The Travel Oracle

The Travel Oracle
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  • Who is the Travel Oracle?
    • Contact us!
    • The places we’ve been
    • The Oracle Recommends…
    • Our City Guides
    • Travel Booking Services
  • Our World Famous Kidney Donor Athlete
    • Running Stories
  • Subscribe
  • The Golden Pelican Awards of Excellence
  • Newsletter
  • Man in a Boston Scally cap and a woman seated in Delta One pods

    The 5 things you need before your next adventure

    Whether you’ve been planning for months or just decided on a last minute road trip, what you bring with you has the ability to make or break your vacation. If you’re anything like me, not packing the perfect suitcase equals a trip to the local Walmart. (And depending on where you are…”local” can be an hour drive!!) Though we cannot predict the weather, we do have a list of the 5 things you need before your next adventure. 1. Get you some packing cubes I’m sure you’ve read this in many a travel article but let me say, this sh&t WORKS! Think of them as a dresser in your suitcase…

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    Moments you remember the most - trying Amaro in Italy

    The moments you remember the most might surprise you

    March 27, 2025
    Buddhist temple with red pillars and a tall gray, tiled roof surrounded by a lane of red buildings on either side

    What You Won’t Want to Miss in Tokyo

    February 5, 2026
    Collage of travel gear, inspirational phrases and travel gear

    Cyber Monday Deals for the Travel Lover in Your Life

    December 1, 2024
  • Woman with wind-blown hair and a man in a ball cap standing on a pier over the ocean.

    Beachy Vibes and Fast Race Times in Jacksonville

    Stephen says, 2023 is the “Year of the Marathon”. His crazy race calendar kicked off with the Dopey Challenge in Orlando and it’s looking like it might end with Honolulu in December. Last week, he shared the race report for the DONNA half. This week, I’d love to share with you the rest of the beachy vibes and fast race time in Jacksonville Beach. The Arrival Unlike our typical trip, our flight didn’t leave until 8pm. This led to a rather leisurely trip to the airport and a little extra time in the Delta Lounge. I took advantage of the unstructured time to have a glass of house Rose’ while…

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    Man in race clothes standing next to a man dressed as Boba Fett

    The Fantastic Florida Holiday Escape

    December 15, 2022
    Black suitcase with a luggage tag that reads “Destination Marathons”

    Diplomatic Immunity

    February 2, 2023
    Steam train with a black and red engine car

    Checking out the Wizarding and Surreal Worlds

    December 22, 2022
  • Momma and Us

    NYC 22 – Day 1(the Museum and the Piano Bar)

    Since my Momma is a big Harry Potter fan, we decided to take her to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway for Mother’s Day. While we were there, we figured we should take her to see the best of everything else in NYC too. Join us for our first day’s journey to the Museum of Natural History and to the Piano Bar. Morning Shenanigans First Parking – We were not able to use our regular parking vendor because for the first time in our adventures, they were sold out! This forced us to opt for the pricier and more convenient parking in the McNamara parking deck. Instead…

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    Image of a blue medal that reads NYC Half,hanging from a green ribbon. The Brooklyn bridge is in the background.

    United Airlines NYC Half Recap

    March 20, 2025
    Group of people in winter clothes, smiling and hugging on an ice skating rink. Behind them are trees lit in white lights and a row of flags

    Skating Under the Stars and Other Shenanigans

    February 1, 2024
    Statue of the headless horseman chasing Ichabod Crane

    It’s October, Try Not to Lose Your Head

    October 5, 2023
  • New York 2022 – Day 2 (The Pub crawl and the Play)

    When we woke on Saturday, it was raining…like really raining…like soaking, pouring, flooding rain. But we are adventurers so we sallied forth, umbrellas in hand. How could we let a little rain or a minor typhoon stop us? We had the Pub Crawl and the Play ahead of us. Morning Shenanigans Where we ate and drank – Our first stop was 787 Coffee for pastries, coffee and hot chocolate. Outside, a group of about 10 people were gathering and pinning numbered bibs to their backs. We discovered that this particular Saturday was The Great Saunter which brings together thousands of people to hike the 32 mile perimeter of Manhattan. I…

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    Image of a blue medal that reads NYC Half,hanging from a green ribbon. The Brooklyn bridge is in the background.

    United Airlines NYC Half Recap

    March 20, 2025
    The entrance to the Central Park Zoo

    A Last Minute Stroll at the Zoo

    December 21, 2023

    New York 2022 – Day 3 (The tour of Sleepy Hallow)

    May 7, 2022
  • New York 2022 – Day 3 (The tour of Sleepy Hallow)

    Morning Shenanigans Our friend, from Tarrytown, offered to give us a tour of Sleepy Hallow on Mothers Day. Since we couldn’t possibly say “no” to such a fun offer, we dragged ourselves out of bed at 8, grabbed a quick bite at Duncan Donuts, and made our way to Grand Central Terminal. Cheapskate Tip – Grand Central Terminal is worth visiting even if you’re not going anywhere. The main hall alone is quite impressive with it’s marble flooring and constellation murals on the ceiling. The floor beneath it is full of shops and some reasonably priced restaurants. The hour long ride on the Hudson line took us through areas we…

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    The NYC Marathon Medal in the center of the Vessel. The Vessel is concentric rings with squared edges made of copper with rings of glass between

    The NYC Marathon – More than a Walk in the Park

    December 1, 2022

    New York 2022 – Day 2 (The Pub crawl and the Play)

    May 8, 2022
    Bar at the SkyClub at LaGuardia airport. Their are bar stools in silver upholstery in front of a gold and silver flecked bar with a black granite counter top. There are pendulum lights hanging over the bar top and three bar tenders behind, making and pouring drinks. Behind them are floor to ceiling shelves with bottles of alcohol and two mounted TVs.

    Check Out the Newest Lounge at LaGuardia

    November 7, 2024
  • New York 2022 – Day 4 (The Intrepid and the hike)

    We were up early and ready for our last day in NYC. First stop, a proper breakfast at the Brooklyn Diner Cafe in midtown. This diner was swanky, cozy and tasty…which meant the menu was pricey! Stephen and I ate while momma had a hot chocolate. Total price…around $75! But they do give you mouthwash in the bathroom, so there’s that! We then strolled through Times Square and Hell’s Kitchen to get to the Intrepid Museum, our next stop on our best of NYC tour. Stephen was so happy to find a black and white cookie – an absolute MUST for any trip to the Big Apple. Cheapskate  tip –…

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    Large buildings covered in LED screens and lights. It's Times Square at night.

    The Best of The Big Apple

    August 30, 2023
    Statue of the headless horseman chasing Ichabod Crane

    It’s October, Try Not to Lose Your Head

    October 5, 2023
    The NYC Marathon Medal in the center of the Vessel. The Vessel is concentric rings with squared edges made of copper with rings of glass between

    The NYC Marathon – More than a Walk in the Park

    December 1, 2022
  • Check out the Runnah Hoopla on Day 2

    We got up at 7am to knock out a three mile run before all the Runnah Hoopla began, passing Paul Revere Park, the Bunker Hill Monument and the USS Constitution. Runner tip – Running early is a great way to explore a new city as you’re often out earlier than the people who live there and all the tourists. The Bunker Hill Monument is currently closed due to construction work but walking the grounds and seeing the outside is still worth the trek. The USS Constitution (aka Old Ironsides) is permanently moored at the Charlestown Naval Yard where she was built in the 1790s. Cheapskate tip – Both the Bunker…

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    Quincy Market Rotunda

    Boston – The Search for Craft Beer, Lobster and Gelato

    April 1, 2022
    Statue of Paul Revere riding a horse with the old North Church in the back ground. There are a line of trees on either side between the two

    How to Spend THE Perfect Day in Boston

    July 10, 2025
    Woman touching the foot of the statue of John Harvard.

    How Smart are You – going to Harvard for Free?

    April 11, 2024
  • How to Celebrate and Still Prep for a Marathon

    How do you celebrate Easter while prepping for a Marathon? It’s easy if you have a plan. Our plan for this day was less walking, less beer but it would not be a day without adventure! Stephen went off to do a shake out run with some of the Marathoners near Boston Commons.   I went off to visit one of many churches within walking distance of our studio. I landed at St. Leonard’s because their service time worked really well for our schedule. The exterior was really inauspicious but once you were inside…look out! Their priest was great and very relatable. Also, one of the readings that morning was done only in…

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    Man in a kilt, sweatshirt and Scally cap standing outside a restaurant

    Rockin’ the Kilts on St. Patty’s Day

    June 27, 2024
    Sculpture of a yellow unicorn, which a man peeking behind it

    Boston Marathon 2024 Recap

    July 25, 2024

    Check out the Runnah Hoopla on Day 2

    April 5, 2022
  • Look at the Fun we had at the Boston Marathon!

    What he did – It was a cool morning for the Boston Marathon. Stephen was up and out the door by 5:45 in order to get on the T and get on the charter bus to the start line. What I did – Since I was training for a half marathon, I got up and did a 7 mile “long run” from our place along the Charles River Esplanades. Here are some of the sites: After the run, I grabbed the T and headed toward Brookline to cheer for my favorite runner. Here he is at mile 24 – still going strong. I was really proud of his effort, especially considering he…

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    Quincy Market Rotunda

    Boston – The Search for Craft Beer, Lobster and Gelato

    April 1, 2022
    Man in a kilt, sweatshirt and Scally cap standing outside a restaurant

    Rockin’ the Kilts on St. Patty’s Day

    June 27, 2024
    Sculpture of a yellow unicorn, which a man peeking behind it

    Boston Marathon 2024 Recap

    July 25, 2024
  • Ever Want to Stay ALL Day at Fenway?

    We did and you can too! Check out our accidental full day at Fenway. The day started as expected – NO RUNNING. After all, one of us just did a marathon and the other one did a 7 mile run followed by 7 miles of chasing her favorite runner to the finish line. We left our room early and headed to Fenway to get tickets for the 4pm pre-game tour. The Morning at Fenway No sooner had we taken the receipt from the ticket booth than a tour guide gave us the inside scoop on the Tours. We thought they would all be the same but it turns out that…

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    Travel themed birthday cake, where the main part looks like a globe. There is a suite case next to it and a candle showing the number 3 on top

    We’re Three Today!

    June 5, 2025
    Man wearing a scaly cap, holding a pint of craft beer

    Driving the Snakes Out of South Boston

    May 30, 2024

    Check out the Runnah Hoopla on Day 2

    April 5, 2022
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