Where Am I Headed in 2017?

As you know from last year, I believe in at least thinking about where you'd like to visit in the upcoming year and mapping out strategies to get there. I also believe in writing things down to accomplish them and guess what? 2 out of 4 places on my 2016 travel wish list came to fruition this year! So I am giving it another shot for next year (while praying for a fare glitch!). Here's what I've got for 2017:

Confirmed Travel

Chilé

I bought a fare sale to Chilé in April. Since I've only been to Colombia in South America, I'm looking forward to exploring more of the region. Santiago and Valparaiso are in my sights during my week in country. Chilé is also known for their wine, so I can't lose! 

Photo Credit: CNN

Guatemala

I think work may take me to Guatemala, which will be awesome because I have never been to Central America. 

Texas

For our third annual girls road trip, we are thinking about road tripping through Texas. We've done the West Coast twice so we thought we'd give the south some love. 

(I realize my confirmed travel plans look a little bleak this year. I did so much in 2016, that I'm kind of reveling in being home for a bit. But I am sure something will come up!)

Wish List

Ghana (or anywhere in West Africa)

I spent so much time in Zambia and South Africa this year, but have never been to West Africa. I hear it's lit over there and I've loved everywhere I've been on the continent so far, so I'm sure I'll be able to add Ghana to that list.

Photo Credit: National Geographic Kids

Miami

I know what you're thinking. Miami? Miami is so basic and doesn't need to be on anyone's travel wish list. But I haven't been to Miami in years and have always enjoyed my time there. South Beach is cool, but there's so much more to the city than nightclubs and bars. Miami offers great beaches, restaurants, shopping and relaxation.

Photo Credit: Vanity Fair

Canada

I don't know why Canada has been on my mind lately but I'm thinking either Toronto or Vancouver. And if I can travel across the world, I think I should make time to see a neighboring North American country.

Cuba

Of course Cuba is on my wish list! I need to take advantage of relations between Cuba and the U.S. opening up a little, especially since the new President-elect threatens to close them up again.

Photo Credit: Huffington Post

So where are you headed in 2017? Be sure to put your vacation days and flexible work schedules to good use!

5 Easy and Boozy Christmas Cocktails From Around the World

Move over Thanksgiving! The real star of the holiday season is here. Christmas is my favorite holiday, hands down. It gives me the warm fuzzies for all of the right reasons. Food, family, fun...and drinks. These 5 cocktails will steal the show, not only because they're delicious, but because you can bring a piece of the world to your family and friends.

1. Puerto Rico's Coquito

Coquito is Puerto Rico's traditional drink for Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations.

Ingredients:

• Unsweetened coconut cream Cream of coconut (such as Coco Lopez)
• 1 Vanilla bean
• 3 tsp Ground nutmeg
• 8 Cinnamon sticks
• 750 ml Añejo or spiced rum

Instructions:

1. Combine all the ingredients except the rum in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly.
3. Remove from the heat, let cool and stir in the rum.
4. Transfer to bottles (making sure that at least one cinnamon stick goes into each bottle), seal and store in the refrigerator.
5. Serve over ice in rocks glasses and garnish with cinnamon sticks.

2. Chile's Cola de Mono

Although Chile is better known for its Pisco Sours, Christmastime means a glass of “monkey’s tail.” It's very similar to a White Russian.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups whole milk (for non-dairy, use almond milk)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 5 whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick, broken into pieces
• 1 teaspoon good Madagascar vanilla extract, or ¼ vanilla bean, scrapped
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• 3 tablespoons instant coffee (I used decaf)
• 1 cup Chilean Aguardiente (or Brandy)

Instructions:

1. Combine the milk, water, sugar, cloves, cinnamon stick, vanilla, and nutmeg in medium saucepan.
2. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves.
3. Add the instant coffee and stir to dissolve.
4. Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature. Remove cloves and cinnamon stick.
5. Add Aguardiente (or brandy).
6. Chill for at least four hours, or ideally overnight. Pour into an pitcher and serve.

3. Jamaica's Sorrel Punch

Sorrel punch can be found throughout the Caribbean and in many Latin American countries, but it’s particularly popular in Jamaica as a Christmas cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces (about 1 1/2 cups) dried hibiscus
• Two 1-inch cubes of peeled fresh ginger, chopped fine
• 3 whole cloves
• 5 3/4 cups water
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups amber rum
• 2 cups ice cubes, or to tast
• Lime and orange slices for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a heat-proof bowl combine the sorrel, the ginger and the cloves. 
2. In a saucepan bring 5 cups of the water to a boil, pour it over the sorrel mixture, and let the mixture steep for 4 hours or overnight.
3. While the mixture is steeping, in a small saucepan bring the remaining 3/4 cup water and the sugar to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved, and let the syrup cool.
4. Strain the sorrel liquid into a pitcher, discarding the solids, stir in the sugar syrup, the rum and the ice cubes, and garnish the punch with the lime and orange slices.

4. Italy's Bombardino

Literally “the bomb” in Italian, il Bombardino was created in northern Lombardia and is very similar to egg nog. Today, it is beloved across the Italian Alps and is usually served at ski resorts.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 ounces brandy, such as Vecchia Romagna Brandy
• 3 ounces egg liqueur, such as Zabov Zabaglione
• Whipped cream, to taste
• Cinnamon, to taste

Instructions:

1. Warm the egg liqueur in a small saucepan. Pour the brandy in a glass mug.
2. When the egg liqueur is hot (but not yet at boiling point), slowly add it to the brandy. Stir well to combine.
3. Top the cocktail with a generous amount of whipped cream, and finish it with a sprinkling of cinnamon.

5. Martinique's Creole Royale

It's a light cocktail and made with Creole Shrubb, a blend of white rhum agricole married with bitter orange peels and Creole spices. 

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. of Creole Shrubb
• 4 oz. of Brut champagne
• 1 dash of Angostura bitters

Instructions:

1. In a chilled champagne glass, add Creole Shrubb and pour the champagne to top. 
2. Then add the bitters, stir and serve.  

These cocktails are a great way to introduce Christmas traditions around the world to your guests, especially if they love to travel as much as you. Salud!

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