Here at TravelingMamas.com, we believe travel not only educates, but changes lives. Sometimes, it’s that one moment from travels during childhood or the teen years that sticks with us and inspires greatness.

One story that struck a chord with me is the journey of Gail Ambrosius. She visited France as a teen on a school trip and had one of those life-changing moments – she decided to become a chocolatier. Gail returned home and did what most of us do; she got married, took a “safe” job, and became a mother. Life has a way of pushing us to the place we’re supposed to be and sometime we make detours on our journey that prepare us for when that moment comes upon us. It makes us stronger. Gail never lost her love and desire for chocolate, and in 2004 she made a decision to pursue her dreams.

Today, the product of that delicious dream can be found on Atwood Avenue in Madison, Wisconsin at Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier. These truffles are free of preservatives and bring the adventure of worldwide destinations through smooth and creamy chocolate experiences. There are seasonal chocolates and collections such as Classic Collection, Adventure Collection, and Tea Inspired Collection.

Gail uses products from all over the world and the creamy, rich flavors reveal themselves on the tongue. The inspiration of worldwide destinations via a culinary caravan of chocolate is what makes TravelingMamas.com adore this indulging treat. Gail Ambrosius is definitely a Traveling Mama to admire.

TravelingMamas.com shared this travel-inspired product with guests of Wine in the City last week. Each dinner guest received a six piece box of Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier handmade truffles to enjoy while writing about their travel and culinary experiences. Thank you, Gail Ambrosius, for your courage and persistence to follow your dreams and bring to the world this delightful and elegant culinary experience.

All my life, I have driven on I-75 to and from Florida once, twice or a dozen times a year. And for those of you who have done it, you know that means you see a lot — a lot — of Georgia interstate.

You also see a lot of fast-food joints and chain restaurants. But if you can wait to eat until you’re around Atlanta, there are a couple of gems just off the highway that are great for families. Here are my favorite spots for a meal along I-75 near Atlanta:

The Varsity (I-75 Exit 249D)

The Varsity has been serving up chili cheese dogs, onion rings and fried pies for 80+ years in Atlanta. The food is good, but this place is really about the experience. It’s packed at nearly any time of the day, and you’d better have your order ready when you get to the counter, because the cashier will bark “What’ll ya have? What’ll ya have?” until you spit it out.

Kids can pick up a free paper Varsity bell-hop hat. And be sure to get them a Frosted Orange – which tastes like a creamsicle in a cup. Just being in the hustle and bustle of the Varsity is exciting, and there’s plenty to read about the history of the place, too.

One note of caution, though: If you’re road tripping during college football season, you may want to check to see if Georgia Tech is playing at home that day before planning a stop at The Varsity. On a normal day, the restaurant serves two miles of hot dogs and 2,500 pounds of potatoes. On a Georgia Tech game day, those numbers double.

Marietta Diner (I-75 Exit 263)

The Marietta Diner’s menu could be the biggest challenge you face all day. There are literally hundreds of items to choose from. Just about anything you can think of – from pastas to pies to pork chops – is on it. In fact, on a recent visit I asked about an item and stumped the waiter – he couldn’t find it when flipping through the multi-page menu for himself.

Most of the meals include a salad AND a soup. I recommend the Greek salad made with a ton of fresh ingredients and a huge chunk of feta, and the chicken matzo ball soup. In fact, I’m full after eating those two things and the free spanakopita that is served with the bread on the table.

But then the entrees come, and they are amazingly huge, too. We’re talking two 1 1/2-inch thick pork chops on a 16-inch platter of rice and teriyaki vegetables. For one person. It’s the kind of thing I could serve my whole family and still have leftovers. So plan for that by sharing, or if you’re going to have a microwave where you’re headed, take it with you. Trust me, no one is walking out of this place without a to-go box.

Not surprisingly, there’s plenty to choose from on the kids menu, and kids will get a kick out of eating in a classic chrome diner. They’ll also need some time to ogle at the dessert case, which is filled with cakes that stand more than a foot tall.

(You’ll be too full for dessert at the end of your meal, but do yourself a favor and take a piece of cake to go to share at the hotel later.)

Yellowfin Tuna Three Ways at Walt Disney World's California Grill

If your idea of dining at theme parks is a fast-food burger and fries from an outdoor stand, you might be surprised to find that a Walt Disney World vacation can include fine cuisine and many unique dining experiences. There are hundreds of dining options at the Walt Disney World resort. During my family’s multiple visits each year, there are some favorite restaurants that keep us coming back again and again.

Reservations are strongly recommended for all of these top Disney World restaurants. They can be made up to 180 days in advance on line or by calling (407) 939-3463. Six months in advance may seem like overkill, but during the busy season, seatings do fill up several months early, so it’s best to book your Disney dining as soon as you can.

Here are my picks for the best restaurants in Walt Disney World:

California Grill is the classic fine dining restaurant at Walt Disney World, offering California Fusion cuisine and spectacular views of the Magic Kingdom and the Seven Sea Lagoon.
Where: Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Menu highlights: Yellowfin Tuna Three Ways, Maine Lobster Risotto, Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Zinfandel Glaze and the cheese board, which changes frequently.
What I love most: Watching the fireworks explode over Cinderella Castle at the end of a wonderful meal

At Todd English’s bluezoo, you can dine on “coastal gourmet” dishes in a gorgeous restaurant designed to make you feel like you are underwater.
Where: Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort
Menu highlights: Berbere Spiced Swordfish, Tempura Haricot Vert and the Mai Tai Banana Cream Tart
What I love most: The creative cocktails, which change frequently — bacon whiskey, anyone? — and the free child care offered at Camp Dolphin while you dine.

Citricos serves a frequently changing menu of Tuscan, Provencal and Spanish cuisine in the regal surroundings of one of Disney World’s finest hotels.
Where: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
Menu highlights: Arancini (Crispy Risotto with Italian Sausage and White Truffle Aioli), Goat Cheese Truffle Salad and Braised Veal Shank with a Toasted Citrus Gremolata
What I love most: The extravagance of dining on a specially designed menu in Citrico’s private Chef’s Domain room.

The best breakfast at Walt Disney World is at Kona Cafe, which offers American fare with a few Asian and Polynesian twists.
Where: Disney’s Polynesian Resort
Menu highlights: Tonga Toast (banana-stuffed sourdough French toast coated in cinnamon sugar) and The Samoan (poached eggs and hollandaise over pulled pork hash)
What I love most: 100% Kona coffee served in a French-press

The Wave is all about healthy, sustainable eating at Walt Disney World. It’s a great place for a lighter dinner after all the vacation “treats” we tend to consume.
Where: Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Menu highlights: Five-Spice Chicken Lettuce Wraps and the sustainable fish of the day, served with a Cilantro Chutney
What I love most: The wine list, which features many unusual Southern Hemisphere wines to discover.

Dining in venues where Disney characters visit your table is a classic Walt Disney World experience, and The Garden Grill is my choice for the best character meal at Walt Disney World.
Where: The Land pavilion inside the EPCOT theme park
Menu highlights: Family-style meal including grilled flank steak, roast turkey and vegetables grown in The Land’s greenhouse.
What I love most: Watching little faces light up as Mickey Mouse appears to give warm hugs and pose for pictures.

The menu changes seasonally at Jiko – The Cooking Place, which successfully combines African and Indian flavors with Mediterranean cuisine in one of the most beautifully decorated restaurants at Walt Disney World.
Where: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Menu highlights: Tibs Watt in Pannekoeke (beef-stuffed crepes with an olive tapenade), Braised Beet Salad with goat cheese and Spiced Crusted Tuna
What I love most: The specialty tea menu, which includes a flowery Earl Grey, Pear Tree Green Tea and a whole-fruit Tisane

At Kouzzina by Cat Cora, you can watch your food prepared in the giant open kitchen and dine on Greek and Mediterranean favorites.
Where: Disney’s Boardwalk
Menu highlights: Cinnamon Stewed Chicken, Char-grilled Lamb Burger and Sauteed Brussels Sprouts
What I love most: The wine flights offered here, which allow you to taste three great wines for around $15.

Wise-cracking servers dish out home cooking from mom’s kitchen  at 50’s Prime Time Cafe, where the dining is all about the experience.
Where: Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park
Menu highlights: Mom’s Old-Fashioned Pot Roast and Aunt Liz’s Golden Fried Chicken (both served with mashed potatoes, of course!) and the PB&J milkshake
What I love most: The banter between servers and guests, who are told to keep their elbows off the table and eat their vegetables

Teppan Edo offers dinner and a show, as a traditional Teppan chef cooks your meal tableside.
Where: Japan pavilion inside the EPCOT theme park
Menu highlights: Filet mignon, shrimp, chicken and other Teppan-yaki favorites, grilled with vegetables and Udon noodles
What I love most: The Japan pavilion is one of the prettiest places in the World Showcase, and the kids in our party always love this dining experience.

Before 9/11, it used to be convenient to purchase a few bottles of wine at whatever destination we were visiting to bring home. We could carry it through security, assuring delicate handling of this precious cargo, knowing that the investment (no matter how large or small) would be protected until time to enjoy.

Today, should we decide to purchase wine or other libations during our travels (or bring them with us to our destination), we now have to pack the bottles in our checked luggage – luggage that gets thrown around, stacked, dropped, and rummaged through by the TSA. Sometimes the bottles packed inside get damaged or broken. Nothing is worse that opening your luggage only to find that nice bottle of pinot noir leaked all over the pastel dress you packed to wear for your cousin’s wedding.

Personally, I’ve become a master at packing wine bottles in checked luggage and have been known to leave a few not-so-favorite clothing items at my destination so there would be more room for extra bottles. I once even managed to bring home nine bottles of French wine in a 22 inch upright bag. Yes, it was heavy, but that Chateau du Marres was so worth the extra effort.

Fortunately there is an answer to all of our wine packing problems. No longer will I need steal the plastic laundry bag hanging in a hotel room closet to place my wine in and arrange my laundry artfully around the bottles in my suitcase. I can now travel confidently knowing my wine is safe inside of a Bottlewise Bot’lPak, a wine tote made to protect not only the wine bottle, but also your clothing and other accessories inside your luggage from getting ruined, should the unthinkable happen. It is made with a durable padded outer shell. The interior is a thick sealable plastic case which keeps liquid from seeping onto your clothes, just in case.

Here are some travel tips for packing your wine or culinary item:

• Place your Bot’lPak near the center of your luggage
• Use even weight distribution
• Don’t place anything sharp, like a corkscrew, within your bag to prevent puncturing

The Bottlewise Bot’lPak is available online at Bottlewise.com and retail for $29.95. Be sure to check out the other wine travel accessories from this company. Readers of TravelingMamas.com can get 15% discount on Bottlewise by using Promo Code: TRVM15

This product was provided by the company for review purposes.

Seafood makes up a large portion of the cuisine along the Gulf Coast. If you haven’t already heard, we’re supporting Gulf Coast communities by spending recreation time at affected beaches and eating Gulf Coast seafood. Sounds like a tough job, right? Well, there’s been a bit of hype in the news media regarding “unsafe seafood” and “contaminated waters”. Yes, there is oil in the gulf. Yes, it is affecting the marine and wildlife who come in contact with it. However, there is a REALLY BIG GULF out there.

The media hype is scaring all the tourists away and keeping the diners at home. One of the biggest culinary destinations where people have slacked off eating is in New Orleans. Guess where they get their seafood from? Louisiana fisherman. So, when you don’t eat Louisiana seafood, you’re not only hurting the restaurants and fisherman, but you are directly hurting my family.

“How are we hurting YOU CajunMama?” You might be asking?

In full disclosure, I’ll answer honestly – Half of our household income is from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Seafood is one of the top industries in this state. Now, my husband does not deal with or work with the food side of things, but the budget for his office comes from this major umbrella, and when there are cuts from an already hurting economy, and then income and taxes stop coming in because people are scared to visit or eat here – it can cause people (such as my husband) to possibly lose their job.

We’ve covered many places affected by the oil spill lately, and as with all current events and disasters, I’m sure those of you who don’t see this first-hand are quite frankly tired of hearing all about it. I’m tired of hearing about it also, because it’s pretty darn depressing. I’ve been eating Louisiana Seafood this entire time and it’s still fine and it’s still delicious. Here’s a video about food safety in New Orleans put out by the New Orleans Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. They’ve even launched a new site to inform people on what’s really going on – Check out ThisJustinNewOrleans.com.

I encourage you to eat Louisiana and Gulf Coast seafood anywhere, you don’t have to limit yourself to New Orleans. They aren’t going to serve you toxic food. I mean, let’s get real here. And if you are looking for a weekend getaway and want to help out another destination affected by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, be sure to join us for Mamas4Mamas in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama on August 20, 2010.

We took our first family cruise at the beginning of the summer and it was also my first experience with Carnival Cruise Lines. I’ve enjoyed a romantic cruise with Princess Cruises Crown Princess and a girlfriend getaway cruise on the Norwegian Spirit (the cruise line currently offering Nickelodeon themed cruises). The thing that surprised me most with Carnival was the food. I honestly didn’t expect the cuisine to be as good as it was.

Each evening our family sat with the MommyMusings family for the early seating. My 14 year old son looked forward to each evening meal so that he could sample the various offerings that he doesn’t get at home. My husband enjoyed a steak – EVERY NIGHT. Little CajunMama had fun sitting next to MommyMusing’s daughter, being entertained by the wait staff, and dancing around the dining room. Me? Well, besides the very good and surprisingly affordably priced wine, I loved all the desserts!

Every year I look forward to New Orleans’ most spirited event – Tales of the Cocktail. It’s an annual event held each July and is a festival of cocktails, cuisine, and culture in New Orleans. This is THE place to meet mixologists, authors, bartenders, chefs, and designers from all over the world. What I enjoy most about TOTC is the chance to attend tasting rooms, the dinners, the competitions, and the seminars. It is produced by the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society.

One aspect of Tales that I love is where it’s held – The Hotel Monteleone, a AAA Four Diamond award winning hotel (and the largest hotel in the French Quarter). This iconic hotel has had such fabulous lodgers as Truman Capote, Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, and many modern day celebrities. My favorite way to start a day at Tales of the Cocktail is with a mimosa at the famous Carousel Bar.

I’ll be staying at the Hotel Monteleone this week and one of the fun events being held during Tales of the Cocktail is the Hotel Monteleone TOTC 2010 Twitter contest. I’ve seen hotels do lots of Twitter contests in the past, but what’s innovative about this one is that the Hotel Monteleone is targeting tweeters who will already be at the property, allowing them a chance to win a credit towards their current booking during Tales or coupons for drinks at the Carousel Bar. Don’t worry if you aren’t staying there, the hotel still wants you to play along and is offering the prize for a future stay if you aren’t already booked for this event.

Be sure to check out all the details for participating in this fun way to learn the history of the Hotel Monteleone and share this scavenger hunt adventure via tweets. Contest ends at 12pm CST on Sunday, July 25, 2010 at the commencement of this year’s Tales of the Cocktail.

Tales of the Cocktail is not only fun, but educational. After attending last year I took an interest in mixology and have even started making my own limoncello at home. Mixology is art and science rolled into one that can make any gathering THAT much more exciting. Do you have cocktail recipes on your site? Have you attended Tales of the Cocktail?

Contest Rules: Tales of the Cocktail 2010 Twitter Contest | Hotel Monteleone

Twitter: @HotelMonteleone  and @TOTC

Get the spirited scoop through the Tales Blog.

Disclaimer: I attend Tales of the Cocktail each year to provide editorial content and to entice readers to make plans for future attendance. My pass is provided through comped media access. I actively participate in various tastings and presentations which possibly lead to a happy disposition while attending.

I don’t know about you, but I love to eat when I travel. Food is such an important aspect of travel. It gives us a sense of place and the culture behind the destination. I’ve said before, that here in Louisiana we don’t eat to live, we live to eat. Our culture is that a meal isn’t just for sustenance, but for enjoyment and entertainment. That’s right – entertainment.

In other areas of the world, food is also enjoyed in the same way. I sometimes think that we eat way too fast in the United States. We don’t savor the aromas of the food we eat or take the time to let the various flavors delight our tastebuds. Just think of all the memories we associate with food! One aspect of a meal I’ve never considered is how it actually gets to my plate, from farm to table.

I was invited by the Cherry Marketing Institute for an immersion trip into the world of cherries. I wrote about the health benefits of cherries a while back and how they contain melatonin, which can assist with alleviating jet lag. It only made sense that I would accept this invitation and learn more about this little juicy fruit that looks so pretty in pictures.

The experience is one I’ll never forget. It took place in Traverse City, Michigan coinciding with the National Cherry Festival. Michigan never was really on my radar as a must-see destination, but after witnessing with my own eyes, the natural beauty of the northern part of this state, I strongly recommend northern Michigan as a destination for anyone. And, now I can say that I’ve seen Lake Michigan.

If you’ve ever wondered just where that cherry in your cocktail or cherry pie came from, chances are it came from Michigan  – producer of 75% of all cherries consumed in the US. I learned that there are so many varieties of cherries, with some sweet and some tart. Plus, they’re healthy for you, too. I’m on my own personal cherry diet and so far so good. I’ve been sleeping so good at night, my energy is higher, and I’ve even lost a few pounds in the past week by drinking Montmorency tart cherry juice concentrate produced by Shoreline Fruits under the Cherry Bay Orchards brand.

Before partaking of this super fruit, I was taken on a tour of the Gregory Family Farm which grows, harvests, and packages this fruit, as well as other fruits (including apples for Gerber). We walked through the rows of tall trees, many with the fruit still hanging from the limbs. Our group also observed the actual harvesting and I even had a chance to shake a cherry tree. Yes, heavy machinery was involved! When no one was looking, I picked a cherry off one of the trees and tasted a tart cherry like I’ve never tasted it before. It was plump, juicy, and had an explosion of flavor that I won’t easily forget. I wanted to stake a tent in that cherry orchard and just live off of the cherries. Fortunately, Mrs. Gregory treated us to apres-tour goodies made with these delicious cherries.

For more stories related to this experience, be sure to check out posts from some of the wonderful bloggers I met:

• Matt Armendariz – MattBites.com
• Kathryn Hill – The Kitchn
• Doniree Walker – NomadicFoodie.com
• Chef Nathan Lippy – NathanLippy.com
• Dina – NutritiousFeast.com
• Rachel – A Southern FairyTale
• Gloria Tsang, RD – HealthCastle.com
• Dr. Wendy Bazilian – WendyBazilian.com

Special thanks to the Cherry Marketing Institute and the Gregory Family for hosting this immersion experience. To find out more on the health benefits of cherries, check out ChooseCherries.com.

We love interacting with readers on Facebook and Twitter and sometimes we even get questions asking for a bit of assistance. Recently a twitter follower asked a great question about good road trip food.

Thanks for following us, @StaffordK and engaging with TravelingMamas.com on Twitter. This is a great question that many of our readers would be interested in. We have covered some healthy road trip snacks in the past, but not regarding microwaves in the hotel room. Bringing a few snacks for your overnight stay or final destination can help alleviate some of the costs associated with a road trip. Here are some things to consider when planning what to pack snack-wise:

What do your children like to eat at home? One of the stressors of road trips with kids is getting out of the normal routine. It may help keep the kids on track (and happy) if you include some comfort food. When my family travels and we know that we’ll overnight in a hotel with a microwave, we sometimes bring along a few packs of Kraft Easy Mac and Campbell’s Heat and Serve Chicken Noodle Soup. They’re easy-peasy to prepare and also convenient for when the kids come in from the hotel pool with an appetite. We also bring along a few packs of microwave popcorn to enjoy as a healthy snack (we get the air popped kind).

If your hotel room has a microwave, chances are there’s also a mini-fridge. Another snack option is the ready to serve cereal packs. You can always stop at a convenience store and purchase a small container of milk for the cereal. Many hotels amenities these days include a continental breakfast, some with a few hot foods, for no extra charge. Choosing to stay overnight at these types of lodging properties are not only convenient, but great for the family road trip budget. Be sure to grab a banana or apple from the buffet as a fresh, healthy mid-morning snack while on the road.

Browse through one of your cookbooks. I personally enjoy delicious cuisine, but I’m not very adept at preparing gourmet food. For those that enjoy food preparation, be sure to grab one of your favorite cookbooks and search for easy to snack on items that you can prepare before your trip. This way, you know just what ingredients are in your snacks. A cookbook that I can live with is Bean Appetit: Healthy Food, Happy Tummies. It includes SUPER SIMPLE recipes that even the kids can prepare (I like that a lot) and plus they’re good for everyone.

We also have a list of healthy road trip snacks and an article about the health benefits of cherries that you can print out (or save as a pdf) and use for packing. While you’re packing, be sure to include utinsels and napkins to enjoy your handy snacks and mini meals while on your road trip. We hope you and your family have a safe vacation and we appreciate your follow on Twitter.

TravelingMamas.com

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Do you have tips for @StaffordK or have you written an article on good road trip food? Please be sure to leave a link in the comments. From time to time we select questions from Twitter and Facebook that readers ask. Be sure to follow TravelingMamas on Twitter and like TravelingMamas on Facebook. We just may answer your question online!

Cherries hold a special place in my heart. My summers as a kid included afternoons of relaxing around my grandmother’s home in Alabama and snacking on fresh cherries with my aunt who’s only a few years older than me. I can’t forget about all those desserts that are topped with cherries. As I grew older, cherries could be found in my cocktails. However, I never considered the healthy aspects of snacking on cherries and quite frankly have taken them for granted. Now that I have my own children, health when snacking is something I take seriously, especially on all those family road trips we like to take.

I recently received a number of dried cherry packets to sample with my family. I’ve not only shared them with friends and family, but we’ve all been sneaking a cherry here and there because they taste like candy. We decided to make a trail mix as a healthy road trip snack with cherries and even gave the recipe and some cherries to our neighbor who is soon taking a two week road trip to Yellowstone.

The cherries weren’t the only items to arrive in the promotional package. I was also sent a beautiful Kashmere travel set, a Tory Burch small cosmetic case, and a reusable tote from the Cherry Marketing Institute printed with the website www.ChooseCherries.com. All the items are a beautiful cherry red (that even match my car). I checked out the sponsor website and didn’t realize all the benefits of consuming these delicious cherries. Here are some facts that surprised me:

Jet Lag Relief – I fly frequently, so finding out that cherries are rich in melatonin. Melatonin helps regulate the natural sleep cycle so that weary travelers can be restored to normal sleeping patterns, which eases jet lag.

Pain Relief - Cherries are particularly rich in anthocyanins – compounds that researchers have linked to reduced inflammation in the body. This means that arthritis and other inflammatory diseases can possibly be managed with cherry juice or the actual cherry itself. They’ve also been known to help runners recover more quickly post-race.

Good for your Heart – Cherries are considered a “Super Fruit” and some studies have shown that consuming cherries helps reduce infection and inflammation due to heart disease.

I’m not a doctor, nor do I play one on tv, but I do know one thing – cherries taste really good! I’ll be making a conscious effort to make cherries part of our daily culinary routine and make sure that we pack them along on our future travels. In fact, I just may take a visit to the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, MI being held in a few weeks. I’ll be sure to bring along a pack of cherries to snack on during my travels. Be sure to check out www.ChooseCherries.com for more information on the health benefits of cherries or to find a few tasty recipes for travel and home.

Want to try some delicious cherries and get your hands on the designer items mentioned in this post? Check out ChooseCherries.com and leave a comment stating which recipe on the site is your favorite. One winner will be randomly chosen through Random.org. Contest closes Monday, June 28 at 11:59 pm CST with winner being announced sometime the next day. Open to US residents 18 years of age or older. Prize is (1) Tory Burch small cosmetic bag in red, (1) Kashmere travel set with scarf, socks, eye mask, and pillow case in red, (1) ChooseCherries.com logo reusable tote, and a few samples of cherries. MSRP valued at over $345.00 US.

Review items and prizes sponsored by the Cherry Marketing Institute but in no way influenced opinion in this article. The cherries really were delicious!

Winner Update: Congrats to Leanne, lucky number 13!