JetSetter of the Month

This month's Jetsetter is Oneika at http://oneika-the-traveller.blogspot.com! Read on to hear about her travels to Hong Kong! Who knows maybe next month the spotlight will be shed on you!

♥Tell us about how you ended up in your city and how long you've been there.

♥I am currently living in Hong Kong SAR. I’ve lived here for just over a year and a half and will be here until the end of my two-year contract in June.

♥What are your favorite hotspots?

-Restaurants: Al Dente Restaurant (Soho). This Italian restaurant is one of my favourite places to eat in Hong Kong. The pasta is to die for: fresh, tasty, plentiful, and cheap! Al Dente Restaurant is run by a group of friendly people who always welcome me with open arms (I am a VERY frequent customer)!

-Salons/Spas: Gao Foot Massage (Central/LKF location). The reflexology specialists are skilled and very friendly. The location is large, clean, and they provide you with tea and a scented, heated shoulder cushion pad/thingy that is very relaxing. Love it!
-Nightlife/Bars: Solas (Central)-On a Friday or Saturday night this bar/nightclub is popping. It’s located on Wyndham Street in the Hong Kong Central area on a block of other bars, restaurants where you can go to dance and to see and be seen.

-Shopping: Elements Mall (Kowloon metro stop). This mall has all of my fav “Western” stores: H&M, Zara, etc. and is a lot less busy than some of the other malls in the city. Mongkok Ladies’ Market (Mongkok metro stop). Get all of your brick-a-brack/souvenir stuff here and have fun bargaining for it.

-Culture/Museums: The Hong Kong Convention Centre & The Hong Kong Performing Arts Centre always have good concerts on.

♥What areas or neighborhoods are best for first time travelers?

♥ The Central neighborhood has the bright lights, big city feel that Hong Kong is known for. Skyscrapers and neon lighting reign here. Sheung Wan has a more “local” Chinese feel and is just a short walk away from Central. The Peak gives stunning views of the city (take the Peak tram to get up there!) while a hike to Big Wave Bay or Shek-O beach show the softer, quieter, nature side of Hong Kong. As for sites, definitely go see the Big Buddha world as it is the largest seated Buddha in the world. Also, the site of the 10,000 Buddhas in the New Territories of Hong Kong is a must-see!

♥What makes your city different from any other city?

♥ Hong Kong has a unique blend of Western and Asian cultures. I liken it to an Asian New York- the city never sleeps! Topographically it is interesting- Hong Kong is made up of more than 200 islands and the difference between the hustle bustle of Central Hong Kong and the tranquility and “green-ness” of the surrounding islands (like Lamma or Lantau) is astounding.

♥Tell us about the fashion and current trends in your city.

♥ Hong Kong style is crazy! Think Harajuku girls mixed with urban chic and you’ll get HK style. Men and women wear contrasting prints and non-complimentary colours (simultaneously) and nobody blinks an eye! Grown women wear tutus with neon fishnet tights and Chuck Taylors while guys where the SKINNIEST of skinny jeans and sport bleached blonde asymmetrical haircuts. Anything goes here!

♥What are some of your travel must-haves?
♥ I MUST have my camera and iPod when I travel. I also need a good pair of walking shoes- when I travel I like to walk from place to place because it really gives me a feel for the city in discovering. A good day back is also essential, as well as a good rain-jacket- never know when it will rain!

♥ What advice do you have for the rest of us Jet Setting Divas looking to travel to your city in the future?

♥ Hong Kong is fun for a few days but don’t be afraid to venture into the China mainland- it’s only one hour away via public transportation and entry visas can be acquired on the spot at the Shenzhen, China border! After the glitz and skyscrapers of Hong Kong, mainland China will be quite the change! Also, a one hour ferry ride can also take you to Macau- the Las Vegas of Asia!

Oneika Raymond is a high school teacher and travel junkie who has travelled to nearly forty countries. Originally from Canada, she is currently teaching French and English at a high school in Hong Kong and has previously taught in France and Mexico. She writes about teaching, her travels, and her life as an expat on her blog "Oneika the Traveller". http://oneika-the-traveller.blogspot.com/

Traveler Beware

With spring break coming up---a lot of people will be booking flights/hotels/rental cars/ etc ONLINE. The TODAY show hosted a short segment on how some hotels, resorts, & restaurants post fake reviews scamming travelers into believing they're this wonderful place---when they're actually a dump or have critters or foul smelling rooms! One guy even said that if it takes a few bogus reviews to get more people in your door, he didn't see what was wrong. So please be careful, & make sure you do your research! Not to say that you're not smart enough to know that some sites don't always offer honest reviews ;)

Check out the clip here: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/41755033#41755033

Other than that, enjoy your weekend! And the fab blog hops around the blogisphere!

Spotlight: JetSetter of the Month

♥- Once a month, we like to spotlight other divas who love to travel like us. For January we are spotlighting Megan and her trip to Salzburg, Austria!


JSD:Tell us about how you ended up in Salzburg, Austria and how long you've been there.

Megan-I was going to Europe with my family last summer for my little sisters graduation present from high school. Everyone had their opinions on where we should go, what we should do, but everyone I talked to who had been to Salzburg said "Don't leave Europe without spending at least 2 days there!" Which is funny because after going I would say more like 4. We had all already been to so many places we figured, why not! So we went all over the place (again)... but Salzburg was by far the most incredible place we went. I plan on going back within the year...

JSD: What are your favorite Salzburg,Austria hotspots?

-Restaurants:My favorite lunch place in Salzburg is Cafe Tomaselli. The atmosphere is incredible and if you are lucky enough to get a chance to sit on the second story patio, don't miss out! For a formal dinner out go to the Stifskeller St. Peter for wonderful authentic Austrian food.The chicken schnitzel is fabulous!

-Nightlife/Bars:Best place to grab a swanky cocktail is the rooftop bar at The Hotel Stein. Overlooks the city and is absolutely gorgeous, especially if its a clear night! (An interview with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz for their movie knight and day actually took place at this rooftop bar).My favorite hang out spot to grab a beer and hang out is St. Augusteiner. Hangar 7 is a great night spot! Has various bars (Mayday, Carpe Diem, and 360) started by the Red Bull Corp

-Shopping: The best place to shop in on Getreidegasse Lane in old town. Lots of shops, especially if you are looking for holiday decorations... Salzburg is known for its easter and christmas celebrations and likewise they have the most amazing christmas and easter displays up year round in holiday shops. Of course for the boutique/Naiman Marcus loving shoppers (like ME!) there are also incredible boutiques full of fabulous designers such as ferragamo, hermes, louis vuitton, you name it!

-Culture/Museums: Mozarts Birthplace, Mirabell Palace, Mirabell Park, Vontrap house, Salzburg Castle (unbelievable views!!), also fabulous festivals go on all summer long. The most famous of all the festivals is the Salzburg Music Festival (the same one from the Sound of Music) that happens every year, the first week in July.

-Other: The one thing that is an absolute must and you will regret it if you don't do this especially if its your first trip to Salzburg... (warning its going to sound ridiculously nerdy... BUT YOU HAVE TO!) Is the Original Sound of Music Tour. Even if you HATE the movie ... it is an afternoon tour and they take you all over Salzburg and outlying areas where the movie was f

ilmed. I went kicking and screaming... I thought it was going to be a waste of an afternoon. They drive you by Red Bull headquarters, etc.). The tour guides are hilarious and they also give great recommendations for "the latest" fun things to do in the city

JSD: What areas or neighborhoods are best for first time travelers?
Megan-Old town, Old town, Old town! It is the heart of the city. It is where the famous Salzburg Music Festival that happens every summer and has been for hundreds of years, it is the location of the majority of the good shopping, the best restaurants, everything! It is a small area and yet there is so much to see! Around every corner and nook is another little shop or cafe to discover.

JSD: What makes Salzburg different from any other city?
Megan-I love Europe, I love going, exploring, shopping, but Salzburg was the only place that felt like tourism was an afterthought. Most of the shoppers were locals! When we went to grab a beer at St Augusteiner, we were surrounded by students from the local university. Likewise we were not treated like tourists. Everyone was so unbelievably friendly and curious about what brought us to Salzburg

JSD: Tell us about the fashion and current trends in Salzburg, Austria
Megan-The funny thing about Salzburg (and Austria in general) is that many of the people are wearing the same fashions that they had 100 years ago! Derndles and Leiderhosen are still the fashion in Austria! They had so many dress shops that were full of the darling dresses that had been warn for over a century. The f

abrics are the same. The leather is the same quality.

JSD: What are some of your travel must-haves?
Megan:1. you MUST have a large leather bag! Recommend Kooba or Marc Jacobs. As long as it has a long handle, preferably a way to wear it like a messenger bag, and a ZIPPER!! To avoid getting pick pocketed. you can fit all your goodies in there and still remain hands free... also will have plenty of room for the next item...

2. A fancy camera! I had a Nikon D-60 digital SLR Camera. They are bulky, but the photos will be well worth it. Also they are expensive. mine was around $700 total with case and polarized filter (which you will want for sunny days).

3. several copies of your passport stashed in a lot of different places. Just color photocopy it... its at least a way to help prove you are who you say you are if you get in a sticky situation and have to deal with a lost passport. It wont work like a regular passport, but it will certainly help speed up the process of getting you situation handled.

4. forget the laptop... get an international plan on your iphone/driod, etc... I don't care what anyone says... one person on the trip has to have a cell phone with data roaming. Also you can upload pics from where you are, email, etc all from the one device.

5. One wrinkle free fancy dress and heels

6. ROOM IN YOUR SUITCASE!! :) or an extra one you can stash.

JSD:What advice do you have for the rest of us Jet Setting Divas looking to travel to Salzburg, Austria in the future?
Megan: Soak it in! Enjoy every minute you are there. I cant wait to go back...

Want to see more of Megan's adventures? Visit her blog at pearlsandpears.blogspot.com!

ATL Shawty!

Every October the divas and I head to the wonderful city of Atlanta, Georgia for the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic. While we're not cheering on the FAMU Rattlers, we check out all that ATL has to offer.

Where to Stay

The last time we went we stayed at the InterContinental in Buckhead. Nice hotel that is downtown and within easy access to many of Atlanta's hotspots. Any hotel within the Buckhead area is a great idea for your stay in Atlanta.

(The view from our room)

Where to Go

Our first place always on our list is Gladys Knight's Chicken and Waffles located in downtown Atlanta. The Divas and I look forward to our favorite meal, which is also the restaurants signature dish, the Midnight Train, (chicken and waffles) along with an Uptown (Sweet tea and Lemonade).

(Midnight Train)

When coming to Atlanta, you have to check out the shopping. There is an abundance of malls, outlets and neighborhoods to stop in to. Our favorite is Lenox Square Mall.

What to See

For those looking to experience a little bit of Atlanta's history, stroll over to the house of Martin Luther King, Jr. You can experience the birth place of one of our nation's most influential leaders.

Check out Underground Atlanta to snatch up great deals on souvenirs.

DO Check out:

1.The Coca-Cola Factory

2.The Georgia Aquarium

3. Centinnial Park

4. Six Flags over Georgia

Have any of you Jet-Setters been to Atlanta, share with us some of your favorite ATL hotspots and what you think about the city!

Travel Tips: Traveling on a Budget

Hi JetSetters! I hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend!

Although we love traveling and having a great time while doing so, we are always mindful of our expenses. In order to truly have a great trip, you have to be mindful of your budget, so that once the trip is over, you're not in debt!

Travel with a Group

There are alot of great ways to get group discounts when traveling with a large group. In addition, costs can be decreased when you are splitting a hotel room, car rental, or a tour.

Book Early...or Late

There are always perks to booking your flight or crusie in advance. The prices for a trip can dramatically increase as the travel time nears. To be on the safe side I always book no later than 21 days out from my trip. On the flipside, booking late can always have its advantages as well. On many travel websites, you will see sections for "Last Minute Flights" and you can score some great deals. This is because the airlines are trying to sell more of their seats, sot they reduce the prices.

Use your discounts

Whether you work in Corporate America, are an educator or have a AAA card, you can usually find some type of discount to use in your booking plans. Whenever booking anything for a trip, I always ask if there is a discount that I can use from my job or an organization that I'm affiliated with. Hey, it never hurts to ask! I also made sure to sign up for the Frequent Flyer programs on the airlines that I use most often. This way I can earn points towards a free flight and when you travel as much as we do, it definitely comes in handy!

So, Divas these are the rules I live by when trying to get the best deals for my trips, but I know that there are others who have some great tips as well. Feel free to share the rules you live by when trying to save and still have a fabulous trip!