Creative Holiday Gifts (And Ways To Travel NOW): Online Airbnb Experiences

Creative Holiday Gifts (And Ways To Travel NOW): Online Airbnb Experiences

Photo from Airbnb.com

Don’t know what gifts to buy for the holidays? Do you wish you could travel NOW?

My grandmother told us every year not to give her gifts. What she wanted was us at her table every Sunday for lunch. As a mom, I don’t want things from my adult children either. I want experiences with them. I’ll never forget the Christmas we spent together in London…the trip Taylor and I did to Captiva Island…the ride cross-country with Cole when he moved to Denver .

I love traveling with friends. With borders closed, we’ve been grounded. Then Sally said that she and her daughter were designing their own espadrilles in Barcelona via Airbnb experiences. She said we should meet on our birthdays this year in Italy. I was thrilled! We made limoncello on the Amalfi Coast with tour guide Rosa (my next podcast guest) on my birthday. Sally was in Virginia. I was in Nashville, and two couples Zoomed in from Canada. On Sally’s birthday we will learn about spiced wines in Naples from archaeologist Raffaele.

You can give the people in your life the world — literally — here. And make new friends who invite you into their homes. They’ll also help you plan your next trip to their cities.

What do the people in your life love to do? Do they love animalsmusic, dancing, or other artshistory and cultureyoga…fitnesscooking or wine tasting? SO MANY CHOICES. Instead of traveling to India this weekend by streaming The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel again, I’ll Dance it up in my kitchen with this Indian Chef.

Below are just a few things I’d love to do (hint). What do YOU want to do?

Fresh Pasta with Two Sicilian Farmers

Authentic Apple Crepe with a French Chef

Feed the Soul with Kat’s Yoga Brunch Club

Cook Spanish Paella with a Top Chef

Irish History, Village, Culture, and Craic

Wine Tasting in France

New Zealand Wine and Travel Experience

Cocktails Masterclass with UK Champion

GINspiration Cocktails at Home

Discover the Secrets of Sancerre Wine

And if you’re looking for a way to bond beyond one experience on one day, I have more unique ideas… they are in this month’s newsletter along with suggestions for summer entertaining, travel planning, and other May fun.

Thanks to the subscribers on the blog. Thanks to the followers on WordPress, and if any of you or anyone else reading this would like to receive the monthly newsletter, please enter your email list below. Cheers!

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The Cayman Islands, Argentina, and Nashville Meet at the Victory Cup Polo Tour

The Cayman Islands, Argentina, and Nashville Meet at the Victory Cup Polo Tour

Once upon a time, I lived on a  thoroughbred farm in Lexington, Kentucky, where I saw foals born and horse sales break records at Keeneland. Not so long ago, before moving back to Nashville, I had a farewell brunch with friends at The Selman in Marrakesh, Morocco where Arabian horses danced for us and were featured in the movie, Queen of the Desert. Last weekend I enjoyed horse-watching again, this time on a field in Tennessee.

The Victory Cup, one of the largest equestrian events in the US (over 75,000 attendees in 2018) and celebrating its 15th year, came to Nashville on a twelve-city tour. If you missed the event here, check out their schedule which includes cities in New York and Connecticut this summer, Charleston, South Carolina and Houston, Texas this fall.
The private, for-profit event features hot air balloons, polo, food, fashion and family fun. The Victory Cup chose as their 2019 Charity Partner Purple Heart Homes , an organization benefiting disabled veterans.

Panoram Imports , passionate about their Argentinian meats and wines catered an authentic asado served to guests in the VIP Golden Mallet and Founder’s Lounge. Sponsors  of the event include The Cayman Islands, Whispering Angel from Chateau d’Esclans in Provence,  and Vineyard Vines clothing.

Victory Cup in Nashville

Polo Match at Victory Cup Nashville

Polo Player at Victory Cup

Polo players from Cayman Islands at Victory Cup

Polo Players from Cayman Islands Team Victory Cup Nashville

mother and daughter at Victory Cup Nashville

Women having drinks at Victory Cup Nashville

Family at Victory Cup Nashville

Lady and children at Victory Cup Polo Match Nashville

Food served at Victory Cup Nashville

The Victory Cup

Colombian ladies providing food at Victory Cup Nashville

Lady with Dalmation puppy at Victory Cup Nashville

Dalmation puppies at Victory Cup Nashville

goats at victory cup nashville

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Premiere Transportation invited guests to  climb aboard and gather a gang. They offer day trips which include Tennessee wine and whiskey tours, The Kentucky Derby, Keeneland, sports events, and Dollywood.

April Richards in Premier Transportation RV at Victory Cup
My friend, April, was first on the bus ready to ride.

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People searching for Vineyard Vines hidden diamond ring at Victory Cup
A search for a $10,000 ring donated and hidden on the field–Vineyard Vines hats required

Best Dressed people at Victory Cup polo match

Polocrosse at Victory Cup
Bonus was a game of polocrosse, a combination of polo and lacrosse.

Polo players at Victory Cup

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Hot Air Balloon at Victory Cup Nashville