Travel Archives | Page 6 of 24 | Welcome by Waiting on Martha

The Tasting Tents are what comes to mind for many when they think of Atlanta Food & Wine Festival. You know, the big white tents and mouth-watering samples of food and wine for days. Like every year, I knew this was something that could not be missed, and I relished the off-duty time spent with the team in the Tasting Tents on Friday night.

This year, the Tasting Tents called Atlanta Botanical Garden home; which I couldn’t have been more thrilled about. The beautiful expanse was the perfect location for the crowds to visit and eat/drink to their hearts’ content…it was really a wonder why the tents hadn’t been located there in previous years! The flow of the tents was really well done; spread out just enough to not feel claustrophobic or like you were walking for miles between booths and culinary “trails.” I don’t know about you, but the Tasting Tents have the ability to overwhelm me (I don’t really enjoy crowds), but that was not the case at all this year.

With over a hundred talented vendors set up at the Tasting Tents, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. As you walk in, you think “where to even begin?!” But as a seasoned Tasting Tents attendee, I knew the ones I absolutely had to visit (Revolution Donuts‘ infamous peach sliders—warm donuts sliced in half with fresh Georgia peaches—are always on the top of my list, and I of course gravitate to any and all wineries). But the Tasting Tents are also a time for exhibitors to unveil new, unexpected twists to their usual cuisine (Fox Bros took a breather from their popular smoked meats and barbecued only seafood this year, proving their never-ending ability to impress), as well as a time for new talent to be discovered…I was so impressed to stumble upon wineries from as far as New Zealand and South Africa in attendance.

Did you make it to the Tasting Tents this year? I’d love to know what your favorites were! And of course if you’re reading this and your mouth is watering (mine is), do make a point to attend next year. You’ll leave with happy hearts and full bellies, I promise. Truly, MKR

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Every time I come back from a trip, I feel an even stronger pang of wanderlust for more. And while travel is always so rewarding, the trips can add up FAST. Luckily there are plenty of travel hacks and tips out there to help lessen the damage to your back account…you just need to know how to work the system. Whether that’s taking full advantage of the best loyalty programs with the leading travel credit cards, finding last-minute (I mean last, last, last-minute) flight deals, or even scoring access to the airport lounge during a hellacious flight delay, there are ways to get the most bang for your buck and enjoy even more comforts while you’re on the go.

You may remember my 11 tips for traveling like a pro, but today I’m sharing five of my most recent tricks in the slideshow above. Check out five easy travel hacks below, and get ready to say hello to smarter travel for your next trip! What are your favorite travel hacks? Cheers, Kat

No. 1…Score Access to the Airport Lounge. If you find yourself with a lot of time to kill thanks to a hellacious layover, cancellation or flight delay, consider checking out LoungeBuddy to see if it’s worth it to book one-day access to an airport lounge. The app partners with lounges in some of the busiest airports in the world, making exclusive members-only airport lounges a thing of the past.

No. 2…Choose the Right Travel Credit Card. The right travel credit card can offer fantastic benefits and rewards for your next trip. This list offers a comprehensive look at the pros and cons of the best options in 2016, and urges customers to look beyond the initial signup bonus to choose a card that works for them.

No. 3…Work the In-Flight Seating System. If you’re traveling with someone, and can select your seat assignments, book the aisle and window seats. You’ll then leave the middle seat open, which may deter someone from booking that seat at all (if the flight is not fully booked), thus leaving three seats at your disposal. If someone does book however, a simple request to switch seats can allow for you to sit with your travel partner as planned.

No. 4…Make Same-Day Changes. To most, the thought of changing your flight the day-of is either a) impossible, b) nerve-racking or c) unnecessary. But contrary to popular belief, same-day changes can be easy to do and can actually save you some money. By calling your airlines the day-of, you can inquire about cheaper reservations at different departure times. The change is free on airlines like Southwest and only $50 on other airlines to change the day of your flight.

No. 5…Land a Free Stopover (& Double Your Vacation). As many travelers discovered last year, creative planning can sometimes lend itself to a free stopover in an amazing destination (think Iceland, Casablanca, Istanbul, Sydney, Aukland and more). By landing a free stopover, you’ll be able to visit two cities on one ticket for almost the same price to fly directly to your destination. Though it does take a little research, it’s definitely worth the reward. You can find stopover information via search engines like this site.