What does a vacation feel like to you?

Do you like to have an itinerary?

Do you prefer to play it by ear?

Do you like to go someplace sunny or secluded in nature where you can relax and do nothing?

What makes you feel like you are really on vacation?

While I do love planning a vacation with a nice little {but flexible} itinerary, I can also appreciate a vacation where there is no real structure. Maybe, to me, that’s the difference between travel {discovering and exploring a new place} and vacation {a trip to get away from the day-to-day routine}.

Our trip to Arizona was the perfect example of a getaway to spend some relaxing time with friends and family. It felt like a true vacation – a break from the day-to-day, without any worries. I think it was even more necessary after our car accident.

Luckily, visiting family and friends

makes it much easier to be more relaxed!

On our last day with Nora, we made our way south to get closer to my aunt, who would be picking us up that day.

Of course, it was another gorgeous day, so we got to brunch outside! In Gilbert, we discovered this wonderful little wine-cafe called Postino. Nora and I enjoyed a nice little mimosa for only $5 each, while Rob went right for the brilliant wine list.

Yes, you read that right, all wines by the glass are $5 every day from open to 5pm. Talk about Happy HOURS! 🙂 Plus, They really make an effort to pick out some unique ones.

Although it appears that there are now several locations of this wine bar all around The Valley, it’s a place where we’d love to return. The menu had great, fresh and local ingredients that made it difficult for me to choose. {Like you hadn’t guessed.}

I considered what Nora ordered:

I know I would have loved it; but it sounded too typical Carrie. I decided to get something that I probably wouldn’t get anywhere else instead.

Such a change from the norm for me! That foccacia was some of the best I’ve had. Rob, too, went with a panini and could only eat half of this bugger.

Such great food! And on this beautiful Saturday morning, there was a market going on. We wandered through, me trying to stay out of the sun as much as possible. It wasn’t hot unless you are out in direct sunlight for a long period of time.

As we said good-bye to Nora, we learned that my aunt wasn’t quite ready to pick us up. No matter! This {old town?} part of Gilbert includes a whole row of restaurants. We could sit and have cocktails in the open air until she arrived.

We had all the time in the world – no pressures.

Ahhhhh!!! How I love vacation!

First stop:

Zinburger – two things that we love: burgers and zinfandel! Although, this chain proved to have choices and service that felt way too corporate for us:

Although, I did enjoy my Zingria! I just may have to make my own sometime.

We still had another hour or so to kill. We decided to stop elsewhere to check another box! The pizzas coming out of Pomo looked exceptionally tasty. It’s a certified Neopolitan pizza joint. We were too stuffed from brunch to partake and tell you if it was truly as good as Italy. Instead, a cocktail suited me well while we sat back and enjoyed the breeze before the second half of our Arizona adventure.

What makes you feel like you are on vacation?

Do you like like a structured vacation or do you fly by the seat of your pants?

Other posts on our 2016 trip to the Phoenix Area:

• AZ-Perfectly Timed – Craft 64
• A Day in Phoenix
• Virtù & Old Town Scottsdale
• A Few Arizona Breweries

Cheers~
Carrie