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December 24, 2012

Travel Inspirations & Highlights: 2012 in Travel

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We’ve had a very exciting year! I’ve traveled to some pretty fun places, sometimes on my own, sometimes with my crew in tow – but always with excitement in my heart for the next adventure.

This New York City Mama grew and Girl Gone Travel was born to celebrate travel beyond the NYC borders and to further embrace my free spirit and love for travel everywhere.

From happy celebrations, to great family visits from different parts of the country, to moments of sorrow and mourning, we have experienced them all this year. Personally, I feel affected and changed, an overwhelming sense of peace surrounds me and I am grateful for the joy my family and friends bring. We are ready to embrace all that 2013 has to offer and are preparing to take on new adventures. I truly hope you will join us on this fun ride!

In the meantime, though I went to some pretty great places this year all of which were fun to experience, here are some of the highlights of 2012.

My biggest surprise in travel this year was my visit to Ohio. Put-in-Bay was pretty great, and even still when I mention Ohio’s Lake Erie Shores and Islands as one of the funnest destinations I’ve visited this year, people react with surprise. But I think it really serves to remind people that a trip worth taking doesn’t have to be far away.

Montreal also impressed me because it went against the stereotype of being cold or arrogant. On the contrary, I found Montreal to be not only beautiful, but friendly and welcoming. I was also able to relate to the pride of it residents, as it is similar to the pride most New Yorkers hold for their own city, though I have to admit that I kinda liked their bagels a little bit more – sorry NYC!

One of the largest beers ever was had in Montreal!

People from the islands of Hawai’i say that each person has their island. I am not sure if Maui is mine, since it is the only island I have visited thus far, but it certainly makes the list of great places to see before you die.

A trip to Parma, Italy not only fulfilled a dream of mine – to cook alongside Academia Barilla chefs, but also reconnected me with a sister I hadn’t seen since she was a month old. She is now in her 20s and engaged to be married. Italy remains as one of my favorite places in the world, for its people, its food, its beauty, and of course, for being the home to someone I hold so dear to my heart.

I had the opportunity to live out the dream of cooking with Academia Barilla chefs!

Reconnecting with my baby sister, Ysabel and her fiance!

Most people are probably sick of me going on and on about Scotland. It rained almost the entire time I was there. I ate more haggis than I ever thought I would in this lifetime and drank more Whisky than I probably should’ve in one week. But Scotland stole my heart, completely. When asked why, I can’t really put into clear words the reasons. Something about the Scottish was so genuine and warm, no matter the cold weather outside, that it has stayed with me and has left me with a longing to return. I felt a close affinity to the environment, even though my own ancestral roots are Caribbean. I often laughed so much on this trip that my ribs hurt and tears came out of my eyes. I made friends that I will cherish my entire life. It was pretty magical. I can’t wait to return.

The friends I made in Scotland really complimented my experience.

Scotland was magical for me.

I often laughed so hard my ribs hurt.

Costa Rica was the trip that really defined us as a traveling family. My children did things I never thought they would ever have the courage to. We saw things we would never see anywhere else, and loved it. From taking in sunsets while laying in hammocks, to hiking the rainforest in search of waterfalls, to going on night tours in search of snakes and poisonous frogs, my kids eagerly joined us in all of it. It was this trip that made me realize that there is nothing they can’t take on and no place in the world that I wouldn’t take them.

We spent most of our time in Costa Rica in search of waterfalls…and finding them.

Costa Rica showed me there is nothing my children won’t try, at least once.

I enjoyed the Finger Lakes (Upstate NY) so much that I couldn’t wait to return. Both times were great visits, and with it being only a few hours away, it remains on my list of must-do road trips for 2013.

Vail, CO in the summer time is a must. I quickly became addicted to my morning hikes there because of their meditative affects on the soul. And the food…oh man, the food.

If you like CO in the winter, you will love it in the Summer.

These are some of the highlights, but that’s not to say that other trips haven’t been memorable for me. We found that no matter what the destination, what often made the trip most memorable were the people we met along the way. We went to Orlando a total of three times this year, a stay at the Ritz Carlton Orlando was a family favorite. We returned to Hershey Park and saw it in a totally different way. I returned to the Dominican Republic to tour Puerto Plata, a place I frequented as a teen living there, and so much more.  It was the year of California visits! I got to learn everything about wine and hang out at some posh vineyards in Napa (You can too! Read more about how here). I got to visit San Francisco for the first time and could immediately see why so many people leave their heart there – such a great city!  I also ventured into Santa Barbara where not only did my baby brother get married to one of my favorite people, but I also got to tour some gorgeous sights.

Shameless touristy shot in San Francisco

So many adventures, both near and far, that helped to further inspire us to live out our dreams even more – something we hope to pass along. And that remains our holiday wish: that you live your life to the fullest and make at least one travel dream come true this coming year.

Thank you for following me and my family through our ups and downs, through the changes and all our adventures, and for reading my stories. You help us make this site all it has become. THANK YOU!

Happy Holidays and many healthy, happy wishes for the coming New Year!

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, close to home or farther away. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and CEO of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications management, and brand development agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She splits her time between her homes in New Jersey and Finger Lakes.

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6 Comments
  • Belinda@Spa Esthetic
    December 26, 2012

    I really wanted to visit Scotland since the day I met my brother-in-law.

    He told me that He and my sister had a fantastic honeymoon there.

    It was really pretty and the weather was really lovely.

    He shared stories to me about their visit there.

    Reply
  • Carol Cain
    December 27, 2012

    @Belinda@Spa Esthetician: I hope you get to visit soon!!

    Reply
  • Amy
    December 28, 2012

    Your photos from Scotland are fantastic. Looks like 2012 was a great year for you!

    Reply
  • Carol Cain
    December 28, 2012

    @Amy: Thank you Amy!

    Reply
  • Katy
    January 1, 2013

    Love these pictures Carol – congratulations on a fabulous year! Hope 2013 is even better!

    Reply
  • Carol Cain
    January 1, 2013

    @Katy: Thank you Katy! Happy Travel wishes to you as well!

    Reply

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am a communications professional, an award-winning travel blogger, a public speaker, CEO of a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency, a wife, and a mom of 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading!

Carol Cain

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Mi gente, se que aveces le tenemos miedo a los tra Mi gente, se que aveces le tenemos miedo a los tratamientos médicos, especialmente si son nuevos o únicos para nosotros. Se que aveces la información es complicada o difícil de obtener en nuestro idioma. Pero quiero servir como ejemplo de que no tenemos nada que temer. La vacuna es fácil, rápida, y gratis. Ni siquiera la sentí! Así que asegura tu cita de vacunación tan pronto te sea posible, para tu salud, tu familia, tu comunidad. ¡Y Juntos venceremos esta pandemia! 
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My people, I know that we are sometimes afraid of medical treatments, especially if they are new or unique to us. I know that sometimes the information is complicated or difficult to obtain in our language. But I want to serve as an example that we have nothing to fear. The vaccine is easy, fast, and free. I didn't even feel it! So make sure you secure your vaccination appointment as soon as possible, for your health, your family, your community. And together we will defeat this pandemic!
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Around this time last year we secluded ourselves i Around this time last year we secluded ourselves in our half renovated home in the Finger Lakes unsure of what the future held for so many of us and our loved ones. In a way, we felt isolated from the world...but also from our friends and family.

So much has happened in a year. So much to reflect on. So much gratitude.

Not sure how to process a year of this so I’m just holding on to all the positives - the closeness we’ve nurtured as a family. The incredible rediscovery of friendships, and the fierce protection of the same. The reminder of what matters most and the vulnerability of life.

The incredible fortune of this beautiful place of serenity and solace. Though I am eager to share it with friends again soon.
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Today we found out that Centerway Square, Corning, Today we found out that Centerway Square, Corning, NY’s public square was voted Best Public Square in the U.S. 2021 by USA Today @10best.

It felt appropriate to go and enjoy it on this beautiful evening. The added treat however, was in the amazing food and wine experience at the newly opened @thequincyexchange bistro only steps away!

The ambiance, the food, the service, the wine. 😚👌🏾

There’s so much awesome happening in the region, and I love how Corning is catering to both the local and visitor experience.

Make sure you stop here when visiting our beloved NY wine country.
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Another snowy day. I do have to say, I love them. Another snowy day. I do have to say, I love them. I think they are blissful and pretty, and inspire me to want to make the yummiest dishes.
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I was a single mom, and my oldest (then 4) was supposed to be with his dad - who called last minute to say he would be late. So, I had to bring him to the restaurant with me, on our second date (!) because reservations were tight (we were also going to watch a concert after).

As we were ordering dinner (to go for my kid), my ex shows up and instead of taking my son and leaving, he decides to pull up a chair and sit and embarrass me in such awful ways. After dinner, as we paid the bill, he got up, took our son, and said goodbye, pretty convinced he had done the damage he came to do.

I quietly got in the cab with @travisjcain and just broke out into ugly crying. Convinced this really nice guy, that I really liked, had seen enough and would never call again.

But he did. And he never left my side. And though on that night we both agreed that Valentine’s Day is the worst, what we had was not and it has only gotten better since. So, though we don’t celebrate, that is the V Day love story that always makes me love him more. Happy Valentine’s Day, you crazy kids. Live life never doubting you are deserving of love and kindness, however it may come your way.
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#ValentinesDay #LoveStories #coupleselfie

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