Travel magazines can be found in every corner of my Manhattan apartment: Budget Travel, National Geographic Traveler, Travel & Leisure, Girlfriend Getaways, and more. As I flip through the pages oohing and aahing over the glossy photos of exotic locales, I am intrigued but a little annoyed too. They all make travel seem so easy. Pick a destination, book your ticket, pack your luggage and just go.
But let's be honest, for most of us getting away isn't usually that carefree. There are those pesky schedules and budgets to consider. The recession sure does have a way of dampering wanderlust. We can't afford to travel but we can't afford not to: taking a trip can be so utterly therapeutic.
Right now I'm staying close to home and making a wish list of destinations for my next trip. Until then, I am traveling via my favorite books, movies, music and local places. Dreaming of Spain? Then I will head over to La Nacional for an authentic and perfectly cooked paella. Or spend an afternoon at the Hispanic Society Museum & Library savoring paintings by Goya and El Greco. Why can't I stay home and have an Almodovar movie marathon?
Pining for Paris? That calls for steak frites at 
Montparnasse. A femme fatale beauty break at Phyto Universe is a must. What about a relaxing bubble bath with a glass of Champagne and Charles Aznavour playing in the background? A sexy French man to scrub my back would really make that bath special. (Excuse me, I digress!)
Hungry for finger licking Southern cuisine? Chicken and waffles at Amy Ruth's transports my taste buds when I can't convince my Georgia born Mom to make me a home-cooked meal.
Work and the economy may delay my next major vacation but this girl is still traveling!
PS. Send me an e-mail with your favorite way to Travel Near.
