Category: travel
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Fairgrounds Coffee in Minnesota is for the young at heart
When you walk into Fairground Coffee in Minneapolis, you will enter a fun, lighthearted theme coffee shop. After winding past the sitting area and into the line, you will notice small elements that are nods to carnivals. The swing set and décor is fun, but the shop doesn’t take theme into overdrive on the menu.…
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I underestimated Minneapolis in the summer
I showed up to Minneapolis to attend a conference for work. I was not at all excited about the location chosen, but I went anyway. I apologize Minneapolis, you are beautiful in the late spring and early summer. I sat next to a fellow diner, in town for 24 hours, who eagerly soaked up everything…
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Quick stay at The Renaissance Minneapolis, The Depot
The Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot is located in downtown Minneapolis. I got there by taking the train and then making the short walk from the stop. After checking in, I headed up to see my room. The bed was firm, and I slept with no problem. I was happy to have a work station,…
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The hotel TV
It’s almost a requirement at this point. I enter the hotel room and flip on the TV. I flip through all of the channels and watch all of the shows I don’t make time to watch at home. Seeing Beat Bobby Flay on TV could almost lead to a Pavlovian “you are on vacation now”…
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In memoriam to my favorite part of the hotel experience: The mini shampoo
As a child, my favorite part of staying in a hotel was getting the tiny bottles of shampoo. It was like a free souvenir (that my parents definitely paid for). As an adult, I continued to revel in having the little takeaways from my journeys. Only now, that is becoming a rarer and rarer pleasure.…
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You look like a tourist
It is often used pejoratively. “You look like a tourist.” It means that you look like you don’t know what’s going on, or you stand out too much from the local culture. Which, if you are in fact a tourist, both things are likely true of you. When I travel, I do my best to…
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Barcelona has a tourist problem
Imagine. You just got settled in for your dream Spanish vacation. You are excited to explore the historic streets of Barcelona. Of all the things that could happen during your trip, you never imagined that being the target of protests would be one of them. Recently, Barcelona locals, and those in other Spanish cities, have…
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Not so far to travel
Japan. New Zealand. The Maldives. I am certainly planning to at some point head miles away to explore new lands. But as much as I want to travel overseas, I have to ask if I have really explored these shores. It is easy for me, as an American, to take for granted the travel experiences…
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Here is a very short review of The Robey, Chicago
This might be my most room centered room review ever. When I stayed at the Robey Hotel, I didn’t see any amenities, a restaurant, or really even the hallway. Why, shortly after my check-in, I was too sick to do anything at all. At the very least, here is what I thought of the room.…
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The hotel for people who don’t just want to eat their chocolate but experience it
My first introduction to the brand Hotel Chocolat was a review of their velvetiser. It was contraption promising the silkiest hot chocolate you’ll ever have in your life. I looked on, wanting one of my own. But based on the name, I was even more intrigued by the idea of a chocolate themed hotel. Now,…
A Wren Says 