21 Photos To Inspire You To Visit Traverse City, Michigan

Traverse City, Michigan IS the ultimate summer destination. There are lakes, wineries, boating, golfing, the cherry festival, sleeping bear dunes, delicious food, and luxury digs – complete with a nice cool breeze coming from the lake.

I am from Michigan and it took me 34 years to properly visit Traverse City, but I am so glad that I did. I completely fell in love with the city (so much so that I want to move there) and the overall vibe. Visiting Traverse City reminded me of the exact lifestyle I aim to have .. one that’s a bit slowed down and relaxing surrounded by stunning scenery and delicious food and wine.

Here are 21 photos from my visit to Traverse City that I hope inspire you to visit as well.

Moomers Ice Cream

Sleeping Bear Dunes

Aerie Restaurant – Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

Brys Estate Vineyard

Aerie Restaurant – Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

Brys Estate Vineyard

Aerie Restaurant – Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

Brys Estate Vineyard

Aerie Restaurant – Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

Aerie Restaurant – Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

Mission Point Lighthouse

Aerie Restaurant – Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

Brys Estate Vineyard

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

The Village at Grand Traverse Commons

Brys Estate Vineyard

Brys Estate Vineyard

Brys Estate Vineyard

Brys Estate Vineyard

Checking In: Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa

Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa

This was my 10th visit to Las Vegas and I did something different. I stayed off the strip at Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa… and guess what? It felt like Paradise! Now don’t get me wrong, I love Las Vegas and the strip. If I didn’t, I would not have gone back 9 additional times. Green Valley Ranch is bringing something different to Vegas visitors – the property is providing that luxury resort component while still being in the Las Vegas area. Located just 8 miles from McCarran International Airport, Green Valley Ranch Resort is going to blow you away with their amenities, activities and gaming space while also giving privacy to you while staying at the hotel.

The property is Mediterranean inspired and the architecture exudes those qualities. From the moment you pull into the circle drive, you are greeted with gorgeous landscaping, warm smiles and perfect customer service. Walking into the lobby you’ll find chic colors of black and white with arched columns throughout. The presentation of the lobby and staff upon arrival sets the mood for the rest of your stay – and guess what? It is going to be fabulous!

The Rooms:

Green Valley Ranch Resort and Spa

During my stay I checked into a Deluxe King Room that offered a generous amount of space at 495 sq. feet. The room itself was adorned in modern contemporary decor throughout offering a plush king size bed, 42 inch TV, desk area, sitting area, vanity, minibar, spacious closet, robes, and a separate bathroom with a soaking tub and shower.

Green Valley Ranch Resort and Spa

Green Valley Ranch Resort and Spa

Green Valley Ranch Resort and Spa

Green Valley Ranch Resort and Spa

Amenities:

• Concierge service
• Shuttle service to and from airport & Strip
• 24-hour in-room dining
• Private bar
• Iron and ironing boards
• Down comforters
• Separate bathtub and showers
• High-speed internet access/web TV
• In-room safe
• Multi-line speaker telephone with data port
• Access to more than 7,300 digital daily newspapers and magazines powered by PressReader
• Plush terry robes
• Shoe shine service
• Fitness facility entrance
• iPod dock

Dining:

Green Valley has a plethora of dining to offer its guests on property. With 8 sit down restaurants including a steak house, Italian, a buffet, and more. In addition, there are some quick stop fast food options and a Starbucks on the gaming floor.

During my stay I ordered room service breakfast one morning – and I have to admit, the food was incredible. I ordered a yogurt parfait and it was not overly sweet and everything worked well together on flavors.

Room Service 

I also dined at Borracha the Mexican Cantina. I want to point out that the service here was above and beyond! I went off menu and asked for a passion fruit margarita and they delivered. The food was scrumptious as well.

Borracha

Borracha

Borracha

Borracha

I did not get a chance to dine at Bottiglia but the restaurant is stunning. It looks like they took a page out of a dream sequence and brought it to life.

Bottiglia

Bottiglia

Bottiglia

Bottiglia

Activities:

The hotel has a lot to offer its guests from pools, spa, gaming, bars, concerts, and movies. You could stay on site during your entire trip and never get bored – the property is that big and has that much to offer its guests.

The “Backyard” at Green Valley Ranch is an 8 acre area for guests to enjoy with cabanas, an adult only pool (The Pond) and a sand bottom swimming pool – giving you that true beach feel right in the desert.

Green Valley Ranch Resort

The Pond

Green Valley Ranch Resort

Green Valley Ranch Resort

Green Valley Ranch Resort

The Pond

The Pond 

The Pond

Green Valley Ranch Resort – Sunset 

Tip: If you are not staying at the hotel, you can purchase a pool pass Monday-Friday $20 adults/$10 children.

The casino is one of the prettiest I have ever been to and they offer over 2,000 games around the clock. I highly recommend hitting the sports bar for $2 margaritas – I was skeptical because $2 drinks anywhere usually means “watered down” but alas, I was wrong. Two of those drinks and you are good to go.

Overall:

LOVED my stay at Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa. I had been wanting to stay here for about two years to try something off the strip and I absolutely recommend it to anyone visiting the Las Vegas area. The property is very spacious and really has it all – you could spend your entire trip here and never leave. If that inclusive resort feeling is important to you, this is your next Vegas stop.

Additional Information:

• Address: 2300 Paseo Verde Pkwy, Henderson, NV 89052
• Phone: (702) 617-7777
• Distance from McCarran International airport: 8 miles ~13 minutes
• Casino hours: open 24 hours a day
• For Cabana and Ca-bed rentals: (702) 617-7744
• Dining: options

 

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Disclaimer: I was hosted by Green Valley Ranch and Resort but as always, opinions are entirely my own. 

Checking In: The Scott Resort & Spa

The Scott Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona is the most photogenic hotel I have ever stayed in. As soon as I walked into the lobby before ever checking in, I took out my camera and started shooting every angle I possibly could: think Anthropologie catalog. While the design is modern and almost minimalist it still exudes an upscale vibe that you would expect from a luxury hotel.

I recently checked in for two nights and had a wonderful stay. The staff is extremely gracious, the rooms and property are gorgeous, the food was incredible, and the location is central to the Greater Phoenix area.

The Scott Resort & Spa

The Scott Resort & Spa Lobby

The Scott Resort & Spa Lobby

The Scott Resort & Spa Lobby

Canal Club Bar

Checking In:

I want to note that checking in at The Scott Resort & Spa is a feast for the eyes. The check in desk behind it has built in shelves with painted portraits of people (no clue who they are) but I could not take my eyes off of it. It is like nothing I have ever seen before. Beyond that – once you are all checked in, you don’t just get a key for your room, you get a pink billfold with a key, hotel history, activity schedule, two travel logs, and a log with your room number and phone number for the hotel.

The Lobby: 

The most beautiful part of the hotel in my opinion! The Scott Resort & Spa took their time placing each piece of furniture whether it be rattan, leather or even a comfy sofa. The design elements almost make you feel like you are in a showroom for outdoor living. There is no shortage of greenery, modern white decor, wood elements, and pops of color throughout. Some of my favorite pieces in the lobby included: bar carts, backgammon game boards, pineapple lamps, and the Canal Club.

Beyond the lobby is 2 outdoor pools with plenty of chairs and cabanas as well as outdoor seating and a fire pit.

Scott Resort & Spa Lobby

Scott Resort & Spa Lobby

Scott Resort & Spa Lobby

Scott Resort & Spa Lobby

Scott Resort & Spa Lobby

The Scott Resort & Spa Lobby

The Scott Resort & Spa Lobby

The Scott Resort & Spa Lobby

The Scott Resort & Spa Lobby

The Scott Resort & Spa Lobby

The Scott Resort & Spa Lobby

 

The Rooms:

During my stay I checked into a Pool King Guest Room. The best part of the room was the spacious balcony overlooking the pool and the Nespresso coffee bar. The overall room offered very generous space, separate bathroom and sink, pillow top bed, in-room safe, mini bar, plush bathrobes, and spa inspired bath amenities.

I really liked that the hotel is smaller and not crowded. Since each of the buildings only offered two floors, you did not have to walk far to reach anywhere on the resort and I could walk right down the stairs and into the pool or the lobby.

The Scott Resort & Spa King Pool View

The Scott Resort & Spa King Pool View

The Scott Resort & Spa King Pool View

Dining:

I had the opportunity to eat at the Canal Club during my stay and the food was incredible. The paella on the dinner menu stood out so I ordered it – and surely enough it was cooked perfectly. If the paella is the only dish you get here, it will be the best!

The Canal Club also has a bar in the lobby that you can get incredible drinks from. I highly recommend the Helen & Maude – its a take on the Cuban Mojito. The bartenders are extremely friendly and personable – and above that, they craft cocktails in a way that is memorable.

The Canal Club

The Canal Club

The Canal Club

The Canal Club

The Canal Club

The Canal Club

Canal Club

Canal Club

Canal Club

Outdoors:

The Scott Resort & Spa is not an overly big property, as there are only 2 floors in each building of rooms – but within the grounds there are 2 pools, one with sand entry, fire bowl, a plethora of seating options, and a fireplace (for cooler evenings).

You can get yourself a drink and enjoy the seating options or lounge poolside. I opted for the Aperol Spritz!

The Scott Resort & Spa Outdoor Areas

The Scott Resort & Spa Outdoor Areas

The Scott Resort & Spa Outdoor Areas

The Scott Resort & Spa Outdoor Areas

The Scott Resort & Spa Outdoor Areas

The Scott Resort & Spa Outdoor Areas

Additional Information:

• Address: 4925 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
• Phone: (800) 528-7867
• Distance from Phoenix Sky Harbor: 14.8 miles ~ 20 minutes
• Parking: on site, you can park right outside your building
  • Uber is widely available
• Reservations are encouraged for The Canal Club
• Wifi for a fee
• Spa on site – has 6 treatment rooms

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Disclaimer: I was a guest of the Visit Phoenix Tourism Board, but as always, opinions are entirely my own. 

13 Ways To Enjoy Phoenix During The Summer

Let’s be honest – the summer months in Phoenix are hot! There is no way for me to sugar coat this fact, and even if I tried – the sugar would melt. But don’t let those warmer temps stop you from visiting Phoenix during the summer. I just spent four days in the greater Phoenix area exploring more of the area and although the temps were over 100 degrees Fahrenheit everyday, I still had the best time.

Here are 13 ways YOU can enjoy Phoenix during the summer months!

Hotels are cheap!

That is right, it is an off season for Phoenix, thus making the lodging cheaper to entice visitors to come visit. This is the perfect time to score luxury digs at a fraction of the cost AND it is not crowded. Make sure and get a hotel with a pool and get that poolside cabana so you can switch back and forth.

I loved my stay at the Wigwam Resort located just outside of Phoenix. I used the adults only pool for the day and got a cabana that came with bottled water, a fresh fruit plate AND chips and salsa!

What I loved about the hotel was the sprawling grounds, lush greenery and cacti, golf course, multiple pools, and the food!

Wigwam Resort

Wigwam Resort

Wigwam Resort

Wigwam Resort

Get a triple scoop sorbet at Sweet Republic

Sorbet is nice and light and I love the fruit. I opted for a 3 scoop cone with flavors of watermelon, coconut and strawberry! It was delicious and definitely cooled me off from the Phoenix heat. Sweet Republic offers a plethora of flavors to service all tastes.

Take in a sunset

It can still be very warm at night but the sun is not shining on you any longer and the temps start to cool down. Some of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen radiate in the Phoenix area. I don’t know why, but the sky is generally lit up in amazing colors when the sun goes down.

Desert Botanical Garden

Wigwam Resort

Wigwam Resort

Visit the Botanical Garden at 7:00am

I know, you are on vacation and you want to sleep. However, between 5-9:00 am the weather is incredibly nice and the heat hasn’t reached its high for the day. This is a fantastic time to explore the Botanical Garden and not worry about it being 110 degrees. When I went recently it was only about 75 degrees – the high that day ended around 110. 35 degrees in difference can make a huge difference when you are outside in the sun for 1-3 hours.

Desert Botanical Garden

Desert Botanical Garden

Desert Botanical Garden

Visit Found: Re Hotel For the art

I recently had the opportunity to visit the FOUND:RE Hotel and explore the art. What is interesting is that the pieces do change AND they are all for sale! I spent about 1.5 hours inside viewing all the pieces the curator hand selected for the hotel and it was a nice break from being outside.

Found: Re

Found: Re

Found: Re

Aperol Spritz when the sun goes down

Would it even be summer if there wasn’t an Aperol Spritz? I love how light and refreshing this drink is and it was perfect as the sun went down. I enjoyed this Aperol Spritz poolside at The Scott Resort and Spa!

Aperol Spritz

Get a convertible

That probably sounds like a bad idea (and it can be) but hear me out. Only take the top down very early in the morning when the weather is still really nice or after the sun goes down. Once you get out of the “heat of the day” hours – its not bad at all.

Visit Usery Mountain Regional Park

You can drive through here for the most part, so time of day is not really an issue. This is a great place to see the gorgeous desert landscape. One of the things I learned from the Park Ranger was that nothing is touched in the desert – it is all left natural to its elements. Usery Mountain Regional Park is a gorgeous desert landscape with plenty of photo opportunities.

Usery Mountain Regional Park

Usery Mountain Regional Park

Usery Mountain Regional Park

Usery Mountain Regional Park

Hot air balloon during sunrise

The sun rises around 5:20 am and the heat doesn’t really start to get hot until after 9:00 – this is plenty of time to enjoy the city from new heights. For those who are afraid of heights – I was too! I was so surprised by how calm it is when you are up in the air – literally floating. It is a peaceful experience.

Sunrise hot air ballooning

Sunrise hot air ballooning

Sunrise hot air ballooning

Have a spa day!

I can’t think of a better way to enjoy the indoors. Whether you go all in for a full day at the spa or just a massage, its going to be the most relaxing time you have with yourself. I recommend a massage at the Phoenician Spa for 50 minutes called “Aroma Design” where you get to design the exact aroma that would be used on you during the treatment. After the spa, enjoy a nice lunch on the rooftop with the pool. It’s the perfect little afternoon.

Phoenician Spa

Phoenician Spa

Phoenician Spa lunch on the rooftop pool

Visit the Heard Museum

This was one of the most fascinating museums I have ever been to. Offering 11 exhibit galleries and home to American Indian Art, the Heard Museum is both inside and outside. They do offer tours (check times) but I prefer to take art in my own way by walking through, reading, and looking at the art to get my own feel for the artist.

I don’t like to overshare content from museums because I think you should visit the museum yourself to truly understand the artist and the pieces they have on display .. but, there was one piece that really stood out to me called “Indigenous Evolution” and it is a large scale fence of the evolution of how fences have been made.

Heard Museum

Heard Museum

Olive Oil Tasting and OliveSpa Tour at Queen Creek Olive Mill

Make sure and take a tour and tasting at Queen Creek Olive Mill. They actually have an olive farm here on site and harvest them to make olive oil and all kinds of other products. While I was there I walked around their shop to see all the amazing things they make with olive oil like soaps, shaving cream, candles, fun foods, and different types of flavored oils. I also did an olive oil tasting of a variety of flavors. Don’t miss the banana bread!!

Queen Creek Olive Mill

Queen Creek Olive Mill

Queen Creek Olive Mill

Queen Creek Olive Mill

Take in a sunrise 

But not just any sunrise .. one with coffee and a side of Camelback Mountain!

Camelback Mountain

 

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Disclaimer: I was hosted by the Phoenix and Mesa Tourism Board, but as always, opinions are entirely my own. 

 

 

Foodies Guide To St. Louis

St. Louis is one of the cities this year that took me by surprise and on a culinary adventure. I was able to eat through the city with a friend and it felt like we were in a constant state of  “wow this is so good!” We ate for four days taking in the best of the city and now I am ready to share with you my favorite foodie stops in St. Louis! From breakfast to dinner and snacks in between, the cities culinary scene is booming.

Nathaniel Reid Bakery 

Never in my life have I met someone so fiercely passionate about their craft. Nathaniel Reid really stood out on my food tour through the city because he went over everything in his bakery, told his background story of working in Las Vegas, and explained how basically everything .. down to crusts, fillings, and even jams – are made in the bakery. This bakery is taking in no shortcuts in providing high quality food and the customer service is top notch – in the 40 or so minutes I was there Nathaniel greeted most customers (many whom were return customers) and his staff was equally as friendly. I think that says a lot about a business – but the food was equally exceptional. Do not miss the quiche and basically any of the pastries or desserts. Everything I tried was incredible.

Nathaniel Reid Bakery

Nathaniel Reid Bakery

Nathaniel Reid Bakery

Rooster

Specializing in crepes – I went off the deep end and deviated from my normal sweet crepes and went for a savory. Now let me say this – I have never had a savory crepe because the idea just sounded off, but one on the menu stood out that had goat cheese and BACON – so here we are, trying new things, and LOVING them.

Rooster

Rooster

Vicia

I cannot possibly give enough accolades to Vicia as the chef Michael was just named by Food & Wine as one of the best new chefs! What I loved was all the freshness of the food, the abundance of green (lord knows I don’t eat enough of it) and creating these dishes that just paired well(here’s looking at you cold asparagus soup!). I highly recommend the soup, their ice cream sandwich, the potato salad, AND the cold brew mint chocolate coffee!

Vicia

Vicia

Vicia

Vicia

Vicia

Vicia

Vicia

Vicia

Vicia

Retreat Gastropub

Although the space is small, the menu is fierce. When we sat down we got a menu that was three pages with a heavy focus on craft cocktails and beers. Retreat Gastropub is that restaurant you go to when you are looking to be inspired by a drink or a dish that the owners have carefully curated.

Retreat Gastropub

Retreat Gastropub

Retreat Gastropub

Fitz’s

One simply doesn’t go to St. Louis and NOT get a Fitz’s root beer float. This place is an institution and should not be missed.

Fitz’s – floats

Sardella

I found Sardella to be an interesting restaurant. They play with food in ways I have never seen it – for example, I ordered brussels sprout toast with a poached egg. I have never seen this anywhere in my life (and I eat a lot) and I could not get over how incredible it was. They brought out an order of their ricotta pancakes (something I also have never had before) and let me tell you how good they are. My friend and I both took a bite and they were piping hot, but they were so good we continued to eat them. That’s right – we actually risked burning our mouth for how damn good these pancakes are.

Sardella

Sardella

Sardella

Sardella

 

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Disclaimer: This is written in partnership with the St. Louis Tourism Board. As always, opinions are entirely my own. 

5 Times Travel Insurance Could Have Helped

Each time we book travel we are tasked with answering “yes” or “no” when it comes to protecting our trip with travel insurance, and I would be willing to bet that more people are exactly the way I used to be with the “nah nothing will happen” attitude when the decision is placed in front of us. To be fair, I have had more good than bad experiences without travel insurance but I will not travel without it now. I have put myself in too many situations where there was absolutely nothing I could do but pay out of pocket – and to think, for most of these trips I could have been protected for under a measly $50 dollars. So what is it that makes us take the risk when saying “no” to travel insurance? I haven’t come to an exact answer yet because 1. it isn’t expensive 2. you are protecting your trip that you just paid for – there is an assumption that if you can afford to travel, you can afford to protect your travel (amiright?) and 3. you are taking a risk at so many unknown factors and outcomes that could disrupt or even ruin your trip. Traveling without travel insurance after everything I have been through is no longer an option. Allianz Travel Insurance is the one thing I always know I have now because I purchased an annual plan and it only cost me $125 (price varies)! Just thinking about the sheer amount of money I have lost by not having it is 40 times that.

Here are 5 times that purchasing travel insurance could have helped me.

1. The time the airline lost my luggage in Ireland .. in JANUARY .. and I did not have any warm clothes on me or get my luggage back for 3 days! This of course was at the height of the Euro and I had to pay cash out of my own pocket for clothes each day hoping my luggage would come back. Had I purchased travel insurance I would have been covered up to $1,000 for clothing allotment until my luggage was returned.
2. The time I booked a cruise and just 2 weeks before sailing I fell incredibly ill and was hospitalized on both coasts of the U.S. Now my illness did not qualify under travel insurance (but my health insurance did) and I lost the full amount paid of the cruise because I was too sick to go. Over $2,700 I could have had returned to me to re-book another trip at a later date when I was feeling better because travel insurance would have covered this under emergency medical.
3. The 27 hour flight delay returning from Asia. I don’t know how this even happens – but when you are flying half way around the world and stopping in multiple airports and really just want to sleep, learning that you have a flight delay of more than a days time can be disheartening. Sure, airport lounges can be great in transit – – but not for 27 hours. At this point you have to make the decision to leave the airport and get a hotel. If I had travel insurance I could have been covered by the trip delay (if it is longer than 6 hours) and had my hotel and meals covered.
4. The pesky fall down the stairs in Paris and the French doctor who had to come to my hotel and barely spoke a lick of English. Now there was a medical emergency that cost me a pretty penny. I didn’t break anything but it put me out of commission a lot for the next 5 days of my trip. Walking was very painful and my back end and right leg were black with bruises. If I had travel insurance I could have had the doctor visit covered, a translator (one of the many services Allianz’s assistance service covers) and could have gone home since it disrupted my trip – I should not have continued on but I did because 1. I didn’t want to lose the trip and 2. I did not want to buy a plane ticket in addition to the money I had already spent on the trip.
5. The time my rental car was broken into and damaged in Hawaii. Who could have known that 20 seconds after walking away from my car rental at a public beach that someone would drive up and smash the window while taking my belongings? What came next was even worse .. all of the hassle with the car company and not being able to enjoy my vacation. I had no money, no I.D. no credit card or access to one, bathing suit stolen, prescription goggles, and the hassle of the car company demanding payment upfront to put me into a new car (when I had no money). In the months that followed that car company wanted several thousand dollars for having their car out for repair on the window and it was just an unnecessary situation that could have been avoided. If I had travel insurance I could have had the car taken care of, my clothing replaced and the lack of hassle I received from the car company while in Hawaii and for months to come when I left.

So you see – I have lost a lot of time and money just by not having travel insurance to protect me in case situations like these arise. Don’t make the costly mistakes that I have and make sure to protect your travel – after all, travel is an investment on you and your education around the globe.

*Dislaimer: this post is written in collaboration with Allianz Travel Insurance. As always, opinions are entirely my own. 

10 Easy Steps For Americans Visiting Cuba On A Cruise

For over 50 years Cuba was closed for tourism for U.S citizens. Currently the restrictions for visiting are not completely lifted, but after doing research when planning to visit Cuba, I found the easiest way for me to visit was on a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line.

Havana, Cuba 

By taking a cruise I did not need to fly into Cuba, find accommodations or figure out what I would do each day – I took out all the planning and left it to NCL.

Norwegian Sun in the Havana port

I did receive a lot of questions and emails from everyone asking about the steps and how easy it was to visit Cuba as a U.S. citizen – so I am putting together this guide that outlines everything.

Musicians

Handicrafts

Cuban cars

Beautiful doors

Dining in Havana

1. You need a passport. Cuba is a foreign country and no matter how you plan to visit there as a U.S. citizen, you will need a passport. If you are booking your cruise 6 months out or later, apply for your passport now and send in all the required documents so you can get it back in time (most post offices offer this service). If you are planning between 1-6 months out, you can expedite your passport online. Keep in mind you will need time to get a visa and you cannot get a visa without your passport information.
   1. You can book your cruise without having your passport first. You will fill out your cruise documents prior to leaving for the cruise – so if you do not have a passport but want to book, that is ok. Just make sure you have the passport before leaving for your cruise or they will not let you on.
2. Book the cruise – Currently Norwegian Cruise Line offers anywhere from 4-15 day cruises that stop in Cuba. On the shorter stays, you will be stopping in Havana overnight and on the longer cruises you will be there from morning until late night. You will have to decide if you want to go to more islands, if you are just wanting to visit Cuba and one other stop – that is up to you.
3. After you book the cruise, you need to get a visa. It is required to have a visa to even board the ship, but also you will need it to enter Havana at the port. There are two easy ways to get a visa:
   1. Norwegian will get the visa for you and you can pick it up when you check in to the ship – this is the easiest method.
   2. I got my visa from oncubatravel.com – and they sent it 2 day overnight. The only reason I went this route was to test the waters and see how fast they could get it to me and that it was accurate (which it was) and I had more than enough time that if anything went wrong I could get one through NCL.
      1. If you do go through On Cuba Travel, you will need to select from the 19 current available options for “Support for the Cuban people (515.5740)” as your visa.
4. Before you cruise, Norwegian will email out an affidavit that you will need to fill out electronically and send back that has your purpose of travel (which in this case is “support for the Cuban people”).
5. As a U.S. citizen you are required to meet the requirements for the visa, and NCL makes this easy by offering tours that are compliant with the government regulations. You will need to book at least one tour in advance of your cruise to fill this requirement. I highly advise looking at the options early and picking something you are comfortable with.
   1. There are several options for tours and in some cases you can fit more than 1 tour in a day. When I went overnight I could have done 3 tours throughout the day that were all different. If you are set on cruising around in an old car – make sure to book that first and work everything else around it.
      1. The real trick in doing multiple tours (and it is easy) is to find the tours you want to do and make sure they are offered at different times throughout the day. Make sure they aren’t very close together because you never know if a tour will run long.
   2. You should keep a detailed itinerary of your activities in Cuba for about 5 years.
6. Once you have everything you need to cruise and you are ready to go, getting on the cruise is easy.
   1. If you decide to add on another tour through NCL you can do this on the ship (but you also have the option to book them all before ever getting on the ship and I think you should go this route just to guarantee you get what you want from your trip).
7. Arriving in the port of Havana – if you have an early scheduled tour you will meet with the staff before exiting the ship so that they can show you where to go to meet your tour guide (afternoon tours will do this later in the day).
   1. Exiting can take a little bit of time because each person has to turn in their passport and visa and get their photo taken.
   2. You will not have wifi or cell phone service in Cuba. You can however get it on the ship (even when in port) or there are parks that you can find people selling wifi cards.
      1. I had wifi on the ship that was fast and it worked perfectly on the ship. I did a live story on Instagram for a few minutes from the ship facing Havana and the connection was lightening fast.
8. Bring money with you to convert to CUC$ (convertible pesos) once you go through passport control at the port. There will be an area at the end of the hallway with multiple people at the windows converting currency. You can also return what you didn’t spend on your way back in and get dollars back. 
   1. U.S. ATM cards and credit cards currently do not work in Cuba – make sure you have plenty of local currency.
9. Whether you are taking a tour first thing in the morning or later in the day, there is plenty to see and do around the port. I took a morning city tour that lasted about 3 hours and then walked around Havana for the rest of the day meeting locals, eating food and photographing the city.
   1. There are several food stalls selling local foods within the streets beyond the port.
   2. There are Cubans dressed up with cigars standing in front of beautiful walls that will let you take their picture for $1 CUC.
      

      $1 CUC for a photo

      

      $1 CUC for a photo

   3. Don’t forget to try a mojito!
      

      Mojito

      

      Mojito stand

      

      Mojito

10. Once you get back to the United States you will have to clear customs (and it is a breeze) at the port.
    1. You ARE allowed to bring back cigars and rum (things change frequently so just double check on the current allotted amount).

 

Checking In: The Chase Park Plaza St. Louis

I remember arriving to The Chase Park Plaza Hotel and its location is in a neighborhood in St. Louis that is easily walk-able. This urban oasis is bringing a lot of bang for the buck when it comes to luxury hotels.

 

After you stay in a lot of hotels, they start to blend together – so I try and find something about each property that is memorable & unique in helping me to remember my stay there. I didn’t even have to go far in finding something – it hit me right in my senses when I walked into the hotel. The smell of fresh buttery popcorn! That’s right, the hotel has a movie theater connected to it and you can walk right in from the lobby area. When it comes to unique – this takes the cake as I have never been to a hotel that had a movie theater.

The movie theater is just one of the great things about the hotel that stood out to me. That staff took the time to get to know me and remembered my name, the amazing craft cocktails I went for every night just because the bartender, Joe, was incredible to watch, that fact that the bars hotel The Preston actually carried a 23 and 15 year Pappy Van Winkle – both of which made my soul happy, the beautiful outdoor pool, the guest laundry facilities (and they even provided laundry soap), and I could keep going on for days. In summary – my stay in The Gateway City felt complete staying at The Chase Park Plaza Hotel.

The Rooms:

With over 380 rooms in the hotel and multiple categories to choose from, you are sure to find a room that fits your needs. During my stay I checked into a 1 Bedroom Suite and loved how spacious (840 square feet), bright and comfortable the room was. As someone who works on the road, I like having desk space and a separate work area from the bedroom. This suite really encompassed the ideal room offering the separate living space, 2 TV’s, ample desk space, a full living ares with several seating options, large closet, bathroom with a shower and tub combo, and plenty of light leaking in.

1 Bedroom Suite

1 Bedroom Suite

Room amenities:

• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Balconies (select)
• Coffee makers
• Flat-screen TVs
• Complimentary newspapers
• Tasteful décor
• Pillow-top beds
• Fine cotton sheets
• Premium toiletries
• Thick terry robes
• Elegant bathrooms
• Living rooms
• Room service
• Pool and city views
• In-room safes

 

Dining:

The hotel offers 3 dining venues and in-room dining. During my stay I had breakfast twice and drinks nightly at The Preston and had a drink and the BEST short rib mac & cheese at the Chase Club. If you only go to the hotel to eat – this mac & cheese should not be missed. It may be one of the best things I have ever eaten (and sadly I ordered it late at night and did not have my camera so I don’t even have a photo to share).

Breakfast at the Preston

The Preston

The Preston

Chase Club

Chase Club

Extras:

The hotel does have a gorgeous pool on site that should not be missed as well as a spa! In addition they have the easy access to the movie theater inside the lobby as well – that delicious smell of popcorn will draw you right in!

Chase Park Plaza Pool

Chase Park Plaza Pool

Movie Theater – retrieved from Sonesta

 

Attractions:

A lot of the main attractions in St. Louis are relatively close to the hotel.

Read More: 9 Experiences to have in St. Louis 

• St. Louis Arch 6.4 miles
• Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis 0.6 miles
• Saint Louis Zoo 2.1 miles
• Missouri Botanical Gardens 2.4 miles
• Busch Stadium 5.4 miles

Cardinals Game

Botanical Garden – Climatron

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis

Additional Information:

• Address: 212 N. Kingshighway Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63108
• Phone: 1.314.633.3000
• Distance from St. Louis Lambert International Airport: 11.2 miles
• Parking: valet and self both available
• Uber friendly city

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Disclaimer: I was hosted by Explore St. Louis and Chase Park Plaza, but as always, opinions are entirely my own.

9 Experiences To Have In Saint Louis

I just returned from St. Louis and had a nice long weekend to explore the city and take in some great experiences. I actually had not been back to Missouri since 2004 so it was nice to return and see the state in tourist mode. I put together my top things to do, as a visit to The Gateway City would not be complete without these experiences.

Visit the Botanical Garden

Easily the MOST beautiful botanical garden I have ever been to! What I love about this location is that the gardens are broken down into sections and spread out.Visiting could easily take up half a day to leisurely stroll through everything they have to offer. My favorite attraction is the Climatron – which is a dome like ecosystem housing plants and even a couple waterfalls.

Botanical Garden – Climatron

Botanical Garden – Climatron

Botanical Garden – Japanese Gardens

Botanical Garden – Climatron

Botanical Garden – Climatron

Botanical Garden – Climatron

Botanical Garden – Japanese Gardens

Botanical Garden – Climatron

Take in a sunset 

You know I can’t visit a city and not find a sunset – that is my favorite thing to do. I say to find a sunset with the Arch in it as it is far more dramatic and the arch is an icon of the city.

St. Louis Arch Sunset

Blues Museum 

A trip to St. Louis would not be complete without a stop at the Blue Museum. The museum is not very big or overwhelming and can be easily done in under an hour. Learning about the history of Blues, its artists and even making your own track is part of the magic the museum offers.

Blues Museum

Blues Museum

Blues Museum

Blues Museum

Blues Museum

See a Cardinals game 

Visiting Busch Stadium was not like visiting any other baseball game I have ever been to. You could feel the sense of hometown pride and it was not chaotic – it was a family event. You really get that Midwest vibe (something I miss as I am from Michigan but live in D.C.) and feeling of community.

Don’t forget to get a Nathan’s hot dog and a beer – true staples.

Cardinals Game

Nathan’s hot dog

Beer

Saint Louis Zoo 

Its free AND its one of the best in the United States .. I think that’s the two best reasons to go!

Sample beer at Schlafly Bottleworks 

I love finding craft breweries in new cities and I especially love when they are passionate about their work. I had the opportunity to meet the owner and one of the founding brewers, Stephen Hale. I honestly don’t think I have ever met two people more passionate about beer. Both of these guys are an excellent resource and knowledge base in the brewery and I would recommend a tour.

Something that I loved right inside the brewery was a computerized monitor that showed you everything they have on tap with alcohol content, tasting notes, etc so you would know what you want before you reached the bar.

I loved the passion fruit beer! It was not overpowered by citrus, it was actually just the right amount.

Schlafly Beer

Schlafly Beer

Relive your childhood at the City Museum 

It is true – I am 34 .. but I make sure to take time everyday to laugh and to keep the child in me alive. The City Museum is housed in an old shoe company that has been turned into a big play park with a bar. Several story slides, ball pits, a ferris wheel and school bus on the roof, jumping rocks pretending its lava, fun flooring, and unique finds around each corner – you are in for a great time. Kids or not – visit and go play your heart out.

City Museum

City Museum

City Museum

City Museum

 

Visit Forest Park 

Forest Park is a spacious park in St. Louis that is home to the Saint Louis Zoo, Art Museum, Science Center, The Muny, and the Missouri History Museum. In addition, you can drive/walk around the park and see how gorgeous the land is. My two favorite areas were the Pagoda Circle and Jewel Box.

Pagoda Circle

Jewel Box

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis 

I am always on the hunt for architecture that will blow me away and that is exactly what you feel inside the Basilica.  The domes on the ceiling offer the most gorgeous grandeur and you will not be able to stop staring in awe. No matter what your beliefs, visit. The amount of work that went into  this building is worth seeing with your own eyes.

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis

Eat your way through the city!

I don’t want to leave out the best part of St. Louis, and that is the food and drinks. I was taken by surprise at the bustling foodie scene that the city offers. Some of my favorite finds were Fitz’s enormous root beer floats, Nathaniel Reid Bakery’s pastries and quiche, the mint chocolate cold brew coffee and potato salad at Vicia, and the candied bacon and craft cocktails at Retreat Gastropub. If those are the only things you eat while in town – consider it a success!

Vicia – Potato Salad

Vicia – mint chocolate cold brew

Retreat Gastropub – Craft Cocktail

Retreat Gastropub – bacon!

Fitz’s – floats

Nathaniel Reid Bakery – pastries

 

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Disclaimer: this post is written in partnership with the Explore St. Louis Tourism Board. As always, opinions are entirely my own. 

Checking In: Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa

I have a confession to make .. I think I have only ever stayed in 1-2 Marriott properties. I honestly do not know why I haven’t stayed before – but I am 100% sold on staying in their hotels in the future. They exceeded any expectation I had and I already cannot wait to return to explore more of this area. The property overall is fantastic. I found it to be light and airy, extremely clean, and overall offered a lot of open spaces – my only wish is that I had gotten the chance to stay longer.

Beach Sunset

From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed into a gorgeous lobby that had beautiful decor throughout and sun shining right through. I could see children laughing and running in the distance and I knew I was checking in somewhere special. The check-in process went so smoothly and the staff was incredibly friendly.

Lobby

The hotel offers 2 pools, a luxurious spa, 2 restaurants, 1 bar, in-room dining, gym, beach front access, and a trip you are never going to forget!

Outdoor Area

Cabana Area

Pool

The Room:

I checked into a 1 bedroom condo with an ocean view during my visit. I was extremely pleased with the large amount of space, washer and dryer, separate living space from the bedroom, the beachy upscale decor, and the lush marble bathroom.

Something that caught my attention right away was the well curated minibar options. Since the room has a full size fridge, there were plenty of beverage options and the liquor options came in pint sizes versus the single serving sizes. In addition – I loved that the hotel gave popcorn in the minibar snacks since the room has a microwave – perfect for a movie night.

1 Bedroom Ocean View Condo

1 Bedroom Ocean View Condo

1 Bedroom Ocean View Condo

1 Bedroom Ocean View Condo

1 Bedroom Ocean View Condo

Luxury Bath Amenities

1 Bedroom Ocean View Condo

1 Bedroom Ocean View Condo

1 Bedroom Ocean View Condo

1 Bedroom Ocean View Condo

My favorite part of the room is the balcony from which I could see both a sunset and a sunrise! I had the best view in the entire hotel in my opinion. There is something truly magical about enjoying peaceful time on your balcony with the breeze from the water and seeing the sun in all her glory.

Balcony Sunset

Balcony Sunrise

 

Room Features

• 800sqft/72sqm
• Air-conditioned
• This room is non-smoking
• Connecting rooms are not available
• Outdoor spaces: balcony (1)
• Living/sitting area
• Dining area
• Living room is separated
• Fully equipped kitchen
• Living area is separated from bed by privacy wall
• Walk-in closet
• Windows, soundproof
• Total outdoor space: 74sqft/7sqm
• King Bed
• Marble bathroom
• Outlet with dual voltage adaptors
• Desk, writing / work, electrical outlet
• Iron and ironing board
• Washer and dryer
• TV’s – 2

Dining:

During my stay I had the pleasure of dining at 3800 Ocean. I had a moment to chat with the chef about the food and you could tell he was very passionate about his work – which ultimately shined through in his culinary creations.

I had a charcuterie board, fried green tomatoes with pork belly confit and a watermelon and goat cheese salad. I cannot possibly choose a favorite because each dish was amazing in its own way. I loved the rich flavors of the green tomatoes but also the softness of the goat cheese paired with the watermelon and arugula salad (which to be honest – I did not know if that would taste good but I love trying new things and it was fabulous!). I was completely full from all the amazing food that I just could not eat anything else – so I opted not to get an entree or dessert.

Delicious Bread

Charcuterie Board

Fried Green Tomatoes With Pork Belly Confit

Watermelon and Goat Cheese Salad

 

Additional Information:

• Address: 3800 North Ocean Drive · Singer Island Riviera Beach, Florida 33404
• Phone: 1-561-340-1795
• Distance from West Palm Beach Airport: ~20-25 minutes
• Parking: Valet is available – Uber is also readily available throughout the area

Overall:

I loved my stay here and completely fell in love with the area.

 

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Disclaimer:

I was hosted by the Palm Beaches Tourism Board, but as always, opinions are entirely my own. 

7 Experiences To Have In The Palm Beaches, Florida

I just returned from a quick 4 day trip to the Palm Beaches in Florida and it was packed with incredible things to do. I honestly had not done much research prior to visiting but I had heard a lot of great things so I knew I was in for something special. The area is so beautiful that I feel like I photographed every inch of every place I went to. I came home with over 2,000 photos and I cannot get over how much I love the area.

I put together my favorites from my trip to share with you that I think really stood out and made the trip extra special.

Visit Flagler Museum 

The Flager Museum is one of my favorite things to do in the Palm Beaches. I am obsessed with architecture and interior design and Flagler brings it all and more. The museum actually used to be a home, Whitehall. Henry Flagler bought it for his third wife as a wedding gift and it only took 18 months to build .. and it is comprised of 75 rooms. Can you even imagine having something with such a gorgeous grandeur built that fast? Every room is different and designed in the Beaux-Arts style. You can expect to find large amounts of marble, rich colors, murals on the ceilings, and Henry Flagler’s train car on property.

I don’t want to give away anymore but there is a great story of how it came to be and why Flagler had his own train car.

Flagler Museum

Flagler Museum

Flagler Museum

Flagler Museum

Flagler Museum

Flagler Museum

Flagler Museum

Flagler Museum

Flagler Museum

Flagler Museum

Breakfast or brunch at Circle at The Breakers Resort 

The only thing I wish that had gone different at The Breakers Resort was me staying there for more than a meal. Not only is the food incredible and a must visit – but the hotel is absolutely beautiful! Just walking around the property was so special. I loved seeing all the light leaking in through the glass windows and the decor is top notch. I will definitely be returning for a stay.

As for the food – I have made it no secret that I judge restaurants on how well they poach eggs and Circle does it quite perfectly laid over the hash I ordered. I also ordered their homemade granola and yogurt and it was so good AND the presentation is beautiful.

Breakfast at Breakers Resort

Breakfast at Breakers Resort

Catch a sunset AND a sunrise 

If you know me .. you know this is a priority when I travel. I like to see the sun and all its glory. I was really fortunate to see an incredible sunset and sunrise at the Marriott on Singer Island when I stayed there.

Sunrise at the Marriott Singer Island

Sunset at the Marriott Singer Island

Try local beer

I did a brewery tour and tasting at Twisted Trunk Brewing and learned so much about brewing from the owner, Fran. On our tour of the brewery he let me see how the beer is made and let me taste some of the different barley’s they use to make beers. I tried a beer that they make that I loved and think is perfect for summer called: Watermelon Saison! It may sound strange but I promise it was delicious. The watermelon did not overpower and it was subtle.

Twisted Trunk Brewing

Tour Palm Beach 

Easily the most beautiful city I have seen. Every corner is brimming with gorgeous architecture, beach coastlines, high-end and boutique shops, and friendly faces. I took a tour with Leslie from Island Living Tour and she is so incredibly knowledgeable about the area – she lives there and she is very excited about sharing it.

Palm Beach

Palm Beach

Palm Beach

Palm Beach

Palm Beach

Palm Beach

Palm Beach

Spa day at Eau Palm Beach Resort and Spa 

Eau boy was this an experience! Eau Palm Beach Resort and Spa is such a marvelous property! I was only on site for an afternoon for lunch and a massage but I could certainly see myself staying for a weekend .. or two! Before I went to the spa I explored the property a little bit and had lunch on site at Breeze Ocean Kitchen. The food is so fresh and so delicious. I cannot stop talking about the ceviche they have made with passion fruit. It is the best I have ever had – so make sure and get this when you visit!

Breeze Ocean Kitchen

Breeze Ocean Kitchen

Breeze Ocean Kitchen

As for the Eau Spa – what an incredible experience. This is only the second time I have left my phone behind (which I always should, I know) to get the real spa experience. Prior to my treatment I enjoyed the whirlpool and sauna and just relaxed. No talking, no thinking about the things I needed to do – just me time. Eau Palm makes this easy with the ambiance of the spa. I should also mention they have champagne and cupcakes – they definitely know what they are doing!

My massage was perfect! I did a 60 minute Swedish massage and was able to select my oils, sounds in the room AND color – if that isn’t personalized, I don’t know what is! After your treatment you can retreat to the lounge, the whirlpool and steam rooms or there is an outdoor relaxing area that is truly a peaceful area.

Eau Spa – image provided by Eau Spa

Eau Spa – image provided by Eau Spa

Eau Spa – image provided by Eau Spa

Eau Spa – image provided by Eau Spa

 

Eat ALL the food 

I cannot rave enough about how AMAZING the food is here. Everything is so fresh, so original and overall everything I ate was sensational! Typically when I travel I seek out food that is different from where I live or things that are special to the area. As it turns out – a lot of the area is farm to table and uses the freshest ingredients.

Salt7

Crab Stack Deck 84

Deck 84

Gary Rack’s Farmhouse Kitchen

Read More: Foodies Guide to the Palm Beaches

 

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*Disclaimer: I was hosted by the Palm Beaches Tourism Board, but as always – opinions are entirely my own.