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Girl Gone Travel

North America, Travel
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February 23, 2018

Romantic Days of Winter in Skaneateles, Finger Lakes, NY

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We’re in that weird time of winter where one day it will feels like spring and the next we are reminded that nope it’s still winter, y’all. Most of us don’t really have much time scheduled for vacations at this point, or maybe we just got back. Maybe we’re not leaving till later in the spring or summer. Maybe we’re stuck at home because the kids’ sports activities have started. Sigh.

But, if you’re lucky, there is still room for those little weekend jaunts to places not so far away that feel like a true escape and with winter still lingering on and snow always a possibility, I wanted to share a recent retreat for us that was perfect even in snow.

Skaneateles (pronounced Skeenee-atlas) is located in Onondaga County, NY. Its name, which is Iroquois for the Skaneateles Lake, meaning “long lake”. The lake itself is said to be one of the cleanest in the country.

As for the village, it is small and quaint with gorgeous homes and cute shops. On a snowy, cold weekend with no particular holidays to be celebrated, it is especially dreamy, yet bustling with friendly locals who enjoy all their town has to offer.

The almost 4-hour drive from our home was easy, even with the snowfall. There are several lovely hotels in the area, as well as really sweet B&B’s to choose from but instead we chose a cabin rental secluded off road on wooded land.

Away from the world, at least it seemed.

Skaneateles has about 11 trails to explore, 3 of which are perfect for cross-country skiing. (Check out Trails.com, one of my favorite hiking resources, for more information.) Carpenter Falls is a nearby waterfall to seek out, though a bit tricky to get to as it is unmarked. During warmer days, the lake is bustling with people taking part in water activities and festivals. In January, the village celebrates Winterfest where local businesses display specially carved ice sculptures, locals participate in a polar plunge, and you can purchase tickets for a Taste of Skaneateles. One of our favorite spots to definitely stop in for a taste is the Skaneateles Bakery where we warmed up with a drink and freshly made donuts.

We decided to spend an entire day of bliss at the Mirbeau Inn and Spa. My honey surprised me with a couple’s day spa package where we got access to the gym for a nice long workout and the Aqua Terrace, a large and calm-inducing hot spa pool with a waterfall, massage jets, and fireplace next to a food and beverage bar. We topped it all with a much-needed full-body massage. It was everything I needed.

Sitting outside in warm water and steam, surrounded by mounts of freshly fallen snow reminded me of our time in Mount Tremblant. So lovely.

That evening, we had a delicious dinner at the Sherwood Inn which overlooks the lake and is right in the center of town and enjoyed some Dr. Konstantin Frank wine, a Finger Lakes winery.

The next day, we ventured a bit further to Syracuse where we found Funk ‘N Waffles, a live entertainment spot that also serves some pretty awesome chicken and waffles. Yeah, I know. Random and epic. Before we knew it, our time for fun was over and we had to make our way back home and to real life.

A weekend trip like this, especially when you are starting to feel like you are over the cold weather, is the perfect way to recharge, feel inspired, and get to enjoy great food in a pretty little town of nice people.

I’m excited to add it to my list of fun Finger Lakes getaways and can’t wait to return in warmer weather.

 

All photos are property of the publisher and may not be used without consent.

 

 

 

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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1 Comment
  • Jackie
    December 30, 2019

    Love traveling in NY, would welcome any ideas!!

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Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 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 and for your support!

Carol Cain

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If you are a foodie traveler, Madison, WI is a des If you are a foodie traveler, Madison, WI is a destination for you. This list of good eats were all within close proximity to each other and spots we made time for during our short weekend visit. So definitely note that this doesn’t even begin to cover the tip of the iceberg, but makes a good starter list!

📍@ShortStackEats in the heart of Downtown Madison is clearly a UW favorite. Loved their pancakes! We thought it was a pricey for breakfast, and only offered drip coffee, but the scene was fun, food was good, and service was friendly.
📍@SardineMadison is a waterfront French bistro that has stood the test of time (we’ve been coming here since we lived in Madison!). It can feel very corporate some nights, but their Happy Hour and brunch are definite highlights and it’s a really nice dining experience overall.
📍@EatattheAudrey impressed us! It’s not your usual “hotel restaurant” and I would say it easily stands alone as an eatery worth checking out in Madison. Great breakfast options, cozy vibes, nice bar, and good service!
📍@RamenStation1124 good, affordable ramen.
📍BlindShotSocialClub We really loved this spot for brunch (sorry, was enjoying the company and totally spaced out on capturing food images!). Golf fans will love hitting the putt here (you can reserve a private room too), and what I though was most cool was the delicious and wide selection of non-alcoholic cocktails to choose from. This place is a total vibe!
📍@StringsRamen is a chain, but I have to say it is some of the best ramen I have had in a long time. I especially loved how you can choose your ramen but heat level but also by Japanese region which allowed us to taste a couple of new flavors!
📍@Parthenongyros has been around awhile (hubby recalls coming here during his college years!) and was voted #1 take out in Madison! Though we indulged inside and away from the snow. A delicious, quick bite when strolling around State Street.

And again, this is just a starter list. There is so much more to eat and enjoy in this top foodie city! What other spots would you add to this list?

#madisonwi #foodiegram #foodiedestinations #goodeats @destinationmadison
I love to travel. It has always been important to I love to travel. It has always been important to my family. My parents got my first passport weeks after I was born. They couldn’t afford to travel like I do now, but they understood, as immigrants, the absolute privilege that comes attached to having that shiny blue American booklet and they wanted me to have it.

I was yet again reminded of my privilege when my travel back home on this last trip was delayed over 24 hours. I have a village in place to make sure my kids were ok. Having my own business meant I didn’t have to report in to anyone, and was still able to work remotely so none of my clients were inconvenienced by it. Though the airline covered our hotel and food, we never worried that we couldn’t do it ourselves otherwise. While we were annoyed, we weren’t stressed.

So while I love to travel, and I love sharing my travels with you, I acknowledge that being able to do so, and dealing with the consistent travel disruptions so prevalent today without worries is a privilege…one that started with a little blue booklet that gives me more access to the world than some others do.

And I want us all in this travel space to be reminded of this. Of how lucky we are. Of our privilege to access and time and money.

So let us travel with grace and awareness. Let us remain rooted in reality and perspective. Acknowledging that our escapism isn’t one so easily accessible to others. Understanding that this is also why local stories have as much value as those to exclusive destinations, if not more. And, never forgetting, especially in the travel influencer and media space, that were it not for hosted campaigns and paid-for travel opportunities, most of us wouldn’t be able to afford the lifestyle we so beautifully curate online.

It doesn’t matter how often you travel, or how far. Just that hopefully you will be able to gift yourself the experience of doing so and experiencing something new.

#travel #travelmedia #travelinfluencer #wheretonext
As I work on compiling all the good eats I experie As I work on compiling all the good eats I experienced in Madison, WI, I have to ask: what is your favorite meal of the day, and where did you experience a highlight of the same?

I am a huge fan of breakfast. This beauty was a blueberry pancake order from @shortstackeats. Pancakes are not a big thing for me, but these were pretty perfect. I am craving them still. 🥞♥️

#madisonwi #goodeats #travelingfoodie @destinationmadison
We got back on a plane! Here are scenes from a qui We got back on a plane! Here are scenes from a quick trip to Madison, WI - my first time back in 14 years! Though we were here for family matters, we did take a moment to explore a bit of what used to be a place we called home.

We couldn’t do anything else until we drove around Lake Monona, where we once had a home, and took in the wintery views (there is an epic 13.2-mile trail that loops around the lake that is worth exploring if you visit!). Though our time was limited, we were able to enjoy some of it along State Street exploring the shops, eateries, the FREE @mmocamadison, and the beautiful architecture of the WI State Capitol Building (the Dane County Farmers Market will soon pick up again - Saturdays, April 15 thru November 11, 2023 around the Capitol Building and it is one of the best farmers markets anywhere!). 

We booked a room at the @hiltonmadison Monona Terrace to be within walking distance of all the downtown fun (tip: for a room with a lake view make sure to book at the upper levels above 10th floor for an unobstructed view of Lake Monona). 

Madison, WI is a skip and a hop from the Finger Lakes so this short and sweet visit didn’t feel difficult at all. And we absolutely loved the winter scenery and seeing what has changed (a lot) since we lived here.

Stay tuned for my list of where we ate!

Have you ever been to Madison, WI?

#madisonwi #weekendgetaway #wisconsin @destinationmadison
The joy of that first sip of the day. #randommom The joy of that first sip of the day. 

#randommomentsarethebest
I think my husband enjoys it, but still can’t be I think my husband enjoys it, but still can’t believe how easily I’ve been waking up in the early mornings since our last trip. Not sure how to shake it, or if it’s temporary, but here it is: the rare sighting of me up and moving early in the day. Am I a morning person now? Has travel ever permanently changed any of your habits?

#morningperson #lifeinthecountry #newme <-😂

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