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Girl Gone Travel

Girl Gone Travel

About Girl Gone Travel

Welcome to Girl Gone Travel!

I have always been fascinated with the way people from different backgrounds and experiences interact and take in the world around them and how it influences the way in which they share their stories. As a once terribly shy child who moved around often, I found comfort in observing how others navigated their environment and related to it. This blog is a collection of stories as I travel and grow through life, and the many ways in which the many people I meet and places I go inspire me.

GirlGoneTravel_Blogger, Photographer, and Traveler of the worldThese are my people and my top priority. 

Thank you to you, my community of readers and friends, for making this catalog of adventures all that it is today! I hope you enjoy but most of all I hope it inspires you and informs you.

Girl Gone Travel® is a registered trademark. All rights reserved.

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38 Comments
  • Mrs_Fire
    December 15, 2008

    Hey-Mama! LOVE this new blog. So great and exciting! Send me an E-mail -Love to chat sometime 🙂

    Reply
  • amiller01 (Annie)
    December 15, 2008

    Hey girl!! love the new blog! What a good idea! Maybe (once the baby comes) I will start one. lol awesome though!!! 🙂

    Reply
  • FITFreshNY (Christin
    December 16, 2008

    Love the blog Mama! You make me feel like I was there with you guys!

    Reply
  • MrsFids (Marcie)
    December 16, 2008

    Hey Mama – LOVING the blogs : )

    Keep'em coming!!!

    My hubby & I are always looking for new and interesting things to see and do in the Big Apple.

    Reply
  • Our2Boys
    January 4, 2009

    I love getting to know you guys even better through this blog! Thanks for sharing! I look forward to more entries. TTYS
    Beth

    Reply
  • Doris M Bachand
    August 13, 2009

    Was terrific to meet you Carol… I had so much I wanted to talk about… but the time was too too short.

    David was a gem looking after the boys in the pool… he deserves the credit not Ted and/or me!!

    Enjoy the trip home… it is good to get away but HOME is best I have found..

    Love doris

    Reply
  • Nanette Hartley
    October 16, 2009

    Love this blog site and I love NYC, especially during the holiday season. Great picture of the Rockefeller Christmas tree! I must pay NYC a visit sometime soon!

    Reply
  • Blog Thief Defeated By Twitter Army | NYCityMama
    January 5, 2010

    […] About NYCity Mama […]

    Reply
  • Jane
    January 29, 2010

    Hi: Just wanted to enter the $24 contest. Love the spa and gym at Affinia. Definately is the way to unwind after a wonderful day in NYC. I want to come back and do it again! Please!

    Reply
  • The Healthy Apple
    April 13, 2010

    As a fellow Manhattan gal, I love your blog…keep up the great blogging…I'm a huge fan!

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      The Healthy Apple
      April 15, 2010

      Thank you Healthy Apple! It's always great to hear from our fan readers! Thanks for your support!

      Reply
  • cassie
    May 23, 2010

    new to your blog and just wanted to say as a fellow new yorker and fellow brooklynite, i absolutely love it.. working on becoming a mom and this site will definitely be a "go to" source for me..

    Reply
  • Carol Cain
    May 23, 2010

    Hi Cassie!

    Fist of all GOOD LUCK on becoming a mom! And second, THANK YOU for your comment and for reading my site! Wish you many happy adventures!

    Reply
  • Barbara
    May 24, 2010

    Have really enjoyed getting to know you through your blog and twitter. About to read your foodspring piece and bote! Best of luck, Carol — you deserve it 🙂

    Reply
  • Tamara Walker
    June 1, 2010

    Have been following you on twitter and facebook for some time and now that I get to go to NY for the first time ever (Blogher) I am loving all the advice and insider info you give!

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Tamara Walker
      June 2, 2010

      Thanks Tamara! Excited to have you visiting my hometown! Please feel free to send me a tweet with any questions you may have : ) And thanks for reading : ))

      Reply
  • Cheryl - itty bitty
    January 4, 2011

    Great resource Carol! So many things to do in my favourite city in the world. Thanks for putting this together.

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Cheryl – itty bitty
      January 4, 2011

      Thanks Cheryl!

      Reply
  • Luisa
    March 22, 2011

    I love this website….Great info for moms…Thanks

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Luisa
      March 22, 2011

      Thank you!

      Reply
  • Imani
    July 10, 2011

    Thanks for the great tips Carol! I headed straight down to 6th Avenue and Carmine Street specifically for Gelato pops after reading your blog! Next time I'll actually bring the kids with! LOL

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Imani
      July 10, 2011

      That's wonderful Imani! So glad to hear : ) And today especially called for a nice, cold gelato pop!

      Reply
  • Haidee Garcia
    June 12, 2012

    Hello… I'm new to your blog and I happen to come across it from looking up info on splash down… I just have to say that your blog is awesome and it was the kind of blog Ive been on the search hunt for… Its motivating me to start getting out more and venturing out to different adventures with my family….wish you and your family many blessings…

    Reply
  • Thaddeus
    January 10, 2013

    Nice work here Carol. I can see it's a labor of love and a lotta work! Well done!!

    Thaddeus

    Reply
  • Carol Cain
    January 10, 2013

    @Thaddeus: Thank you so much!

    Reply
  • G. Peter Jemison
    March 17, 2013

    Carol really enjoyed your visit to Ganondagan and the Iroquois White Corn Project . Really like the look and info on your blog looking forward to following your travel tips. Peter Jemison

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      G. Peter Jemison
      March 17, 2013

      @G. Peter Jemison: Thank you so much Peter! It was so wonderful meeting you and hearing about the project. I look forward to hearing more and please stay in touch! Thank you so much for your hospitality and all the information your shared : )

      Reply
  • Susan Noble
    March 19, 2013

    Loved talking with you yesterday both here at the Tech Farm and at the awards show last night. will now become a regular reader. Travel safe today.

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Susan Noble
      March 19, 2013

      @Susan Noble: Thank you Susan! What a joy it was meeting you. I love the work you are doing!

      Reply
  • movers los angeles
    July 4, 2013

    Traveling is a hobby and adventure gives a unlimited fun. Thanks for sharing the post and picture of your travel. And be safe..

    Reply
  • AmandaH
    November 18, 2013

    Love the site. Can't wait to follow more adventures. next time I'm in New York, I'll hit you up for recs. Feel free to check out my site too, if you wish.

    My recent post Seattle’s First Secret Supper, All the Juicy Details

    Reply
  • thebritishberliner
    January 27, 2014

    Hi Carol,

    I'm aware that award nominations are usually for "fresh" bloggers like myself however, I nevertheless, just wanted to give you a head’s up that I’ve nominated you for the Dragon’s Loyalty Award. I’ve also written a few words about you and your blog. Feel free to take a look. Thanks!
    thebritishberliner.wordpress.com/2014/01/2…

    My recent post Fashion or Passion, Green or Mean: Berlin Fashion Week

    Reply
  • Happytraveller
    March 21, 2014

    Very impressing resume! And your blog sais it all, I can see how much effort and pleasure is in it! You are very inspiring and I was pleased to read that half of you is from the country I love most, Puerto Rico!

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Happytraveller
      March 22, 2014

      @Happytraveller: Thank you!!

      Reply
  • Ellen Orchid Mausner
    June 17, 2014

    Love your blog and wish I could travel with you on your “team”. Are you hiring, by any chance?

    Thanks and happy travels!

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Ellen Orchid Mausner
      September 24, 2014

      Hi Ellen – my apologies that I just saw this! I often recruit contributors to for travel assignments, but I will say I\’m pretty selective. It has happened though!

      Reply
  • Debi
    December 4, 2014

    I’ve read many of your posts & obviously we’re connected via social media but this was my first time reading your about page. What an amazing adventure you’ve made your life into. You inspire me to be more fearless and try new places. My favorite thing to do is to travel the world with my family. Thanks for always reminding me how important that truly is:)

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Debi
      December 4, 2014

      Thank you so much Debi!

      Reply

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About me

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

Categories

  • Asia5 Post(s)
  • Caribbean17 Post(s)
  • Central America4 Post(s)
  • Europe53 Post(s)
  • North America316 Post(s)
  • Oceana1 Post(s)

Contact

  • carol@girlgonetravel.com

Follow @girlgonetravel

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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