Author Archive | The Fighting Couple

Fighting Couple’s Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

By The Fighting Couple on January 31, 2015 in General

Finding the right gift for the avid traveler is not an easy task. Ask any wanderer what they want and they will usually say they don’t want anything. Travelers are not about collecting things; they value experience over physical goods. So what is to be done? The Fighting Couple to the rescue! We put together a list of a few items that every traveler would LOVE for Valentine’s Day. While some of these items may appear small and all are quite affordable, each is a perfect gift for the traveling man or woman. Every time your lover travels, they will be reminded of you. Score! Travelers are all about form and function. We have put each of these items to the travel test, so you can rest assured that they will be the perfect gift. A word of warning: a number of these gifts sell out fast, many of them are handmade and take time to make and deliver. Get your orders in quick to assure delivery by V-Day!

The Best Travel Umbrella Lilly’s Shop

The Perfect Travel Umbrella

We love travel products that are multi-functional. Packing space is so limited and expensive! The first gift to make our list is the Travel Umbrella from Lilly’s Shop. This little gift packs a big punch! It includes a 37″ umbrella that collapses into a smart, little case. What we love about this umbrella is the classy case. It functions as a case for sunglasses or other items when you are using the umbrella. During our recent visit to London, we were constantly going in and out of museums. The question always arises…”where are we going to stow our wet umbrella?” If we put it in our backpack, it is going to get everything else soaked. Not good. The beauty of gift, is the case offers an ideal place for wet umbrellas without getting everything all wet. Brilliant huh? Want to pick your fave color umbrella? Done. Want the case monogrammed? How about 9 different types of lettering and 45+ different colors! The personalized gift means so much to the traveler!

Map cuff links from Bejeweled Vintage.

Travel in Style

I think I have found the only way to get Mike to read a map! Put a map on a fancy pair of cufflinks! Seriously, travelers love to talk about travel. This handsome pair of cuff links from Bjeweled Vintage will be an easy conversation starter. We love taking in the opera or a good concert when we are on vacation. French cuffs are a must! These upscale links are hand-made using crystal clear glass instead of resin. As you hold them in your hand, you can really feel the heft of the quality. Not only are these cuffs great for Valentine’ Day, they are the ideal solution for a groomsman or Father’s Day gift. Not in love with the globe map? There are dozens of different maps offered. They even allow you to pick your own location on the map to feature! Find the perfect conversation starter. The links come in an attractive jewelry pouch in a gift box.

It gets even better! We are going to save you some euros! ***** VALENTINES DAY SALE 5% off entire order ….. Coupon code PROMO5 ********

Paris Scarf from Lyndy Lou Designs.

Paris Travel scarf

Ask us what our favorite city in the world and we will instantly say, “Paris!” Paris is the capital of love! Why not give your lover a gentle hint on where you want to go next? The Paris Travel Scarf from Lyndy Lou Designs is gorgeous. This unique scarf features a print with vintage Paris locations and some of our fave haunts! It can be worn a number of different ways. It is good-sized so you can easily double or even trip wrap it. It is made of cotton and rayon. The print feels like a vintage map with pink and teal highlights. The other portion is solid teal. The entire scarf folds easily to fit in a handbag or luggage. Scarves expand your wardrobe. A huge bonus if you are short on luggage space. Highly recommend!

Click on the picture for a large view.

The perfect travel watch: DUO by Botta Design.

The Ultimate Travel Watch

Guys are tough to shop for. Traveling guys are impossible to shop for! Until now. We have long-searched for a travel watch that met the following criteria: stylish, functional, not over the top, easy to adjust, simple to read, and durable. We finally found it! The Botta Design: DUO Watch. Made in Germany, this ruggedly handsome timepiece is one of the most unusual watches in the world. It operates on one hand technology. This is a watch for the discriminating traveler. What makes this watch unique is there are only two hands, one for the local time, and another for a time zone of your choice. Mike’s everyday watch is not ideal for traveling internationally. When we travel, he has worn an old “Ironman” digital. It is impossible to remember how to program and lacks a second time zone option. Traveling with kids at home, it is reassuring to always know the time back in Idaho. Operating the DUO watch is simple: Pull the adjusting tab out, spin to the desired time, and you are good to go. Waterproof? Yes. Easy to read? Yes.

You must know, this is one of the most handsome watches Mike has ever owned. With that said, there is an inherit danger in traveling with men’s watches: appearing too flashy. Don’t tell our Mother-in-Law, but we travel to some “rough” places. Wearing too much “bling” will get prices doubled instantly or even worse… With the DUO, you get quiet elegance. You look sharp, without screaming you are well-heeled. You will be comfortable wearing this watch in the Vietnam jungle or a Viennese opera house.

Derby Fine Lingerie

Lovely Lingerie

Our next gift is for both him and her! Why not heat up your Valentine’s Day with a handmade creation from Derby Fine Millinery & Clothing? Every little pretty thing you purchase is lovingly handmade with the highest quality natural and organic fabrics. Each piece is made to order. You work directly with the fashion artist to create something that will fit you. Derby’s retro style is unique and beautiful. There is likely just one thing that your man likes more than travel. Treat him to something that will knock his socks off literally!

Not only does Derby make wonderful intimates, they are also fabulous hat makers. Her hand-blocked hats are made of the finest wool and fur felts. Each hat is a work of art. Every one is hand stitched and custom fit. They look like something Lady Mary from Downton Abbey would wear.

Derby Fine Millinery and Clothing is based in the Pacific North West, so we are a little biased! We love products made near our home.

Red Damask Leather Camera Strap from Porteen Gear.

Comfy Camera Strap

Have you ever looked around when you are visiting a museum or attraction? There are a lot of ugly, ugly, camera straps out there! Don’t let you lover be ugly! The fix is easy, pick out one of the stylish leather camera straps from our friends at Porteen Gear. We use the Red Damask Leather strap and absolutely love it. They offer designs and materials that will satisfy even the most discriminating taste. These straps are adjustable from 28 inches to 43 inches. They easily attached to most DSLR cameras. They are not ideal for your point and shooters. Each strap is made with stylishly crafted poly strap on the front and comfy suede leather on the back. Our DSLR is heavy! Slap our long lens on it and it is a burden. The strap that came with our Cannon was skinny and the side would dig into our shoulders. We honesty knew we needed something new after our recent hike around Machu Picchu. Porteen Gear’s straps are soooo comfy, even after hiking around. The best thing? Every other traveler with the ugly “manufactures” plastic straps will be very jealous. Unless you meet up with us, then we will look stylish together! These straps are very affordable. Your shoulders will thank you for it.

Sleeping Mask from Chere Pafos.

Sexy Sleep Masks

“To sleep…perchance to dream,” the immortal words of fellow traveler Shakespeare. Sleep is one of the most precious things during our travels. Finding comfort and sleep on jets or in unfamiliar hotel rooms can be a challenge. We have certain strategies we use to find some shut-eye. One of the best kept secrets is using sleeping masks. We were slow to embrace the sleep mask…that was until we found our friends at Chere Pafos. They took a simple mundane product and created a work of art! These handcrafted sleeping masks are made with plush satin. Importantly, they are large enough to give you enough coverage to block out all light. Now if they would just block out the annoying seat mate’s snoring!

What we love most about Chere Pafos Designs are the playful patterns that they have come up with. They have many styles, shapes and colors. If you want a basic black one for the male in the companionship, they have one of those. Luci’s favorite is the hot pink satin cat mask; it makes her feel like Cat Woman! Take it from couple travel bloggers that spend a ton of time in the air, this little gift will be a lifesaver. To make this even more special, write a card to your lover and mention that you want them to think of you every time they close their eyes to dream!

You cannot go wrong with any of these items! From the Fighting Couple, we want to wish each and every one of you a very lovely Valentine’s Day. We do care that you love our selections. Please come back and leave us some feedback on what you selected and what you thought.

Disclosure: On occasion we are offered items to review on this site. Does this affect our honest review and opinion? Not one bit!

I Don’t Want to Travel Internationally

By The Fighting Couple on January 17, 2015 in General

We recently had a discussion with another couple that frankly told us, “We don’t want to travel internationally. “ We began our usual interrogation of their reasoning. They had some real concerns. As we went through them, we had a great discussion, and our conversation provided inspiration for this post. Do you have friends that don’t want to fly abroad? Please send them this post!

It is too expensive.

Really? A flight from Boston to Phoenix will run you $642 per person, that is $1284 for a couple. A flight from Boston to Paris, France on the exact same days, exact same airline will cost you $653 or $1306. Domestic is cheaper right? But wait! You get free luggage on international flight! The international flight is actually cheaper! Don’t you hate luggage fees?

With a little advance planning, often it is cheaper to fly international. We usually book our international flights 6-8 months in advance. We fly during the shoulder seasons, and we get some smokin’ good deals on flights. We often pay less to travel across the oceans than a few states away.

Hotel Castle Liebenstein

There is so much to see domestically.

Yes, there is. Life is short. See the world. Yes, you could spend a lifetime visiting every corn field in Iowa. But why not expand your horizons? Why not see the sunrise on the other side of the planet? Make the most of your walk, take yourself somewhere radically different. Wait until you see how they grow corn in Bali!

I don’t know anyone?

Wonderful! Meeting new people, learning new cultures, traditions, and languages is one of the huge dividends from foreign travel. We travel two weeks at a time. Obviously, we are not able really get to know folks too well during our travels. But we have met some incredible people that we still keep in contact with. We will never forget our outstanding Amazon guide Javier, Carol and Jeff, the owners of Bromeliad Bed and Breakfast in Darwin, Australia, and Dan and Becky, the owners of Kindred Spirit Inn in Prince Edward Island.

I might offend someone?

In our experience, you really have to put yourself completely out there and be extremely rude to offend someone. We have completely butchered a long list of languages. However, in each case we have found kind people that are so gracious and willing to help. A little known secret to “domestic only” people, English is the language of travel. We have yet to find a city in the world that didn’t have a bunch of English speakers.

What if I get arrested?

Really? This is an excuse not to travel outside of your country? If you are headed anywhere not called Afghanistan, Iraq or Syria, the likelihood that you are going to end up in a prison is miniscule. Yes, we have gotten parking tickets and a small fine for passing in a no passing zone, and a huge fine for not buying the right Slovenian “sticker.” If you go there, shoot us a message and we can help you know which sticker to buy. We have become pros!

The fact of the matter is, you will only get arrested in a foreign country for doing something that you would get arrested for domestically. Candidly, we have gotten out a few things because we were foreigners. So you likelihood of getting in trouble abroad is actually less.

Don’t they drive on the wrong side of the road? I don’t know how to drive in another country.

Haven’t you secretly always wanted to drive on the wrong side of the road? Me neither. Again, 95% of the world drives on the “right” side of the road. If that is a big hang up, go to a place not called Britain or India.

Trevi Fountian

I don’t know the language?

Its probably going to be ok. In most European and Asian tourist destinations there is more English spoken than any other language. But, candidly we highly recommend that you learn a little of the native language.

I don’t know how to use their money.

Money is same in every country. When you land, look for an ATM, punch in your pin and get money. It is really that simple. Bring two credit cards, let them know that you are traveling abroad and where. Problem solved.

I might not like the food.

Right. And then again you might LOVE it! Mike is one of the most pickiest eaters on the planet. He is not the most adventurous eater. We have never gone hungry during our travels. In the worst case scenarios McDonalds has become an international empire. You will always find a grocery store that will have a wide offering of food that you are more familiar with.

Trust us, there is nothing like eating escargot in Paris, sushi in Tokyo, or guinea pig in Peru. Give the local cuisine a try.

Where would I stay?

At a hotel. They have a lot of them. The internet has a list of them. Google (city) and hotel and you will get a list. Check out TripAdvisor if you don’t know where to stay. We also have friends that book a hotel on Hotwire just a few days before they leave.

I don’t have a passport.

Get one. It is easy. Go here (USA), Or here (UK) or here (Canada), or here (Australia). There are many studies that show that people that have passports are smarter, wealthier, and better looking (ok we made up that last one.)

I don’t know where to go.

The world is a huge place. Here’s are top three suggestions if you have never been out of the country: Thailand, Peru, Turkey, and Slovenia. Each offers reasonable prices, delicious food, and unique sights.

Now go see the world!

Castles, Cars, and Compromise

By The Fighting Couple on January 10, 2015 in General

We always get into the same fight about vacations – agreeing to do doing things we both enjoy. Usually, we have very different ideas about what to see and how long to see it. Rarely, do you find the perfect location for couples where ladies get their fix and men can do their own thing. After years of research, we have found the ideal place, and it’s in ….Germany?

Let’s talk romance first. Ladies, what is more romantic than a stroll through the lush woods and ending with a breathtaking view of a fairy tale castle? Berg Eltz Castle is perhaps one of the best kept castles in all of Europe. Its ideal setting in an enchanting valley makes for some great handholding and eye gazing with your prince charming. Once you arrive, park your car and take a short mile hike through the woods. As you walk around the bend you are given a postcard worthy vista.

Berg Eltz Castle

If you are impressed with the exterior of the castle, wait until you step foot inside. The family owned castle, started in 1100s, was miraculous saved from destruction. Visitors are able to explore many of the over 100 rooms inside with original furnishings and authentic tapestries. Each room speaks to the history and way of life of medieval lords and ladies. The castle is also home to a treasury that features collections of fine porcelain, sparkling jewels, and weapons used to defend the castle.

The next stop on our castle quest is the Marksburg Castle. Perched on a bluff overlooking the Rhine River, Markburg offers romantic river views that will make any Downton Abbey devotee swoon. One part Romanesque and one part Gothic; the castle is one of the best preserved fortresses in Germany. The castle offers regular guided tours of the grounds and rooms. Beginning with a climb up the “riders stairway” the tour includes a visit to the grand banquet hall, the bed chamber, as well a rather macabre reproduction of a torture chamber. Marksburg conveys an understanding of what privileged life during the Middle Ages might have been like.

Hotel Castle Liebenstein

After a hard day of castle questing, it’s time for a hardy meal and a good night’s rest. And where should a princess rest her crown? How about her own castle? Yes! Many small castles and noble residences have been converted into bed and breakfasts. We stayed at the Hotel Castle Liebenstein (Castle Love Stone), which offers rooms with incredible views of the Rhine for only 125 euros a night. This cozy bed and breakfast offers comfortable beds with Middle Age décor and a generous breakfast. This castle has its own tale of intrigue. Its twin sister is just a few hundred yards away. The two castles were occupied by warring brothers. Today, one is home to the bed and breakfast; the other is a delicious restaurant! We enjoyed both. It’s probably best not to bring up one whilst at the other. The entire area offers a number of castle stay choices limited only by your euro collection and imagination.

For the gents, let’s head a few miles up the road to Nurburg. The Nurburg area is a man-cation all by its self. Nurburg is home of one of the most challenging race tracks in the world, the famed Nordschleife (Nurburg Ring). With its 12 miles of 147 twist and turns, and steeped history the ring is the place to be for any auto lover. What’s wonderful about this course is you can actually drive it! For a few euros and a bucket load of courage away you go! While the ring is amazing, we found something even better. It is a well-kept secret that the same engineers that designed the ring, also made the roads in the Nurburg area! You just need a road Sherpa to help you find them, enter RSR Nurburg.

The Nurburgring

First, experts at RSR Nurburg set you up in your pick of a performance cars including: Alfa Romero, BMW, Lotus and even Ferrari! We selected the classic Ferrari 308; the perfect car for getting around the corners. You then begin your quest in search of the long forgotten Sudschleife or south track. Along the way we caught views of the main track, with a glimpse of infamous corners featured in Ron Howard’s film Rush. The winding roads through the Eifel region not only help you appreciate the rich racing tradition of the area…but it is flat-out beautiful. As an added bonus, our guide drove us by top-secret research and development facilities of Porsche, BMW, and Range Rover. This tour of the area is a must.

What’s best about cars, castles, and compromise? You can see castles and drive fast cars in a day, as the area is roughly 30 miles apart. Both partners can get what they want.

How to See the British Museum in an Hour

By The Fighting Couple on December 27, 2014 in General

The British Museum is massive. Its immense size can be a little intimidating. When it comes to museums, bigger is better. With the help of the British Museum‘s curators, we have come up with a way to see the best of the museum in an hour. Well, it’s more like two…but who is counting?

As you walk into museum, you enter the Great Court. It kind of looks like an egg on a square frying pan. The museum is free or whatever you feel like paying. If you want to support the museum, you can become a member and buy the membership in the Great Court. You can find restrooms and the Court Café is in far corner. The Great Court also acts as a fantastic meeting place. There are some benches to your left as you enter the room. Tell your traveling companions to meet you there if and when you become separated. This is a Fighting Couple rule: Always have a meeting place if you get separated. We learned this the hard way.

The first step is to get yourself a handy British Museum map. They are available on a small stand right as you enter the Great Court. They ask for a one pound donation for the printing. This map is key to your success in seeing the museum quickly. Go get one! Guys, I know you are tempted not too, but this is one time you need directions.

Lets go! Climb the stairs or take the elevator to level III. Below are descriptions of the artifacts paired with letters you will find on your map.

The Lewis Chessmen

A) The Lewis Chessmen, Room 40

You made it to the first destination! Congrats! In front of you is a medieval chess set made in the 12^th century. You have the unique privilege of looking at one of the oldest chess sets known to man. Lucky you. This set was discovered in 1831. Yes, it is missing a few pieces. They are over in Scotland. They seem to think that since it was found there, that is where it should stay. The game of chess was first played 500 BC! Check mate!

Fun Fact: This chess set washed up on the beach on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland. It is thought that the set belonged to a traveling merchant on the trade route between Norway and Ireland. Who wants to guess how the merchant lost it?

The Oxus Treasure

B) Oxus Treasure, Room 52

Eureka! Gold! You are looking at some serious bling. The Oxus Treasure is a stash of gold that was found along the Oxus River on the border of Afghanistan and Tajikistan. (Rough neighborhood!) These items were made by Persian craftsmen in 400-500 BC! As you look at this collection of items, it is fascinating to think that something so delicate could last so long. Impressive. My favorite piece is the chariot. Look at the golden ropes! The lion share of the treasure is here in the British Museum, but a couple of items are in the Victoria and Albert Museum and some of the coins are in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Fun Fact: The treasure, once discovered, was being transported by merchants. The merchants were captured by some Afghan robbers. One of the merchant’s servants escaped, and reported the capture to British soldiers. They hastily responded and found the robbers in a cave fighting over the loot. It didn’t end well for them.

Royal Game of Ur

C The Royal Game of Ur, Room 56

Feast your eyes on the oldest game board in the world. This game board was made in roughly 2600 BC. It is a great, great-grandfather of today’s backgammon game.

Fun Fact: The game was mentioned in the hit TV series Lost. John Locke gives a description of the game in “Pilot, Part 2”. Do you want to give the game a try? Click here for the online version.

The is not the Portland Vase. It was out for cleaning when we were there. Please enjoy this random Greek vase.

D) The Portland Vase

This is one of the most unique vases in history. This beauty was crafted by Roman artisans in 1 BC. It has inspired an entire decoration style for the next 2,000 years. What makes this vase special, is that it is crafted from cameo glass. The process is extremely meticulous, a similar quality and design has yet to be crafted by any means.

Fun Fact: On Feb. 7, 1845, a drunk student on a bender, named William Lloyd, smashed the vase into 30 some pieces. He was convicted of the crime and had to pay a fine of 10 pounds and spent two months behind bars. The vase was painstakingly restored.

Samurai Armor

E) Samurai Armor, Room 93

You are looking at an excellent example of traditional warrior armor for the Samurai class of Japan. The Samurai were specially trained fighting nobles. This fighting attire was made in the late 16^th century. The helmet was made a little later in the 17^th century. The whiskers of the face mask were made to intimidate their foe. Scary!

Fun Fact: Not all Samurai were men, female Samurai were called “Onna-Bugeisha,” and they would fight alongside their male counterparts. Their weapon of choice was usually the naginata, a spear with a curved, sword-like blade.

Ceramic Tomb Figures

F) Ceramic Tomb Figures, Room 33

These treasures from the Tang dynasty ( 600-900 AD) were decorations on the to General Liu Ting Xun. Mean looking dudes? These statues were placed in the tomb to protect the dead from evil spirits. There are some other animals that go with the tomb figures including camels and horses. The tomb was a grand parade!

Fun Fact: The world’s first book was published during the Tang Dynasty (868AD). This is 600 years before the west started printing books… The name of the first book you ask? Buddhist scripture.

G) Ivory Pendant mask, Room 25

I couldn’t find this display…sorry.

Easter Island Statue

H) Easter Island Statue Hoa Hakananai’a, Room 24

This is one of our favorite pieces in the entire museum. It is a lovable little guy. This Easter Island Statue was transported to Britain by ship HMS Topaze in late 1869. It is small compared to its brothers that still stand in the South Pacific. It is carved from lava basalt. What makes this statue especially unique are the carvings on the back. This statue was found half buried. It was excavated and given as a present to Queen Victoria.

Fun Fact: The statue makes a “racy” cameo in the movie, “The English Patient”.

Rosetta Stone

I) The Rosetta Stone, Room 4

Perhaps the best known and most important item in the entire collection is the vaunted Rosetta Stone. There is always going to be a horde of people in front taking pictures. It is located close to the Great Court. Walk by a couple of times and find a time when the crowd is a little smaller to take your picture. This stone solved the riddle of Egyptian hieroglyphics. It cracked the code to understanding the ancient language. What you are seeing is a royal decree issued by King Ptolemy V. It is written in three different languages: Ancient Egyptian, Demotic script, and Greek. Since it is the same message, it unlocked the understanding of the Egyptian picture writing. That’s it in a nutshell. You could spend a lifetime studying this one item.

Fun Fact: The stone was discovered in 1799. The troops of Napoleon Bonaparte were conducting a campaign in Egypt against the English and a young French officer called Pierre-Francois Bouchard discovered it at Rosetta (Rashid) when his troops were constructing a fort. Pierre-Francois Bouchard realized the significance of the stone and transported it to Cairo for examination by a team of French scholars and Napoleon himself. The stone was later “captured” by the Brits, and taken to the British Museum.

Assyrian Lion Hunt Reliefs

J) Assyrian Lion Hunt Reliefs, Room 10

This dramatic display features a lion in the process of meeting its demise. Featured prominently are also the winged bulls that line the entry way. The reliefs show the lion-killing prowess of the last mighty Assyrian king, Ashurbanipal. He lived from 668-631 BC. He commanded his empire from his mansion in Nineveh located in Northern Iraq.

Fun Fact: One of the favorite pastimes of the Assyrian Kings was lion hunting, although his servants actually tracked the animals, beat them to a pulp, then invited the king to finish them off…

Horse from the Mausoleum of Halikarnassos

K) Horse from the Mausoleum of Halikarnassos, Room 21

This is one of the items that really impressed us. It is absolutely stunning. We are horse people, and this is a striking rendition of a powerful equine. The tomb of Halikarnassos was located in Bodrum, Turkey. The finished structure of the mausoleum was considered to be such an artistic beauty, it has been named as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. The tomb was destroyed by massive earthquakes in the 12^th through the 15^th centuries.

Fun Fact: The tomb serves as an inspiration for the tomb of US President and Civil War General Ulysses S. Grant.

Parthenon sculptures

L) Parthenon Sculptures, Room 18

The largest and perhaps most impressive collection on our tour is the wonderful Greek Parthenon collection. It is difficult to believe that the Greeks were willing to part with these. The collection is also called the Elgin Marbles, after the man who “brought” them from Athens to Britain. These statues lined the top of the Parthenon and other buildings on Mt. Acropolis in Athens. Walk up and down the grand hall; each of these tells wonderful stories of strength, feats of the gods, and love stories.

Fun Fact: There are efforts afoot to return these statues to Athens. One of the leading voices is none other than George Clooney. According to him, they belong in Athens. With this authoritative voice added to the mix, it should end the discussion.

That’s it! Please leave us a comment below on which was your favorite display in the British Museum.

2014 Fighting Couple Gift Guide

By The Fighting Couple on December 10, 2014 in General

Travelers are really hard to buy for. We know. We hear it all the time. So often they value experiences over things. The Fighting Couple are here to help. The following are some of our fave travel related items. Happy holidays!!! Just hurry, some of our fave things often sellout.

Style and function. Take that TSA!!!

First off, lets talk TSA. Their sole purpose for existence is to slow down travelers like you and I. Luckily, we have discovered a great tool from our friends at LCI Brands. We roll up to the conveyor belt of inconvenience, and no, we don’t opt for their tiny ziplock bags, then dig all through our carry on to find all of our liquids. No sir! We just pull out this beautiful toiletry pouch. All of our liquidy stuff is neatly contained in our “approved” and stylish carry all. Don’t worry gents that make ones for you as well. We started with LCI Brands because they carry over 500+ handy travel tools. Every thing from great bags (We love our Weekend Duffel- It is one TOUGH bag! We even took it camping!), they have adapters of every shape and size, and much more to make your travels so much more easier.

Jenni Bick makes some of the best memory keepers.

We live by the mantra of “make memories”. As we travel we always take a few notes of impressions we have on what we have seen, tasted, stepped in, or fought about during the day. One of our favorite pastimes is going back and re-savoring all of our travel experiences. Jenni Bick Book Binding is the journal of choice for us. For two primary reasons: Beauty and Durability. Jenni Bick’s online store has a host of different shapes, sizes and colors. Pick one that matches your memory making mantra.

The Fighting Pillow. You can buy one that doesn’t say fighting.

Love Pillow

Ok, that description might be a little over the top, but one of the hottest gifts for 2013 is RedEnvelope’sPersonalized Couples Key Dates Throw Pillow. Are you looking for a very thoughtful gift for your loved one? Look no further. These pillows are completely customizable with four key dates and descriptions. They are available in five colors and start at $50! If you have never ordered anything from our friends at RedEnvelope, you must know that they wrap gifts in a stunning red box with a bow. Very classy. A thoughtful personalized gift for $50? You betcha. Get on it.

One of our prized possesions, our travel map.

The Map

Every globetrotter is always thinking about a past adventure and the next one that they are going to take. We have the perfect gift: The world pin map. This gorgeous framed world or country map is handmade by our friends Brenda and Mike at Push Pin Travel Maps. These fine-art quality maps are guaranteed conversation starters. Each map comes with a set of multicolored pins to celebrate past, present and future travels! We LOVE ours! It is proudly displayed in our home. The beauty of these maps, they are a great gift for the lifelong traveler or the newly married couple just starting their adventures. You would expect to pay $500 for framed art of this quality. But at Push Pin Travel Maps, these maps start at only $99! Each map can be custom engraved making it a truly personalized gift, ours says “Travels of the Fighting Couple.” We get so many compliments on our map, it hangs proudly in our living room.

Disclosure: On occasion we are offered items to review on this site. Does this affect our honest review and opinion? Not one bit!

Romance Ruined in Florence

By The Fighting Couple on December 9, 2014 in General

A little known secret of marriage, when the pastor says the words, “till death do you part,” he doesn’t tell you this could include your life being threatened if you don’t watch your bride’s favorite movies as a newlywed. My bride is a heartless romantic. She is obsessed with the classic tales of girl meets guy, girl hates guy, guy decides he likes girl, girl then decides she likes guy. This includes “Gone With the Wind,” “Anne of Green Gables,” and “Pride and Prejudice.” I spent the first year of our marriage being forced to watch all of these films or face a lonely night. This included Luci’s most coveted chick flick, “A Room with A View.” I loathe a “Room with A View” as I had to relive every annoying detail of this movie on our first trip to Florence, Italy.

The grand dome in the distance. Florence lives up to its reputation.

For those of you that have not had the privilege of watching the show 256 times, a brief synopsis is in order. Set in Edwardian era of romance and properness, the heroine Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham Carter) and her chaperone Charlotte Bartlett (Maggie Smith) travel from dreary England to sun-kissed Tuscany.

During their stay in Florence, Lucy meets a quirky, yet ruggedly handsome young man named George Emerson. George pursues Lucy and passionately kisses her in the Tuscan countryside. Yada, Yada, Yada Lucy gets yanked away from George and goes back to England. She then gets engaged to boring Cecil (Daniel Day-Lewis) until George’s Dad rents a nearby flat and George kisses Lucy again. Yada, Yada, Yada. Lucy breaks up with Cecil. The movie ends with George making out with Lucy overlooking the Duomo with their “Room with a View” in Florence and groping her. This is the only part of the movie, I like.

So how did all this ruin our trip to Tuscany?

Well, it started on where to stay. Of course we had to find a hotel with a sweeping vista of the Arno. We needed the bay window that opened up to the city. We needed to schedule a nearby clock tower to ring at the exact moment that we kissed and arrange for some white doves to be released below. We did some research on this website for hotels in Florence. Quickly, we realized that our caviar dreams would not be realized on our peanut butter budget. We settled for a B and B within walking distance of the Arno. Our room had windows…they just didn’t open.

Once we checked into our abode, it was off to see the city and systematically retrace every movement of George and Lucy. While I talked my Luci out of reenacting all the scenes, we did see some of Florence’s best sights.

Take it to the Top

Forget a room with a view of the Arno, do not miss the view from the top of the Cupola del Brunelleschi. Our first stop in our grand Florence adventure was one of the most recognizable sights in all of Florence: the Duomo. Its iconic red roof rises 142 feet from the ground. The dome is an engineering marvel. It is larger than the domes of the US Capitol, St. Paul’s in London, and even St. Peters in Rome! Impressive! There is only one-way to the top: the stairs.

A view from the Cupola del Brunelleschi. Worth the hike to the top.

The journey is not for the faint of heart. The stairs are steep, cramped and crowded. Is the climb worth it? YES! The view of the city from the lofty perch is not to be missed. The view on the inside is equally as impressive. Giorgio Vasari treats you to an up-close view of a fresco and Federico Zucchari called “the Last Judgment.” Both heaven and hell are presented in very graphic displays. I was just glad that my “Luci” didn’t push me over the balcony and trade me in for her own “George.”

The Bridges

Another of Florence’s icons are her many bridges over the Arno River. Perhaps the most famous is the Ponte Vecchio. The pedestrian-only bridge is actually the home of historic gold and jewelry traders. We spent some time trying to find something that we liked and could afford. We were ultimately unsuccessful. Prices are much higher than the quality of the craftsmanship.

The less than impressive Ponte Vecchio.

The bridge also has a secret. It secret elevated walkway served as a passageway between the Medici palaces on each side of the Arno River. It allowed the rich and powerful the ability to cross the creek without coming in contact with the unwashed masses. The Ponte Vecchio is the only Florence bridge that survived World War II intact.

Go See “the Junk”

Forget Cecil or even George…tourists flock to see one of the most famous “pair” in the entire world: David’s! The statue of David is housed in the Accademia Gallery. While visiting the Accademia is a must, our favorite museum in Florence is the Uffizi Gallery. The Uffizi is housed in an old Medici palace along the Arno. The family was a great patron of the arts and their collection rivals only the Louvre in Paris. A full day tour of the exhibits is barely during the place justice. All the greats hang on the walls here: Duccio, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, Caravaggio, Raphael and they even have a few Rembrandts. The museum actually has two museum stores, one as you go in and you guessed it, one as you go out. Both have great guides and art books about the collections.

Take you postcard picture at the Piazzale Michelangelo.

The Postcard Place

There is one place not to be missed for taking the quintessential Florence Photo: Piazzale Michelangelo. The views of the Florentine skyline from the park cannot be beat. You can get great photos of: Santa Croce, the Duomo, and the many bridges on the Arno. A word of warning: you are not going to be alone. Throngs of “Lucy Honeychurch” worshipers converge on the Piazza at dusk. For good reason, sunsets from the very top of the park are simply priceless. The light on the red rooftops of the city creates a soft focus postcard worthy picture.

Florence US Cemetary

Florence American Cemetery

One of our favorite Florence sights isn’t in the city. The Florence American Cemetery is located a few miles south of the city, and is one of the most beautiful cemeteries and tributes we have visited in our travels. There are more than 4,400 service members interred in the 70 acres. Most of those buried gave their lives after capturing Rome during World War II. The day we visited, there was a light fog that made the entire setting hauntingly beautiful. The fields are filled with lines and lines of white crosses and stars. The grounds keepers were very helpful in sharing the history of the cemetery.

The Finale

If you follow the Fighting Couple, you know our second favorite thing to do in Italy is to eat gelato! Florence has a number of fine establishments that offer this delectable treat. We usually have one shop that we highly recommend, but candidly we ate at a handful of different locations and didn’t have a bad batch. Go figure. Around the bell tower there are a number of really good offering. Send us a picture!

Romance in Florence

With tempered expectations, Florence is and will continue to be one of the most romantic cities on the globe. Watch the movie, but make your own story in this city for lovers.

Remembering Pearl Harbor

By The Fighting Couple on December 7, 2014 in General

In the early hours of December 7th, 1941, the Empire of Japan launched a massive attack on the naval base just outside of Honolulu, Hawaii. This attack would result in a declaration of war, the entry of the United States of America into WWII. Both Luci and I have ancestors that fought in the Pacific. During our recent visit to Hawaii, we spent the morning paying our respects to those that lost their lives in this attack. The Pearl Harbor visitors center is a helpful resources to learn about the history of this fateful event. Once you have had the chance to visit the museum, you are ushered into a theater to watch a short documentary on the attack. From the theatre you board a small shuttle boat that takes you out to the USS Arizona memorial. Below are a few of our pictures from our visit.

Visiting Pearl Harbor:

Official Website: http://www.nps.gov/valr/index.htm

twitter: https://twitter.com/PacificNPS

The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii

A beautiful white building is situated over the underwater wreckage of the ship.

The rusting hull of the USS Arizona can be viewed from the memorial. A small amount of oil continues to leak from the underwater tanks of the ship.

Over 1000 servicemen died as a result of the attack. Listed on the wall of the memorial are crew members that were killed aboard the USS Arizona. Survivors can elect to have their remains interred in the ship when they pass away.

USS Missouri (BB-63) nicknamed the “Mighty Mo”. The Missouri was the last battleship commissioned by the United States and was the site of the surrender of the Empire of Japan which ended World War II. The ship (now a museum) stands on guard watching over Pearl Harbor.

In an address to congress President Franklin D. Roosevelt penned the famous “Infamy” speech. An hour after the speech, congress declared war.

Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial are reminders of the sacrifice of so many for freedom. The Fighting Couple salutes those service men and women and their families that have given their all that we may live free. Thank you.

Fantasy Island at the Grand Hyatt Kauai

By The Fighting Couple on November 19, 2014 in General

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!

Slow Travel with Turtles Travel!

By The Fighting Couple on November 15, 2014 in General

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.

The Fighting Couple’s Hawaiian Secret

By The Fighting Couple on October 30, 2014 in General

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.

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