LYRA MAG.

Less than a week getaways are key to our mental health -enough to explore (or tune out, unplugged)…without feeling overwhelmed with a to do list upon return. It’s a great way to take advantage of the super saver fares (Google Flights alert) and lodging deals that crop up PDQ too. ALWAYS in OUR cary-on roller: 1) Umbrella-unflappable/ unbreakable 'nough said. We all have been there -soaked in sudden downpours...with umbrellas-inverted /broken-at the slightest wind gust- their short lives ENDED- tossed into the nearest trash bin. Repeat repeat repeat- Shed Rain umbrellas made a Portland based family owned company in business as "weather engineers" for 75 years...shields travelers with their portable umbrellas that are truly the sturdiest we've ever had that fit into our 21 inch carry-on bag.  Think about it-  a re-invention of umbrella technology since---oh-the last century that actually exists.  The UNBELIEVABRELLA(tm) genuisly closes its fibergalss and metal tough ...

WHERE TO GO: - iconic Sydney Opera House-def worth a tour. Haborside piers-redeveloped as as housing, theater/dance performance centers, and art galleries The down under destination for the USA (other side of the equator)-is almost the same size-land mass  wise-as the lower 48.  There's never really a 'bad' time to visit Australia (AU) but if one wants to avoid crowds-avoid the AU school term holidays -and  holidays of nearby countries like Indonesia, Malaysia etc... Low crime easy to get around Australia is popular.  The weather ranges from hot dry, hot humid tropical in areas-closer to the equator...to cooler temps further south-with even a few light snow spots in the mountains possible-in July.  TIPS: Americans need a visa (ha otherwise we'd all move there)-get online in about five minutes online using your USA passport. sums it up... There's a 14 hour time zone difference-so one 'loses' a day-going there...and gains it going back. On our from the USA -LA...

With the 'journey' now being more stressful than ever (high gas prices! airport delays! flights canceled!) the destination needs to be more 'calming' than ever for need to chill out seekers.  For Value Budgeteers wanting self-care with a tad less emphasis on the 'self' (as in selfish) part-the non-profit Le Monastère Des Augustines, very accessible from the tourist destination-Old Quebec City...offers basic and contemporary rooms, healthy meals-dining (and snacks/picnics to go), multiple inclusive wellness packages or á la carte hands on holistic options of soothing pampering  massages and treatments,  mental respites in leafy green outdoor sanctuaries -including yoga, private meditations/movement sessions -and seasonal winter cross-country- downhill skiing on the slopes of nearby mountains. With a history of spiritualism combined with the healing -Le Monastère Des Augustines has reimagined and updated its historic architectural structures and thoughtfully ...

Getaways during travel crunch time-don't have to be crushingly crowded,  expensive or pre-planned to the extreme. For temperate climate, island beaches and laid back eateries-plus a dose of French vibes ( Euros... food ) plus+ -the Caribbean archipelago islands of Guadeloupe delivers. FRENCH FOOD, RUM AND SUN:  Easy To Get To : Inexpensive non-stop flights to/fro Guadeloupe's  Pointe-a-Pitre's airport (PTP) ---Montreal (Air Canada, Air Transat) NYC's JFK,   or Miami airports on Norwegian Air...and other airlines-Jetblue (starting Feb, 2020), American Airlines and Air France. Getting Around :- roads are mostly excellent ...grab a taxi, take high speed ferries + hydrofoils between,  rental cars/motorcycles for self explorations, and private charters-gets one exploring secluded spots (Deshaies-where the BBC's Death in Paradise is filmed, Marie-Galante and Les Saintes)-to tourist friendly locales Saint-François and Le Gosier-to the  two main islands...

There's something magical about the big blue skies of Colorado...and fluffy powder snow.  Good to know-the Rocky Mountain snowfall has been plentiful ...and now through January-multiple resorts offer up winter get away sporty fun...for mountain enthusiasts. via GIPHY Arapahoe Basin Ski Area Arapahoe Basin will host a variety of family-friendly holiday activities, beginning with a visit from Santa and an elf on Monday, Dec. 24. Santa will bring candy and holiday cheer, and the Summit County Choral Society will be caroling in the base area from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. A-Basin will also host New Year’s Eve in the Mountains, a special lift-served Moonlight Dinner at Black Mountain Lodge. This event will offer guests the opportunity to ring in 2020 with a gourmet dinner including oysters, filet mignon and other delicious offerings. A-Basin will celebrate New Year's Eve with New York at 10 p.m. with live music, a glass of champagne, party favors and a balloon drop. For more in...

For those not tied to a school schedule-which is more than half of Americans-NOW in the so-called 'shoulder season'-is a great time to get out and beyond. For childhood nostalgia-discovery one's ancestry-can inspire trips to destinations. For those with African ancestry- Spector Travel -based in Boston -has been a top ranked roots and culture HERITAGE tour operator for years. Destinations-from Senegal-Ghana-to South Africa (to name just a few)...can be experienced and combined with safari adventures in other African continent locations. In the lower 48-Wyndham Hotels has smartly recharged the iconic (and affordable) Howard Johnson (HOJO) brand -with a revamp of design features-think interiors with a  mid-century Modernist  style- ...in those signature blue/orange colors-paired with this decade's must haves-like USB equipped lamps for charging up personal electronics, free breakfast and WIFI...etc. No -the rooms aren't candy tricked out -but the sle...

No surprise -- -social media is peaking out -and swipers are seeking a bit of IRL entertainment to combat eyeball fatigue and this . Real toe tapping tunes-in swank retro lounges are def staging as it were...a comeback. In Manhattan-an island destination full of entertainment options and talented humans -glamorous options just steps from the big bright lights of___serve up the songs with cocktails. In the theater district: The Playboy Club -512 West 42nd Street-offers up glam lounge decor, excellent food (REALLY!)...plus a Monday night (8-10PM) top notch showcase starring Broadway's finest up and comers and current cast members performing -hitting the stage already-in nearby shows. AN impressive venue-this weekly event reminds of those fab Encores series--produced by Beau Speer with Music Direction by Brandon James Gwinn & the T-Shirt Tuxedo Trio with  the vocal stylings of Anne Fraser Thomas. The Laurie Beecham Theater -407 West 42nd Street-u...

Off season travel-to the typical summer hot spots-are enjoyable NOW, especially mild winter destinations. Always popular Italy  is convenient to get to from this side of the Pond-via the country's signature airline, Alitalia . Direct flights from the USA East coast are frequent with this year's addition of flights from  Dulles/DC adding 5 weekly jaunts (to+fro') in May 2019. Currently attainable seasonal fares for the leisure travel sections and the awesome plush premium business class, are available to Rome or Milan area airports. BONUS: Getting to the city centers are hassle free too- via user friendly efficient trains connections- in addition to other flights/train connections-to many domestic + exotic intercontinental locales like  the holiday bucket list go to-the Maldives. And -no hassle meaningful stopovers are easy to arrange. CHECK OUT: Tuscany-off season doesn't mean off  -as the beautiful countryside near Florence-always beckons with scenic by...

Big Apple based day-or get outta town weeklong excursions- are value friendly . Under January's  blue(r) skies, enjoy sporty mountain endeavors-all within reach of one of the greatest cities on earth. BONUS: Upgrades and freebies abound. ADIRONDACKS ·       Gore Mountain   (North Creek, Essex County) anticipates biggest snowmaking season with its new new snowmaking machines-serving  14 lifts, 110 trails for beginning - expert skiers  In addition, new grooming machines will ensure a smooth experience on the nine sides of four peaks of alpine terrain. For those looking forward to après ski, the Tannery Pub and Restaurant will also double the size of its facilities. ·           West Mountain’s   (Queensbury, Warren County)  nearly $3 million investment includes treetop aerial adventure  includes new SMI snowmaking sticks and 49 snowmaking fans to create optimal ski conditions, a new chairlift for...