1/8/2024 0 Comments Paris, FranceBonjour, and welcome to Kayla in Paris. I'm so excited to take you through this journey as its been one of my favorite so far. The Stay Hotel Edouard VIParis is divided into 20 arrondissements, each of which have their own aesthetic and provide various things to do and see. Since I never rent a car and tend to stick mostly to walking I choose an arrondissement that had a lot of my bucket list activities near by, arrondissement 6. I found Hotel Edouard VI on the Hotels.com app and loved its location and price. I was not at all prepared for what the room had to offer when arriving, that being a view of the Eiffel Tower. I truly felt like this was the perfect way to set the tone of the trip. The staff at Hotel Edouard VI were incredibly helpful, the rooms were up to my standard of cleanliness and as mentioned the price was very doable. The Must SeeThe Arc De TriompheSeeing the Arc de Triomphe was definitely on my list of things to do while in Paris but ill be brutally honest it is complete chaos. While the architecture is certainly something to take in it is extremely busy with traffic and people. You can however go to the top of the Arc to take in the view of Paris, you get to the arc by using the underground metro. I chose to skip this as I had a bunch of other activities planned for the day but I have heard that the views are even better than those on the Eiffel Tower. vISIT tHE jaRDIN DES tUILERIESThe Jardin Des Tuileries is located in the heart of Paris and is the perfect place to take in the outdoors, its free to enter and is located in the 1st arrondissement between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde. While there you can also check out The Roue de Paris, the Ferris wheel and take a ride for even more views of Paris. tHE nOTRE-dAME caTHEDRALAs a huge Disney girly I had to see the Notre-Dame Cathedral while in Paris. The cathedral in in the 4th arrondissement, otherwise known as the gothic or medieval quarter due to its architecture. While visiting renovations were still underway from the 2019 fire that broke out so we were not able to go inside and had to admire the beauty from the outside. The construction is to be complete in 2025 with hopes of being open to the public sometime in 2024. While leaving we came across multiple street vendors and had to try an iconic crepe. pALACE OF vERSAILLESThe Palace of Versailles was the only activity outside of Paris that was included in this trip, I purchased tickets a few days before online and got an Uber right before we were ready to head out. While the drive was about 45minute from our hotel to the Palace we had zero issues with getting there and getting in. The Palace was the home of Louis XIV and is one of the greatest achievements in French 17th century art. It truly is straight out of a movie with art in every room, gold accented ceilings and stunning chandeliers. The Palace itself is breathtaking but the gardens are truly the cherry on top. They cover nearly 2,000 acres and include multiple sculptures, fountains and maze like landscapes. The Must DoThe Eiffle TowerNo surprise here but the Eiffel Tower was one of the top stops on this trip for me. The Eiffel Tower has two stories, the midlevel and the top, when purchasing tickets you will have the option to either take the lift to both floors or take the steps to the midlevel and then the lift to the top. I really wanted to make the most of this experience and opted for stairs then lift. This allowed us to go at our own pace, not be cramped in the lift, really take in the views and overall gave us more time here. 674 steps later we made it to the midlevel which included multiple look out spots, a cafe and a shop and while it was a bit of a workout it was a thousand percent worth it. After some time here we took the lift to the top where you can purchase champagne and take in the views at the highest point. Fun fact, the Eiffel sparkles every evening for 5 minutes every hour on the hour and its truly mesmerizing. Shop aT gALERIES lAFAYETTEIf you're in Paris and planning on doing some shopping the most Parisian way possible you're going to want to stop by Galeries Lafayette. This isn't your typical shopping center like in the states, the layout is very different and you'll find nothing but high end designer brands. Its certainly one place you will want to experience. The LouvreAn absolute must while in Paris. First off you will purchase tickets online, this will allow you to pick a time slot for entry and I highly recommend arriving at least 15min prior to your entry time as a line will form quickly. Once in you will make your way down the escalators into a lobby-esqu room and trust me you will want to stop by the visitor center and grab that map of the museum because you will need it. Im sure most people that have never been to Paris associate the Louvre with the iconic Mona Lisa paining but this palace is so much more that that. There are over 400 rooms and 35,000 pieces of artwork. There is truly no way you can see it all in a few hours so I suggest planning out half a day to be here if you want to see as much as possible. The Mona Lisa. Im just going to get right to it, while it's exciting to see it in person be prepared to be herded like cattle just to get a glimpse of the artwork from a few feet away. Once you're ready to leave you will follow the exit signs and you will end up in Carrousel du Louvre shopping centre so be prepared for a little more walking after your museum experience. mOULIN rOUGEThe Moulin Rouge is a cabaret in Paris that may look familiar from the iconic Nicole Kidman movie, "Moulin Rouge". The cabaret currently has shows 7 days a week at 3 different night times with the option of dinner and the show or just the show. Unfortunately I did not have the chance to catch one of the shows but I did hear nothing but incredible things about it and that it is well worth the cost. If you do attend one of the shows be sure to check out the FAQ on the website before attending to know when to arrive, how seating works, dress codes and more. The EatstERRY'S CafeTerry's Cafe was one of our favorite spots in the 6th arrondissement. Not only was it close by our hotel but they stayed open late every night, had a good happy hour and an incredible patio. Our go to order was the campion pizza. mADAME pAMPAI truly can not say enough good things about Madame Papmpa. This French restaurant is something straight out of a movie, boho decor is everywhere with pops of pink and green and of course hundreds of pampas everywhere you look. The service and staff were incredible and on some nights you can even find live music here. cAFE bOHEMECafe Bohome was another vibey spot close by our hotel, while its clearly stunning the food was just alright, however, this was where we had our encounter with trying escargot for the first time. I personally could not do it but all six were indeed gone by the time we were ready to go. I would definitely recommend visiting here for that experience as it was one of the more affordable spots for escargot. bOUILLON cHARTIERBouillon Chartier is an absolute must while in Paris, its the one place to get a true French meal at an incredibly affordable cost. Its open 7 days a week and is open from 11:30am-midnight. There are no reservations and lines do form quickly for prime times however its worth it when the appetizers are starting at 1€ and main dishes at 7€. Our meal consisted of 2 sides, 2 meals, 1 cider, 1 sparkling water and 1 bottle of wine for just 47€. P.S be prepared to be packed in and seated right next to strangers.
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3/5/2022 1 Comment Dublin, IrelandDublin has officially left me speechless with its dreamy architect, picturesque views, and tasty Guinness. It truly is the Emerald Isle. tHE sTAYTemple Bar InnSo happy I found Temple Bar Inn, not only is it right in the heart of Dublin and walking distance to everything you'll want to see/do but its incredibly affordable, clean and has the nicest staff (oh and I can't forget to mention the complementary cappuccino maker in the lobby). When you enter the hotel you'll want to take either the elevator or stairs down one floor for reception. tHE Must SeetHE tEMPLE bARYou can't come to Dublin without making a stop at the iconic Temple Bar which is well known for having Ireland's largest collection of whisky. This place gets packed fast, has become more of tourist spot and is more pricey than most other pubs so come early to enjoy a pint of Guinness or a glass of whisky then continue exploring Dublin. Grafton StreetFor all your shopping needs you'll want to visit Grafton Street. This area is a lot of fun with shops, restaurants, pubs and performers. Henry Street is another shopping area to check out, we did not visit but were told by locals that you can find a lot more affordable options there. Visit Cliffs of Moher/GalwayI can not stress this enough, this is THE biggest must see when visiting Ireland. if you are staying in Dublin you can book a day tour at an affordable price through TripAdvisor or Viator with Wild Rover Tours. The bus will pick you up early in the morning at one of two spots then you will be on your way. Its about a 3 hour drive but trust me the views are unreal and our tour guide made the ride enjoyable by pointing out landmarks and telling us stories about the culture and history in Ireland. You'll arrive at Cliffs of Moher and have two hours to take in the views and check out the visitor center, from there you will go to the town of Galway where you'll have an additional two hours to have lunch and few pints of Guinness. This was by far my most memorable and surreal experience while in Ireland. Saint Patrick's CathedralWhen walking around Dublin you'll see the most outstanding cathedrals but the beauty continues on the inside. Saint Patrick's Cathedral was about a 20 minute walk from our hotel, only cost 7.5 euros and had a lavish green park in the back (which was filled with so many pups when we were visiting)! The best part is that this cathedral is not only a tourist spot but actually still holds services. The Must DoDublin CastleIm still so amazed at the detail that is throughout the Dublin Castle, do not miss out on the opportunity to live out your fairytale dreams and learn about the history of a castle in Dublin. Tickets can be purchased online or upon arriving and are 8 euros. The tour is self guided and will take about 40-60 minutes. Jameson Distillery On Bow StThe Jameson Distillery on Bow St offers a variety of experiences such as cocktail making classes, black barrel blending classes and more. We chose the Bow St Experience which included a brief history lesson on Jameson and the process of creating the Irish whisky to finally taste testing. A drink at the bar was also included at the end of the tour in their stunning bar. Guinness StorehouseThe Guinness Storehouse also offers a few different experiences which can be booked either online or upon arrival. We went with the self guided tour + gravity + stoutie option which is 100% what I would recommend. The self guided tour starts on the second floor and takes you a few stories up while teaching you all about the iconic beer, afterwards we went to get our stoutie which is a Guinness with your photo on top (yes you read that right)! After enjoying our artwork of a Guinness we headed up to the gravity bar for one more pint. The gravity bar is definitely the showstopper of this tour, the views are breathtaking and provide a 360 view of Dublin. The eATSLemon Jelly CafeThe best place for a traditional Irish breakfast and they even offer a smaller version as well as pastries, crepes and omelets. This place is a bit small and can get busy quick so I recommend going a little earlier or preparing for a wait. The Black ForgeThe Black Forge, otherwise known as Conor McGregors place and one of the only places to try a Forged Irish Stout! The aesthetic of this place was spot on, it had such a cozy feel with warm lighting and the cutest accents of greenery. Don't forget to check out the photo op spot on their patio! tHE kINGS hEAD (gALWAY)The Kings Head is a great cozy lunch spot to try while in Galway. Cloud NineCloud Nine is the perfect place to go to when you're having a sweets craving. Its located on the same street as Temple Bar and offers a variety of treats! The Rolling DonutI actually came across this business while browsing through Instagram and absolutely had to add it to my list of must tries while in Dublin. These donuts are unreal, they're so light and fluffy, have an incredible filling and are actually very decent in size. We tried the Lotus Biscoff and Cookies & Cream. Fun Facts/Tips *The currency used is euros but credit/debit cards are accepted throughout, if you choose to exchange your money into euros I recommend doing so at the airport in baggage claim.
*Ubers/Lyfts do not exist here so either catch a taxi or learn the bus system. *Instead of saying cheers say slainte! 7/1/2021 0 Comments Dallas, TexasDallas was a quick spontaneous trip but with it only being a little over a two hour flight from Phx and only having three days I went for it! tHE sTAYHampton inn & suites Downtown DallasThe Hampton Inn & Suites was an amazing place to stay in a prime location. The hotel was located right in the center of Downtown Dallas and walking distance from all of our activities. The hotel itself was spotless, easy to get to and on the lower end of our budget. It also had a gorgeous indoor pool as well as a Starbucks for our early mornings. The must seeDowntown dALLAS- AT&T Discovery Park, Giant EyeballOur hotel was located in the heart of Downtown Dallas so we explored the entire area by foot. The architect of the buildings caught my eye instantly and was one thing I fell in love with. AT&T Discovery Park was another fun area that featured an art sculpture, different restaurants and on the weekend had performers. The Giant Eyeball is another stop downtown and makes for a fun photo op, but heads up its blocked off so you will have to admire this beauty from afar. Deep EllumDeep Ellum is a district outside of Downtown Dallas, either a 7 minute ride or 20 minute walk. It is one of the most historic neighborhoods with so much culture significance. You can find art work on every corner, live music throughout, endless food and drink options and shopping! the must doSpend the day at WaterproofI would highly recommend taking a day to hang out at a rooftop pool, we spent the day at Waterproof which can be found at The Statler Hotel. The pool itself is free but you will be required to purchase bottle service if you are wanting a cabana or table outside in the pool area. The pool itself is a bit smaller than expected but the party lasts all day and night and has a great vibe! The Reunion tOWERThe Reunion Tower is an iconic Dallas landmark and is a must to visit. You can purchase tickets online for $18 a person or choose from one of their package deals. When arriving you will enter an elevator and go 50 stories up, while the tower itself stands at 561 feet. Once the elevator doors open up you'll get to see a 360 view of Dallas' skyline from both inside and outside. hANG OUT AT BackyardIf you're looking for a fun spot to have some drinks and play some games I would highly recommend visiting Backyard. They have a variety of games from arcade style to giant jenga and connect four with dozens of tv's to catch any game. Another thing that makes this place so much fun is not just they're indoor decor but also that they're dog friendly ! tHE eaTScHOP hOUSE BurgerA yummy affordable burger place located Downtown. The seating area is a little limited so try to get there before or after the lunch rush! Pecan LoungeLocated in Deep Ellum this is a BBQ gem! With so many options and all at such a good price you'll have to get a little bit of everything (especially a side of the Mac n cheese)! There is indoor and outdoor seating as well as a bar area.
3/16/2021 0 Comments Miami, FloridaMiami, my first trip post Covid-19! I only had a few days for this trip and was on a mission to make the most of it. The StayYVE Hotel MiamiWhen planning my Miami trip I wanted to make sure I stayed somewhere that I would be able to experience both Downtown and South Beach in just two in a half days so when I found The YVE Hotel Miami it was fate! The hotel is located in Downtown Miami right by the water with a number of restaurants and shops across the street and the best part is that its only a 15 minute/ $11 Uber to South Beach. YVE Hotel was incredibly affordable for the location and had a sleek lobby with the cutest Cuban Cafe and Grill in the lobby. The rooms were truthfully nothing spectacular but the view definitely made up for it. The Must doBayside markstplaceBayside Marketplace is a two story outdoor shopping center that wraps around the City of Miami Marina. The area has a variety of restaurants, bars, shops and even attractions. bRICKELL cITY cENTERBrickell City Center is another big spot for shopping and dinning, with three stories and an open air concept you could spend hours here! THE must seeVERSACE MANSIONLocated right on the hustle of Ocean Drive and walking distance to the beach is the former home of fashion designer Gianni Versace. You can even stay overnight in the mansion as the home is now turned into a 4 star hotel and if you're not a hotel guest you can still indulge in a dreamy dining experience by the infamous pool, with a reservation of course! Miami BeachYou can't experience Miami without the beach, right off ocean drive is Miami Beach and South Beach, both walking distance from Ocean Drive and both with the most stunning water and epic lifeguard towers. The Eats/Drinksthe Egg SpotThe Egg Spot is a breakfast place located downtown Miami and conveniently walking distance from the hotel I stayed out. The Egg Spot has more of a local feel, as its a small space that allows you to walk up, place your order and find a seat on your own. They offer both breakfast and lunch all at a reasonable price. tacologyTacology is a place I found off of Instagram and immediately fell in love with. The restaurant is located in Brickell City Center and is pretty much an Instagramer's dream restaurant. The decor is a Spanish, urban mix and the food, drinks and desserts are plated beautifully but portions are small and prices are a bit more expensive so be prepared to pay for your experience. Bacon bITCHAN ABSOLUTE MUST when visiting Miami, first off be prepared to wait because this place gets busy fast but also be prepared for an amazing brunch experience. Bacon Bitch offers various breakfast foods and never ending "Bitch Drinks." The food really does hit the spot while the drinks do their job (lol). The environment is a fun party vibe and the service is actually incredible for how busy they are, if you go, which you should don't forget to ask for Jade! cLEVELANDER SOUTH BEACHA pink party paradise! If you're looking for a fun spot to party while on Ocean Drive check out Clevelander South Beach. The space will give you all the Miami feels while offering yummy drinks and hookah.
3/8/2020 0 Comments Grand Cayman, Cayman IslandsGand Cayman was an absolute dream with its turquoise waters and made me feel like an island queen! The StayHoliday Inn Resort (Budget Friendly)This is an overall pricey island but if you’re trying to not break the bank and your willing to give up on some of the glitz and glam of a 5 star resort then The Holiday Inn Resort is the place. This is where we stayed and I would have to say the biggest “downfall” to The Holiday Inn would be the location as it is located about 15 minutes from Seven Mile Beach and the rest of the major hotels. However there is still a lot that is provided such us a FREE shuttle, the resort is on the water and has its own private pier, there is a gorgeous pool, a gym and it’s own restaurant. The Westin (Money to Spend)If you’re willing to pay a little more to really get that “awh” factor I would highly recommend the Westin Hotel. Walking in you are instantly wowed by the beauty, the rooms are well worth the price and the pool is definitely the show stopper! Also the hotel is located on Seven Mile Beach and next to a lot of other hotels and restaurants. the Must DOSeven MIle BeachSeven Mile Beach is one of the most gorgeous beaches I’ve seen. It’s located on the West side of the island and runs a little over 6 miles. There is a designated beach area but I would recommend going into one of the hotels or resorts located on the beach going straight out to the pool area ordering some drinks and then using their spots on the beach. Remember the key is to act like you belong. That way you have the feel of luxury, restrooms, a place for food and drink, shade, WiFi and of course a gorgeous beach. Stingray CityStingray City is the biggest attraction Grand Cayman offers and it allows you to swim with and interact with stingrays. Typically you can book a tour there that includes a stop at Starfish Island or a few other snorkel spots. I would highly recommend booking for your first full day there as we had our tour cancelled two days in a row (once for not meeting the minimum passengers and once for the weather) and we were leaving the next day which unfortunately meant no stingrays for us. Camana BayCamana Bay is where it’s at for your shopping and dinning needs! There is also a movie theater, a Starbucks and a free observation deck that allows you to go 75 feet up. The EatsThe BrooklynThe Brooklyn is located in Camana Bay and would be my absolute first recommendation for places to try. The ambiance in the restaurant is amazing but the originality of the dishes is what made me love this place. We went with a nacho pizza, mac n cheese fritters, and we were served our bread and butter in an adorable flower pot, all of which was a delicious! Fun Facts/Tips*Everything on a menu/price tag will be in Cayman Island Dollars but the US dollar is accepted. Currently it is about 1CI=1.2USD
*The Island is Britain territory so be ready to drive on the opposite side of the road and car if you get a rental *Pre-book tours for your first few days of being there just in case you get rescheduled *Take to bus instead of a taxi. A taxi ride will cost you minimum of $25 for a 10 minute ride and the bus is actually a van so you still get that taxi feel 1/4/2020 0 Comments Minneapolis, Minnesota 2 days prior to leaving Chris and I looked up the cheapest flight out of Phoenix and there it was, Minneapolis, Minnesota. I personally am such a wimp in the cold and was not the least bit thrilled about taking a trip to Minnesota in the middle of December but the entire point of the trip was to be budget friendly and play it by ear so we booked the flight and I am so grateful that we did! THE MUST SEEUS Bank StadiumChris is a Vikings fan, but don't get it twisted he loves the Cardinals too (lol) so it was a must to stop by the US Bank Stadium or otherwise known as the Home of the Minnesota Vikings. The stadium is located in Downtown East Minneapolis and is still very new as it was built in 2016. One thing that set this stadium apart from others I have been to was the interactive viking ship outside. Anyone is free to go in, have a seat and watch the big screen. Forshay TowerThe Forshay Tower is a fun FREE activity that includes a museum (additional cost) as well as an observatory deck overlooking Downtown Minneapolis. The easiest way to find the Forshay Tower and get up to the top is to go the concierge at the W Hotel and get a key card for the elevator, from there you will ride up to the top. THE MUST DOThe Mall of AmericaThere is no way you can visit Minneapolis and not go to The Mall of America! The Mall is located next to Saint Paul International Airport and is the current largest mall in the US! With 4 stories, over 500 stores, an aquarium, mini golf, an ice rink, a movie theater and an entire amusement park you can spend at least half a day here. Nickelodeon Universe (Mall of America)Nickelodeon Universe is located in the Mall of America and offers rides for every age. Individual tickets can be purchased as well as all day wristbands. The theme park also has characters from various Nickelodeon shows that make an appearance. Minneapolis Institute of ArtMany people we talked to in Minnesota recommended that we check out the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The museum has multiple stories with endless exhibits featuring pieces from different cultures and time periods. The museum is also donation based so make sure you bring some cash! HolidazzleThe Hollidazzle Festival is located in Loring Park around Christmas time and offers plenty of food, drinks and activities such as ice skating, snowman building, movies and much more. Its the perfect event for a date night or for the whole family. THE EATSEggy'sEggy's was a breakfast spot we came across next to our hotel. The building itself is small but the atmosphere speaks for itself. Such a cute spot with endless breakfast options and incredibly kind staff. The biscuits and gravy are an Eggy's specialty and definitely a must try! The Sugar FactoryThe perfect spot to satisfy any sweet craving!
8/29/2019 0 Comments New York, New YorkTruthfully I was a bit nervous about New York, iv'e always heard about how overwhelmingly busy it is and how dirty some areas are but I really worked these ideas up in my head and New York turned out to be such an incredible place. The Must seeI wanted to provide you guys with a list of structures and places to see that are totally free! Some of the places listed have an option to pay for a more upgraded experience but for us we just stuck to the basics of sight seeing. The VesselTh Vessel is an interactive structure that opened up the beginning of this year. You do need tickets to get in, order them online 2 weeks prior to going! Times SquareRadio Music HallEmpire State BuildingYou should make it a goal to see The Empire State Building both during the day and at night. You can also buy tickets to get to the 86th floor for 360 degree views for about $40. Bryant ParkWashington ParkThe Must DoIt's no secret that there is endless activities to do in the city that never sleeps however these are the most memorable that we experienced. Liberty CruiseRiding on the Liberty Cruise was something we decided to do the night before so I was thrilled that we were able to get tickets on such short notice. If you're only in New York for a short amount of time and you're wanting to see it all this is the way to go! We were able to see The Statue of Liberty, The Manhattan Bridge, The Brooklyn Bridge, and a number of infamous buildings. Our cruise was 2 hours long and only cost $34 for two people. I would recommend getting tickets online and showing up at the terminal 30 min prior to your departure time. NYONBest experience of my life! NYON offers a doors on helicopter ride as well as a doors off-- DO THE DOORS OFF, you will not regret it! There is a good amount of wait time before even getting out to the helicopter which would be my only complaint. Buy your tickets ahead of time online and look for @nyonair on Instagram for discount codes before purchasing! Central ParkCentral Park needs to be on your "To Do List" for a few reasons. First of all its an iconic place, second there is no cost to get in, and third there is so much incredible things to do in this park. Carriage rides are available, you can rent a paddle boat for the lake, there is a zoo, baseball fields, park equipment and multiple street performers. You can easily spend half of a day making your way through the park. The eatsPre-New York our plan for food was to try a ton of different restaurants and different dishes but once we arrived our food plans changed to trying out as many pizza places as we possibly could. For four days we ate our way through the pizza shops and below you can read about our top 2 favorites! JOe's PizzaJoe's Pizza was my absolute favorite pizza spot! I tried a slice of mozzarella and it was truly to die for; thin crust, light sauce and fresh mozzarella! The only downfall is how small the shop is but this is to be expected with just about anywhere in New York. Ray's PizzaRay's Pizza was another one of my favorites, there's so many pizza options and the nice thing about Ray's is that there was plenty of seating Carlo's BakeryI would have loved to go to the original Carlo's Bakery but time didn't allow for it. We did get lucky because right in the center of Times Square is Carlo's Bake Shop which serves a number of baked goods and even entire cakes. I would highly recommend getting a cannoli and a personal Oreo Cheesecake. Expect to pay more than you would at any other bake shop, for the two treats we got our total came to $17.
3/11/2019 1 Comment Tulum, MexicoTulum was certainly something out of a movie. Everywhere and everything radiated with a boho eco-chic vibe. Here's some must do's, see's and eats that we got to experience! The StayTulum consists of two areas, the beachy luxury hotel side and the local in town side. We chose to stay in a hotel in town to help us stay on budget (plus a taxi to the beach was only 5 minutes!) The name of our hotel was Mestizo Gallery, which was well worth the money! Although it didn't have a fancy spa or rooftop pool, it did include many other amenities such as daily breakfast, and bikes to cruise around town which was enough for us. The hotel featured a mix of Spanish style with a boho twist and had a restaurant as soon as you walked in. The EatsOf course being in Mexico meant stuffing ourselves with tacos, tequila and oddly fresh juices. We ate at quite a few places but here's my top three favorites (without breaking the bank). Antojitos La ChiapanecaThis was by far our biggest go to, not only were the tacos delicious (the al pastor is a must try), but they were dirt cheap at just 10 pesos a taco. This place is a mix of a local and tourist spot and be warned it is always packed! This place is pretty easy to find, just keep an eye out for a bright orange building. La CoquetaLa Coqueta was my favorite spot to eat at in Tulum. Amazing food, strong drinks, great people, and the cutest space. We tried so many things from their menu but our favorite had to be the nachos, we also tried a local beer (Indio) that was very good! Matcha MamaThe next spot is for all you health freaks. Matcha Mama is a plant-based smoothie/juice/coffee stand that many of you have probably seen on Instagram. I am no fan of "healthy" things but these smoothies were to die for! The Must SEE/DOTulum RuinsThe Ruins are placed on top of a cliff along side the beach right as you get into the main part of Tulum. It cost us 75 pesos a person and we were able to go through at our own pace. To get up to the ruins you have to walk though a bit of lush greenery and go up a few fight of steps, you'll know your close when out of nowhere all you can hear is the waves. You’ll have to go through a small tunnel and once you emerge you'll have the most stunning view of the ruins overlooking the ocean. The Ruin grounds are rather large and we spent about an hour in a half going through it all. They allow you to bring cameras, snacks and water in which are musts, however it is a no drone zone. Cenote CalaveraOtherwise known as "The Temple of Doom" but don't let that stop you from going to see this incredible cenote. We got pretty lucky as we were the first people to show up and had the place to ourselves. Cenote Calavera cost 300 pesos for two people and is actually located in what seems like someones backyard. The cenote has multiple holes to jump through, a make shift swing and a ladder that will get you in and out (if you're to nervous to jump)! At first this cenote felt intimidating to get in but what's to be seen underneath is to incredible to miss out on! Grand CenoteJust as its name says, this cenote really is GRAND. This cenote is a lot larger and full of more people than Cenote Calavera, it also costs a bit more at 360 pesos for two people. I do however truly believe if you only have time to see one cenote this is where you should go. The water is crystal clear blues, the caves are perfectly shaped and the bats are the cutest (yes I said bats and yes they are completely harmless). After you spend time swimming and snorkeling in the caves of the Grand Cenote you can lay out in the lush green lawn or in one of the hammocks provided. If Tulum is not already on your bucket list of places to see I highly recommend adding it ASAP!
Hasta la proxima vez. 9/9/2018 0 Comments Palm Springs, cALIFORNIAPalm Springs was another one of our short spontaneous road trips, and just like the rest of them it was so worth it..! We only stayed two nights and one full day but we were able to do and see so much during that time. THE STAYWe stayed at The Riviera Resort & Spa which I highly recommend. Not only was the price reasonable but the amenities were endless, and the overall vibe was everything and more that I could have wanted. The resort includes a fitness center and spa, various gardens each with their own individual decor and most importantly two pools! THE FOODMy favorite restaurant that we went to was The Reservoir. This was a cute little brunch spot about five minutes from our resort that I highly recommend checking out! When you walk in you order at the bar then find a seat. The decor is absolutely amazing and there’s even a pool connected that is available for anyone to use, so make sure you pack your swim suit! tHE fUN/mUST dO'SComing into town we were greeted by the infamous Palm Springs sign which was a big must see for us on this trip. The next must see on our list was “That Pink Door”. If you’re not familiar with what this is it’s simply a pink door on a home. I know that sounds so down played but basically the owners of this home transformed their yard from run down to a bloggers dream. The pink door has had so much fame in the past and has been featured so many times but these days the home owners ask that no one takes pictures (dont worry, found this one on Google images). We spent the remainder of our night at a festival near our resort. The show featured a mixture of artists, food vendors, and clothing companies, it was also located in an area with shopping and restaurants which gave us so much to look at. Although our time was short in palm springs, it was another place off the travel list and we will be back!
5/11/2018 0 Comments Seattle, WASHINGTONAfter visiting Seattle I completely understand why it is called Emerald City, the greenery everywhere you look is truly amazing. For our trip we decided to stay in an Airbnb that was a few blocks east of Downtown Seattle. This allowed us to actually save a little money and we only had an 8 minute Uber ride or a 20-25 minute walk to Downtown Seattle which we didn’t mind at all with the weather being so nice. Day 1: Pike Place Market, The Gum Wall, The FIRST Starbucks The first day of being in Seattle we headed straight towards Pike Place Market and I will definitely say it blew my expectations out of the water, the market offered so much more than I thought, there were numerous shops and they were at every turn and corner. The market was also a lot larger than I expected and included various seafood, fruit and flower vendors which is what Christopher and I were most excited for! Going to the Gum Wall was pretty convenient as it was located below the market in Post Alley. We actually didn’t realize the Wall was so close but Christopher was able to smell the gum from further down the street! Overall the alley was something that pictures just don’t do justice and is something you would definitely have to see with your own eyes, however here are some shots of the Wall up close! Being in Seattle and both Christopher and I being huge coffee fanatics it only made since that we made a stop at the first Starbucks ever built (which is also located near Pike Place Market). The line was of course out the door and we had to wait a little to get in and place our order, however after that the experience was pretty smooth. Unfortunately the store is too busy to have tables inside or outside for you to sit down and enjoy your coffee and there is not much difference compared to any of the other Starbucks we have been too. Day 2: The Space Needle, The Great Wheel, Starbucks Reserve Day two we had planned to go to the Space Needle, but the reality of it is, the Space Needle is “open 365 days of the year” however it was ironically closed the two days we had left in Seattle due to renovations. So unfortunately we were not able to go inside or to the top of the Space Needle and we will have to save that on the bucket list for another time. We did however walk around the outside and go to The Olympic Sculpture Park which is short walking distance from the Space Needle. The Great Wheel is another must do experience when in Seattle and is located near Pike Place Market off one of the piers. Despite our rocky morning this turned out to be a great experience! The cost for the Wheel was affordable ($15 a person after tax), there was little to no waiting to get on, and we were told we would be going around 3 times and ended up going around 5! The Wheel offered so many views, we were over the water and could see the mountains, the Space Needle, and even CenturyLink field (boo Seahawks). The last stop for day 2 was the Starbucks Reserve which was truly a coffee lovers dream, this building allowed you to watch how the coffee beans were prepped and even offered three different coffee bars with different drinks, flights and treats. Christopher and I settled on doing a cold brew flight which was completely worth the $9! Fun fact, the restrooms here were unisex which I thought was pretty neat! Day 3: CenturyLink Field Day 3 was more of a relaxed day, mostly because we had to be at the airport at 3am the next morning but also because I was so exhausted from all the walking we did the last few days. Fun fact, one of the items on my bucket list is to see all 32 NFL stadiums.. yes even the Seahawks stadium. We started out our day with donuts from Top Pot (located a few blocks from the stadium) for breakfast and then headed straight toward the CenturyLink Field. Honestly seeing the stadium was quite the experience, especially because it’s open and we were able to see right in, however it’s still got nothing on the Cardinals Stadium. Surprisingly and thankfully it only rained twice for about 20 minutes or so and we were able to break out the umbrella, something we don’t use in Arizona quite often! The sites in Seattle were everything and more that I expected and our three days there were definitely well spent, for anyone planning or wanting to go to Seattle I highly suggest it but be prepared for lots of walking, steps and hills downtown!
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