoo, take a detour to Arthur Avenue before heading home or back to your hotel. Insiders consider it the real...
View ArticleClik here to view.
5 Tips for Slackers Visiting Pandora at Disney World
If there are no Pandora Fast Passes available for your Disney World vacation, don’t worry. Here’s a strategy for riding BOTH Na’vi River Journey and Flight of Passage in 2 hours! “Did you book your...
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