When you travel, do you want luxury amenities without paying the hefty price tag flying from  coast to coast? In the past, travelers would have to wait in long lines at the ticket counter or at the gate to  put their name on a list for a flight upgrade. Another option was to just bite the bullet and pay the business class ticket. Ouch! A JetBlue Mint expereince puts offers another option for luxury seeking travelers.

With their Mint Service, passengers can take advantage of the luxuries that you would pay dearly for on legacy airlines for just a fraction of the cost of your average business class ticket. Tickets start at $600. depending on route and time of booking.

Beets are a bit of a lightning rod. Tastebuds will either fall madly in love or stop dead in their tracks and do a U- turn. Food always offers the opportunity to dig into a new destination when traveling. Can a pot of soup unlock the cultural secrets of a country? Can the flavor of a root vegetable give insight to a new destination?  I was game to find out while tasting beets and borscht in Ukraine.

Strong, earthy and filled with vitamins and minerals (follate and manganese and more), beets have always been one of my favorite foods. Some nutritionists even call it crimson spinach because of high levels of iron. On a trip to Ukraine with JayWay Travel, I challenged myself to find the tasty beets on as many menus as possible. The country did not disappoint.

Wondering why travelers should visit Ukraine now? The country has a rich and storied past: from humble beginnings it became a trade route established by Scandinavians in the 800’s. Later it played a role as a location for Cossack outposts. More recently we all know about its time as a part of the USSR and Russian suppression. When offered the opportunity to visit this undiscovered destination with JayWay Travel, I was fascinated to learn more about one of the largest countries in Europe. I wanted to see for myself why so many were being seduced by the charms of Eastern Europe.

Dark, lacquered walls and deep, plush banquettes in rich jeweled tones seemed appropriate. Afterall, the retro speakeasy, Pennyroyal is just off the lobby. Jimi Hendrix greets us decked in 19th century military costume.  Kelsey Grammar holds court at the end of the hall. I can’t decide if I’m dreaming or jet-lagged. A delayed flight had us arriving at the Seattle Kimpton Palladian well past midnight, but from the get go, the Kimpton team is hospitality ready. Within minutes, a welcome platter and bottle of wine arrived at our door. Hello Seattle, I’m happy to meet you!

Vichyssoise.  The first time I had a healthy chilled soup, my third grade vocabulary bastardized the pronunciation. My ever so proper grandmother corrected me by rounding her lips and whispering  a drawn out Alison it’s viiishy swaaaa. In the sweltering August heat, we were on our annual trek into Manhattan to buy my winter coat at Bonwit Tellers.