How to Spend 3 Relaxing Days in Moorea - Complete Itinerary

What to do for 3 Days in Moorea, French Polynesia - Complete Itinerary

On our Honeymoon, we stopped in French Polynesia on our way back to the States. We were ready for some relaxation after going nonstop for over a week in Australia & New Zealand. We spent 3 nights in Moorea in an overwater bungalow and it was fabulous! Here’s everything you need to know about Moorea!

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How to get to Moorea

Getting to Moorea requires a few transfers. We booked our Moorea portion through Tahiti Legends, who booked everything including our transfers from airports and hotels (we booked our own flights). We stayed at the Sofitel Moorea, in an overwater bungalow, which is something everyone must do in their lifetime! We flew via Air Tahiti Nui in business class (from New Zealand) using our miles, which was a comfortable flight with big seats and great amenities. Air Tahiti flies from Paris to LA to Tahiti to New Zealand and back. We didn’t go to Paris on this trip!

We had to stay in Tahiti overnight because our flight got in so late from New Zealand, there wasn't an option to get to Moorea after 8pm. We used our points to stay at the InterContinental. This was the view from an “average” room:

InterContinental Tahiti Room with Garden Views

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Day 1

Morning in Tahiti

We had a car pick us up bright and early from the InterContinental in Tahiti to take us to the ferry. Driving around in the daylight unmasked the island and certain areas were definitely not paradise.

Aboard the Ferry from Tahiti to Moorea

We boarded the ferry around 8 am and the ride was about 20 minutes to Moorea. On the other side, a car picked us up (previously arranged) and took us about 10 minutes down the road to our hotel, the Sofitel Moorea.

We were too early for check-in when we arrived in Moorea, so we wandered around the resort to get our bearings. We walked over to the spa to check it out and made reservations for a couples massage for the late afternoon.

Entrance to our Overwater Bungalow Room

After about an hour, our room was available and we were so excited to check out our overwater bungalow. The room was spectacular and unlike any hotel we had ever stayed in!

Sofitel Moorea Overwater Bungalow Bed

The room felt like a suite. Walking in, you first notice the giant windows leading out to the water, then the high ceilings making the room feel enormous and spacious. The bed was perfectly placed in the middle of the room facing the water with a fantastic view. It had mosquito netting to which Josh said, "It's like a fort!"

Once you step in front of the bed, there is a part of the floor that has a glass square, where you could see the fish swimming under the bungalow. 

Floor to see fish under our room!

 Afternoon - Swim and Snorkel

Although we REALLY wanted to, you can't really jump off the deck of the bungalow, since it's pretty shallow and there is a lot of coral below. BUT you can go for a swim and there is a ton of marine life to see if you snorkel.

Just a small fish in a big pond

After a leisurely snorkel, we decided to switch it up and go over to the main pool to do more swimming (more like wading) and grab a bite to eat at the bar-restaurant. 

Fish in Moorea in front of our Overwater Bungalow

In the late afternoon, we had our couples massage appointment. The spa room was huge, complete with a shower and bathtub. We only signed up for a massage but realized we could have spent an entire day at the spa. The massage was soothing and relaxing. After being in the sun all day, there was a slight burn to which aloe vera was offered. I was soothed and comforted, I could have laid face down on that table for the rest of the evening. 

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Day 2

 

WAKING UP IN MOOREA!

Sunrise in Moorea - View from Sofitel Moorea

Here's how to properly wake up in Moorea:

 Not a bad way to start the day! Am I right?! From the Sofitel Moorea, we could see sunrises but the us would set on the other side of the island.

 

Morning - Drive around the Island of Moorea

We rented a little 2 seater buggy through Moorea Fun Roadster, which was like a small go-kart that went faster than you would expect, zooming around the island in about 4 hours. The road was bumpy at parts, but overall it was a blast! Since the island is so small it was nice to take the time to experience it on our own, checking out all there is to do!

See our post all about our buggy ride here: How to Rent a Buggy in Moorea

Afternoon in Moorea

After returning from our island tour, we were ready for some relaxation. We jumped in the water from our patio, and cooled off. 

Patio stairs to the water

We spent the rest of the day on the patio of our deck playing cards with some fun drinks!

Pro tip: Buy alcohol at duty-free store at the airport and mixers if available. On our buggy ride, we stopped and bought concentrate (which we thought was juice) at the grocery store on Moorea. The concentrate was an ok way to go since you can get TONS of drinks out of it, but they get old after awhile.

Once we got too hot, we'd jump in the water, swim around, and come right back to our card game. I don't think I changed out of my swimsuit that day.

Sofitel Moorea - Overwater Bungalows

Once we needed a break from the cards, we decided to feed the fish under our bungalow which was great entertainment for at LEAST 20 minutes.

Evening in Moorea

We grabbed dinner at the bar restaurant and took it back to our room so we could do some star gazing. Since it is so quiet and so dark, there were thousands of stars to see. I don't think I've seen that many before in my life!

Stargazing in Moorea

On average, we seemed to go to bed when the sun went down (around 9-10 pm) and woke up as soon as it came back up (around 6:30-7 am). We weren't on any time zone in particular as we had been bouncing around so many places the previous week (we were in Australia and New Zealand).

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Day 3

Morning in Moorea

We got up early to catch the sunrise! Since we didn’t get many sunsets here, it was nice to catch the sun coming up!

Sunrise in Moorea - Sofitel Moorea

We might have gone back to bed and then got up just in time to catch the end of breakfast at the main restaurant. The food was delicious, they offered a large spread of almost anything you could think of - eggs, omelets, french toast, pancakes, juices, coffee... and the view wasn't half bad. The only problem was the birds would try to snatch your food if you looked the other way! 

Breakfast at the Sofitel Moorea

Afternoon

We packed up and checked out. Although we weren't hanging our heads quite yet, it was time to head to our next destination, Bora Bora!

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Don’t forget to pack some of our favorite things:

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HOTEL REVIEW: Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino

Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino

Address: L.G. Smith Blvd 82, Oranjestad, Aruba

Website: Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino

Flamingo Beach - Renaissance Island

The number one reason to stay here is to visit Flamingo Beach! After we were spoiled staying at the Hyatt Regency Aruba, the Renaissance was nice but we spent more time with my new pink friends than in the room! Read all about our days spent at Aruba’s Renaissance Island - Flamingo Beach . Many ask: Is flamingo island worth it? 1000% YES!

Find the best rate to visit these flamingos by booking your room through Booking.com Not only will you find the best rate out there but by clicking this link and booking a night, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link! :-) Thanks! 

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Renaissance Adult Only Hotel in Aruba

There are 2 hotels at the Renaissance property, both right across from each other. The adults-only hotel is more inland but still in the marina. It’s also connected to a very fancy, high-end mall and casino! Check out rates here: booking.com

All-inclusive rooms in Aruba!

All-inclusive room rates at Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino are available. However, these rates tend to be higher because they include onsite food and beverages in the room rate.

How to get to Renaissance Island Aruba with the Flamingo Beach

The Renaissance owns a small island just a quick 10 minute boat ride away that they have named Renaissance Island. Booking your stay at the Renaissance guarantees you access to the island, there is a small chance you can buy a ticket the morning of, but there are very few if the hotel is not sold out. Here, you will find beautiful beaches with lounge chairs, a restaurant, hammocks, and FLAMINGOS. A water taxi stops every 15 mins in the lobby to head to Renaissance Island.

Read more here: Aruba’s Renaissance Island Flamingo Beach

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Things to do at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino

1. Go to Renaissance Island for the Flamingo and Iguana beach

2. Rent a cabana on Renaissance Island - The cabana comes with 2 bottles of Voss still water, 2 bottles of Voss sparkling water, bottle of sparkling wine, refreshing food amenity, personalized cabana butler service, towels, 2 water floats, and 2 full face-snorkeling masks. Cabanas at Iguana Beach come with kids snorkels. Cabana 4001 at Iguana Beach has a water slide. Rates start at $300 - BOOK EARLY!

3. Go for a dip in the pool (there is a family pool and adult-only pool)!

4. Get a drink at the lobby bar - it overlooks the pool and ocean!

5. Go shopping! There is a little plaza to shop around for clothes and souvenirs!

6. Have breakfast on Renaissance Island! There is an amazing restaurant, called Papagoyo Bar & Grill, that serves a large breakfast that will fill you up for a day in the sun!

7. Go to the Spa Cove on Renaissance Island! Peaceful and serene, this spa only has ocean views!

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Arrival: Parking, Lobby, and Bar at the Renaissance Aruba

Valet parking is available under the lobby. We took a taxi and didn’t need a car to get around the island. The lobby was open air and the bar was located right next to the pool. Check-in was a breeze. Literally. The staff was really nice and when our room wasn’t ready, they stored our bags and we were allowed to go to the island.

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Renaissance Aruba Guest Rooms

Our room was a decent size. We booked a Guest room, 1 King or 2 Double, Limited view in the Marina Hotel. The design was fairly modern and looked like they had been renovated fairly recently.

Guest Room

The little booth was cute but not very comfortable. Our limited view was an inside view and we were located right above Starbucks. The most exciting thing that happened out the window: watching people board the boats for Renaissance Island.

The closet was small, our suitcases didn’t fit inside. The robes were nice, though!

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Bathroom

The bathroom was on the smaller side compared the Hyatt we had just stayed at, but was perfect for spending 24 hours there. SO many towels.

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Renaissance Aruba Adult Pool

The adult pool was so quiet and relaxing, perfect for honeymooners. With ocean and marina views, why would you ever want to leave!

The lobby bar and the pool bar are one and the same. I love how open and bright the bar area is!

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We basically paid $400 to see Flamingos, but they were worth every penny!

Find the best rate to visit these flamingos by booking your room through Booking.com Not only will you find the best rate out there but by clicking this link and booking a night, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link! :-) Thanks! 

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MORE ARUBA!

Guide to the Best Ice Cream and Dessert in Maui, Hawaii - Ranked with Map

I love Maui and I love dessert, especially ice cream. I have ranked my favorite desserts below after much extensive research! 😋Don’t miss these great dessert options around the island see our handy map! You can even save it to your Google map app!

Although I’m not vegan, I’ve also included some options for my vegan friends!

Related Post: How to Spend 4 Days in Maui - Complete Itinerary

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Coconut Glen’s - Road to Hana

#1 Coconut Glen’s Ice Cream

• Address: Mile Marker 27 1/2 Hana Hwy, Haiku, HI 96708

• Website: http://coconutglens.com/

• Pricing/Value: Good size scoop for the value

• Vegan Options?: All vegan options!

While on the Road to Hana, make sure you stop for some ice cream! Coconut Glen makes all his ice cream from the coconuts from the Maui jungles!

See our full Ice Cream Review here: Coconut Glen’s Ice Cream

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Maui Hula Grill Brownie Ice Cream Sandwich

#2 Ice Cream Sandwich at Hula Grill

• Location: Hula Grill/Barefoot Bar in Whaler’s Village - 2435 Kaanapali Pkwy, Lahaina, HI 96761

• Menu: Hula Grill Menu

• Pricing: $11 for a giant dessert!

A monster ice cream sandwich taller than a salt shaker! Try this on for size - Hawaiian vanilla ice cream, macadamia nut brownies, whipped cream, fudge, and raspberry sauce.

See more restaurants in our 10 Best Restaurants in Maui Post

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Island Cream Co - Maui, Hawaii

#3 Island Cream Co

• Location: 305 Keawe St #511, Lahaina, HI 96761

• Website Menu/Flavors: Island Cream Co

• Value: Large scoops for under $10

• Special Options?: Non-dairy sorbets available

I'm not sure Island Cream Company just tastes better because it's in Hawaii (everything is better in Hawaii) or if it's their original recipe with the perfect mix of gelato and ice cream.

See more in our full ice cream review: ISLAND CREAM CO

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Maui Gelato Ice Cream

#4 Maui Gelato

Location: 2395 S Kihei Rd #120, Kihei, HI 96753

• Website: Maui Gelato Facebook

• Menu: Hard to find an updated menu online. See our full post here: Maui Gelato

• Pricing: Big helpings for a great price

• Non-Dairy options available

Located along the water just above Wailea in Kihei, Maui Gelato has everything ice cream you can imagine! Gelato, ice cream, affogatos (espresso poured over ice cream), floats, shakes, mochi ice cream, shave ice, waffles.

See our full review and the life lesson I learned here: Maui Gelato

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#5 Hula Pie

• Multiple Locations all over Hawaii: Hula Grill/ Barefoot Bar/ Dukes/ Leilani’s/ Kimo’s

• Pricing: Around $11 for a huge slice!

You MUST try the Hula pie! It’s vanilla or macadamia nut ice cream with an Oreo crumble pie crust, with whipped cream and fudge on top!

Hula Pie

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Shave Ice

#6 Shave Ice

A Hawaii classic! There are plenty of places to get shave ice and even food trucks on the side of the road have them! Make sure you get ice cream in the bottom, I love a good macadamia nut ice cream at the bottom of shaved ice with pineapple and coconut on top!

Favorite:

Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice (multiple locations) - 790 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761

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CHocolate Cream Pie at Monkeypod Kitchen

#7 Pie at Monkeypod Kitchen

• Locations/Menu: Kaanapali and Wailea

• Pricing: Around $11 per slice

I normally go for ice cream any chance I can get, but the Chocolate Cream Pie at Monkeypod is pretty phenomenal. Want something other than chocolate? Try their Strawberry, Banana, or Coconut Cream pies!

You can also try their Tropical Dreams Gelato & Sorbet for $7.95 with options of Tahitian vanilla, chocolate, island-hop Kona coffee, or featured flavor sorbet.

See our full Restaurant Review here: Monkeypod Kitchen

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#8 Tin Roof Chocolate Birthday Bibingka Cake

• Location: 360 PAPA PLACE STE Y, KAHULUI, HI, 96732

• Open: Monday - Saturday for lunch only

• Pricing: Cheap eats!

Chocolate Birthday Bibingka Cake 🌈💗🎂 is filled with chocolate, peanut butter, sprinkles and pop rocks! AND it’s fun to say!

TIN ROOF is a new generation mom & pop shop, owned by Internationally recognized Chef Sheldon Simeon & his wife, Janice. Raised in Hilo, Hawaii rain is a part of everyday life. Farmers markets keep buzzing, errands roll along, and garage kani ka pila never ends.

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Don’t forget these dresses!

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7 Best Restaurants in Lake Tahoe with Stunning Lake Views (with map)

Guide to Amazing Lake Tahoe Restaurants with Lake Views (with map)!

As creatures of habit, we go to Lake Tahoe almost every year and hit up some of the same restaurants. Why? Because these restaurants have amazing food and the BEST views of Lake Tahoe! Some of these are a little pricey so I gave a scale of one to four dollar signs ($) to note the level of expense.

Here is a map made with the Wanderlog Travel Planner, so you can follow along, add to your Google maps account, or create your own personal map! Wanderlog allows you to create great maps and guides for any vacation (and it’s free)!

Map courtesy of Wanderlog travel planner

Let’s start with Breakfast and Lunch…

Riva Grill on the Lake

Address: 900 Ski Run Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

• Price: $$

• Lunch Cuisine: American - Salads / Burgers / Pizza / Sandwiches

• Menu: Riva Menu

• Reservations: Opentable.com

For lunch and cocktails, you must go to Riva Grill on the Lake and try a Wet Woody. Yes, I just said that. They are famous for these rum drinks and these woody's sure pack a punch! They have great burgers (my fave) and pizzas (believe it or not) and is the perfect place for larger parties. Riva Grill is also open for breakfast on the weekends and I have my eye on the Eggs Benedict!

Lunch options are great, ask for a table on the deck, it’s open all summer long with amazing views of the lake. 

Edgewood Lake Tahoe - Hotel, Spa, & Golf Course

Address: 100 Lake Pkwy, Stateline, NV 89449

Brooks Bar and Deck

• Price: $$$

• Lunch Specialty: American - Sandwiches / Salads

• Menu: Brooks Menu

• Reservations: Opentable.com

We enjoy burgers, sandwiches and cocktails on the patio at Brooks Bar and Deck for lunch. My Favorite is the Spicy Marinated Chicken Sandwich complete with jack cheese, avocado, chili aioli, and served with tater tots! Josh loves the French Dip with Prime Rib. YUM!

Don’t forget dessert - Warmed Chocolate Brownie served with salted caramel ice cream!

Breakfast is an option here before or after your golf game (or if you just want to watch other people play golf). So many classic options from waffles to omelettes.

Make a reservation ahead of time, they are on OpenTable.com.

Edgewood Restaurant 

• Price: $$$$

• Specialty: Seafood / Steaks / Grill

• Menu: Edgewood Menu

• Reservations: Opentable.com

PHOTO PROVIDED FROM THE RESTAURANT’S WEBSITE

Located on the Edgewood golf course and right on the lake, its the perfect spot for dinner at sunset. Since it’s only open for dinner, try and get there just before sunset to see the sun disappear across the lake through their gorgeous floor to ceiling windows. The interior looks like a luxurious lodge with views of the lake, mountains and pines! The lounge and bar open an hour before the restaurant opens and stay open an hour after it closes.

We’re never disappointed by the steaks, the filet is a favorite! There are plenty of fish options as well!

19 Kitchen & Bar - Harvey's Lake Tahoe

Address: 18 US-50, Stateline, NV 89449

• Price: $$$$

• Specialty: Seafood / Steaks / Grill

• Menu: 19 MENU

• Reservations: Opentable.com

This restaurant is located atop of the Harvey's Hotel on the 19th floor with great steaks and amazing birds eye views of the lake. We usually go right around sunset and have drinks in the bar or if we’re dining, we request a table by the window. I love the Ribeye steak with their fabulous green peppercorn sauce served with garlic mashed potatoes.

Also, don't miss out on their cotton candy for dessert!

Friday’s Station Steak & Seafood Grill

Address: Harrah's Hotel - 19-29 Lincoln Hwy, Stateline, NV 89449

• Price: $$$$

• Specialties: Seafood / Steaks / Grill

• Menu: Friday’s Menu

• Reservations: Opentable.com

Located on the top floor of Harrah's, this Lake Tahoe fine dining gem features a dramatic entrance, a 1,000-bottle display wine cellar and magnificent views from every table. Favorite meal: Prime Rib with mashed potatoes. Is your mouth watering too?

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DON’T FORGET DESSERT!!!!

Susie Scoops Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt

Address: 869 Tahoe Blvd, Incline Village, NV 89451

• Price: $

• Specialty: Dessert/ Ice Cream/ Frozen Yogurt

This cute little ice cream store is located in Incline Village and attached to the toy shop, Village Toys! Inside the walls are pink with ice cream lights and decorations everywhere like an old fashioned ice cream shop. I wanted to live there, it reminded me of my childhood bedroom. My phone malfunctioned and I don’t have any of my pictures from this day, except for the one below!

Susie Scoops offers 28 flavors made locally! THEY HAVE ALL THINGS ICE CREAM including hand-dipped waffle cones, specialty sundaes, frozen yogurt, smoothies, shaved ice (18 flavors), shakes & malts (any flavors), floats,  pints to go, & ice cream cakes!

Exceptional flavors: Peppermint, Mud pie and Peanut Butter Cup ice cream.

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Ok, so this one doesn’t have a view of the lake, but they have some of the BEST steaks, I’ve ever had!

Ciera Steak & Chophouse

Address: Montbleu Resort Casino & Spa - 55 US-50, Stateline, NV 89449

• Price: $$$$

• Specialties: Seafood / Steaks / Grill

• Menu: Ciera Menu

• Reservations: Opentable.com

I'd put Ciera Steak & Chophouse in the Top 10 best steak dinners I've ever had (and I LOVE steak)! This fabulous 4 Diamond chophouse has an exquisite variety of steaks and chops to go along with their extensive 300 bottle wine list.

Even the sides were amazing, we ordered all potatoes (the White Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes Gratinée were my fave) and the white truffle mac and cheese. These paired well with my mouth watering Cowboy Ribeye.

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More Lake Tahoe Posts:

Best Way to spend a Summer Weekend Getaway in Lake Tahoe

Guide: What to do in Lake Tahoe during Summer

Growing up, we went to Lake Tahoe for a few days almost every summer. Hiking, biking, and swimming were always on the itinerary. I was excited to bring Josh up there for the first time and show him one of my favorite places in California, where I had so many great memories and adventures with my family to share. 

Getting to Lake Tahoe

We took a quick hour long Southwest flight, flying out of LAX and into Reno-Tahoe International Airport (watch-out for bears). From there, we rented a car from Hertz at the airport and drove about an hour up through the mountains to the lake!

We ALWAYS find THE BEST rates through Booking.com. See deals of up to 50% off! You can save a bunch of money if you book a bundle flight+room+rental car! They even have apartments, lodges, and houses you can rent, just like AirBnB or VRBO! By booking through this link, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link!

Directions to South Lake Tahoe from the airport: We usually take the 580 S and hop on the 50 W. With no traffic, it takes about an hour. You can also take the 431, but that takes longer sometimes by 15 mins or so, but you have longer lake views. We usually take it on the way back to the airport!

Reno-Tahoe International Airport (watch-out for bears)

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Where to Stay in Lake Tahoe

There are a few hotels at the Stateline and a few at the North shore with AirBnBs between! We like staying at the Stateline because it's more lively and city like, but not far from adventures in the wilderness.

Harvey's Lake Tahoe

Address: Highway 50 at Stateline Avenue, Stateline, NV 89449

• Best Rate: Booking.com

• Pricing: $$

Since Lake Tahoe is split on the Stateline of Nevada, most hotels have casinos and our favorite place to stay is Harvey's. It's located on the North side of Lake Tahoe Blvd without another hotel obstructing the view. Find the best rate to stay at Harvey’s by reserving your room through Booking.com. It's not bad waking up to this every morning...

The rooms have been recently renovated and are very spacious with spectacular Tahoe lake views. With a casino at the base of the hotel and a bar and restaurant at the top with breathtaking views of the lake, this place is perfect! There are many restaurants and activities that are walking distance, including Heavenly.

HARVEY'S IS ALSO PET FRIENDLY! MEET RICHARD!

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What to Do in Lake Tahoe

There are so many different things to do in Tahoe and something for everyone:

• Heavenly Summer Adventure - zip-lining, tubing, ropes course, hiking (see more below)

• Paddle Wheel Cruise around the lake on Ms Dixie II (see more below)

• Visit Squaw Valley - Olympic Park

• Hiking trails in state parks and Fallen Leaf Lake - see more in our post of our favorite trails, Tahoe Hikes for the Casual Hiker 

• Biking along the lake

• Kayaking and water sports on the lake

• Renting a boat and don’t forget the jet ski's 

• Paddleboats! 

• Horseback Riding in the mountains to great heights and great views

• Explore Zephyr Cove

• Gamble in the casinos

Hike to Eagle Falls

Here are a few of our favorite things to do in detail:

1. Heavenly Lake Tahoe

During winter these Heavenly gondolas take you up for skiing, but during summer, there is a playground. The base is close to the Stateline taking you up a 2.4 mile ride up in the Heavenly Mountain Gondola with panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. On the way up, there is a stop at the Observation Deck where we took photos and breathed in that fresh mountain air. For summer 2019, Heavenly opens June 21st! There’s even a YOGA class at the top of the mountain!

Gondola Price: Adult $50

At the very top, there are a few adventures you can embark on:

• Tubing down a thrilling 500ft-long hill

• Zip-line 1,000ft-long zip line at top speeds of 40 MPH

• Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster - a single rider coasting down a 3,400' track, descends 300 vertical feet, and accelerate around two lateral loops (SO FUN)

• Ropes courses

Price: Ultimate Adventure Pass for only $99 (includes Gondola ride) Buy 3 get the 4th free!

If you have never been to Tahoe, the gondola is a must-do. Because it is a little pricey, I don't think it's something you have to do every time you go, but it was really fun to play like a kid for a day!

The Tamarack Lodge at the top has overpriced average theme park type food, setup commissary style. This ski resort is great, even in the middle of summer!

2. Lake Tour on the Ms Dixie II Paddle Wheel

The Ms Dixie is a large paddlewheel boat that cruises across the lake to Emerald Bay and back. A recording plays throughout the 2 hour tour, giving the history of Lake Tahoe and fun facts. Lunch and complete bar service are available for purchase.

The sites were spectacular! It was nice being on the water and not in the freezing lake. I also learned new things about Tahoe that I never knew! For instance, "The center of the Lake can appear cobalt blue, as blue light is absorbed further, leaving visible violet light as the predominant light color. In shallow areas, the water can appear emerald or turquoise in color since green is the predominant light color at shallow depths." Cool, right?

Within Emerald Bay is the only island in Lake Tahoe, Fannette Island, where the lady of Vikingsholm would go to have tea in the afternoon in the little castle built on top. So jealous.

Prices: Ages 12 and Up: $65.00 , Ages 3-11: $33.00

They also offer a Dinner sunset cruise as well. 

EMERALD BAY AND FANNETTE ISLAND

3. Explore Emerald Bay

Along the Southwest shore off Route 89, is Emerald Bay. It's about 45 mins (22 miles) from Tahoe City, and we usually park along the highway (or there is a parking lot for $10) and then hike down the Rubicon trail to the Vikingsholm, a 38-room mansion that is recognized as some of the best Scandinavian architecture in the US. You can always rent a boat from our friends at Get My Boat (it’s like Airbnb for boats), to get there too!

The architect who built and designed this incredible mansion, was Leonard Palme, who was hired by his aunt Laura Knight. See more info on the CA Parks and Rec site.

We went on some great hikes that were fairly moderate, we don’t hike too often but there is a bit of an incline! See more in our Tahoe Hikes for the Casual Hiker post!

EMERALD BAY LIVING UP TO ITS NAME

4. Visit Squaw Valley - Take the Aerial Tram to Olympic Park!

Address: 1990 Squaw Peak Road, Olympic Valley, CA 96146

Check hours on their website (usually 9a-4p - there’s a winter/summer toggle at the top of their site): Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows

Squaw Valley - Olympic Park

Squaw Valley was home to Winter Olympics in 1960. Now during winter, its a winter wonderland with tons of runs to ski or snowboard! We went during summer and there is even a pool and jacuzzi on top. Can’t imagine getting in the water during the winter! Or getting out of the water I should say!

Squaw Valley Aerial Tram to High Camp

The Aerial Tram was $46 to take you to the top and drop off at High Camp. We explored the Olympic Museum, which was free to get into, had some fun standing on the podium and looking at other memorabilia! The clothing and style of the olympians during that era was amazing! You can check out some uniforms, sporting goods such as hockey sticks and pucks, and looking through other commemorative pieces.

There is a bistro restaurant, called Granite Bistro Cafe, complete with stunning views! If you take the last tram, you ride with some of the staff and racks! If you’re looking for a snack, souvenir, water bottle, or sandwich type items, visit the High Camp Marketplace. Check out the cute ice cream cookies they had:

The base of Squaw Valley has residencies, rentals and a large shopping center. We walked through some shops, got a coffee and saw the cutest ice cream shop!

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Where to Eat in Lake Tahoe? Restaurants with Lake Views

There are so many delectable restaurants with stunning lake views. Let's start with my favorites, shall we?:

Susie Scoops Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt

Address: 869 Tahoe Blvd, Incline Village, NV 89451

• Price: $

• Specialty: Dessert/ Ice Cream/ Frozen Yogurt

This cute little ice cream store is located in Incline Village and attached to the toy shop, Village Toys! Inside the walls are pink with ice cream lights and decorations everywhere like an old fashioned ice cream shop. I wanted to live there. ;-)

They offer 28 flavors made locally as well as frozen yogurt, smoothies, shaved ice (18 flavors), shakes & malts (any flavors), floats, hand-dipped waffle cones, specialty sundaes, pints to go, & ice cream cakes! EVERYTHING ICE CREAM! Exceptional flavors: Peppermint, Mud pie and Peanut Butter Cup ice cream.

Edgewood Lake Tahoe - Hotel, Spa, & Golf Course

Address: 100 Lake Pkwy, Stateline, NV 89449

Edgewood Restaurant 

Price: $$$$ Specialty: Seafood / Steaks / Grill Menu: Edgewood Menu Reservations: Opentable.com

Photo provided from the restaurant’s website

With stunning floor-to-ceiling windows and an elegant lodge atmosphere, diners enjoy striking views of mountains, pines, and the glistening sapphire lake while celebrating golden anniversaries and creating diamond memories.

Located on the Edgewood golf course right on the lake, its the perfect spot for dinner at sunset. The filet steaks are delicious!

Brooks Bar and Deck

• Price: $$$

• Lunch Specialty: American / Sandwiches / Salads

• Menu: Brooks Menu

• Reservations: Opentable.com

We enjoy burgers, sandwiches and cocktails on the patio at Brooks Bar and Deck for lunch. Make a reservation ahead of time! They are on OpenTable.com

COTTON CANDY @ 19 KITCHEN & BAR

19 Kitchen & Bar - Harvey's Lake Tahoe

Address: 18 US-50, Stateline, NV 89449

• Price: $$$$

• Specialty: Seafood / Steaks / Grill

• Menu: 19 MENU

• Reservations: Opentable.com

This restaurant is located atop of the Harvey's Hotel with great steaks and amazing birds eye views of the lake. We usually go right around sunset and request a table by the window. Also, don't miss out on their cotton candy for dessert!

Riva Grill on the Lake

Address: 900 Ski Run Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

• Price: $$

• Lunch Specialties: Salads / Sandwiches

• Menu: Riva Menu

• Reservations: Opentable.com

For lunch and cocktails, you must go to Riva Grill on the Lake and try a Wet Woody. Yes, I just said that. They are famous for these rum drinks and these woody's sure pack a punch! 

Lunch options are great, ask for a table on the patio. 

Friday’s Station Steak & Seafood Grill

Address: Harrah's Hotel - 19-29 Lincoln Hwy, Stateline, NV 89449

• Price: $$$$

• Specialties: Seafood / Steaks / Grill

• Menu: Friday’s Menu

• Reservations: Opentable.com

Located on the top floor of Harrah's, this Lake Tahoe fine dining gem features a dramatic entrance, a 1,000-bottle display wine cellar and magnificent views from every table. Favorite meal: Prime Rib with mashed potatoes. Is your mouth watering too?

Ciera Steak & Chophouse

Address: Montbleu Resort Casino & Spa - 55 US-50, Stateline, NV 89449

• Price: $$$$

• Specialties: Seafood / Steaks / Grill

• Menu: Ciera Menu

• Reservations: Opentable.com

I'd put them in the Top 10 best steak dinners I've ever had! This fabulous 4 Diamond Steak and Chophouse has an exquisite variety of steaks and chops to go along with their extensive 300 bottle wine list.

The sides were amazing, we ordered all potatoes (the White Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes Gratinée were my fave) and the white truffle mac and cheese. These paired well with my mouth watering Cowboy Ribeye.

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Also, check out these great things to do in Tahoe and California! 

Hotel Review: Hotel De Chai The Colonial - Chiang Mai, Thailand

Hotel De Chai The Colonial - The best hotel in Chiang Mai

Address: 6/3 Thapae Rd Soi 4, ตำบลช้างคลาน Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand

Website: http://www.dechaihotel.com/

Hotel de Chai - Chiang Mai

Booking hotels in Thailand is definitely overwhelming. Everything is relatively cheap but is there any place worth staying? I have to say, I LOVED our hotel in Chiang Mai. With a central location, it was easy to get in and out of the city! We even got a free night using one of our credit cards. Find the best rate to visit Chiang Mai by booking your room through Booking.com. Not only will you find the best rate out there but by clicking this link and booking a night, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link! :-) Thanks! 

Hotel De Chai seemed like it was either new or had a facelift! The rooms were very modern with Thai accents. Our room was a great size with a huge bathroom. I could have done cartwheels in there. Could have.

The staff was very accommodating for all of our needs and always gave us water when we asked nicely!

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LOBBY

Sawasdee (hello in Thai)! The lobby was small, but no need to be any bigger, really. There were plenty of chairs to wait or hang out in.

Lobby - Hotel de Chai - Chiang Mai, Thailand

As we waited to check-in, we had a seat next to the koi pond and they brought us fancy juice. We sent the Thaismile Connect (pocket wifi) to our hotel and it was there when we arrived! Hooray! It was about $5 USD a day, check them our here: http://www.thaismileconnect.com/

Initially, our room wasn't ready, so we locked our bags with our Luggage Locks and I packed my little crossbody travel bag with a few things and we ready to go out to explore, but the room was suddenly ready for us (isn’t that always the way?)!

Here was the view down to the lobby koi pond from outside our room on the third floor.

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HOTEL ROOM

Guest Room - Hotel de Chai - Chiang Mai, Thailand

The bedroom was rather large! We booked a Superior Room which was plenty of room for the 2 of us and had 3 closets. 2 closets had room for our carry-on suitcases and the other one had a mini refrigerator, water bottles, and snacks in it. One day we had Oreos and the next day we had KitKat Bars... It was like Santa came! We'd ask the front desk for fresh water bottles constantly. Don't drink the tap water in Chiang Mai! 

Chiang Mai is an older city, so there aren't really pretty views, but at least there is a bird’s eye view! However, sunrises make it spectacular! 

Views - Hotel de Chai - Chiang Mai, Thailand

Also, it was pretty great when I looked out and saw lanterns floating on New Years Eve!

So I guess you could say the views are great from the De Chai The Colonial Hotel in Chiang Mai!

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BATHROOM

The bathroom was large and had plenty of room to spare. It was also covered in wall to wall windows which we kept most of them closed because others could kind of see in. We were up high enough that it probably didn't REALLY matter. 

This place felt new. Even if had been renovated, they did a great job at making it feel like everything had been replaced.

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RESTAURANT

There was a restaurant off the main entrance of De Chai where we had free breakfast every morning. You could order eggs any style and waffles, pancakes, potatoes, meat (sausage or bacon) fruit, yogurt, etc. were found at the buffet. There was also traditional Thai food - noodles, rice, curry… Great way to start the day!

Restaurant - Hotel de Chai - Chiang Mai, Thailand

They served lunch and dinner as well as a happy hour but we were always out exploring!

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POOL & BAR / MASSAGES

There was a very nice pool and a bar but we never really saw anyone there. We were waiting for our pool/beach time for Koh Yao Noi, we had a lot of temples to see in Chiang Mai! 

There was also a spa off of the lobby. We didn't use their services since we found options when we were meandering through the city. There are a lot of cheap places to get massages all over Thailand!

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Getting Around

It was about 15 minutes from the Chiang Mai Airport and a very inexpensive private taxi cab ride (don’t pay more than 300 baht).

We even were picked up for our Elephant Sanctuary tour from the hotel. See our full Elephant Nature Park post.

See our full post on the Floating Lanterns in Chiang Mai on New Year’s Eve!

I can’t wait to go back to Thailand, we’d stay here again in a heartbeat! Find the best rate to visit Chiang Mai by booking your room through Booking.com.

Please note this is not a sponsored post and based on my own personal experience, all thoughts are my own.

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 MORE THAILAND POSTS:

Restaurant Review: Uovo - Santa Monica, CA

Restaurant: Uovo

Address: 1320 2nd Street Ste. A, Santa Monica CA 90401

Menu: https://uovo.la/menu/

Price: $$

Reservations: They DO NOT take reservations. Guests will be seated on a first come, first-served basis.

Delivery: Order on Postmates if you don’t have time!

Uovo is a unique classic Italian pasta bar from the co-owners of Sugarfish. I was expecting to order at a counter and take a number but they had a better system, let me explain below! We ordered 3 pasta dishes that we loved and left satisfied.

Uovo, a new food centric restaurant serving traditional pasta dishes made with fresh pasta from our kitchen in Bologna, Italy

Uovo Santa Monica Entrance on 2nd Street

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Arrival and Atmosphere

Located on 2nd street, we parked in one of the Santa Monica parking structures that had free parking for up to 90 minutes. We put our name in and they said it would be about 10-15 mins. We waited out front for about 10 mins and they called in to sit at the counter.

Inside as we were walking to our seats, we noticed there weren’t many too tables and a lot of barstools. There were probably 10 tables and a bar that surrounded the kitchen. Let’s just say I won’t be planning my next birthday here. We sat at the counter with a view of the kitchen and the bar even had hooks underneath - big points in my book. Our waitress came right away to explain some great items on the menu, they even had a few specials! We told her we were hungry and she recommended we order 3 dishes. After a quick discussion, we came to a decision, put our order in, and watched them make our dish in front of our eyes!

Cell reception was really bad in there, but that was ok, Josh and I were enjoying each others company.

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Amazing PASTA!

The menu was pasta and sides. No appetizers, no bread, no dessert. We ordered 3 dishes between the 2 of us! The pasta is specially flown in from Italy everyday! The chef would come up to the counter as our pasta was ready and pour it from the pan into our bowl! We had to try the special truffle dish that night, Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe (Pecorino and black pepper – a salt forward dish), and the Tagliatelle al Ragú (bolognese). We liked all 3 but our favorite ended up being the bolognese dish, much like a meat sauce spaghetti! The noodles were soft, well cooked, and fresh. The Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe was cooked well, with cheese and pepper on top.

Tagliatelle al Ragú (bolognese)

Tagliatelle al Ragú (bolognese) Mixed!

Special Truffle Pasta Dish

Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe (Pecorino and black pepper – a salt forward dish)

To drink, we had the house Chianti Superiore which was a nice blend, went well with the pasta dishes.

We were in and out in about 30 mins (if that). I'd definitely go back!

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Want more from Los Angeles?

Sweet Review: Milk Bar - Los Angeles

MILK BAR LOS ANGELES

Location: 7150 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Website: https://milkbarstore.com/

Soft Serve Ice Cream

Milk Bar LA opened on Melrose last September and Angelinos couldn’t be happier! With wait times from 30 minutes to 2.5 hours, Milk Bar treats have proven they are worth the wait! Fortunately, the wait times aren’t as detrimental these days!

With the first Milk Bar location opening in 2008 under the Momofuku Restaurant chain, LA marks #14 with 9 stores in New York, and other locations including Washington, DC, San Diego, Las Vegas, and Toronto.

This award winning bakery was started by Chef Christina Tosi. You may know her as the dessert wizard from the PBS show and can also be found on Netflix, where she creates dreamy desserts along side Chef David Chang. You can even find her as a judge on Masterchef with Gordon Ramsey! She’s all over the place!

MILK BAR MENU

The menu is full of many delicious sweet options, I was kinda glad there was a 35 minute wait to figure out what I wanted.

Milk Bar is built on a world of possibility: we make our cult-favorite treats with unexpected combinations & impossible flavors. We’re on a mission to make the ordinary extraordinary – grab a cookie and come along with us!

Menu

Menu

After hearing their motto, the menu seemed to make more sense. I decided to go with some cookies and ice cream… Soft Serve Ice Cream with Birthday Dough Bites and SPRINKLES! ALWAYS GET SPRINKLES ON TOP! ;-D

Soft Serve Ice Cream

There were only 2 soft serve options: Cereal Milk or Pineapple Fo Sho’ Whip… I dare you to try the twist of those. Supposedly it’s tasty. Right around Valentine’s Day there was a Red Velvet soft serve!

Toppings

All of the cakes looked so good! You can buy a whole cake or just a slice!

We were all completely satisfied with our selections!

MILK BAR CLASSROOM

The classroom is available for individuals to sign up or a great place for a group event!

For about $95, you can make the best cake you’ll ever make in your life!

In our cake classes we’ll show you all the steps for assembling our most popular layer cake flavor combinations (an irresistible balance of cake, spread, frosting, crumbs, and crunch!), and how we transform our cake scraps and turn them into bite sized cake truffles! Or join us in making our signature item, crack pie®, from start to finish with a bonus lesson on turning cake scraps into truffles while your pie is in the oven!

At the end of class all participants take home everything they make, plus recipes and other bonus info! All ages and all levels of expertise welcome.

Classes are offered in our Logan Circle, DC Flagship and Los Angeles flagship locations as well as our Brooklyn HQ

Sign up here: https://milkbarstore.com/events/classes/

SO. MUCH. PINK!!

Don’t have time for a class? Try making treats at home:

And make them in style:

Don’t live in New York or Los Angeles? Goldbely can help and deliver these tasty treats to your door! Check it out here: Milk Bar on Goldbely

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More about Los Angeles:

6 Days in Aruba - What to do in Aruba and Full Itinerary Included!

We spent 6 glorious days in Aruba and it didn’t seem like enough! The island is known as “One Happy Island” and it definitely lives up to it’s name! The people are so nice there, it’s very clean, and you feel very safe. The beaches are gorgeous, full of white sand from coral and white rock weathering away onto the shores.

Flamingo Beach on Renaissance Island

There are many activities to do for couples or as families. If you’re bringing kids, teens would enjoy the island more than tiny kids. We were there for 6 days and never bored. Here is all you need to know to plan your perfect trip to Aruba.

UTV Tour - Around Aruba UTV Tours

This blog uses affiliate links. If you’d like to purchase a recommended product, please use the link to support this blog. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, it simply allows me to continue creating these posts. Thank you so much for your love and support!

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DAY 1

Arrival into Aruba

We arrived into Aruba’s Queen Beatrix Airport, right along the water! Arriving was pretty easy, we got off the plane, handed a government agent our declaration card and scanned our passports where our picture was taken by an automated machine. Also, the airport had views of the ocean were gorgeous while walking through!

Pro-tip: Tourism boards are usually parked in the arrivals area with reusable bags filled with coupons and info about Aruba... they are FREE, so take one! We used them all over, around the hotel, threw towels in for our UTV tour, to the beach, etc. 

Taxi Drive views of Downtown from the Aruba Airport

It’s a $25 flat rate to get from the airport to the high rise hotels or $18 to get to the Downtown hotels. Here is a link to handy chart for taxi rates for getting around Aruba: Taxi Fares in Aruba

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Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino

Address: Juan E, J.E. Irausquin Blvd #85, Noord, Aruba

Website: Hyatt Regency Aruba

We ALWAYS find THE BEST rates through Booking.com. See deals of up to 50% off! You can save a bunch of money if you book a bundle flight+room+rental car! They even have apartments, lodges, and houses you can rent, just like AirBnB or VRBO! By booking through this link, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link!

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino for 4 nights over New Years 2019! Located mid beach of hotel row, it is the perfect place to spend the day at the beach and walking distance to everything!  The rooms were so nice, hard wood floors and super spacious! The pool was huge, complete with a water slide, volleyball net and swim up bar to get your drink on!

My favorite part of walking through the resort was looking for wildlife! Parrots, swans, large iguanas, coi fish, and turtles were all over! 

Read our full HOTEL REVIEW here: Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino

We also stayed at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino so we could visit the flamingos on Renaissance Island’s Flamingo Beach! Read our full review on the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino and Everything you need to know about Flamingo Beach. We’ll get more into that on Day 5 and 6!

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Afternoon Beach Time

After we checked into the Hyatt Regency Aruba, we couldn’t wait to go to the beach and grab a bite to eat! There were a bunch of restaurants inland but we wanted to eat by the water. From our room, I could see a restaurant on Pelican Pier and said we should eat there. Reviews on Yelp and Google Maps said The Pelican Nest Seafood & Grill Bar was good, which was good enough for me!

Pelican Pier in Aruba

Restaurant: The Pelican Nest Seafood & Grill Bar

Address: On Pelican Pier, J.E. Irausquin Blvd 237, Noord, Aruba

Website: pelican-aruba.com

Cuisine type: Caribbean, Seafood |  Price Range: $20 - $30

We sat down in the bar which was open seating, ordered chicken sandwiches and happy hour beverages since we were there between 4-6pm. We sat at the bar along the walkway and weren’t complaining about the oceanfront views.

Pelican Nest Drinks

Chicken Sandwiches at Pelican Nest

After our meal, not sure if it was lunch or dinner, but walked along the beach to catch a beautiful sunset.

Sunset on Aruba Beach

Watch where you step, you never know what you might find!

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Ice Cream in Aruba - Gelatissimo Palm Beach

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 345, Noord, Aruba

Website: Gianni’s Gelatissimo

Pricing: $3-$8

Gelatissimo - Ice Cream in Aruba

We went exploring inland where we saw shops and restaurants on our drive in. Of course we had to find some ice cream and we came across some delicious gelato at Gelatissimo!

I went with a waffle cone trying the Stracciatella (chocolate chip) and Nutella (chocolate hazelnut).

Stracciatella (chocolate chip) and Nutella (chocolate hazelnut)

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New Years in Aruba

New Years Fireworks in Aruba

We asked our cab driver where the place to be is at midnight on New Years Eve, to which he said, “right in front of your hotel!” Perfect. He wasn’t wrong, we had a few drinks at the bar and wandered down to the beach around 11p. Fireworks are legal in Aruba so they were going off all day along with these giant firecrackers that people would set up randomly in the streets. We sat and watched as people set off sparklers and small fireworks around us. As soon as midnight hit, a bunch of barges in the water close to the beach shot off fireworks for a good 20 minutes! It was spectacular, the whole beach was lit up from this amazing display! 

New Years Fireworks in Aruba

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DAY 2

Breakfast in Aruba - Dushi Bagels & Burgers

Address: J. E. Irausquin Blvd #87 Noord, Aruba

Website: http://www.dushibagelsandburgers.com

Cuisine type: Bagels, Breakfast, Burgers, Sandwiches |  Price Range: $7-$12

We decided to try a restaurant recommended by a friend, which was walking distance to our hotel called Dushi Bagels. The price was right for our meals and the service was quick. There was a bit of a wait so we just ate at the bar. They also offer to go options if you’re in a hurry! We enjoyed a breakfast burrito with ham, french toast, and delicious hash browns.

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UTV Tours - Around Aruba Tours 

Website: https://www.aroundarubatours.com/tours-in-aruba/

Or book through Viator tours: Aruba UTV Tour

Booking: We took a 4 hour UTV Tour around the island with Around Aruba Tours. It was $180 for the 2 of us. The Hyatt Regency concierge was able to book the afternoon tour for us. They also offer ATV tours and Jeep tours too! Note: An ATV is for one person, the UTVs hold 2-4 people. The driver should be at least 18 years old with a valid driving license while the minimum age for the passengers is set at 6 years.

What to bring: You will get very dusty, I’d avoid wearing white. You must wear sunglasses or something to protect your eyes. They will provide a souvenir bandana to shield half of your face from the dirt and dust. The tour ends in the Natural Pool, where you can jump in the water if you want to, I’d wear a swimsuit under your clothes because there isn’t a place to change. Also, bring a towel if you’re going in the water! The tour provides small bottles of water that they have in coolers on ice.

Our guide was AB, who was energetic and funny, and he even grew up on the island! He picked us up at our hotel in a school bus around 2pm and took us to Phillip’s Animal Garden to get situated. We paid there (they do take credit cards) and as the tour company was collecting information and payment, we were able to wander and feed the island’s most exotic animals.

Our first stop was the Alto Vista Chapel which was built in 1750. It was renovated in 1950’s and rebuilt by missionaries from Venezuela. It resembles the church in Westworld to me!

Alto Vista Chapel

Alto Vista Chapel

We traveled as a group following single file. Driving from spot to spot was dusty (and very bumpy) but had spectacular views.

Aruba UTV Tour Views

The next stop was the Natural Bridge, where a rock formation created a bridge. Not a whole lot to see but you can walk on top of it (or jump).

Our next stop was the abandoned Bushiribana Gold Mill, which sits on the northern coast. This site once processed ore from mines in the nearby hills during Aruba's gold rush of the nineteenth century. In 1824, gold was found on the island and over 3 million pounds of gold were produced.

Next, we entered the Arikok National Park on Aruba’s east coast. Conchi is a natural ocean pool sheltered by craggy rock formations. Beaches include Boca Prins and Dos Playa, a turtle nesting site.

Some got in the pool while others wandered around. I climbed on rocks and could see crabs and fish in the shallow waters nearby. Josh got in and waved!

Natural Pool

Crabs at the Natural Pool

We were dropped off at our hotel and needed to shower off the dirt! We were starving and wanted to go somewhere close-by that we could walk to…

Dinner at Smokey Joe’s Island Grill

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 87, Noord, Aruba

Website: http://www.smokeyjoesaruba.com/

Cuisine type: American, International  | Price Range: $20 - $30

AB our UTV tour guide recommended Smokey Joe’s and told us they have all you can eat ribs on Tuesday and Thursday claiming they are “the best ribs in the Caribbean.” The ribs were good, and we got some chicken as well. The service was really slow, but we weren’t in a rush, just hungry!

I saw the Pink Iguana drink on the menu and it was everything I wanted. It was like a Miami vice or lava flow, filled with coconut cream, rum and strawberries! For dessert, we HAD to try the Fried Oreos and vanilla ice cream! We didn’t leave anything behind.

We did a quick stroll around the shops to walk off our dinner.

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DAY 3

Breakfast at a Dutch Pancake House - Diana’s Pancake Place

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 370, Noord, Aruba

Website: Facebook Page

Cuisine type: Dutch |  Price Range: under $15

Diana’s Pancake House is located by hotel row and across from the Hyatt, above the I Love Aruba store. Dutch pancakes are served as one pancake on a large plate with whatever ingredients you desire from the menu. The pancakes were bigger than my face! I went with the Hawaiian (ham, cheese, and pineapple) and Josh had the Apple Cinnamon. They were good, but we weren’t planning on going back every morning.

Diving with Aqua Windies

Address: Dr. Horacio E. Oduber blvd 4, Eagle Beach, Aruba

Website: aquawindies.com

We went diving two days in a row with Aqua Windies! Everyone was super nice, we would get picked up and get our gear at the dive shop before continuing on to the boat. On our first day our crew was Sean, Big Rob, Rob, and Dan. We went out with Sean, who was new to them. He was very nice, but wasn’t privy as to where to look for marine life that frequented certain spots.

We drove out past our hotel to a dock with tons of birds and the prettiest aqua waters.

We had two great dives, checking out some sunken ships and the coral reef that has grown on and around them! We even caught a ray passing through!

Dinner at Salt and Pepper

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 370-A, Noord, Aruba

Website: http://www.saltandpepperaruba.com/

Cuisine type: Spanish, Tapas |  Price Range: $10 - $20

Salt and Pepper shakers were everywhere! They had different salt and pepper shakers at every table and the walls inside had shelves and shelves of shakers. They even offer free sangria for those who bring a set for them to keep! After our dives we were so hungry, so we ordered quite a few tapas plates to try:

Meatballs - my fave 

Chicken wings - josh fave

Fried Brie - Yum *drool*

Spicy beef - Great!

Chicken pincho - good sauce 

Grouper - not a huge fish fan, but it was pretty good!

Chorizo sausage - it was good, but everything else as better

We ordered a beers to go, you can walk around with alcohol (just like Vegas)! We walked down through some of the hotels and played in the casinos, while checking out the pools and properties.

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DAY 4

Diving with Aqua Windies - Aruba Scuba Diving

We went out for a second day of diving with Aqua Windies bright and early to check out the airplanes. Our guide’s name was Ed who was from New Jersey and was hilarious! The airplanes were so cool and so large underwater. You could even go right through them! Our second dive was at Harbor Reef where we found lots of giant eels!

One of our favorite dives was the Airplane Wreck (70-90 ft / 24-30 m), a Convair 400 and a Beech craft 18. Both airplanes were sunk on a sloping reef surrounded by soft corals. Check out our Scuba in Aruba video here:

Relaxation

We shared a sandwich at the pool bar and spent the afternoon by the pool and took a long walk along the beach.

Steak Dinner at the Sunset Grille Steakhouse

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 81, Noord, Aruba

Website: Hilton Aruba Resort | Dinner Menu

For our last dinner over by Palm Beach, we decided to be fancy and have a nice steak dinner. We had a reservation at Sunset Grille, located in the Hilton Aruba Resort, which was right next to our hotel and a quick jaunt down the beach.

We sat outside to enjoy the sunset while at the Sunset Grille! I had a mouth watering Filet Mignon and Josh ordered the Cowboy Bone-in Rib Eye. For sides, we tried the Garlic mashed potatoes and Gouda Cheese Croquettes. The croquettes were little balls of cheese and potato heaven. SO GOOD.

For dessert, we had the Chocolate Decadence Cake, rich and sweet, served with fruit on the side. YUM!

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DAY 5

Breakfast at Salt and Pepper

American Breakfast | Price Range: $10 - $20

Even though we had already had dinner here, we loved the service and the breakfast menu looked good! I had and omelet that was overloaded with ham (thats a good thing) with amazing hash browns! Their house coffee was great too, came with free refills!

New Hotel Check-in: Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino

Address: L.G. Smith Blvd 82, Oranjestad, Aruba

Website: Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino

Flamingos on Renaissance Island

Find the best rate to visit these flamingos by booking your room through Booking.com 

I had been waiting ALL week to check into this hotel! What I was looking forward to the most for our Aruba trip was meeting the flamingos on Renaissance Island’s Flamingo Beach.

Again, read our full review on the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino and Everything you need to know about Flamingo Beach.

Renaissance Adult Only hotel

There are 2 hotels at the Renaissance property, both right across from each other. The adults only hotel is more inland but still in the marina. It’s also connected to a very fancy, high end mall and casino! We tried to check in, but our room wasn’t ready. We were given passes to get to Renaissance Island to go to Flamingo Beach!

More flamingo pictures here: Everything you need to know about Flamingo Beach.

Dinner Downtown at Driftwood Restaurant

Address: Driftwood Building, Klipstraat 12, Oranjestad, Aruba

Website: driftwoodaruba.com

Cuisine type: Aruban, Caribbean, Seafood |  Price Range: $25 - $35

Loved the ambiance! The walls were plastered with driftwood and it felt like a being on a ship with steering wheels as lamps (minus the sea sickness)! Something happened in the kitchen and it took over an hour to get our food. The way they seat you and take orders, we weren’t quite sure who exactly was our waiter. We asked if everything was alright with our order and they apologized for the delay. A round of drinks with mermaid accoutrements came on the house.

I ordered the chicken with tropical citrus sauce and wish I had the recipe for that sauce! Josh tried the Aruban meal - fresh catch of the day with potato and veggies. Although the presentation of the meal was underwhelming, the food quality was spectacular.

For dessert, we ordered the Brownie a la mode and it was perfection!

Brownie a la mode at Driftwood Aruba

After dinner, we walked around the downtown area and played in a few casinos. I was still reeling from my day with the flamingos!

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DAY 6

Renaissance Island’s Flamingo Beach & Breakfast

We had to get up early to go to Flamingo Beach one more time so I could feed them! We tried to hop on the 8am boat but because the tide was low, they were boarding outside so we missed it and waited for the next one. The island wasn’t crowded at all! I was able to feed them and get some great pictures of just us!

One more time, read our full review on the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino and Everything you need to know about Flamingo Beach.

Feeding flamingos on Flamingo Beach

We had breakfast over by the Iguana beach and this completed our PERFECT Aruba trip.

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Departing from the Aruba Airport

We were warned by a few people to get to the airport at least 3 hours early if you are traveling back to the United States from Aruba. Not only do you pass through Aruba customs, but you also pass through US customs. The benefit here is that you don’t have to hassle with customs when you get to the US, the bad part is you spend a long time in lines at the airport. There were 7 steps to get to the gate, here is why it takes so long to get through the Aruba airport customs:

Step 1

First you have to check-in and check your baggage, which took about 30 mins to get to the counter.

Step 2

Next, you have to clear customs with Aruba. This line was outside and luckily it was a nice breezy day! It took about 15 mins to get to the front of this line.

Step 3

After, we were to take everything through the TSA metal detectors, all electronics must come out of your bags. This line took another 15 mins or so.

We thought we were done since we entered the terminal with duty free shops, but no, we were not done yet.

Step 4

We kept walking until we entered the US customs area where you have to find your bags that you checked in step 1. Some bags were on the carousels and others were lined up by airport staff. We were not allowed to open our bags.

Step 5 

After gathering our bags, we lined up for the US customs check. The line takes about 30 minutes or Global Entry had no line.

Step 6

Once we were passed the custom agents, we dropped our bags off, again.

Step 7 

Now we had to go through the TSA metal detectors one last time. Luckily there was a separate line for TSA pre-check, but you still have to take your shoes off. This took about 10 minutes.

Finally, we entered the terminal to find our gate! We had time to spare and with our Priority Pass account, we could go into the VIP lounge. It was a small lounge with limited snacks: bagged chips, muffins, sandwiches, and drinks included: wine, rum, whiskey, coffee, beer or soda. We were ok with this, all we wanted to do was sit and grab a bite to eat!

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We were exhausted when we got back home, but were ready to go back right away! Let us know what you thought of the post or if you have any questions in the comments below!

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More Aruba Travel Information:

Guide to Aruba: Where to Stay, Where to Eat, Things to Do

How to spend your days on One Happy Island and everything you need to know! This blog uses affiliate links. If you’d like to purchase a recommended product, please use the link to support this blog. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, it simply allows me to continue creating these posts. Thank you so much for your love and support!

Best Hotels in Aruba

There are some great places to stay in Aruba, with the options of hotels in the Downtown area, hotel row along the beach or Airbnb. We decided to stay in hotels but a few friends we met while diving, were loving their Airbnb’s, but they weren’t right on the beach like we were! Hotel row had every hotel you could think of at all price points (Hyatt, Hilton, Ritz Carlton, Marriott, Holiday Inn) located right on the beach.

All of them had casinos and you could walk from one to another. I’m used to Vegas casinos which you cannot compare to Aruba casinos. The casinos played the American dollar with the options of slots in different denominations as well as tables including 3 card poker, black jack, roulette, etc. There wasn’t a fee to enter or anything, and all the casinos seemed to have a players card option. If you play long enough you can get free drinks! On the slots there was an option to order drinks once you hit the threshold. 

Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino! Located mid beach of hotel row, it is the perfect place to spend your days at the beach and is walking distance to almost everything!  The rooms were so nice, hard wood floors and super spacious! The pool was huge, complete with a water slide, volleyball net and swim up bar to get your drink on!

Read our full HOTEL REVIEW here: Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino

Renaissance Island - Flamingo Beach

We also stayed at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino so we could visit the flamingos on Renaissance Island’s Flamingo Beach! Read our full review on the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino and Everything you need to know about Flamingo Beach.

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Getting To and From the Aruba Airport

TAXI DRIVE VIEWS OF DOWNTOWN FROM THE ARUBA AIRPORT

It’s a $25 flat rate to get a taxi from the Aruba airport to the high rise hotels or $18 to get to the Downtown hotels. Here is a link to a handy chart for taxi rates for getting around Aruba: Taxi Fares in Aruba

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Things to do in Aruba

UTV Tour - Around Aruba Tours 

Website: https://www.aroundarubatours.com/tours-in-aruba/

Or book through Viator tours: Aruba UTV Tour

Booking: We took a 4 hour UTV Tour around the island with Around Aruba Tours. It was $180 for the 2 of us. The Hyatt Regency concierge was able to book the afternoon tour for us. They also offer ATV tours and Jeep tours too! Note: An ATV is for one person, the UTVs hold 2-4 people. The driver should be at least 18 years old with a valid driving license while the minimum age for the passengers is set at 6 years.

Scuba Diving with Aqua Windies

Address: Dr. Horacio E. Oduber blvd 4, Eagle Beach, Aruba

Website: aquawindies.com

There is so much to see underwater in Aruba! Not only are there shipwrecks to see, but there are also airplanes below! We went with Aqua Windies Dive Shop, which had very experienced divers giving us a chance to see some fish in the most vibrant coral reefs!

You can always rent a boat from our friends at GetMyBoat.com, it’s like Airbnb for boats!

See our Scuba in Aruba Airplane Wreck dive here:

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Restaurants and Where to Eat in Aruba

BREAKFAST IN ARUBA

Dushi Bagels & Burgers

Address: J. E. Irausquin Blvd #87 Noord, Aruba

Website: http://www.dushibagelsandburgers.com

Cuisine type: Bagels, Breakfast, Burgers, Sandwiches |  Price Range: $7-$12

Looking for the perfect breakfast spot in Aruba? Dushi bagels is your spot! The price was right for our meals and the service was quick. There was a bit of a wait so we just ate at the bar. They also offer to go options if you’re in a hurry! There was an extensive menu of great American breakfast food options, we enjoyed a breakfast burrito with ham, french toast, and delicious hash browns.

Breakfast at a Dutch Pancake House - Diana’s Pancake Place

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 370, Noord, Aruba

Website: Facebook Page

Cuisine type: Dutch  |  Price Range: under $15

Diana’s Pancake House is located by hotel row and across from the Hyatt, above the I Love Aruba store. Dutch pancakes are served as one pancake on a large plate with whatever ingredients you desire from the menu. The pancakes were bigger than my face! I went with the Hawaiian (ham, cheese, and pineapple) and Josh had the Apple Cinnamon. They were good, but we weren’t planning on going back every morning.

LUNCH/DINNER IN ARUBA

The Pelican Nest Seafood & Grill Bar

Address: On Pelican Pier, J.E. Irausquin Blvd 237, Noord, Aruba

Website: pelican-aruba.com

Cuisine type: Caribbean, Seafood, Sandwiches |  Price Range: $20 - $30

The Pelican Nest was built over the water with gorgeous aqua water views one all sides! Most specialty dishes are fish centered. We had a late lunch and had a delicious chicken sandwich and happy hour drinks in the bar!

Smokey Joe’s Island Grill

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 87, Noord, Aruba

Website: http://www.smokeyjoesaruba.com/

Cuisine type: American, International   |   Price Range: $20 - $30

On Tuesday and Thursday you can get all you can eat ribs! They claim they are “the best ribs in the Caribbean.” The ribs were actually really good, and we got some chicken wings as well. The service was really slow, but we weren’t in a rush, just hungry! Most of the food was American cuisine and very filling!

I saw the Pink Iguana drink on the menu and it was everything I wanted. It was like a Miami vice or lava flow, filled with coconut cream, rum and strawberries! For dessert, we tried the OREO SURPRISE with fried oreos and vanilla ice cream. Nothing was left behind.

Salt and Pepper

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 370-A, Noord, Aruba

Website: http://www.saltandpepperaruba.com/

Cuisine type: Spanish, Tapas  |   Price Range: $10 - $20

Salt and Pepper shakers were everywhere! They had different salt and pepper shakers at every table and the walls inside had shelves and shelves of shakers. They even offer free sangria for those who bring a set for them to keep! Spanish tapas were the specialty here, perfect for any amount in your party! We ordered 7 items and ate it all! Our faves: meatballs, chicken wings, fried brie

We also enjoyed a delicious breakfast here with many American breakfast options (coffee was great too).

Sunset Grille at the Hilton Aruba

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 81, Noord, Aruba

Website: Hilton Aruba Resort   |   Dinner Menu

We made a reservation about a month in advance at Sunset Grille, located in the Hilton Aruba Resort among the various hotels along the beach. We sat outside to enjoy the sunset while at the Sunset Grille! I had a mouth watering Filet Mignon and Josh ordered the Cowboy Bone-in Rib Eye. For sides, we tried the Garlic mashed potatoes and Gouda Cheese Croquettes. The croquettes were little balls of cheese and potato heaven. SO GOOD. 

Driftwood Restaurant - Downtown Aruba

Address: Driftwood Building, Klipstraat 12, Oranjestad, Aruba

Website: driftwoodaruba.com

Cuisine type: Aruban, Caribbean, Seafood    |      Price Range: $25 - $35
This place was so charming! The walls were plastered with driftwood and it felt like a being on a ship with steering wheels as lamps (minus the sea sickness)! I ordered the chicken with tropical citrus sauce and wish I had the recipe for that sauce! Josh tried the Aruban meal - fresh catch of the day with potato and veggies. Although the presentation of the meal was underwhelming, the food quality was spectacular. For dessert, we ordered the Brownie a la mode and it was perfection!

Ice Cream in Aruba - Gelatissimo Palm Beach

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 345, Noord, Aruba

Website: Gianni’s Gelatissimo

Pricing: $3-$8

We went exploring inland where we saw shops and restaurants on our drive in. Of course we had to find some ice cream and we came across some delicious gelato at Gelatissimo! They had any flavor of gelato you could imagine. There was something for everyone to enjoy. I went with a waffle cone trying the Stracciatella (chocolate chip) and Nutella (chocolate hazelnut).

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Restaurant Review: Alameda Supper Club - Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Alameda Supper Club

Address: 757 ALAMEDA ST,LOS ANGELES, CA 90021

Website and Reservations: https://www.alamedasupperclub.com/

After opening their doors less than 2 weeks ago, the Alameda Supper Club should be added to your restaurant bucket list! Located in ROW DTLA as part of the Manufactory group along with Tartine, Chris Bianco’s new dinner restaurant is spectacular! Although pizza is not served here, there are plenty of appetizing dishes with an Italian flair!

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Our food menu is inspired by Chef Chris Bianco's Italian origins with influences from Chef Lee Foden-Clarke's English background, combined with inspiration from the California Farmer's Market. It is is designed to be shared, emphasizing the true meaning of the word “supper”. 

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Location

Part of ROW DTLA near the Arts District, this trendy area has tons of warehouses, and is home to merchandisers such as Splended / Ella Moss, NationBuilder, Nasty Gal, Colony Capital, Steelcase, rhubarb studios, and Gensler. On Sundays (especially during summer), Smorgasburg LA is the place to be, filled with LA’s best food joints!

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Dining Room

The dining room design is very modern, bright and I loved the wood tables in this warehouse space.

Dining Room

The Bar

We had the best table in the place, right next to the kitchen!

Our Table at the Alameda Supper Club

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MENU

Alameda Supper Club - Drink Menu

Alameda Supper Club - Food Menu

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Drinks at the Alameda Supper Club

SO many great cocktail options with the best names! I loved my Celine Dijon, light and refreshing complete with a huge rectangular shaped ice cube and a metal straw!

Celine Dijon - Pineapple Mostarda, tequila reposado, lilet blanc, seltzer

Apricot Sour - Apricot 4 way, hazelnut, egg white, Japanese gin

Romance Language - mole spices, mezcal, citrus, basil, finochietto, averna

Barley Legal - Fermented Barley, single malt whiskies

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Appetizers at Alameda Supper Club

We tried almost all of them! Our favorite was the ham and cheese toast! Almost paste like in a crispy toast, we ordered another round!

Cheddar and Smoked Ham Toast

Grilled Country Bread and Cultured Butter

Bread and butter… always a good choice.

Pork Crackling - Smoked Paprika

The pork crackling was so different, the texture was almost like a chip. Still worth a try.

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Entrees at Alameda Supper Club

Let’s start with the pasta. IT WAS ALL AMAZING! The strozzapreti and ravioli were the highlights. The strozzapreti melted in your mouth with a buttery finish and pepper after taste. We discussed how the peas in the ravioli are not your mom’s peas in a can, and so delightful.

Strozzapreti - Sheep’s milk, lemon, black pepper

Ravioli - English Peas and ricotta

The ribeye was also a great choice, the garlic butter gave off so much flavor and not too rich.

Bone-in Rib eye - garlic butter

We weren’t going to order the Fermented Pearl Barley, because it sounded so strange but our waitress, Andrea, recommended it! It was good, but we did prefer the pastas!

Fermented Pearl Barley - turnip

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Desserts at Alameda Supper Club

OMG, GET THE ICE CREAM. If you know me, you know I would say that anyway, but I mean it here! So many weird things together, but it was SO good. Hazelnut, Balsamic, olive oil, orange-anise crumble, maldon.

Ice Cream - Hazelnut, Balsamic, olive oil, orange-anise crumble, maldon

Alameda Supper Club Dessert Menu

Buckwheat Cannoli - pistachios

We also enjoyed the buckwheat cannolis with pistachios. Very fitting in the Italian setting. We also ordered the Insalata di Agrumi but weren’t blown away by it, we found it very sour and tart.

Insalata di Agrumi - fresh citrus, lemon cream, tangerine granita, mint

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Hope you get down to DTLA and try the latest and greatest restaurant Los Angeles has to offer!

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More Los Angeles

Everything you need to know about Disneyland's Food and Wine Festival 2019

Disneyland Food and Wine Festival 2019

Runs from March 1 to April 23 at California Adventure

Chocolate Crunch Cake

For the past few years, the Disneyland Resort has hosted the Food and Wine Festival along the walkways of California Adventure! Booths are setup along the stretch from Carthay Circle down to the end of PIXAR Pier with a different theme at each one. Items range from food to drinks (with and without alcohol) as well as dessert. All food is served as small portions, appetizer like, and priced from $5-$9 each.

This year, we indulged many great items that I MUST share with you! Here we go…

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Get the Sip and Savor Pass!

Sip and Savor Pass - Food and Wine Festival 2019

First off, we purchased the Sip and Savor pass giving 8 tickets for $49, which was the discounted price for Annual Passholders and Employees, otherwise it is $56. Tickets are good at all booths and good for all items except for alcohol. You have to break them off as you purchase your items, otherwise they yell at you. Ok, maybe not yell, but just show them you’re breaking it off. It was a good deal since most of our cuisine averaged out to about $7!

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The Food and Wine Festival 2019

There’s a great menu available on the Disney Food Blog site. I saved their free downloadable doc to my phone for easy reference. You can also grab the menu and map at the start of the Food and Wine Festival, I just needed to do my research ahead of time!

Fiscalini White Cheddar Lager Soup served in a Mini Boudin Sourdough Bowl

The first stop on the Food and Wine tour is the Nuts About Cheese booth where we tried the Fiscalini White Cheddar Lager Soup served in a Mini Boudin Sourdough Bowl and the Ham and Vella Jack Cheese Pinwheel with Smoked Pistachios. I LOVED the soup! So creamy and the bread was so fresh and delicious!

Ham and Vella Jack Cheese Pinwheel with Smoked Pistacios

Pepperoni Pizza Egg Rolls with Marinara and Pesto Sauce

Next, we picked up some Pepperoni Pizza Egg Rolls with Marinara and Pesto Sauce at the California Craft Brews booth. Such an interesting texture when you’re used to pizza, nonetheless, they were delicious.

Esquites Sweet Corn Nuggets with Bacon Lardons

Chocolate Crunch Cake

My favorite booth was the Garlic Kissed booth! Not only did they have Esquites Sweet Corn Nuggets with Bacon Lardons and Creamy Mac & Cheese with Garlic Bread Crumble but also the Chocolate Crunch Cake.

Creamy Mac & Cheese with Garlic Bread Crumble

Creamy Mac & Cheese with Garlic Bread Crumble

Salt and Vinegar Parmesan Chicken Wings

Cluck-A-Doodle Moo served up some mean Salt and Vinegar Parmesan Chicken Wings which didn’t taste too much like vinegar. My favorite food of the night was definitely the Harris Ranch Grilled Beef Tenderloin Slider with Chimichurri Sauce. The meat was perfectly cooked topped with extraordinary chimichurri sauce.

Harris Ranch Grilled Beef Tenderloin Slider with Chimichurri Sauce

Ghost Pepper Mac & Cheese with Chili Cheese Corn Chip Dust

We had already tried the Garlic Kissed Mac & Cheese so we had to compare the Peppers Cali-Ente’s Ghost Pepper Mac & Cheese with Chili Cheese Corn Chip Dust. Personally, I preferred the Garlic over the spicy. The garlic had a better flavor and we were expecting the Ghost Pepper to be a little spicier. Either way, it was still superb but if I had to choose one, it would be the Garlic Kissed Mac & Cheese.

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Beer Garden

We finished the night with one more beer in the beer garden where live music was playing both Disney tunes and popular songs today.

Beer in the Beer Garden

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That’s it! Basically try everything you can and you really won’t be disappointed!

Chocolate Crunch Cake

More information about the Food and Wine Festival, visit the Disneyland website: Click Here

Again, there’s a great menu available on the Disney Food Blog site. I saved their free downloadable doc to my phone for easy reference.

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Don’t forget to bring these guys:

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10 Best Brunch Los Angeles Restaurants - with map!

Santa Monica Pier

10 Best Brunch Spots around Los Angeles - Map included!

Brunch is my favorite meal! I love meeting with my friends all over LA for some breakfast food and a couple of drinks. Let me guide you to great food, bottomless mimosas, outdoor seating, and who takes reservations! It will be the perfect weekend brunch!

Here is a map made with the Wanderlog Travel Planner, so you can follow along, add to your Google maps account, or create your own personal map! Wanderlog allows you to create great maps and guides for any vacation! 

Map courtesy of Wanderlog travel planner

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WESTSIDE BRUNCH

26 Beach

Address: 3100 Washington Blvd, Venice, CA 90292

($$) With beach umbrellas out front and a mix match of coffee mugs this is such a unique and fun restaurant! I love it because you can have ice cream for breakfast and Mom won't get mad!

Must Haves:

• Polar Bear French Toast - Croissant french toast topped with ice cream and berries! Sometimes its not on their menu but you can still order it! 

• The Peach Melba - 2 "croissant" French toasts, caramelized peaches, vanilla ice cream, melba sauce. Melba is pureed raspberries thickened with powdered sugar. 

• Reese's Piece's - Stuffed with peanut butter, chopped Reese's, served with Callebaut chocolate sauce on the side

Speaking of ice cream, see our other local ice cream suggestions in our Best Ice Cream in Los Angeles post 

The Details:

• Outdoor Seating?: Yes and a covered patio - can get hot on warm summer days!

• Parking?: Street Parking - I usually park in the residential neighborhood across the street

• Takes Reservations?: Yes, Opentable

• Bottomless Mimosas?: YES!

• Menu: 26 Beach brunch Menu

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 SALT at the Marina Del Rey Hotel

Address: 13534 Bali Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

($$$) Located in the Marina on the water, this place has stunning views of boats floating by and great brunch dishes!

Must Haves:

• Croque-Madame - Fra’mani ham and gruyere cheese on brioche, sunny side up farm egg, sauce morna (MOUTH IS WATERING) Morna sauce is like an aioli 

• Buttermilk Pancakes with Berries and Cream - reminds me of the Starburst commercial every time

The Details:

• Outdoor Seating?: Yes, usually pretty sunny - bring sunscreen! Firepits are available too for those cold mornings!

• Parking?: Valet parking only ($4 for 4 Hours)

• Takes Reservations?: Yes, Opentable

• Bottomless Mimosas?: Nope, by the glass

• Menu: Click Here

Nighthawk: Breakfast Bar

Address: 417 Washington Blvd, Venice, CA 90292

($$-$$$) Jeremy Fall has concocted a special menu incorporating breakfast items into almost anything, even cocktails! The restaurant was inspired by serving breakfast to musicians after finishing their sets during the wee hours of the morning on the Sunset Strip in the 80's and 90's.

Must Haves:

• Spiked Cereal Milk - I loved the Cocoa Puffs and Vanilla Vodka. Just like it sounds - cereal milk with the cereal strained out and add alcohol! Why didn't I think of that?

• Benedict Fries - the only funky thing was the gruyere cheese - it smelled bad and I picked it off. 

• Chicken and Biscuits - the gravy is perfection, phenomenal dish

• Nighthawk Breakfast Sandwich - maple bacon sausage, scrambled eggs, gruyere cheese, arugula, peppercorn mayo, champagne vinegrette, pretzel bun

• Stack O'Bacon - Sweet Tapatio candied bacon! Kinda pricey for bacon.

The Details:

• Outdoor Seating?: Not exactly, but there are seats by the windows that are wide open

• Parking?: Valet or Street - valet would be easier

• Takes Reservations?: Yes, Opentable

• Bottomless Mimosas?: I don't think so. but get the Spiked Cereal Milk

• Menu: Nighthawk: Breakfast Bar

Whiskey Reds

Address: 13813 Fiji Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

($$) Family owned and located in Fisherman's Village in Marina Del Rey, just before the boats hit the channel! There are plenty of covered tables outdoors to enjoy the sea lions swimming and boats sailing by. On Sundays, they offer a brunch buffet. 

Must Haves:

• Breakfast burrito with a side of tots! 

• Eggs Benedict - a classic and always great

The Details:

• Outdoor Seating?: Tons of outdoor seating with plenty of umbrellas and fire pits if its cold

• Parking?: Valet Parking or lot next door (free with validation)

• Takes Reservations?: Yes, Opentable

• Bottomless Mimosas?: YES

• Menu: Whiskey Reds Brunch

Killer Cafe

Address: 4213 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

($) Our favorite place to stop for a quick breakfast burrito and hash browns or to nurse a hangover. As a sister to Killer Shrimp and just next door, this has a nice cafe atmosphere complete with a long counter where coffee constantly flows to your cup! 

Must Haves:

• Breakfast Burrito with avocado and Hash Browns! The hash browns are sooo goood - thick slices of potatoes and a huge brick serving! 

• Scrambles - huge portions! 

• I'm not a shrimp fan, but there are a lot of Shrimp items on the menu!

• Coffee is great, you can get a free cup if you check-in on Yelp! 

The Details:

• Outdoor Seating?: There are a few tables on the patio but they are usually in full sun in the morning

• Parking?: Parking lot in front

• Takes Reservations?: Nope, but you can order from Grubhub if you really can't wait!

• Bottomless Mimosas?: Nope, but you can get them by the glass

• Menu: Killer Cafe Brunch

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Huntley Hotel - Penthouse Restaurant

Address: 1111 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90403

Must Haves:

• b a c o n w a f f l e s t a c k - Bacon Waffle Batter, Topped with Two Eggs Any Style, Maple Syrup

• e g g s b e n e d i c t - Two Poached Eggs, Canadian Bacon, Classic Hollandaise

The Details:

• Outdoor Seating?: Nope, but beautiful Penthouse views!

• Parking?: Valet Parking in the hotel or Street Parking

• Takes Reservations?: Yes, Opentable

• Bottomless Mimosas?: Sometimes? They didn’t offer it last time I went.

• Menu: Penthouse Brunch

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The Rose Venice

Address: 220 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291

($$) Properly named, located off Rose Ave and Main St, Rose Cafe had a major facelift a few years ago. Chef Jason Neroni (formerly of Superba) has brought back life to this cafe presenting local Southern California cuisine with an international influence from his world travels. Inside you'll find a gorgeous bar designed with a local touch from Studio UNLTD and a bakery with an impressive selection of baked goods on the front counters. 

Must Haves:

• Pasteries! Served in threes this is a perfect start to your meal

• Classic Quiche - Leek, toma, honey nut squash, garden salad with poppyseed vinaigrette 

• Avocado Toast - So LA, but with a twist - Fried duck egg, pickled fresno chillies, pistachios 

The Details:

• Outdoor Seating?: Yes, lots, both covered in the beer garden or open air out on the front patio

• Parking?: Valet Parking in the back or Street Parking

• Takes Reservations?: Yes, Opentable

• Bottomless Mimosas?: Nope, but you can get them by the glass or a carafe of Rosé

• Menu: Rose Cafe Brunch

HOLLYWOOD Brunch Spots

Norah 

Address: 8279 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046

($$$) Fancy brunch for fancy friends! Note: If you go for a birthday, they don't have dessert at brunchtime! 

Must Haves:

• Cast Iron Corn Bread - YUM

• Breakfast Sandwich - so basic, but the combo of egg, sausage and american cheese is pure genius! 

• Duck Confit Hash - was very popular among the table! Yukon gold potatoes, poached eggs and chili sauce

The Details:

• Outdoor Seating?: Yes, if you count a large open window creating a patio atmosphere

• Parking?: Street Parking

• Takes Reservations?: Yes, Opentable

• Bottomless Mimosas?: Nope, but try the seasonal spritzer! 

• Menu: Norah Brunch
  

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Hamburger Mary's

Address: 8288 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

($$) Enter if you're looking to have a good time! On weekends the drag queens come out and put on a great show at this famous hamburger stand! 

Must Haves:

• Chocolate Chip Pancakes! 

• Mac 'N Cheese Hamburger

• Cookies and Cream Milkshake - spectacular!

The Details:

• Outdoor Seating?: Yes, there is a patio off of the street

• Parking?: Street Parking or a garage across the street 

• Takes Reservations?: Only for large parties

• Bottomless Mimosas?: Yep, the Bloody Mary's are also amazing 

• Menu: Hamburger Mary's Menu
  

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MALIBU Brunch Places

Malibu Farm Pier Cafe

Address: 23000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265

($$) This spot is located at the end of the Malibu pier and has great farm to table options!

Must Haves:

• Breakfast burrito - scrambled eggs, chicken sausage, black beans, cheese, peppers, onions, guacamole

• Fried egg sandwich - bacon, arugula, baby potatoes, havarti, country wheat toast, lemon aioli

The Details:

• Outdoor Seating?: Yes, lots of patio seating!

• Parking?: Lot just before the pier

• Takes Reservations?: No, you order at the registers and take a number

• Bottomless Mimosas?: Nope, they only have beer and wine, the Malibu Farm Restaurant at the beginning of the pier does have a full bar.

• Menu: Malibu Farm Menu
  

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Don’t forget the brunch essentials:

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Love and ice cream,

Kathleen

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More to do in the City of Angels

How to Spend 5 Days in Tromso, Norway - Tromsø, Norway Itinerary

What is there to do in Tromsø, Norway during winter? PLENTY!

Northern Lights just outside of Tromsø, Norway

For our winter trip, we wandered to Norway and it has been one of our best trips yet! We wanted to see the northern lights but knew it was never guaranteed, so we booked other excursions to make our trip worthwhile while such as dog sledding, reindeer rides, and whale watching.

Josh was working with a producer that has a friend who has a travel business called Off The Map Travel, specializing in trips to the Arctic Circle to find the northern lights. After a few emails back and forth with Katie, she sent us an itinerary that we could adjust to our liking. One thing listed on our itinerary was spending the night in a Sami lavvu (teepee). Josh was very excited about this, but I didn't like the idea of spending the night in a tent in the cold, it sounded awful. Katie assured us it would be warm and everyone loves it. Fine, we'll try it. I still wasn't completely convinced but agreed to it for some reason. Anyway, we finalized our itinerary and the lavvu was like living in a fairytale (well, almost). The next steps were to book our flights and purchase warm clothes since this California girl doesn't know what to do in the snow but wants to build a snowman.

Click here for our Packing Essentials for Snow Guide and Check-List

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Getting to Tromso, Norway

Since we were in Syracuse for Christmas, we flew SAS from Newark to Oslo to Tromsø, Norway, and upgraded to business class for more comfort to hopefully get some sleep on the plane. There weren’t any direct flights to Tromsø from New York.

SAS Business class was really nice complete with a large screen in the seat in front of you and a decent selection of entertainment. The food was ok, not your typical American meal, the venison was very tough, but the wine selection was fantastic. Best part was the ice cream, of course, they served 3 Twins Ice Cream - sea salted caramel! SO DELICIOUS!

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Day 1

HOTEL IN TROMSO NORWAY: Clarion at the Edge

We arrived in Oslo, went through customs, and continued to baggage claim to get our bags to check them in again to get to Tromso.

Tromsø views

After landing in Tromso, our taxi driver was there to pick us up and take us to our hotel, the Clarion at the Edge. The Clarion is a newer hotel, very modern and eco-friendly. To power the lights in your room you have to put the key in a switch and they all illuminate.

Clarion at the Edge - Tromso, Norway

Our room overlooked the Tromso Sound towards the Arctic Cathedral. Apparently, they are building a port right in front of the hotel so there were 2 giant cranes obstructing our view. The beds were very comfortable and the bathroom is very tiny.

View from our room at the Clarion in Tromso, Norway

Their restaurant on the second floor had good food (and wine). Oh and they had the best sign:

Stressed Spelled Backwards is desserts! YES IT IS!

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Presis has swings as dining room chairs

DINNER IN TROMSO: Presis

Storgata 36, 9008 Tromsø, Norway

We had about an hour before we had to meet for our dog sledding adventure, just enough time to grab a bite. Right around the corner from our hotel was a Tapas bar called Presis serving Spanish and Arctic Tapas.

Upon entering, the candlelight from the tables gave a cozy and welcoming vibe, and my eyes lit up when I looked over observing that instead of chairs, some of the tables had swings! The four-year-old inside me wanted to run over and sit on one instantly, but instead, the hostess sat us at a table with plain old regular four-legged chairs by the window instead. It was probably for the better because I would have played on the swing and knocked over food, water, or a candle with the potential of lighting the restaurant on fire. So instead, I sat for a quick picture.

The food was delicious. We had their ham, bread with salt and olive oil, potatoes with a garlic aioli sauce, and spicy meatballs. It was the perfect amount of food for the 2 of us, almost too much!

Click here for our Packing Essentials for Snow Guide and Check-List
 

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Night Dog Sledding and Getting Lost

We quickly walked over to the Scandic Ishavshotel where Arctic Adventure Tours had a small bus was there to take us up to see the puppies! It was about a 30 min drive to our spot and as soon as we got off the bus I ran straight for the dogs!

Dog sledding pup sleeping

They were chained to little dog houses and jumping in and out of them, excited we were there to visit and give them attention! We were called into a room to suit up and get a winter suit, boots, gloves, and a headlamp for our sledding. It was probably for the better to wear their gear since the dogs were so smelly (but still so cute) it wouldn't stink up our clothes on our first day.

We had a quick orientation and headed to the sleds. The dogs instantly started barking and jumping with excitement when they saw us!

We jumped in our sleds and they untied each sled team one by one and off we went! The dogs run fast and are good about following each other. They are even skilled to run and poop at the same time. Lol. I liked riding more than driving! You have to do a little peddling/running when going up hills, the pups get a little tired and need a boost!

The dogs got all tangled and wouldn't run at one point, so we were stranded trying to get them in line. Since we were the last ones, everyone had gone ahead and we were stuck there. We waited for a little bit, and finally saw a headlamp heading towards us. Hooray we were saved! Even the instructor couldn't tear them apart. We sat and waited for another 5 minutes when they finally finished and joined the rest of our group. How could you get mad at a face like this:

Our sleds had pelts to sit on to make it more comfortable!

Dog sleds!

And off we went for about an hour! We saw so many stars and got caught in some snow!

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Day 2

Reindeer Sleigh Ride

See our full post here: Reindeer Rides in Norway

The hotel provided a free buffet breakfast in the morning at their restaurant, with tons of options from pancakes to an omelet station.

Our first adventure of the day was a reindeer sleigh ride! We walked over to the Radisson Blu and got on a small bus of about 14 people to the Tromso Lapland. It was a 20 minute drive to the Sami lavvu where we changed into a winter suit and gloves provided by the tour. We jumped back on the bus and drove another 20 mins to the reindeer. After a small hike up the hill, the reindeer were waiting for us by a bunch of sleighs. I leaped to them (literally, I was that excited)!

Reindeer in Norway

Of course I had to pet them and take tons of pictures, which I'm sure they loved me invading their personal space. It's what I do best. Soon after, we were all seated and ready for take off. The reindeer don't run quite as fast as the dogs, it's a slower paced, more peaceful ride.

Reindeer Rides in Tromso, Norway

This was a once in a lifetime experience. Not only did we have a reindeer ride, but we also learned of the native Sami culture. The reindeer ride consisted of about 7 or 8 reindeer pulling individual sleds. They are connected by ropes and then all sleds are connected one by one. At first, the guide was leading the reindeer up and around the hill and then hopped on the sled and away we went. The ride lasted about 40 mins total and was very peaceful trekking through the freshly powdered snow. for 3km. After our ride, they tied the reindeer in a more open area, where we were able to feed them!

Feeding Reindeer

Most of the time they would knock the food out of my hands and almost force me out of the way with their antlers to eat the remains from the snowy ground. I did get to pet them, their fur is coarse and some of them even had fur fuzz on their antlers! We then moved locations to a traditional Sami Lavuu (it looks like a teepee) with an authentic Sami guide where we had reindeer stew for lunch while being told stories of their culture along and even a joik (Sami song) was sung for us. Our guide was from a Sami reindeer herding families explaining how valuable reindeer are enriched in their culture.

See our full story: Reindeer Rides in Tromsø, Norway

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Drinks in Tromsø: Huken Pub

Strandgata 22, 9008 Tromsø, Norway

Huken Pub in Tromso, Norway

A storm came in so strong that the rain from it turned into icy roads. We were supposed to go out to see the lights but the bus wasn't going to be safe in the icy conditions and we had to cancel our tour. 

We weren't surprised, it was still overcast and others who had gone out the night before drove 2 hours to Finland to see the Northern Lights, some weren't able to catch them at all.

Huken Pub brews

Instead, we went to Huken Pub right around the corner of our hotel. We had some time to kill, where we just wanted to sit and have a beer. This was the perfect place. The decor is unique, suitcases as tables and barn chic interior.

Huken Pub Bar

The people sitting next to us had burgers that looked amazing but we had just had dinner at the hotel. They had a vast selection of Mack beers along with a few others. Not great for large groups as it is a small place inside and doesn't really have a bar to stand at. It's cozy and perfect for 2 people! 

After a couple of drinks, we walked around for a bit and enjoyed the charm of this quaint town.

Streets of Tromso

Church in Tromso

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Day 3

Whale Watching

See the full story here: Whale Watching in Norway

It was finally our day to go whale watching and we were so excited! I was a little apprehensive as to how cold it was going to be, with being on the water and rain in our forecast, but they said there were warm waterproof suits to wear. Perfect, now my clothes won't get wet and I'll still be warm! Win, Win.

Tromso Harbor

We booked this excursion through Off the Map Travel and our whale watching company name was ACIN (Arctic Cruise in Norway), we boarded the Arctic Princess, a Lagoon 450 Catamaran. 

Whale Watching - Orcas in Norway

A fellow tour company had spotted a pod of killer whales and gave a call to our captain. We drove straight towards them. WOW! There were probably about 10 Orcas in the pod and they would surface now and again where you could see their prominent white spot near there eye. They weren't jumping out of the water like Free Willy or Shamu at Sea World, but it was still mesmerizing to watch these beautiful creatures. 

Killer whales in Norway

The whales didn't seem bothered by the surrounding boats at all, coming fairly close to a couple of them. There was a flock of seagulls trying to get in on the whales’ feeding situation. We could see where the pod was heading based on where the birds were circling. You could tell when some would surface as they would give a burst through their blowholes.

We watched them for almost an hour it seemed and my feet were so cold, it was to the point where I couldn't really feel them anymore. The fear of frostbite and losing my toes set in, it was time to go inside and warm up and head back to Tromso.  See the full story here: Whale Watching in Norway

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New Hotel: Sleeping in a Teepee

See our full story of the lavvu stay here: Sleeping in a Teepee

We checked out of our hotel (we told them we needed a late check-out so we could shower and I'm so glad we did! Off the Map travel had arranged our transfer over to the Lyngen Alps. When we arrived, we met Ann Kristin with Aurora Alps, who was in charge of our tours for the next few days. We were supposed to stay in a cabin the first night, so I had one last night to get used to the idea I would be sleeping in a teepee, in the snow. However, they told us our Itinerary had changed and we were spending that night in the teepee. O.M.G. She made it sound like it was no big deal and that it would be easier for us. I was anxious and nervous inside. 

Sami Lavvu - Tent we spent the night in

We grabbed our bags and walked to the lavvu (teepee) which was about 50 feet from the house with a lit path and charming white lights strung in front.

HOW ENCHANTING! I then forgot all my fears, and as we entered the candlelit lavvu, I loved everything about it. There was a giant picnic table with food, a bar with hot drinks ready to go, a warm stove with lots of firewood, a comfortable living room setup, and a separate area with sleeping bags. Along with the candles, there were some lights strung along the top of the lavvu giving off plenty of light. I was mesmerized and felt like I was in another world. This was my kind of camping, as long as the fire kept burning!

See more in our full story of the lavvu stay here: Sleeping in a Teepee

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Snowshoes and Searching for the Northern Lights

In front of our cozy lavvu, were 2 sets of snowshoes. They were cute and I took a picture but didn't know how to use them. Ann Kristin had advised the Northern Lights would be out that night and we should use the snowshoes to get to the clearing not far from the teepee. We gathered all of our camera gear and Josh helped me get my snowshoes on and off we went. We found the clearing but the sky was cloudy and there was a light rain. We decided to wait a bit and see if the weather would clear up.

After about 15 minutes, we started to see stars and the clouds started to dissipate. We thought we were looking for green flashes or some kind of light in the sky but didn't see anything like that. Josh decided to take pictures of the stars while we waited for the aurora borealis to show. After a few pictures, he yelled, "THAT'S IT!" There it was, on his camera screen, green Northern lights! We realized they looked more like glowing clouds to the naked eye! "What about that?! Or that?!" We shot at everything in the sky, taking tons of shots and getting something a little different every time. 

Our first Northern Lights sighting

We were excited we were able to see the lights on our first night and couldn't wait until we were going out with a guide the next night!

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Day 4

Dog Sledding Adventure

We checked out of the teepee and stored our bags with Aurora Alps, which they brought them over to the cabin next door later that day. We went back towards Tromsø but stopped just after the bridge for our day dog sledding tour! There were so many cute smelly pups that were so happy to see us! 

We felt like pros since we had already gone dog sledding at night in the dark! We put on our suits over our clothes and jumped on our sleds.

Dog sledding in Norway

It was kinda rainy and it seemed like the path they were taking hadn't had snow in a while. In certain areas it was almost like water skiing which was fun but since it was raining, water had somehow leaked into my suit, and I was wet and very very cold. 

We warmed up and had some lunch in the community room (and lots of hot chocolate!). 

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Northern Lights in Finland

Evening Northern Lights Tour

We had a private tour, arranged by Off the Map Travel to go see the Northern Lights. We looked at the weather pattern and hoped we could see the lights and not too many clouds! Our driver picked us up in a large van at our cabin and took us about an hour North of us where the weather was better, and we even drove into Finland to find the Northern Lights! We brought all of our camera gear and ANYTHING to keep us warm. 

What are the northern lights exactly? Well, the Aurora is an incredible light show caused by collisions between electrically charged particles released from the sun that enter the earth’s atmosphere and collide with gases such as oxygen and nitrogen. The lights are seen around the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemispheres.

After a many stops over 3 hours, it was time to head back to the cabin. We were beyond thrilled we were able to see the lights.

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Day 5

We were exhausted by this point, we had done so much in 4 days! We finally slept in a bit, but I was still excited to try cross country skiing! 

Cross country skiing in Norway

Since it was my first time, I may have fallen a couple of times, but overall was fun since it was something I had never done before! My thighs were definitely sore the next day! We took in the scenery, being secluded in the woods, and even saw moose tracks!

Winter in Norway

We stopped at their cabin in the middle of the woods which had no power, but a cozy area for a fire to cook hot dogs and have some hot cocoa from a thermos! We signed the guest book hoping we'd return one day! 

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New Years Eve Night and the Northern Lights

As we were enjoying our last night in Norway, we went to dinner in the main hall, and then went out at midnight for the neighbors fireworks show. The law allows fireworks to be shot off only on New Years Eve night from 11:30pm to 12:30am. The neighbors gather together to compete against other neighborhoods for the best fireworks display!  

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Last Glimpse of the Northern Lights

At about 1am the skies started to clear and the Northern Lights were directly above us! We got the GoPro and the rest of our gear and setup for a light show!

There was a glow and we were glad we were to able to see them one last time, or so we thought. We went inside for about an hour to warm up and get ready for bed. Josh went out one last time to take a look and came back yelling, "come out, come out!" I ran outside and could actually see the Northern Lights without a lens!

Northern Lights in Norway

We went inside again to warm up and edit some photos to show our family and friends at home. It was getting close to 5am and it was time for bed. As I got into bed and was scrolling threw Instagram, I heard Josh open the door, he yelled, "they're back, come out!" We went running out and there were bright green streaks across the sky! 

Aurora Borealis in Norway

As I was looking in the sky, one of the glowing clouds got brighter and greener and started moving! I turned to Josh and said, "look at that," pointing at the green streak of the aurora borealis! 

This green streak only got brighter and brighter and danced across the sky, dazzling different colors of white, green and blue as it moved. 

Aurora Borealis near Tromso, Norway

It was the perfect way to end our 5-day trip to Norway and great start to a new year! 

Don’t forget to pack these guys:

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Best Star Wars Themed Bar in Hollywood: Scum & Villainy Cantina

Scum & Villainy Cantina

Location: 6377 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, California, CA 90028

In Los Angeles there are many pop-up events to go to that are only around for a limited amount of time, such as restaurants like the Saved by the Bell - Saved by the Max, the Museum of Ice Cream and now there a Star Wars themed bar, Scum & Villainy.  Now it is staying as a permanent fixture in Hollywood! We all remember the cantina scene in A New Hope, where Han shot first, right?

If not here it is:

I love the Star Wars movies, but I'm not an expert like my friends are. Although, I did rock a 40th Anniversary shirt from the GAP! Disneyland has also opened Star Wars land called Galaxy’s Edge complete with Oga’s Cantina, see more here: 10 Things to do at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge

Everyone dresses up for the Star wars Bar, Scum and Villainy

We made reservations by buying tickets online a month in advance. Since they are now permanent in Hollywood, tickets are no longer required and its FREE to visit! Operating hours are from 6p-2am and they often have special events such as karaoke, LA Game Night, see more on their Facebook page for more info: https://www.facebook.com/scumandvillainycantina/

We had a designated check-in time at 8:30p. We arrived around 8:15p and lined up in an alley among ewoks, princesses and other charming characters. There wasn't a marking or anything on the building, just someone standing by the door checking people in. Oh and Han on the wall across from it.

Han SOlo Street Art in Hollywood

We entered the bar and were amazed how it looked!

Everyone was let in at once and we had a little over 2 hours to enjoy our time at the bar. The drink tokens were exchanged for one of their three pre-made mixed drinks (which weren't bad and pretty strong) or a beer. I don’t think this is the case anymore, it was more for their ticketed event.

Drink TOkens

I REALLY WANTED THE GLOW STICKS TO BE STRAWS!

We managed to get a booth in the corner (just like Han Solo). 

I WAS REALLY EXCITED I HAD A LIGHT SABER.

There were a lot of lights and fog machines, but what really make this bar great? The patrons. Those who came in costume gave this bar its charm, feeling like you stepped into a galaxy far far away... 

2 STORM TROOPERS WALK INTO A BAR...

And here's a little video to see the inside...

For bar snacks, they were served quickly and not bad for bar food. Portions were a decent size and sharable. We got a couple of orders of the AT Tots and the Carbonite Queso.

AT Tots at the Scum and Villainy Bar

Here are the menus known as “Liquids and Solids” instead of Drinks and Food. Clever.

On our way out we got some merchandise, a pint glass and a challenge coin.  

 I really had a great time being a Star Wars nerd for a night! May the force be with you!

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More things to do in LA:

Saved By the Max - Saved by the Bell Pop-up

SAVED BY THE MAX

Address: 7100 Santa Monica Blvd #185, West Hollywood, CA 90046

Website: http://www.savedbythemax.com/

Tickets: $40 per person (Come with an Appetizer and Entree!)

Limited Time Left: Hurry and get there soon preppy, the pop-up is only available until April 2019 before it moves to Vegas!

I'm sooo sooo sooo excited to tell you all about our trip to Saved by the Max! I loved and still love Saved by the Bell the series and when I saw the pop-up in Chicago, I wished it would come to LA... and it did! 

OUR BOOTH!

Now, we love us some pop-ups like the Star Wars Scum and Villainy bar in Hollywood which is now a staple (see out Blog post here: Star Wars Pop-up Bar) to Hollywood Boulevard! 

DINING ROOM

Saved by the Max is like stepping onto the Saved by the Bell set of the Max, it looks JUST like it! What really takes these pop-ups to another level are the customers. When everyone dresses like they are from that era or show or movie, it really gives the full effect that you have stepped into another realm. I was just waiting for Zack Morris, Kelly Kapowski, Screech, Slater, Jessie and Lisa to walk through the door!

Saved by the Max - Bar

Reservations are available until April 2019 and I heard they were moving to Las Vegas next! Tickets are $40 and include a reservation date & time with an appetizer and entree. I'll get into the food below. 

Make your reservation here: SavedByTheMax.com

Get ready preppy for some fun pictures! 

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THE VENUE - THE MAX

You can't really just walk into this place, you have to get past the hostess first! We checked in and only waited for a few minutes since we arrived on the early side. 

Immediately after stepping inside you walk along the lockers of all your beloved characters, with everything associated with that personality! 

I was already in awe just by the lockers and then we stepped in the restaurant and I lost it! 

I love all the 90's squiggles and designs that match the shows main title. I especially LOVED the bright colors, I fit right in! 

They say you have 2 hours to stay to enjoy your meal and walk around. We were to anxious to wait until after our meal that we walked around and took a bunch of pictures before our meal! Overall I think we spent about an hour and a half there.

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Mr. Beldings Office

Mr. Beldings office is designed to host larger parties or just regular tables if they don't have a big party. Soooo we went in and sat his desk of course! 

No detention given today!

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THE MENU & FOOD REVIEWS

The menu had more than I thought it would! It was typical diner/cafe kind of food and it wasn't terrible! 

Drinks didn't come with the ticket and were paid for separately. I of course had a Mark Paul 75 because I just can't resist champagne. It was good, but boy was it sweet.

We tried to diversify our food choices to try everything between the four of us, but we doubled up on certain things. I loved the clever food names!

Appetizers

1. AC Sliders - Pork sliders with a mustard sauce. We weren't fans of the mustard

2. Mac and Screech - pretty good for noodles and cheese!

3. Snow White and the Seven Dorks - Wings that were devoured by the husbands... they seemed to be fans!

Entrees

1. Bayside Burger - Diner style with a double patty! YUM!

2. Preppy Pastrami - on rye bread

3. Beat Valley Buttermilk Pancakes - they serve brunch on weekends but why not have breakfast for dinner?

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We had so much fun! Trish and I want to go back any day, any time! 

GOOOOOO BAYSIDE! 

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Hotel Review: InterContinental Hong Kong - China

InterContinental Hong Kong on Harbour’s Edge

Address: 18 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

Find the best rate here: Booking.com - We use booking.com to find the CHEAPEST rates! By clicking this link and booking a night, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link! :-) Thanks! 

For New Years 2018, we went to Hong Kong and toured around Thailand. We love InterContinental hotels and the InterContinental Hong Kong did not disappoint. With spectacular views of the harbor and a prime location to transportation, shopping, and delicious restaurants, we couldn't have asked for a better hotel.  

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HOTEL ROOM

We used our free nights with our IHG card and were upgraded to a deluxe room. There was plenty of room for the 2 of us! The bed was comfortable and warm, perfect combo of soft and firm. Although it did get a little warm with only a comforter provided. After 16 hours on a plane, I slept like a baby!

The first thing I️ noticed was a spacious walk-in closet which I thought was a bathroom at first! Across from it was a nook that had coffee and tea as well as a fridge in the cabinet. 

On the desk they provided a cell phone that we could take around the city and use it as a hotspot for wi-fi or to make local calls. There was a USB outlet next to the TV that had 4 USB plugs to cover all of our electronic needs! 

The bathroom was fairly large as well decorated with a beautiful marble and included a tub and stand alone shower.

The amenities were nice including everything from toothbrushes to shower gel. I loved their towels and robes! The towels were large and soft, lacking that hotel starchy feeling. The robes were similar, long and soft, feeling like a warm hug. 

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Restaurants

There was a great selection of restaurants at the hotel. Most of them are (or have been) Michelin star rated! 

Harbourside

For breakfast, we went to the restaurant just below the lobby called Harbourside. We enjoyed their decadent buffet spread filled with anything you could have ever wanted. Egg station, waffles, 5 different kinds of cereal, donuts, croissants, fresh fruit, all sorts of juices, cured meats and cheeses, pot stickers, curry, Chinese dishes, EVERYTHING! They also had a menu that you could order dishes such as omelets and eggs benedict. The best part of the meal was the view of the harbor!

Steak House: Wine Bar & Grill

Steak house Restaurant Harbor views of Hong Kong

For dinner, we went to the Steak House Wine Bar and Grill. This restaurant has been Michelin star rated and I can see why! To start they had an excellent selection of cocktails as well as a savvy wine list. The cheapest wine by the glass here was over $30 but it was delicious. 

The restaurant was dimly lit for mood lighting, luckily they provided light up menus to help find the best steak on the list! Our table was set prior to us being seated, which included a salt bar with 8 different rock salts to choose from! We put salt on everything! I like putting salt on the butter for our bread and on our delicious steaks, we ended up trying all 8 kinds! 

We ordered the ribeye cap and Japanese wagyu, which is rare to find at home in Los Angeles. Every bite melted in my mouth. Both steaks were perfectly cooked, although if I had to pick one, I'd lean towards the Japanese Wagyu! For sides, I highly recommend the sous vied mashed potatoes and fabulous potatoes au gratin. 

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LOBBY

Hong Kong Intercontinental Hotel Views - Harbor

The lobby was large and welcoming with tons of seating. The check-in desk was circular and in the middle of the lobby with the Concierge along the wall on the side. The bar off the lobby had a spectacular view of the harbor! 

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How to Get To and From the Hong Kong Airport

Metro

Paid $100 HKD ($12.80 US dollars) at the station for train tickets took to Tsing Yi to change rails. 

The station was right in front of InterContinental Hong Kong! Walking up to our home for the next few days I caught a glimpse of the skyline and Christmas was still being celebrated in the lobby with a gorgeous tree and giant nutcrackers. 

Taxi

Our hotel got us a cab which was $270 HK dollars (about $35 US dollars) and at 5am it only took 30 minutes to get to the airport. 

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HOTEL REVIEW: Las Vegas Park MGM

Park MGM Hotel

Address: 3770 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Find the best rate for the Park MGM Hotel on Booking.com! By clicking this link and booking a night, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link! :-) Thanks! 

Las Vegas has always felt like a second home. Ever since I can remember, we’ve take multiple trips a year to Vegas and have seen it evolve over the years. Theme parks took over the strip at one point, and where the Statue of Liberty stands in front of New York New York, used to be a gas station! I even remember when the Monte Carlo first opened summer of 1996. There was a huge fountain in front and the interior seemed to have a similar vibe to the real Monte Carlo with fancy chandeliers and marble flooring and pillars. Even the rooms had a European look and feel to them. 

Fast forward 15 years later, the fountain in front is now gone, a restaurant called Diablos has opened and decorated the front with the devil himself. Not as inviting as it used to be, but the margaritas were delicious. 

Park MGM Lobby

Now, we can forget all of this and move forward with renovation and rebrand to experience the Park MGM. As of March 2018, the Monte Carlo no longer exists and the Park MGM has taken over. The lobby has transformed from marble pillars to mirrored pillars with tons of plants and branches. 

The new hallways to the guest rooms are much darker and dimly lit, lined with a simple wallpaper pattern.

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HOTEL ROOM

We stayed in a king preview room with a pool view. These rooms have been setup different than the Monte Carlo’s setup, with the bed built into a little nook, facing the window. I loved the gallery wall!

The seating area is pretty spacious with a bench and large chair with a table big enough for 4 people to eat. 

We were on the 8th floor with a non-strip view, but we could check out the pool, which seemed smaller than the one they had previously. Looks like the old wave pool has set sail. You know what they say, out with the old, in with the new. 

Below the TV was a little shelf and some USB outlets, perfect for charging our phones and apple watches. 

The closet was a decent size as long as you don't plan on packing your poofy prom dress. PS I love the TravelPro carry-on! Everything compacts so I can pack for weeks with it!

Park MGM Closet Design

The bathroom was thought out much better than the wasted space most of the Monte Carlo had before. The door to the bathroom was also the door to the closet, an interesting way to save space. And of course a bathroom selfie!

The shower was nice and large, with options of different water flow from the shower head. 

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NEW RESTAURANTS

Bavette's Steakhouse and Bar

Menu: Dinner

Their old fancy restaurant that would be sectioned off to a club late a night flipped into a lovely french themed steakhouse and bar.

When entering the restaurant, you go through a door into a seating area, feeling completely disconnected from the loud buzzing casino. Service lacked a little, but the steaks and duck fat fries made up for this fabulous dinner.

We ended our dining experience with a slice of the meringue pie and of course, ICE CREAM! This sundae comes with all the fixings! Almost any candy bar you can think of atop of chocolate, vanilla and pistachio ice cream. It went rather quickly, I was lucky to get pictures when I did. 

Primrose Cafe

Menu: Breakfast

Without the cafe, we were planning on going to another hotel until we found Primrose. The brunch menu was perfect, and the decor had so much charm. It was almost like walking into someone's living room at first. There was an area with couches and small tables which seemed like they were made for those looking to enjoy a cup of coffee and read a book. Not sure why you would do this in Vegas, so you would probably drink coffee and sip some hair of the dog while looking through pictures you don't remember taking at the club the night before.

The food was delicious. I ordered the croque monsieur and for the table we ordered the french toast. Josh went with the buttermilk pancakes. No one was disappointed by their choices. 

Looking for more restaurants?! Check out our friend’s (On the Strip) guide to the Best Restaurants on the Strip!

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Overall, I'm excited for the rebrand. I think the Monte Carlo needed a major facelift and this is definitely a step in the right direction. I can’t wait to stay at the Park MGM again!

Find the best rate for the Park MGM Hotel on Booking.com!

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Ice Cream Review: Café Kantary, Cape Kudu Hotel in Koh Yao Noi, Thailand

Café Kantary in the Cape Kudu Hotel on Koh Yao Noi

Address: Tambon Ko Yao Noi, Chang Wat, Phang Nga, Thailand

Website: Cape Kudu Hotel - Café Kantary

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Scoops

Beach day and ice cream? I think that's all you need in life. Or maybe that's love and ice cream... Anyhoo, when we went to Koh Yao Noi in Thailand and stayed at one of my favorite hotels ever (Cape Kudu Hotel – new blog post coming soon), there was an amazing cafe called Café Kantary that served pizza, pancakes, desserts and ice cream! After all the other food that wasn’t agreeing with me in Thailand, familiar food was super comforting! Make sure you pack your Pepto even if you don’t think you’ll get sick!

Inside this place was adorable! Much like the Cape Kudu hotel that it is connected to, it had an upscale cafe vibe with a splash of seaside decor. A full coffee bar, to die for pastries on the right and 12 ice cream options on the left, the sensory overload made it very difficult to choose my snack! 

Koh Yao Noi is a pretty small island! It was hard to research where to go and what to eat. This place was everything I needed! From fruit sorbets to green tea ice cream, there was something for everyone here. 

Again, as we saw at Ice Love You Cafe in Chiang Mai, Café Kantary also had a blue mint chip ice cream! 

All cones were homemade! Strawberry, chocolate, or plain waffle cones were all superb options. Of course, I simply couldn't turn down a PINK cone! Like geometry, that was a given. As for the ice cream, I tried a few of the local flavors including the green tea ice cream, which tasted like iced tea. I tried a few of their sorbets which were fine, but I was in a chocolate mood so I got a Double Chocolate Chip with a blue Mint Chocolate Chip on top! 

It was a perfect sunset snack after our buggy ride around the island! So good that we took it to the pool side and enjoyed the island views (and those comfy lounge chairs)! 

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Hotel Review: Cape Kudu - Koh Yao Noi, Thailand

Cape Kudu Hotel

Address: Tambon Ko Yao Noi, Chang Wat, Phang Nga, Thailand

Website: CapeKuduHotel.com

After Chiang Mai and quick trip for a dive in Khao Lak we were ready for some relaxation and headed for the islands! We heard how Phuket was overcrowded and that the islands nearby are just as nice! Friends recommended Koh Yao Noi and after some research we decided it would be the perfect spot! The Cape Kudu Hotel sounded nice, had raving reviews on almost all travel websites and was listed at a great price. Everything in Thailand is so cheap!

See the best rate at Booking.com - by clicking this link and booking a night, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link! :-) Thanks! 

I fell in love with the Cape Kudu hotel from our first step into the lobby. Not only are they located on the beach but also the entire hotel is basically my coastal home design dream! *See how to get to and from the hotel at the bottom of the post

Lots of seashells and starfish everywhere - my kind of place! We stayed here the first few days of January and the Christmas tree was still up - just for a little bit! 

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OUR Cape Kudu HOTEL ROOM

Our host at the front desk guided us to our room and showed us all the fancy features our room had to offer: free waters, tea & coffee, fresh fruit, a refrigerator, room bug repellent, laundry bag, room service book, etc.

Since we had been traveling non-stop for a few days, we were really looking forward to crashing and not having to wake up early. The bed was soft, yet firm, the perfect balance for a restful sleep.

We had a corner room, so we had a nice window behind the seating area! It made the room that much brighter during the day.

The best and cutest Do Not Disturb sign ever! How clever! I was extra excited because we had JUST seen an octopus while diving in Khao Lak that day!

We needed a late night snack so we ordered a brownie with ICE CREAM, of course. YUM!

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THE PORCH

The porch to our room was definitely my favorite spot in the mornings! With a swing and ocean views, what more do you need?! Well, could have done with less bugs...

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BATHROOM

The bathroom was spacious and gorgeous. The tub and shower were separate, and I liked that the shower had a removable nozzle so I could wash my feet easily at the end of the day. 

Also, in the closet Cape Kudu provided lightweight robes, flip-flops, a beach bag and slippers for you to use during your stay. The bathroom amenities were nice, the shampoo reminded me of my shampoo at home! It had a lemongrass sage smell to it.

This laundry bag made me laugh out loud! "Laundry today or naked tomorrow!" Yup, sounds about right! 

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POOL

The infinity pool was phenomenal! The lounge chairs were bean bag-ish but firmer so that you wiggle your way into your comfy spot.

The water temperature was on the cool side, which was perfect after some sun bathing! With a view like this, there was no motivation to leave!

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BEACH AND ACTIVITIES

Across the road from the hotel was a private beach were the hotel sets up lounge chairs and umbrellas to enjoy some sunshine in the sand.

I even found a swing! 

The front desk was so helpful in booking activities. We booked a private longtail boat to take us out to the islands and it was worth every penny. With a guide, a driver and just us, we could take our time on the islands and they knew where to take us before it got too crowded. 

We also rented a scooter and toured around the Island for a few hours. We also used it to get to dinner one night.

There was room that was like a rec room complete with pool table but also a business office with computers setup.

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RESTAURANTS

Hornbill Restaurant 

We mainly had breakfast and linner here. That's right I said linner. For breakfast, the most amazing buffet spread you've ever seen is available including an omelette/pancake/waffle bar, where chef will make them any way you'd like! 

Thai Roti is a specialty in Thailand and is a wheat flour pan-fried bread with Muslim origins. It is most popularly served as a snack topped with sweetened condensed milk, white sugar and banana or even chocolate. It tasted like a fried pancake!

We'd fill up around 10a or so and definitely not be hungry for lunch. We'd roll over and lounge by the pool after, digesting the eggs, sweets, and bacon! 

In the afternoon, we had the most AMAZING hamburger! After thai food not settling with my stomach so great, this was the perfect comfort food! Pro tip: Bring Pepto, no matter how tough you think your stomach is! 

Café Kantary

Around the corner from the Hornbill Restaurant was the Café Kantary which served everything including coffee, pizza, pastries, and ice cream! 

See more in our Cafe Kantary blog post!

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GETTING TO AND FROM CAPE KUDU / KOH YAO NOI

It wasn't easy to get to Cape Kudu, but the hotel made it simple! A large car picked us up from our hotel in Khao Lak and took us to the dock where a speedboat took you to a from the Bang Rong pier to Koh Yao Noi. However, we went diving that day at Richileau Rock and missed the last boat. We paid extra and ended up getting a private longtail boat to the Koh Yao Noi dock. 

By the time we left the dock the sun was going down and during our ride it was so dark out, you could see the bioluminescent plankton glowing green in our waves as we were coming in! SO MAGICAL!  It took us about an hour to get to the dock on Koh Yao Noi where a car was waiting for us to take us to Cape Kudu.

On the way back to the mainland, we booked it in advance and took the speedboat back to the Bang Rang pier (30-40 mins) where another driver took us to the airport (20 min drive).

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