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Perched on the south shore of the isle of Kauai is a resort that is perfect place to relax, recharge, and enjoy the beauty of Hawaii as a couple.

After a few hectic days on Oahu, driving to the Grand Hyatt was like beginning our very own episode of Fantasy Island. We were immediately greeted with a warm welcome, by opening our doors and offering us chilled, fruit infused water, cold towels to refresh our faces, and an all flower-orchid lei for Luci. Stress was already melting from our bodies and minds! Exiting the car, our eyes  were drawn to the open-air lobby that framed the ocean like a painting. That image would become a metaphor for our stay.

Grand Hyatt Kauai

The entire property focuses on water from the “living ocean painting” in the lobby to the hotel rooms and swimming complex.

First: the rooms. The majority of the rooms face the ocean. The hotel is tucked into an enclave that showcases lava rock beds on one side and cliffs on the other. It’s the Fantasy Island spot. In our room, the ocean was so loud; you could hear it even with the balcony door closed.

Tropical paradise and an adult pool. What else can a couple want?

The swimming complex is massive. We use “complex” for a reason. It’s not just one pool. It’s several pools, an ocean water lagoon, and a well-maintained private beach. Our favorite part were the swimming pools, not only because they were a tropical paradise, but also because there was an adult-only section. We’ve been to several resorts with gorgeous pools, but little serenity. We adore children, but we left ours home for a reason. We wanted some adult time. The beauty of the adult pool is you could chillax without kids splashing, rough-housing and asking their Mom to take them potty. Definitely spend some time at the adult pool! What’s also nice about the terraced swimming pools is a lazy river carved out of lava rock that connects all the pools. Along the river enjoy private enclaves (perfect for couples) a twisty water slide, waterfalls you can swim under and of course tropical surroundings. Luci had a route where she started at the adult pool, floated her way through the lazy river, took the stairs up to the water slide and then slid into the other pools and followed their lazy rivers. Each trip took about 25 minutes.

For the sun worshipers, there are plenty of sun beds or private cabanas for rent. Drink service is a given on every inch of the property.

Service is king at the Grand Hyatt Kauai. Every staff member during our entire stay was friendly and attentive. Housekeepers, bellman, bar tenders each offer a sincere hello. Bar staff offers a sincere hello. We loved the chocolate on our pillows each evening! Every service is thoughtful and purposeful. Even the check out (they eventually made us check out…) was customer focused.

While the resort is not all-inclusive, couples could spend their entire vacation there and never leave, as there are plenty of dining options. There are three anchor restaurants at the resort:

The living ocean painting, also known as the front lobby at the Grand Hyatt.

Tidepools– Traditional Hawaii fish as well as steak offerings. The setting is incredible. It is built right over the pools.   The award-winning restaurant serves dinner only and is open 5:30.p.m. to 10 p.m.

Dondero’s– The resorts token tribute to Italy has great views of the sea and the pool area. The fare is casual Italian. Dinner service is also from 5:30 to 10 p.m.

Iliama Terrace- What about lunch and breakfast you ask? Our fave dinning option was the Terrace. This open-air café is surrounded by koi ponds and water falls. They offer a huge breakfast buffet and a wide array of sandwiches and burgers for lunch.

There are a number of other watering holes, small snacks, and of course a strong room service option. For a few meals during our stay, we elected to drive and explore the areas around the resort. The concierge was extremely helpful in recommending restaurants in the area.

If you want more than swimming, eating, and relaxing at the beach, the resort offers just the right amount of activities.

The Grand Hyatt Luau

The view from the golf course. Choose activities you can do as a couple or split up and each of you have an afternoon to yourself.

If you are staying at the resort on a Thursday or Sunday you are in luck! The resort plays host to its very own Luau, Kauai Style! The evening is filled with live island entertainment, native crafts and hula lessons if you are up for it. But what you are really there for is the food! The spread is impressive by any standard. The food is served buffet style with every fruit and vegetable imaginable. The meats are succulent and expertly prepared. Come hungry!

What to do?

Tucked away to the east of the hotel, is the crown jewel of the entire property: Poipu Championship Golf Course. The PGA played their grand slam event here 1994 to 2006. The Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed course is special in every way. It is one of the courses that around every turn you see an incredible view. Seven of the holes have ocean views.   Mike was in “Mike’s Zone” the entire day! He elected to play in the afternoon. (The club offers discounted rates for afternoon play.) Carts, clubs and gear are all easily acquired at the spacious clubhouse.

Tennis

If golf is not your thing, the property also features a world-class tennis facility. Mike spent some time with Coach Chris who helped work out some kinks in his volley play.   Forget your racquet? No problem, the club can outfit you with all the equip you require. The club can even arrange a tennis partner if needed. You do need to make your court reservations early in your stay as the courts do fill up.

Fitness Classes

The view from the morning hike and the resort in the distance.

What? You are on vacation; why are you going to the gym? Why not? Luci went to a Zumba class and water aerobics in the separate gym building with a lap pool. Her instructor, Jennifer, was top-notch. Jennifer was fun, knowledgeable about the island and the resort and wasn’t intimidating to the ill-coordinated Luci. Jennifer also guides the morning hikes. The hike was a great way to start the day. Starting at the resort, and then walking the ridgeline, the path wound through neighborhoods and to the public beach area. It helped familiarize us with the area and Jennifer offered us a great restaurant recommendation as well. We ate lunch on our way out-of-town at Brennecke’s Beach Broiler thanks to Jennifer’s recommendation.

Shopping

The resort features local artists in the lobby that sell quality, hand-made items like jewelry, baskets, and woodworking. There are also several staple stores that offer convenience store type items to clothing, collectables, and Hawaiian goods.

What this Property is Not

As you might expect, the entire Grand Hyatt experience is catered to honeymooners and mature couples. What surprised and impressed us was the integration of families into this setting. But we did see a number of families with young children. The pool structure with its winding river set up made for a prefect setting. The resort is low-key and far from pretentious. Families should feel welcome.

Get Your Aloha on!

The Grand Hyatt is a couple’s paradise. Even the Fighting Couple didn’t fight!

Again, the contrast between Oahu and Kauai could not have been greater. In Kauai we finally felt like we were finally on vacation. There were so many options to see, do, and eat. We were always headed swimming, golfing or eating.   We got our wish on this episode of Fantasy Island: the stress and weight of the world melted away during our stay. For the first time in years, we were relaxed!

You should know, we partnered with the Grand Hyatt during our recent visit to Kauai. Certain services and amenities were provided us for review. Does this affect our impression of the resort? Not one bit. Aloha!

What does slow travel mean to you?   Have you ever taken your time to get everything out of a destination?  We want to introduce you to a traveling couple that does just that!  Meet Tamara and Donny of TurtlesTravel.com.  The duo began their quest to deliberately explore the world together in 2004.    What we love most about their blog is of course their amazing pictures, but more than that is their focus on food.  They have an entire section devoted to “meal moments”.  It was no surprise that when we asked their biggest fight?  You guessed it, it was over food.  Donny and Tamara have kindly agreed to take on the Fighting Couple’s dreaded 7 questions.  Lets get started:

Blog:  www.turtlestravel.com

facebook:  Turtlestravel

twitter:  @turtlestravel

instagram:  turtlestravel

Sun, Sand, and Turtles!

1) Tell us about India?  Looks like you two hit some off the beaten path locations.  What and where do you recommend? 

India was truly an adventure. Of all the places we’ve visited, India may well be where we experienced the greatest contrasts: wealth and poverty, vibrant colors against drabbest browns, savory, spicy flavors among pungent odors, ecstatic highs and depressing lows. We fell in love with India, though it took some time to get used to as an independent traveler. We spent most of our time in Rajasthan, which is a very well-travelled route. We travelled by bus and by train between cities, buying tickets and deciding where to next as we went. Some of our favorite stops were a little off the beaten path. We were excited for a side trip to Sawai Madhopur, and were lucky enough to see a tiger in Ranthambore National Park while there! I think our favorite spots were Bundi and Bikaner. Both made our list of “Don’t Skip” destinations among all our travels. Bundi charmed us with its laid-back atmosphere and rich history, while we found the desert outpost Bikaner in western Rajasthan to be a great alternative to the over-saturated Jaisalmer. Two last recommendations for northern India: the holy city of Varanasi on the Ganges and Khajuraho, known for its mysterious erotic carvings.

2)  If you had to travel with someone else besides your travel partner, who would it be?  (this person can be living, historical or mythical?.)

He Said: I would love to travel/sail with Jacques Cousteau. It would be awesome to see the ocean and what lies beneath with one of the inventors of early SCUBA diving. Traveling with a sea explorer like Cousteau would be a dream come true.

She Said: Ten years ago or so I did a trip in Venezuela to Angel Falls tracing the route of the photojournalist/explorer Ruth Robertson. In 1949, where four previous expeditions led by men had failed, hers was the first to reach the base of Angel Falls, proving it the highest waterfall on earth (15 times higher than Niagara Falls!). The journey from Uruyén (Kamarata Valley, Canaima National Park) to the falls, passing through spectacular landscapes and visiting indigenous Pemon communities is one I’ll never forget. Robertson had previously covered stories from Alaska and the North Pole to Russian military movements during wartime. She was drawn to uncharted territories and untold stories, and that’s something that really resonates with me. I was fascinated by her story, and would love to have the opportunity to travel with her.

Donny and Tamara of Turtles Travel

3)  You guys have an entire post on snakes!  Don’t they freak you guys out?

He said : I definitely have a healthy respect for snakes and would never handle one on my own in the wild. One of my most fond memories of a snake encounter was in Los Llanos in Venezuela. I got to hold a wild anaconda, a very impressive animal. It was at least 10 feet long, but the rancher we were with called it a baby! That just made me wonder where its mama was.

She said: Honestly, snakes don’t freak me out nearly as much as insects do. Snakes are really pretty amazing; from the way they move to the places they can survive. I felt especially educated on the subject after a visit to the Bangkok Snake Farm (part of the Red Cross Institute) in Bangkok. Rather than the unfortunately typical tourist shows, snakes are treated with respect and not abused. A professional handler brings out a number of species and talks about each. The associated facility, Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, specializes in raising venomous species and extracting venom to make antidotes for snake bites used throughout the region.

4)  We know you two are huge foodies….If you had to eat one last meal, what/ where would you eat?

He said: Appetizer- scallops wrapped in bacon, Main- medium rare slab of prime rib with a strong horseradish sauce and garlic mash and asparagus, Dessert- bread pudding. Not that I would be able to eat all that in one sitting but if it was my last meal I’d try my hardest!

She said: Ugh, I know this is similar to the question we force people to answer in our Food for Thought interview series, but it’s a TOUGH one. My answer would probably vary from day to day, but at this moment I’m going with Penang style Assam Laksa. The funny thing is, I’ve never been to Penang, so I guess I’d want to have it there at the source. I’ve had some pretty delicious versions in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Assam Laksa is a noodle soup dish, with a bunch of ingredients that may not seem to match: tamarind, mackerel, shrimp paste, lemongrass, chiles. Garnishes of pineapple and mint, and maybe some onions make a sweet, sour, spicy, flavor-packed dish I can’t get enough of.

5)  What is the great challenge as a couple and individual living and traveling abroad?

He said: I like to have all the answers, and when traveling I often feel clueless, especially when getting to know a new destination. It can be frustrating learning totally new ways of getting things done. Language can be a challenge, but even when it’s not, the learning curve of how things work in a different culture can be a steep one. When traveling as a couple, your significant other tends to bear the brunt of all your frustrations. Keeping communication lines open and talking through plans, concerns and fears is especially important when on the road together.

She said: Having traveled quite a bit in the past as a single woman, it always seemed easy to meet people. I made new friends every day, both locals and other travelers. As a couple, you really have to force yourselves to be extra social. There’s a sort of “couple bubble” that makes you unapproachable somehow. As a single traveler, I was guilty of it myself. I was much less likely to strike up a conversation or make plans with a couple traveling together than other singles. Other couples are the most likely match. Traveling as a couple has many benefits though, and some of those combat some of the challenges of traveling alone: like loneliness and not having someone to share all of your experiences with.

6)  If you could solve one problem in the world what would it be?

He said: I would love to be able to provide clean drinking water to every human on Earth. None of us would last very long without water, but access to clean water in developing countries leads to so much suffering and many deaths. Lack of clean water results in dehydration, malnutrition and disease associated with unhygienic conditions. If everyone had clean drinking water, it would be a great start. People would be healthier, many deaths would be prevented, countries would save money spent combating waterborne disease. It’s hard to imagine all the potential benefits.

She said: I would have to go with hunger. If everyone in the world had access to fresh, nutritious food for each meal, I think it would lead to solving other problems as well. With this most basic need met, a healthy population would be able to focus on other issues like caring better for the environment and getting along better with people of other nations and cultures.

Tamara and Donny in Tagong, China

 7)You knew it was coming….What has been your greatest travel fight/disagreement?

 She said: The fight usually begins with a harmless interchange something like this: T: Are you hungry? D: Of course, we haven’t eaten all day. T: What do you want to eat? D: I don’t know. What are you in the mood for? T: Nothing in particular as long as it’s good and not too expensive. Should we try to look something up or just wander? D: This is not going to turn out well, is it?

The problem with starting to look for food when you’re already hungry is that you’re probably too grouchy to ever agree on a place. It’s too late to buy ingredients and cook something, and too late to get online and research. A fight is inevitable. I remember one in particular in China. We were having an especially hard time in a smaller city due to language. We couldn’t find anywhere that even looked like a restaurant. We couldn’t ask for directions. Street food was looking really scary and unsanitary. We were starving. We finally, against all better judgment, went into a KFC out of desperation. I can’t remember ever eating Kentucky Fried Chicken at home, but at least it was familiar. There were no pictures, only numbers, and the items customers were walking away from the counter with were strange combos and bowls of rice or porridge. Donny was ready to settle for anything, but I just couldn’t do it. It seemed like giving up. I told him to order and just make himself feel better, but I wouldn’t eat. That didn’t go over well (it never does) and we ended up walking out. In the middle of more harsh words and near tears, a woman walked by selling steamed buns. SAVED. I almost kissed the lady. After downing several of each variety she had, (who knows what was in them) we were able to communicate more rationally.

He said: I have no idea what she is talking about. I’m never grouchy. Now, what’s for lunch? ;)

1000Fights:  Thanks again to Tamara and Donny for sharing a little about their travels and relationship.  Being on the road together 24/7 for that many years is no easy feat.

We’ve discovered that no matter how packed the traveling schedule, there is one thing that makes or breaks the vacation.

A massage.

Sure, we get massages at home, so why waste time on vacation getting a massage that’s likely more expensive and of poor quality? Because it changes the pace of your vacation and helps you as a couple detox.

If you are a regular reader of 1000 Fights, you know we are uber planners who squeeze every joyful and confrontational moments from our travels.  We plan our vacations like it’s an episode of the Amazing Race. But lately, we’ve reevaluated our planning. We’ve started putting in a “rest-day.” We plan nothing except couple time to recharge our bodies and minds.

Now in full disclosure, Luci was really hesitant to even entertain the idea of a couple massage. At home, she gets massages to help with the office pains of sitting at a computer all day and to escape Mike! To have Mike in the room during a massage was an instant anxiety spike and seemed the opposite of relaxation.

It’s not only stress of being with each other that kept us from doing couples massages, but also the price.

There’s no place (that we’ve traveled) more relaxing than Kauai. However, Hawaii is notoriously expensive, so how do you get a great massage that won’t force you to eat ramen in your hotel room?

First of all, avoid the resort spas. Resorts are known for high quality, but also high prices when it comes to spa services, especially at destinations like Hawaii. An hour massage can cost you close to $200 an hour! Times that by 2 for a couples massage and your travel budget bursts! The nice part about getting a spa service at the resort is the convenience, you don’t have to drive anywhere. But there’s a way to get a quality massage with the convenience of a resort, for a cheaper price: Hire a local massage therapist to come your room. They bring everything: the table, the relaxing music, oil, lotion, without the resort price.

That’s exactly what 1000 Fights did in Poipu, Kauai. We contacted Elevate Wellness. Elevate is an island wide travel spa.  Cool huh?  Here’s why we chose Elevate: Good reviews. We’ve had some bad massages on the road. In Thailand, Mike felt like his masseuse was basting him for baking rather than doing actual body work. So do your research! Make sure you select a therapist that knows their craft, so you aren’t paying money for an hour lotion rub that leaves you slimy, not refreshed.

We worked with Angela at Elevate Wellness to set up our massage. Check out our interview with Angela here.  After reading her interview, you will want to fly to Kauai just to get a massage from her!
We wanted to do a massage in our room, where we could be lazy and not walk anywhere. The idea of a beach massage sounded great, but also like a lot of work. Since we spent our Kauai time vegging, a room massage seemed like the best fit. Angela sent Skylar, a highly trained therapist to our room.

Elevate offers the best massage in Kauai!

It was so easy. Skylar came in, set up her table, and got everything ready. Mike went into the bathroom to change and Luci chatted with Skylar. She was very knowledgeable about the Island, as well as health topics. Her motto is to “Feel Restored.”

We didn’t need artificial ocean music during the massage, as we enjoyed it live since our room overlooked the water, We simply opened up the sliding door to hear sounds of the surf. While Mike got his massage, Luci read and just chillaxed. After an hour in his true ADD fashion, Mike headed out for the tennis court genuinely recharged. Then Skylar did Luci’s massage. She used aromatherapy as part of the massage by having Luci smell different oils throughout the treatment. Our hotel room smelled like a spa for the rest of our trip! One of the best parts of the massage was that Skylar used different modalities to create a customized experience including Lomi-Lomi, Swedish, and deep tissue. After the massage, Luci felt refreshed and sleepy. Skylar packed up her stuff and Luci took a nap.   The beauty of a couples massage is that you can take your relaxation to a whole new level.  Now, that’s what we call a vacation!

1000 Fights highly recommends incorporating a couples’ massage into your next vacation. Do some advanced planning and find a reputable company that will come to you where ever you are staying. You’ll pay less and enjoy just the right amount of down time. While in Hawaii, we highly recommend Elevate Wellness. You’ll receive a quality massage without a resort price. Elevate Wellness truly offers the best massage on Kauai.  Just like the massage, the booking process is stress free and uber simple.  Book online well in advance here: http://www.elevatehealthy.com.  Aloha!

You should know we partnered with our friends at Elevate during our recent visit to Kauai.  Does this affect our opinion of their amazing service and stress relieving massage?  Not one bit.

We booked our tickets to Turkey on a whim. We had heard of her charms and wonders, but we were completely unaware of the magical place that is Istanbul. Istanbul is perched on both sides of the mouth of the Bosporus Strait that connects the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.

The wonderful Turkish coastline

There are views of the water at every turn in the grand city. We were in for a few surprises during out limited time in the city on two continents. Here are a few of our ideas for a two-day stay.

Yummmm. Turkish breakfast!

Istanbul Breakfast

If you follow the fighting couple at all you know Luci is a huge fan of breakfast. Istanbulians know a thing or two about breakfast. Due to the geography of the city, you are going to be hiking up and down hills. Eating a hearty breakfast is mandatory. We love their olives, honey, and flat breads. They usually offer a selection of cold meats as well. One of the delicacies of the Turkish breakfast is called Sucuklu Yumurta. It is a spicy mix of eggs and sausage. We are not big coffee drinkers, but Turkish coffee is world-renowned. We hear it can be on the strong side. Beware.

Strap on you good walking shoes and let’s go!

Hagia Sophia

www.hagiasophia.com/

The Christian cathedral turned mosque turned museum was our next stop on our tour of Istanbul.   Hagia Sophia means Holy Wisdom in Latin and built by the Emperor Justinian in 537ish.   The cathedral was the largest building in the world for over a 1000 years. As we wandered around the place, we were struck about how huge it feels today, 1500 years later. As we mentioned earlier, it is no longer a function house of worship, so there are not any special clothing requirements to enter. Voices do carry in the dome, so keeping a respectable volume is appropriate.

Mike with the eight pointed star. The “star of Melchizedek.”

In the mid 1450s the Ottomans captured the city and Hagia Sophia was transformed into a mosque. Many Turkish religious buildings would be built in the same manner. In 1931, the building became the functioning museum that it is today. You can see both religions on display within the wonderful dome. As you walk in there are two huge water vases that were used to wash prior to religious participation.

 Blue Mosque

Our next stop is just across the way from the Hagia Sophia: The Blue Mosque. The mosque is nicked name for its deep azure blue tiles in the interior. The full name of the mosque is the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. It was constructed in the early 1600s and continues to function as a house of Islamic worship. Please keep this in mind during your visit. You will be asked to remove your shoes and the women are asked to wear modest clothing and cover their heads.   Head coverings are available free of charge at the entry gate. Do you research on when to visit to avoid prayer time.

Praying in the Blue Mosque

We hope, like us, you won’t let any of the requirements to visit deter you from entering this incredible structure. It is truly overwhelming inside. What struck us most was the deep red carpeting of the finest quality that adorns the floor and the huge dome of artistic tiles.

Chora Church

http://www.choramuseum.com/

While the massive Blue Mosque and the enchanting Hagia Sophia are two icons of faith and are soaking with history, our favorite place of worship in all of Istanbul is a tiny little back alley church: Chora Church. The church is very difficult to find. We elected to engage our friends at Context Travel to give us a tour. It was well worth the money.

One of the many mosaics in Chora Church.

The church was built in 527 AD. What we love most about this small chapel are the intricate mosaics and frescoes. They were covered up with plaster when the Ottomans took over. Recently, these coverings were removed to expose of the most stunning religious art and better preserved than anything we have ever seen in Italy. Our favorite is Christ beckoning Adam and Eve from the grave with the great Satan bound below.

Topkapi Palace

Are you ready for some Ottoman opulence? Take a taxi to the Topkapi Palace, home to the Ottoman Sultans for 400 years! The complex has been added to over the years as the empire grew, but the construction began shortly after the Ottomans sacked the city in 1465. The entire palace housed over 4000 people during its hay-day. Residents besides the royal family included the royal harem, and an army of bakers, cooks, servants as well as intellectuals, craftsman and artists.

The seal of the Ottoman Empire

Visiting the palace is a good primer about the Ottoman rule. Today, the entire grounds have been transformed into a museum, imperial treasury and library. The treasury is not to be missed. It houses a number of religious and historical artifacts including the famed Topkapi dagger, the prophet Mohamed’s cloak and sword, as well as jewels from the dynasty. The museum can get a bit crowded during the tourist high season. Plan on visiting early in the day or late in the afternoon. You will need a half day to take it all in.

Dolmache Palace

Read our post on this amazing palace that is full of history and intrigue.

The Cisterns

One of the quirkier sites in Istanbul is the Roman Cisterns. This subterranean water collection fixture was built by the romans to maintain the potable water levels in the city. Today it can be easily visited. It is a collection of pillars and abandoned “mistakes.” Sculptures that were scrapped were taken here to form the pillar bases. The Medusa is by far the most famous.

The Roman Cistern in Istanbul.

This is often a great place to see in the heat of the afternoon, if you are visiting the city in the summer to avoid the heat. This location has been featured in James Bond movies as well as Dan Brown’s novel, Inferno. If you are able, book a ticket to one of the concerts held in the cavern. The acoustics are impressive.

Grand Bazaar

Put your running shoes on, to do the Grand Bazaar you are going to have to hurry. You can easily spend a month in the Grand Bazaar and not see every bit and bobble for sale. Istanbul has a long tradition of wheeling and dealing. Counting on its prime location on the silk route, tradecrafts were brought from the east and west. It is said that you can buy and sell anything in the Bazaar. We found this to be true in our experience.   The rug salesmen are some of the most talented pros in the world at separating you from your money. Yes, we bought a rug.

Yes, we bought a rug…..

River Cruise up the Bosporus

Our last piece of advice for you Istanbul experience is to spend some time out on the water. There are a couple of different ways you can approach this. You can go cheap, like we did, and take the ferry up the Strait from little stop to the next for a reasonable price. If you are a little more well-heeled, why not take a dinner cruise up the Strait to the Black Sea? The city must be experienced from the water.

That is it! We didn’t outline which you should do and how long you should spend at each destination. The simple reason is every taste is different. Take your time. Move on if you feel like you have seen it all. Please offer feedback in the comments section below. What did you like best? Least?

New York City is a home to financiers, fashionistas, and thespians. Yes, we love everything from Wall Street to Broadway…but our fave part of this city is its decadence.   It’s time for something sweet in the city.  We have “finally” agreed on the best seven sweets of NYC.

Martha’s Country Bakery

Martha makes a mean Cheesecake! Photo Courtesy: Martha’s Bakery

Where:

36-21 Ditmars Blvd.

Astoria, NY, 10002

Tel: (718)545-9737

Locations

@MarthasNY

How could we not start off with the best place to get your slice of New York Cheesecake? Is your mouth-watering for the satin smoothness of a REAL cheesecake? Look no further than Queens. Martha is the grandma that you never had. Take your choice from Apple Crumb, Choco-chip, Mississippi Mud, Peanut butter, Red Velvet, Strawberry, Oreo, Marble, Brownie or stick with the original: The NYC Style. Make you choice, you can’t go wrong. Wait times can get long. Get there early or make you order in advance.

What makes Martha special?

Simply walking by the storefront you are drawn in by beauty of the Martha’s culinary creations. Walk in and the smell will melt your taste buds!

Doughnut Plant

Delish Doughnuts from the Doughnut Plant.

Where:

379 Grand St.

NYC, NY 10002

Tel: (212) 505-3700

Doughnutplant.com

@DoughnutPlantNY

Sounds a little on the industrial side doesn’t it?   The fine folks at the Doughnut Plant are Henry Ford geniuses at making the original doughnut. If you are a square…this is the place for you. They offer square doughnuts! Cool huh? They have doughnuts of every shape, size and flavor. And the Fighting Couple fave? Try the Black Out!

“Blackout — our chocolate cake doughnut, filled with chocolate pudding, dipped in chocolate glaze and sprinkled with chocolate cake crumbs.”

What makes the Plant special?

It has to do with the ingredients. It all starts with the finest basics. Then they go over the top to find the finest in toppings. Would you believe that they make their own jam to fill their delights? They do! Prepare to be amazed. Start your diet tomorrow!

Hay Rosie Craft Ice Cream Co.

Come and get some!

Where:

204 Sackett Street

Brooklyn, NY 11231

Tel: (347) 987-4983

Hayrosie.com

@hayrosieNYC

Mooo! It doesn’t get much more fresh than Hay Rosie.  All of Rosie’s ingredients are locally sourced…(didn’t know there were many cows hanging out in Brooklyn…) Steff, the proprietor, is meticulous about finding the best and the most savory stuff for her ice cream. Ok, let’s talk flavors. They all sound more like adult novel titles: Autumn Fire, Bonfire at the Beach, and Extra Virgin to name a few! It won’t take long before you lusting for a return to Rosie’s!

What makes Hay Rosie special?

One word: The Barnburner. This delicious creation is an ice cream sandwich all grown up. It is a melty, mushy, fudge, gooey mess of perfection.

Magnolia’s Cupcakes

Enjoy a pistachio cupcake from the famous Magnolia’s Bakery. Photo Courtesy: Magnolia’s

Where:

1240 Avenue of the Americas at 49th Street
New York, NY

Tel: (212) 767-1123

Magnoliabakery.com

@magnoliabakery

A longtime Fighting Couple Fave! Walking into Magnolia’s Cupcakes you feel like you’ve entered a time from long ago. It’s got a retro hip feel that just makes you crave Grandma’s homemade treats. The store is known is for cupcakes, of course, and its shout out from Sex and the City when Carrie and Maranda talked about their love life outside of the Bleecker location. We love the cupcakes, but what we really love is the banana pudding. Huh? Banana pudding at a cupcake place? Yes and it’s worth every calorie. The banana pudding is layered with vanilla wafers. I know it doesn’t sound all that special, but it is. The secret to the pudding is that it’s made with condensed milk. You can dig into a take out cup of the pudding for $3.50 for a small, $5 for a medium, or $6.50 for a large. Just get the large. You will be so sad when you spoon out the last delectable bite. Check out Magnolia’s at any of their seven locations, including one in Chicago. Our favorite location is the one by Rockefeller Center.

Li-Lac Chocolates

Buy a high heel you can eat! Photo courtesy: Li-Lac

Where:

Greenwich Village
40 8th Avenue (at Jane Street)
New York, NY 10014

http://www.li-lacchocolates.com

@lilacchocolates

Luci stumbled upon Li-Lac Chocolates while walking around Greenwich Village. The store has a classic feel with ornate window displays that harken back to a former time. It should feel that way since it’s the oldest chocolate shop in NYC. Started in 1923, Li-Lac’s is 90 years old and has weathered the Great Depression and now the Great Recession. We found the employees friendly and willing to share their favorite chocolate types and shapes. Li-Lac features old-fashioned chocolates including peanut butter puffs , molasses crunch, salted caramel, almond bark and marzipan. What Luci likes the most is the specialty chocolate molds. Ladies, you can buy a life-size chocolate handbag or high-heeled shoe! The store has chocolate in every shape from a typewriter to a kangaroo to a pizza slice. Don’t miss out on this chocolate shop heralded by big hitters such as Martha Stewart and the Times of London.

PEANUT BUTTER & CO.

Where: 

240 Sullivan Street, New York, NY 10012
(btw. West 3rd and Bleecker)
(212) 677-3995

https://ilovepeanutbutter.com/

@peanutbutterco

This might surprise some of our readers that Peanut Butter & Co made the list. After all, you can buy this designer peanut better in stores outside of New York City. But what you can’t buy outside the Greenwich Village location is the chocolate peanut butter pie. The homemade indulgence is made with Peanut Butter & Co peanut butter anchored by a cookie crust and topped with chopped peanuts and peanut butter chips. It’s a peanut butter obsession. If you can finish the last bite you are officially peanut butter’s number one fan. As a FYI, Luci did!

If you aren’t up to the task of the chocolate peanut butter pie, the sandwich shop features different concoctions of a classic peanut butter sandwich. Our favorite sandwiches are the bees knees sandwich with apple butter, Jerry Seinfeld’s comedy special, and the cookie dough supreme. You can also purchase any of the 10 different types of peanut butter at the shop. We love the Bees Knees and White Chocolate Wonderful.

There is only one location of Peanut Butter & Co and it’s quite small, but the pie is what beckons us back every trip to New York City.

Momofuku Milk Bar

Where:

15 W. 56^th St.

NYC, NY 10019

Tel: (347) 577-9504

http://www.Milkbarstore.com

@momomilkbar

Ok…be a little careful with the name. The Milk Bar’s claim to fame is its cakes, cookies and wonderful soft serve ice cream creations. Their menu, much like their name, is a bit out there. Delectable selections include: Compost Cookies and Crack Pie. Both are named appropriately!

What makes Momofuku special?

The cookies! Enough said!

So that is our picks for the very best in sweets from Gotham!  Go and find cheap flights to New York with Thomas Cook Airlines.

The Fighting Couple is teaming up with Aluminyze to celebrate the end of summer! Did you travel this summer or maybe enjoyed a local “staycation?” Memorialize your summer with the Fighting Couples’ “Endless Summer” contest. Courtesy of our friends at Aluminyze, we are giving away an 11X17 of your favorite picture. Here’s how you win:

1. Like 1000 Fights on Facebook.

2. Submit the picture that you want to aluminyze to our Facebook wall.

3. Tag the photo #Fightingcouplesummer

4. The picture will judged by an esteemed and expert panel of distinguished judges (Mike and I ).

5. Contest ends September 30, 2014

We can’t wait to see all the entries!

Here’s one of our favorite shots: It’s the sunrise from our home in Boise. #nofilter Gorgeous!

Taran and Hannah here, popping over from NomaderHowFar.com, with a little advice post.

Preparing for Long-Term Travel as a Couple, is a topic that we are giving a lot of thought to at the moment. We have been together for not quite 18 months, and yet, in 2015, we are embarking on three years of non-stop backpacking, beginning in Australia next spring. A recipe for disaster? Possibly. A chance to share the most unbelievably awesome experience of our lives, together? Definitely.

Taran and Hannah

Taran and I are best friends. We enjoy each others company and have been getting increasingly excited planning our trip to Oz and compiling posts for our blog. Looking at photograph’s of the stunning beach’s and landscapes in Oz, knowing I will be there in less than a year, makes me giddy, but its even better knowing I won’t be alone. Taran often says, he doesn’t like watching a movie alone, because it’s always better to share an experience, and the same goes for our desire to see the world; we want to see it together, side-by-side.

It’s all great being this positive and seeing our future adventure through rose-tinted shades, as this beautiful and life-affirming thing, but, lets face facts, we are about to spend pretty much every second of every day together, and that is terrifies me. Okay, well that’s extreme, it at least is a thought that is a bit hard to swallow. Why so? Well, I am definitely someone who enjoys my own company and revels in a little me-time. And so is Taran, he enjoys playing computer games with friends and hanging out, not having me there every moment.

So how on earth is this going to work?

Whilst couples who travel do love each other and like having fun together, it’s still not easy to live in someone’s pocket. You are bound to bicker, argue, and maybe even fight, possibly thousands of times ;). You will also see stuff you don’t want to see. When you are full of a very sexy flu virus, or your partner is chucking up their guts onto the tent floor, you both get front-row seats to the freak show. When you haven’t showered for a few days and have started to emit a foul odour, your lover gets to enjoy that. But who said backpacking travel was glamorous anyway.

Traveling long term as a couple..not as easy as it sounds.

And how about the times you just want to do a bit of mindless internet surfing, or fancy reading a book in silence, all things that are best done alone. The reality is that your interests and hobbies will still exist, along with your desire to have alone time in which you focus on yourself and nobody else. I am guilty of looking forward to time alone quite often, yet I often end up missing Taran (eventually).

So the first step to embarking on a couple’s adventure, is realizing that you won’t suddenly enjoy spending every waking moment with each other. Just accept that. You will need to make sure before you travel that both of you are willing to give the other time to do things alone. The truth being you will probably not end up wanting it anyway, not if you are immersed in your surroundings and sharing every moment with your best bud. But at least make sure that you will have the opportunity to go just be you, and you alone. Maybe come up with a word or phrase, or just a particular look, that when given by either party, means it’s time one of you exited the tent for a little while. Hopefully you can prevent any huffy and annoyed walking off from either of you, by simply communicating, thus not creating tension between you and your other half.

There are many obstacles you will have to overcome once you are on your travels, out there in the big crazy/amazing world. But I think its far less scary knowing you’ll have somebody there holding your hand. As long as you prepare for the less fun realities of couples travel before you go, you will have done all that you can to make it a smooth-sailing.

Who knows, you might become inseparably close and attached, going together on what will be an emotional, wondrous and at times, stressful journey. Either way, it might test you, push you to your limits, but any walk of life can do that; a 9-5 life with your loved one can be one of monotony and meaningless arguments over washing dishes or spending too much money. I guess going out into the real world, will put so much into perspective, it might actually mean your relationship strengthens and becomes based on all the awesomeness of travel; fun, beauty and enlightenment.

If you would like to follow our journey, and see us live out the above advice, then head over to www.nomaderhowfar.com or catch-up via twitter, google+ and facebook. We’d love to meet you all.

1000Fights:  Thanks again for sharing Taran and Hannah!  Give them a follow on twitter: @Nomaderhowfar 

Education begins the gentleman, but reading, travel, good company and reflection must finish him.-Locke

The Gentleman Traveler is a rare breed.  In our travels we have identified some traits that we admire in men that travel well.  Here are a collection of a few:

1)  Open doors

This is first on the list because it is the essence of being a gentleman.  Always put others before yourself.

Know your knots

2)  Be knotty

Be able to tie the following:  Bow-tie, Full and Half Windsor, and Four in Hand.  Never, under any circumstances wear a clip on.

3)  Listen

A gentleman always focuses on the other person.  Focus in on the person reading the menu, offering directions, interpreting the Picasso or sharing her feelings.

4)  Golden rule

It applies to all the gentleman’s activities.

5)  Tip well

Be well versed in the local tradition, and give a little more than expected.  Always reward great service.

6)  Look sharp

Always dress a little better than is expected.  T shirt and jeans means button down shirt and jeans with no holes.  Business casual dinner means khakis, dress shirt and jacket.

7)  Know your place

In advance of traveling, a gentlemen bones up on the history of the area.  Do not neglect: region, culture, food and customs.

8)  Ask deep questions

Gentlemen ask good questions.  Travel offers a cold, refreshing, wellspring of knowledge.  Drink deep my friend.

9)  Hydrate

Speaking of drinking….Hydrate.  Basic wellness 101.  Water preserves physical and mental wellbeing.  Always be on your game.

Always pack the right things.

10)  Carry cash

A gentleman’s billfold always has a modest amount local currency.  Always have some small bills for tipping.

11)  Know the town

In advance of arrival, pull up Google maps and get a feel for the town.  Before you land, pull out the airplane magazine, turn to page 53 and find your arrival airport.  Understand it’s shape.  Identify the baggage claim and taxi stand.

12)  Never lose your cool

A gentleman never, ever losses his cool.  No excuses.  Regardless of how late the plane/food/ect is, you must always be polite, factual and kind.

13)  Pack options

On the spur of the moment a gentleman will get invited to an artist’s home for tea in Savannah, Georgia.   Be prepared to pull something out of the suitcase that would be appropriate.

14)  Minimize

A gentleman, a packrat is not.  Avoid carrying too many items on ones person whilst sightseeing.

15)  Drive Well

The  ability to drive a clutch goes without saying.  The ability to drive everything from a Volkswagen bug to a Ferrari 459 is crucial.  Be familiar with all kinds of autos.   Backing, parking, and winter driving skills are mandatory.

16)  Shine your shoes

This falls under the don’t be a slob category.  Always have a shine on the shoes

Be able to drive anything, anywhere.

17)  Kiss and tell

Never do it.

18)  Write right

Own at least one Montblanc.  Lend it to no one.  Use blue ink.

19)  Know your current events

Stay current on world politics.  Avoid talking about them.

20)  Know the language

You must be able speak the following phrases in Mandarin, French, Italian, Spanish, German and one other obscure language (try Turkish):

Where is the WC?

Please

Thank you

The bill, please.

Goodbye and Hello

You look beautiful.

I love you. (Here is the Fighting Couple’s Cheat Sheet)

21)  Compliment

Always look for the best in every situation.  Offer honest compliments to those in your company.

22)  Be a peacemaker

In disagreements, be the one that offers the olive branch.

23)  Be a fighter

How could we not include this?   Fight only with your significant other.  Pick topics that really matter.

24)  Fly spiffy

Be unique.  Dress up for traveling.

25)  Wear a wristwatch

Time is of the essence.  Pick the right one for the right place.

26)  Pack a jacket

Always have a sport coat packed.

27)  Sweat the details

Have a plan.  Use it only if you have to.

28)  Have financial options

Your wallet should include options should one not work.  Follow our friends World Wanderlusitng on which you should carry.

Be well read.

29)  Key reads—

Read the following books: The World is Flat-Friedman,  Undaunted courage-Ambrose,  Everything by Shakespeare,  Who wants to be CEO-Fox, 5 Love Languages-Chapman, Total Money Makeover- Ramsey, Legends of the Fall-Harrison, For Whom the Bell Tolls-Hemingway, Master and Commander-O’brian, She Comes First-Kerner, Heart of Darkness-Conrad, Count of Monte Cristo-Dumas, Gatsby-Fitzgerald  AND read Atlas Shrugged-Rand twice.

30)  Voluminous vocabulary

Regularly add new words to your vernacular.  Avoid words of the four-letter variety.

31)  Be noteworthy

Carry simple thank you notes with you and extend handwritten thanks to key individuals.

32)  Don’t forget Paris

Visit Paris often.

33)  Be a saint

Be well versed in the world’s key religious perspectives.  Rarely discuss.

34)  Carry a clean kerchief

The accessory of every true gentleman.  Wipe a tear or test the oil level.

35)  Chameleon-istic

Know enough about most things to carry on a convo with a local: sports, current events, fencing, ect.

36)  Early to rise.

Rise Early.  Retire Early.

37)  Protection

Be vigilantly aware of the surroundings.  Do not linger when your spider sense says leave.

38)  Listen to the Locals

A gentleman always seeks the advice of the locals….and nearly always follows it.

39)  Buy art

The gentleman avoids cheap souvenirs.  He is always on the lookout of real craftsman and their wares.

40)  Prosper

A gentleman is always planning his next voyage.  This keeps him alive and thriving.

Regardless if you are at one of the Luxury Hotels London or on safari on the Kalahari, there is a place for the perfect travel gentleman.  Be one.

Did we miss anything?  What else would you add?