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Virunga Lodge - Most Charming Place to Stay in Rwanda
We stayed at the Virunga Lodge when we ventured to Rwanda to go gorilla tracking, and it was the most charming place to stay in Rwanda! The staff was so nice and accommodating, making us feel at home halfway around the world.
For our first lodging adventure in Africa, we stayed at the Virunga Lodge and couldn’t have been happier! This gorgeous lodge was colorful and the stay went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed. We went gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park and spent three wonderful nights at the lodge!
See my packing list of things you can purchase on Amazon here: Amazon African Safari Packing List
Views from atop the hill where Virunga Lodge lives
Guest Rooms (also known as Bandas)
Virunga Lodge - Kivu Banda
Our banda was incredible! We stayed in the Kivu banda which had a nice view of the lake and volcanoes. The room was decorated in vibrant colors with a homey design that made us want to move in!
The bed was a little firmer than I like but we were so exhausted we slept just fine!
The bathroom was very large and had what Josh called a Flintstones bathroom, which I definitely agree!
You’re not supposed to drink the tap water or brush your teeth with the sink water, so fresh drinkable bottles were supplied.
The great thing about our Africa trip was that they did our laundry for us complimentary, as part of the room charge. Some lodges won’t wash women’s underwear since the men do the laundry! They’ll provide detergent in most bathrooms to wash your underoos in the sink.
We had a private butler assigned and she gave us a cell phone to call her if we needed anything as there weren’t phones in the rooms. The only time we really called her was to replace the batteries in the safe!
Main Lodge
The main lodge was the place to hang out. There was a bar that you could get drinks at any time during the day. Most importantly, the wifi only worked in the main lodge and was not available in our rooms. It was nice to disconnect, but we also wanted to share our Gorilla Trek experience with our family and friends!
Main Lodge
They had games to play, and plenty of places to sit and enjoy the view.
Food and Meals at Virunga Lodge
All of our meals were held in the dining room or on the veranda. right next to the main lodge. My favorite spot was the corner table of the veranda set for two with a view.
All of the meals were excellent and very “Americanized.” Options like spaghetti or fish and chips for lunch and a hearty choice of meat for dinner - chicken, steak or fish with different sauce/side options. Dessert was different every night with options such as lemon meringue and sweet crepes. My favorite meal was breakfast! I’d get a smoothie, scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, and bacon!
Every morning a wake up service was provided where the staff would come with coffee and biscuits (cookies) and wake you up!
Massages at Virunga Lodge
We each had a complimentary 30-minute massage and after our hike with the gorillas and carrying our bags through the airports, a massage was just what we needed!
Massage Lounge and Reception
We checked in and they gave us a basket with a towel, robe, slippers, and lotion. We were instructed to use the bathrooms in the next rooms over and put all of our things in the basket.
Getting massage ready!
The bathroom was large with a bathroom stall, shower and some cabinets on the side to put your things in.
I had put my phone away for complete relaxation but the room we had massages in had large windows with a fantastic view overlooking the mountains. Since it was only 30 minutes, the focus was on my back, neck, and legs, which was fine by me! After 30 minutes, the male masseuse announced, “the massage is done.” Ahhhh, it was so nice and relaxing.
Gorilla Trekking
The main reason we stayed at the Virunga Lodge was to go track the gorillas and see them up close in their natural habitat! We had the most AMAZING time and highly recommend this experience to all! Just make sure you get out of the silverbacks way when they come through!
Please see more in our post: How we got pushed by a gorilla when we went Gorilla Trekking
Read all about our Gorilla Trek when we tracked gorillas up close and personal by clicking the photo above!
Other Fun Activities
There are many hikes you can take around the lodge and even hike down to the lake (the only problem with that is you have to hike back up).
There were also bird trails and the locals came by one afternoon to perform a traditional dance for us!
Traditional Dance from the locals
I can’t recommend this trip more! We booked through our favorite travel agency, Scott Dunn! Let them know we sent you!
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How to Spend 5 AMAZING Days in Sydney, Australia
How to spend 5 days in Sydney - Australia - Full itinerary! See all the things to do and where to stay in Sydney! See our tips in this great Travel Guide! This was our honeymoon and it was perfect!
Sydney Opera House
What to do for 5 Days in Sydney, Australia
While we were on our 3-week honeymoon, we spent a large chunk of it in Sydney! We had spent New Years in Sydney but left to let the crowds die down a bit and came back on the 3rd of January. Overall, we enjoyed our visit and would definitely go back. Making the long trek from California, we wanted to see all Sydney had to offer and spent about 5 days there.
Where to Stay in Sydney
We used our Hyatt reward nights, a perk from our Hyatt Credit Card, along with some points, and stayed at the beautiful 5-star Park Hyatt Sydney. It was the perfect location - across from the Opera House, near Circular Quay (where you can jump on a train or ferry and get anywhere in a matter of minutes), and under the Harbor Bridge.
Park Hyatt Sydney
Here was our 5-day itinerary for Sydney:
Day 1
Pancakes on the Rocks
MORNING
We started with breakfast at Pancakes on the Rocks. We love pancakes, figured it couldn't be bad with so many great Yelp reviews. The service was a little slow but the food made up for it. I had chocolate chips pancakes, of course, because everything is better with chocolate!
We went down to Circular Quay (pronounced "key") and took the ferry across the harbor to the Taronga Zoo.
There were Koalas, giraffes, kangaroos, everything that can kill you, and my favorite, the penguin exhibit that had Fairy Penguins!
Top of Taronga Zoo
The zoo is located on a hill with spectacular views of Sydney from all over, so we recommend you start at the top and work your way down.
Penguins in the Taronga Zoo
We took a few animal selfies too! We liked the zoo, but the Featherdale Wild Park was even better (see day 2 below).
AFTERNOON - Olympic Park
In the afternoon we took the ferry back to Circular Quay and boarded a train taking us out to the Sydney Olympic Park. Josh loves to visit Olympic Parks and this one had a lot to see and it was all outdoors!
The park was built to host the Summer Olympics in 2000. They had the torch, the Olympic Cauldron that looks like a spaceship which was where the flame was lit the duration of the games, markers that noted how high someone jumped, who won each sport, and name of everyone who participated.
Day 2
Morning - Blue Mountains
We booked a tour with Blue Diamond Tours, which conveniently picked us up from the hotel, and took us to the Blue Mountains National Park. The mountains look blue because the eucalyptus forest disperses droplets of Eucalypt oil into the atmosphere which combines with dust particles and water vapor, scattering refracted rays of light which are largely blue in color. #funfacts
The rock formation located in the Blue Mountains is known as the 3 Sisters, which aboriginals legend told, the 3 daughters from the Katoomba tribe fell in love with 3 brothers from a neighboring tribe, but they were forbidden to get married by tribal laws. The brothers didn't agree with this law and captured the 3 sisters, causing a war outbreak between the tribes and the sisters were turned into stone by a witch doctor to protect them. Unfortunately, the witch doctor died in the war and no one was able to turn them back.
From Scenic World’s Website
We took the Scenic World Skyway cable car suspended across the Jamison Valley to a park called Scenic World where they had attractions and the best views. You could look through the floor of the car and see the rain forest below.
looking through the floor of the skyway cable car
We also road the Scenic Railway, the world's steepest incline railway, which travels down a cliffside through tunnel and ancient rain forest at a gradient of 62 degrees. At the bottom, you can walk around the rainforest and check out the site of the old coal mine.
Afternoon - Featherdale Wildlife Park
ARCHER, THE KOALA, at Featherdale Wildlife Park
My favorite part of the day was when we went to see Australia's native animals at Featherdale Wildlife Park. I love animals and this was probably my favorite thing to do in Sydney.
You can get up close and personal with the animals - touch them, hold them, feed them. The ever so adorable Archer, the koala, is best-loved as he is the popular koala. I even had my Mom paint him from a picture I took because I needed to see him every day.
There are many other animals throughout the park such as kangaroos that are literally hanging out and let you pet them! We also saw more fairy penguins, wombats, wallabies, a Cassowary, and a Tasmanian Devil, OH MY!
Evening in Sydney
We came back to the hotel, freshened up and walked around the harbor over to the Opera Bar for dinner. The Opera Bar is located directly under the Opera House. They had a great food selection, we loved their burgers. The restaurant is set up with open seating and you order by the kitchen, get a number and they deliver to your table.
We also enjoyed their dessert (of course) having a crepe with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream. I was a perfect ending to our perfect day with a gorgeous pink sunset.
Day 3
Morning in Manly Beach
We started our day going to Manly Beach! For food, we found this spot called Hemingway's which looked like a library but served food and alcohol. It was early, so we had coffee and breakfast with a slight breeze and gorgeous view of the crystal blue ocean.
We walked around and did a little shopping, buying souvenirs and gifts for friends and family.
Afternoon - Sea life Sydney Aquarium
PLATYPUS at the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium
We took the bus back and decided it was time for more animals so we paid a visit to the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium and found Nemo, Dory, and lots of sharks.
We walked through the aquarium and after scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef, it felt like we had seen a lot of these fish before. However, they do have unique creatures that are hard to find in the deep blue and were glad to see them here (love the platypus). If you have kids (or act like a big kid like me) there are interactive pools where you can touch sea cucumbers and starfish.
Also, the high point was the underground glass tunnels where fish and sharks swim around you on all sides and it feels like you're underwater with them.
Happy Hour in Sydney at a Secret Whiskey bar!
BAXTER INN - WHISKEY BAR
It was happy hour and we found a hidden gem! We went to a whiskey speak-easy called the Baxter Inn. It was a little challenging to find but worth it when we got there. You have to head down a nondescript alley on Clarence Street and walk through an unmarked door on your right, down a dark staircase to the basement level. The dim lighting and waiters outfits felt like we had walked into another dimension. They had 360 different whiskeys from around the globe and make their own apple juice for their fine crafted cocktail!
Baxter Inn Speakeasy Bar - Sydney
Afterward, we went to a casino in The Star hotel. Walking in, there was signage in front explaining the signs which show you might have a gambling problem because of Australia's gambling issue. It was kind of sad, but kind of funny. We played roulette and won! No gambling problem here.
Day 4
MORNING - Beach Walk
We took the bus over to Bondi Beach. We then did a 5 mile hike along the coast from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach. Along the way, we walked through the Tamarama and Bronte beaches. This wasn't an easy hike, there were steep inclines, stairs and sun. Lots of sun. The sun was intense and even after re-applying sunscreen a few times, we burned. It hurt.
AFTERNOON - Luna Park
Luna Park Entrance
We came back cleaned up and took the ferry over to Luna Park, a carnival-like amusement park with a scary entrance. and did a couple of rides, but the highlight was playing on the slides in the funhouse. Josh and I raced for at least 30 minutes. This was definitely made for kids.
Luna Park Slides
EVENING
Afterward, we had dinner at an Italian restaurant right next to Luna Park, called Ripples Milsons Point. It was right on the water overlooking the harbor and I had the most amazing pumpkin ravioli.
We came back to the hotel and wanted to grab a few pictures on our last night:
Harbor Bridge at Night
Opera House at Night
Day 5
MORNING - Opera House Tour
Our last day in Australia started with breakfast at the Park Hyatt Sydney. We overlooked the harbor directly at the Opera House and started to feel a little sad we were leaving.
Opera House Tiles Close-up - Chevron Design
We walked over and took a tour of the Opera House. As an iconic staple to the city, We were excited to see this gorgeous building and learn the history behind it. Up close you can see the shaped tiles that are shell-like making a chevron type pattern across the roof. The inside is just as stunning, as there are several venues within the house. The 2 largest concert hall is the largest and has the largest organ with over 10,000 pipes!
THIS IS KNOWN AS THE OPERA HOUSE CLEAVAGE
AFTERNOON
Since we were leaving that night, we had some time to kill but couldn't go too far. We decided to explore "The Rocks" which was the area right above our hotel. It's great for shopping and restaurants.
We went to Fortune of War (claims it is Sydney's oldest pub, which a lot of bars do) which wasn't anything special but nice to stop for a good cold brew.
Fortune of War - Sydney’s Oldest Pub
It was time to hop in a cab and head to the airport. We were sad to leave Sydney, but we weren't done with our Honeymoon yet, New Zealand and French Polynesia were next!
We would love to go back to Sydney and check off anything we missed! Let us know in the comments below if there is something you recommend!
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Rhino Trekking in Kenya, Africa and Lodging with Saruni Rhino
Rhinos are rare to find in Africa and the best way to see them is by foot! The Saruni Rhino will give you the best experience both in lodging, food, and getting up close with the rhinos. Where to stay and go in Kenya, Africa.
When we were researching where to stay in Kenya, our travel agent from Scott Dunn highly recommended staying at Saruni Rhino and I’m so glad she did. I didn’t realize how the Rhino is hunted for it’s horn and poaching is a severe problem. These magnificent creatures look like dinosaurs and are so exhilarating to see in person.
Scroll down later in the post to watch our video of our trip to Saruni Rhino!
Is there something behind me?
Where to Stay in Kenya
The Saruni Rhino is an intimate place to stay! There are only 3 rooms (also called Bandas) available, and with the location right along the river bed, you are sure to see animals visit the waterhole at all times during the day or at night. There is even a light by the waterhole at night to see who is visiting while you’re eating dinner in the main lodge.
Our Banda had a bed on a swing out front, which was perfect to relax and watch the animals approach the waterhole.
Tracking the Rhino in Kenya, Africa
Rhinos would look like rocks with eyes - Moseku the Rhino
Our guide would take us out in the morning or afternoon to go Rhino trekking. The rangers in the conservatory would keep an eye on where the Rhinos are located, knowing their habits and behaviors after years of observation. We’d hop in the car and drive about 30 minutes to the Sera Conservatory front gate, then typically another 30 minutes to the rhinos.
After we’d meet up with the ranger trackers, we’d hop out of the car and walk with them by foot to see the rhino. Typically we would stay pretty far away so that the rhino wouldn’t feel threatened and charge at us. The rhinos seemed more scared of us anyway and would run away if they heard us coming too close. We first found Moseku, a 7-10 year old rhino.
Rhinos can hear and smell very well, but they can’t see very far. Our guide would see which way the wind was blowing by kicking up dirt to see which way it would blow so we could make sure that the rhino(s) couldn’t smell us. As we would get closer, we’d tread carefully and as quietly as possible, which can be very hard when walking on gravel and branches.
Baby Rhino at 3 years old
Our guides would find the rhinos by sound, following footprints, or finding their poop! We walked around for an hour one morning and barely saw a rhino through the bushes. We were lucky enough to find the baby named Lojipu, the 3 year old “baby” rhino. His mother left him after he was a few days old, so the rangers bottle fed him and are hoping to release him back into the wild. He was very playful and acted almost like a dog running around. We weren’t allowed to touch him, but it took everything in me not to run up and hug him.
Scroll down to watch our video of Lojipu!
Watch our video of our trip to Saruni Rhino:
What to Pack, Wear and Bring for Rhino Trekking
You never know when you’ll run into elephants,
What to Wear
Since you might be sitting in a vehicle for a while, wear something comfortable. I wore a t-shirt (sprayed with permethrin), bug repellent pants, hiking shoes, a hat, and brought a fleece sweater for the cool mornings and evenings. I am not an outdoorsy girl by any means, and would rather be in a dress and flip flops.
If I had skin showing I wore bug repellent, and I didn’t get one bite! Bugs love to bite me wherever we go and I was deathly afraid I was going to be eaten alive in Africa. I used Ultrathon insect repellent and it worked so well! We sprayed our clothes with Permethrin which lasts for about 7 washes. Some of our clothes were already treated and brands like Exofficio will last for up to 70 washes!
Safari Essentials:
Don’t forget to bring these with you:
Camera - have batteries and extra memory cards on hand just in case
Binoculars
Water (your guide might already have some)
Sunscreen
Bug repellent
Hat
Snack - granola bars are easy to bring with you
I highly recommend this excursion if you’re on your way to Africa! Don’t miss out! We booked our trip with Scott Dunn, tell them you were recommended by Kathleen at the Sweetest Escapes!
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HOTEL REVIEW: Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress - Orlando, Florida
The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort is a great place to stay when visiting Orlando, Florida! Not only do they have everything you need in a resort, but it’s just 15 mins from the Disney parks with free shuttles that run all day. It’s a no brainer to stay here.
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
Address: 1 Grand Cypress Blvd, Orlando, FL 32836
Website: Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
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!
Hyatt Regency GRand Cypress
The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort is a great place to stay when visiting Orlando, Florida! if you’re looking to stay off Disney property but wanting to keep close to it, it’s just 15 mins from the Disney parks with free shuttles that run all day. It’s a no brainer to stay here.
Here are some of my favorite dresses I highly recommend!
Hotel Rooms at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
The rooms are fairly large with a nice seating area with a couch that’s also a bed! There are small balconies that aren’t really big enough to do anything on, just a nice touch.
I love that they prepared these rooms for travelers! There were outlets everywhere and even a few USB plugs. After a long day at Disney World, my batteries were drained (physically and electronically).
The bed had a lot of pillows, which I liked, and the mattress was on the firmer side. I usually prefer a soft mattress, but I was so tired I could have slept on a rock.
Hotel Bathroom at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
The bathroom was a decent size with a giant rain shower! The tiles were iridescent, looking like mermaid scales up close. That’s a win in my book! There was also a big shelf in the shower for all my toiletries.
I loved the mirror and lighting, it was perfect for putting on my makeup and realizing I needed a few tweezers on my eyebrows! The closet was an ok size, a little small for my taste, but we managed!
Food and Restaurants at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
There is a restaurant called the Lakehouse in the back of the lobby and down a flight of stairs that offers a decadent breakfast buffet. For $29 you can get anything you’ve dreamed for breakfast! Things like quiche, eggs, breakfast potatoes, donuts, oatmeal, BACON, waffles and pancakes made to order or even an omelette station! I really liked their coffee too, all 3 cups. They also serve lunch and dinner.
If you’re looking for a quick to go kinda place, there’s a Market that is like a Starbucks with lattes, coffee, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and options in the afternoon like sandwiches, wraps, and WINE!
Market at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Orlando Florida
Lobby at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
Lobby at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Orlando Florida
The lobby is MASSIVE and has a cute little parrot by the check-in desk! You’ll also find the lobby bar on the opposite side from check-in. They have food options as well!
Parrot in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Orlando Florida
Beware of the elevators, it can take a while early in the morning and at night when it’s crowded. We stayed on the 14th floor and I stopped on every floor on the way down. Stairs would have been better. Luckily they have nice chairs and views while you wait on your floor!
Resort at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
There is a ton to do here on the property which is all included in the daily resort fee.
The pool is large and even has a water slide! The pool and spa are open until midnight, however the slide closes earlier. Other activities include put put golf, kayaks, bikes, rock climbing, driving range, and a tennis court.
Pro-tip: A lot of things are included in the resort fee, make sure you check the fine print of the paperwork given at check-in or on the desk in the room!
Shuttles to the Walt Disney World Resort and Parks from the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
Epcot Center - Walt Disney World
The shuttle service couldn’t be easier! All you need to do is check-in with the concierge in the lobby to reserve your spot on a shuttle the day before you need it. THE SHUTTLE IS FREE!!! The shuttle drops you off at the main hub (Transportation and Ticket Center) where you can take a monorail or bus to any of the Disney theme parks or hotels. You can even buy your Disney World tickets/Magic Bands here as well.
There are also shuttles for Sea World and Universal Studios, ask the concierge for more information.
Complimentary private car is available, there may be a wait for it.
Parking at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
Self Parking is $10 a day or $22 a day to valet. They were working on one of the parking garages and had a discount on parking in Dec 2018. Check their website for the latest prices here: Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress.
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!
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HOTEL REVIEW: Hyatt Regency Sarasota, Florida
Looking for a great place to stay in Sarasota, Florida? Try the Hyatt Regency and you won’t be disappointed! Great views of the bay and walking distance to many shops and restaurants.
Hyatt Regency Sarasota
Hyatt Regency Sarasota, Florida
Address: 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236
Website: Hyatt Regency Sarasota
The Hyatt brand is always a plus for us. We’ve stayed at so many different resorts and are never disappointed. We even have a Hyatt credit card with amazing benefits! Let us know if you’re interested. It was a no brainer to pick the Hyatt Regency Sarasota, Florida, when we were in town for a wedding!
We drove in from Orlando, but there is also an airport in Sarasota and about 2 hours from Tampa. We continued onto Aruba after our stay here!
Rooms at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota
The rooms are fairly large with a nice seating area with amazing harbor views! There are small balconies that you can sit out on and enjoy the view.
Hyatt Regency Sarasota Balcony Views
I love that the rooms were prepared for travelers! There were outlets everywhere and even a few USB plugs. We could charge all electronics, all at once!
The bed had a lot of pillows, which I liked, and the mattress was on the firmer side. I usually prefer a soft mattress, but I was so tired I could have slept on a rock.
Bathroom Hyatt Regency Sarasota
The bathroom had a wired shape but lots of storage! It was nice to hold personal things like my purse and sunglasses as well as my curling iron and toiletries. I spent a lot of time in the bathroom trying a new hairdo for the wedding. Even after watching many YouTube videos, I just curled my hair and wore it down!
Lobby Hyatt Regency Sarasota
It was nice they had COLD flavored fruit water in the lobby by the check-in desk. Even though it was December, it was still very warm outside!
Hyatt Regency Sarasota Pool
The pool is large and a great place to sit and read a book or check out your social media feeds! The pool and spa are open from 6am to 10pm.
Overall, the Hyatt Regency Sarasota is a great place to stay. You won’t be disappointed!
Please note this is not a sponsored post and based on my own personal experience, all thoughts are my own.
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HOW TO SPEND 24 HOURS IN PARIS AND SEE EVERYTHING IN ONE DAY - COMPLETE ITINERARY AND MAP
Full itinerary, guide, and map on how to see the best sights in Paris in one day! Here is how to spend 24 hours in Paris | Where to go in Paris | What to do in Paris
10 MILE GALAVANT ACROSS PARIS SEEING ALL THE SIGHTS
Can you see everything in Paris in one day? Yes! It may be exhausting but totally worth it (your feet might not agree). Pro-tip wear SUPER comfy shoes.
Here is a map to guide you throughout your day! You can save it to view offline on your phone if you save it to the Google maps app when you have Wifi.
Park Hyatt Paris - Best hotel in Paris!
MORNING IN PARIS
7:00 AM We started with a big breakfast in the hotel (we stayed at the Park Hyatt Paris Vendome using our reward nights).
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!
Paris views from the Park Hyatt Vendome
Of course I had a chocolate croissant and coffee, but there was also cheese and cured meat so I had to have some! Do as the Parisian's do!
PLACE DE LA CONCORDE
From the Hyatt, we went down to the fountain in the Place de la Concorde. I love it because it's the fountain Anne Hathaway throws her phone in, in the Devil Wears Prada. It was Fall and the leaves were turning, adding extra charm to the city (who knew it could get better?). We walked through the gardens and past the Grand Palais.
CHAMPS-ÉLYSÉES
10:00 AM We strolled down the Champs-Élysées past Chanel, Cartier, Lauderee, and then there's Nike, H&M, Tiffany, Gap... come on, a GAP shirt would be that much better because it came from PARIS!
Arc de Triomphe
I could shop all day, but we had tons to see. We went down to the Arc de Triomphe. You can actually see the sights atop the Arc for about 12 euro or so. We have already walked about 2 miles.
EIFFEL TOWER
From the Arc, we enjoyed the fall day and walked along the Parisian neighborhood via Avenue Pont d'Iéna for another mile or so to the Eiffel Tower.
After taking a ton of pictures and finding out the wait to go to the top was over an hour, we decided to find some lunch. We came across a little cafe to get some sandwiches and take a little break.
AFTERNOON IN PARIS
2:00 PM We hopped on the metro to head to the Catacombs of Paris. From following our map we had trouble finding the entrance, and after making a loop around the block, we discovered it was closed due to ventilation issues.
Panthéon
Our next destination was Notre Dame, and along the way we came across rain and the 18th century mausoleum, the Panthéon. We didn't go inside but continued on through the Latin quarter to find the cathedral. Totaling a 2 mile walk from the Catacombs, we had finally arrived at Notre Dame! After a 15 minute wait or so, we went through the Cathedral taking in all the beautiful stain glass windows, chandeliers, and fine craftsmanship of the church (note - this was prior to the fire ☹️).
NOTRE DAME before the fire
At this point, I was wishing I would have worn sneakers instead of my cute boots. We had already walked over 6 miles, it was time for a break and a crepe. We stopped in Crêperie du Cloître across from Notre Dame for crepes and french fries.
EVENING IN PARIS
PONT DES ARTS - Love Lock Bridge
5:00 PM We set out again, walking another mile to the bridge, Pont des Arts, where tourists would leave "love locks" or an engraved padlock along the fence of the bridge. However, the excess weight of the locks were destroying the structure of the bridge and on June 1st, 2015, more than 700,000 locks weighing 45 tons were removed.
Sunset in Paris
Louvre
Mona Lisa
From the bridge, we trekked over to the Louvre. After 6 PM on a Wednesday or Friday, entrance fees are only €6 (instead of €9) and the museum is open until 9:45 PM. Free Admittance to those under 26 on Friday evenings. I had just missed the free entrance by a year. Note: they are closed on Tuesdays. If you are an art fan, you could spend hours or days going through the museum. We weren't that enthused to spend more time on our feet, so we did a brief walk-through to see the must-see artwork such as da Vinci's Mona Lisa, Winged Victory of Samothrace, Venus de Milo, Michelangelo’s Dying Slave, and the Sphinx. If you stretched out the Louvre walking paths, it would cover 8 miles. We didn't walk that much, but got in a good 2 miles or so.
PARIS AT NIGHT
8:00 PM It was worth every penny to take a cab to save our feet. From the Louvre, we went back to the Eiffel Tower to see it twinkle at night. You'll be able to see the well known iron lady lit up every day from sunset to 1AM. During summer, it turns of one hour later at 2AM.
Eiffel Tower AT NIGHT!
After a few pictures, it started to rain, meaning it was time for dinner.
We found the best little place called Alfio (along the Avenue de la Bourdonnais across from the Eiffel Tower) that had spicy pasta and tasty pizza. The decor had wine bottles that had been melted down and were hung from the ceiling.
Alfio Restaurant
It was finally time to head back to the hotel (we took a cab) where we posted a picture or two to Facebook / Instagram and passed out!
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Best Way to spend a Summer Weekend Getaway in Lake Tahoe
Check out the perfect guide to your next Lake Tahoe Summer Weekend Getaway! We list our favorite things to do, favorite hotel resort to stay at, and the best restaurants with stunning LAKE views! Don’t miss our favorite ice cream spot!
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)
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!
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!
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!
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: $$$$
Specialties: Seafood / Steaks / Grill
Menu: Friday’s Menu
Reservations: Opentable.com
Located on the top floor of Harrah's, this Lake Tahoe fine dining gem features a dramatic entrance, a 1,000-bottle display wine cellar and magnificent views from every table. Favorite meal: Prime Rib with mashed potatoes. Is your mouth watering too?
Address: Montbleu Resort Casino & Spa - 55 US-50, Stateline, NV 89449
Price: $$$$
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
We found a great hotel in the city of Chiang Mai, Thailand! Hotel De Chai: The Colonial was affordable, safe and in great walking distance to restaurants, attractions, and nightlife! See our guide to one of the best hotels in 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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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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6 Days in Aruba - What to do in Aruba and Full Itinerary Included!
Aruba is the perfect place for your next vacation! Not only is the weather perfect, but the hotels along the beaches are beautiful! We stayed in Oranjestad for a few days then moved downtown to see the flamingos! See where to eat and things to do in Aruba!
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
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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
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!
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!
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)
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
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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Guide to Aruba: Where to Stay, Where to Eat, Things to Do
A complete guide and everything you need to know about Aruba including things to do, restaurants to try, and the best hotels on this one happy island!
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.
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
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:
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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ARUBA HOTEL REVIEW: Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Casino and Spa
The Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa And Casino is the perfect place to stay in Aruba! Located right on the beach and walking distance to shops and restaurants, there isn’t a better place to stay. See our hotel review why you should stay at the Hyatt in Aruba!
Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Casino and Spa
Address: Juan E, J.E. Irausquin Blvd #85, Aruba
Website: Hyatt Regency Aruba
We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Aruba 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!
Find the best rate to visit Aruba by booking your room through Booking.com and compare rates with Hyatt.com. See deals of up to 50% off! You can save a bunch of money if you book a bundle flight+room! By booking through this link, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link!
Rooms at the Hyatt Regency Aruba
The rooms were really nice, super spacious and very modern. Lined with gorgeous hard wood floors and a soft but firm bed, we felt right at home here. The balconies were very small, not really for sitting out on but good for shaking sand off clothes and shoes.
The room was equipped with new appliances like a refrigerator and a very large TV! We work in television, but typically never turn on the TV while we’re on vacation! In Aruba we celebrated New Years an hour before the East Coast, so we came back to the room and watched the ball drop with Ryan Seacrest on our giant tv!
In the window there was a chaise lounge where we would sit and look at the view, nap, or just hang out!
The water was so pretty in Aruba! We loved our view!
Bathrooms at the Hyatt Regency Aruba
Most hotels we’ve gone to lately that have renovated their rooms have walk in rain showers, this was another hotel to add to that list. Don’t get me wrong, they’re perfectly fine and seem to give more space in the bathroom. I like a big counter for all of my toiletries and this place checked all boxes for a perfect bathroom!
Casino at the Hyatt Regency Aruba
I’m used to Vegas casinos which you cannot compare to Aruba casinos. The casinos played in 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, all the casinos seemed to have a players card option. If you play long enough you can get free drinks! It was so cool, on the slot machines, there was an option to order drinks once you hit the threshold!
Find the best rate to visit Aruba 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!
Pool at the Hyatt Regency Aruba
There were a few pools to choose from to dip into! We enjoyed sitting in the half foot pool and observing around us! They even have a water slide that is fun for all ages!
If you want a drink but don’t want to get out of the pool, you don’t have to here! The main pool has a swim up bar and also a volleyball net.
Relax on the Beach
You can rent a little hut for free if you’re staying at the hotel! Full service and beach chairs come with the rental and feel free to dip in the warm ocean! There are many places along the beach to enjoy some surf - ski doo, wind surf, sunset cruises, pirate ship cruise, anything!
Forgot your sunblock or don’t have enough room in your suitcase? No sweat! For about $2 you can get a spray on by this cool high-tech booth!
Don’t forget to pack these guys:
Restaurants at the Hyatt Regency Aruba
As the Hyatt is a resort, there were many restaurants to keep you on property for convenience and accessibility.
Ruinas del Mar
Open air restaurant with food fresh from the sea or a savory steak. Join them for Sunday Brunch!
Kadushi Juice Bar
Not only do they have a great variety of juices and smoothies, they have POPSICLES! YUM!
Palms
We ate out at the bar between the pool and the beach one day. They serve basic lunch food such as salads, sandwiches, quesadillas, etc. happy hour runs everyday from 5:30-6:30p with discounts on drinks and half price quesadillas!
At night the bar closer to the lobby opens up for the rest of the evening. We had a night cap there every night!
Starbucks/Market
Their Market had a great selection of snacks, to go items and coffee! We grabbed pastries and coffee one morning before we went diving.
Wandering around the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort
The lobby was open aired and had plenty of little nooks to hang out in. Just connect to their wifi to plan your day or to sit and take a break!
My favorite part of walking through the resort was looking for wildlife! Parrots, swans, large iguanas, coi fish, and turtles were all over!
New Years at the Hyatt Regency Aruba
New Years Eve 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!
Please note this is not a sponsored post and based on my own personal experience, all thoughts are my own.
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Find the best rate to visit Aruba by booking your room through Booking.com
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How to Spend 5 Days in Tromso, Norway - Tromsø, Norway Itinerary
We spent a lot of time in the snow in Tromso Norway! Check out how we spent 5 days in northern Norway and our guide to everything you need to know including our favorite activities, where to stay, where to eat, and how to see the Northern Lights!
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
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!
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!
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
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!
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
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
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
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
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!
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!).
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.
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!
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!
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:
Please note this is not a sponsored post and based on my own personal experience, all thoughts are my own.
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Sleeping in a Teepee in the Arctic Circle - Would you sleep in a tent in the snow?
You might think we’re crazy, but sleeping in a teepee in Norway was once of the best experiences in our travels! Find out more what this enchanting Lavvu had in store for us and how we found the Northern Lights!
Most Unique Place to Stay in Norway - Sami Lavvu (Norweigian teepee tent)
Most Unique Place to Stay in Norway - Sami Lavvu!
When we were planning our 5-day trip to Norway, our travel agency recommended spending a night in a Sami Lavvu (a Norwegian teepee). My first thought was NO WAY. I had my reasons: It's camping; No bathrooms; It's going to be 20 degrees outside and what are we going to eat? Josh saw it as a good opportunity to do something different. I went camping at a beach with friends once and slept on a hammer (I thought it was a rock), which we had lost when we were building it. I vowed never again to go camping.
After talking with our travel agency Off the Map Travel, Katie highly recommended the lavvu, assuring me the tent would be warm and there were bathrooms. I begrudgingly said yes somehow and had high anxiety when thinking about it.
Arriving at the Teepee in Norway
When we arrived at the Aurora Alps from Tromsø, 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, upon arrival, 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.
We grabbed our bags and walked towards the Sami Lavvu which was about 50 feet from the house. I looked up a lit path and saw charming white lights strung in front of the most beautiful teepee I had ever seen. HOW ENCHANTING! I then forgot all my fears as we entered the candlelit lavvu, and I loved everything about it, feeling like I was in some sort of fairy tale.
Inside the Lavvu (teepee)
Inside the Sami Lavvu tent
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.
Ann Kristin was our host and she brought a hot dinner of reindeer stroganoff along with a special dessert. The bathrooms were connected to the house, complete with shower and wifi. Everything was okay and I was complacent. Josh and I sat and watched the fire for a bit, taking it all in for a bit.
Fireplace inside the tent
Looking for the Northern Lights
In front of our cozy lavuu, were 2 sets of snow shoes. 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 snow shoes 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.
Snow shoes
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.
Glimpse of the Northern Lights in Norway
After close to 30 minutes, it started to get cloudy again, and we were getting cold. It was time to head back and load pictures to our phones so we could post them on social media with the bathroom wifi.
We slept in a teepee in the snow and found the Northern Lights on our own. I can now change my life status to "Adventurous."
See related post for more Norway and Northern Lights photos: 5-Day Itinerary in Tromsø, Norway
Please note this is not a sponsored post and based on my own personal experience, all thoughts are my own.
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Hotel Review: InterContinental Bora Bora Resort Thalasso Spa - Best hotel in Bora Bora!
You must stay in an overwater bungalow at the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort Thalasso Spa in French Polynesia! It's the best hotel in Bora Bora, check out why in our review! | Where to stay in Bora Bora | Honeymoon
Why you MUST stay at the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort Thalasso Spa
Address: Motu Piti Aau Bora Bora French Polynesia, 98730, French Polynesia
Website: https://www.ihg.com/
Some posts on this site contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!).
Walking to our overwater bungalow
French Polynesia was the last stop on our Honeymoon and after Moorea we thought it couldn’t get any better, Bora Bora took it up a notch! Bora Bora is beautiful and one of the most relaxing places I have ever been to! The InterContinental was the PERFECT place to stay! We loved the spacious overwater bungalows, the food, and the activities the hotel offered!
Click here to see rates and room availability: InterContinental.com
Mountain views - overwater bungalows
Booking and Arrival into Bora Bora
After looking at many travel magazines, Instagram, Pinterest and other publications showing some of the most beautiful places in the world, every time I would see Bora Bora, I added to my bucket list that I had to stay in an overwater bungalow someday. My wonderful husband helped make that happen.
We started planning more than a year ahead of time. We both opened an IHG credit card to accumulate points and free nights to help fund our dream vacation. We booked our free rooms well in advance (almost a year), knowing we were going in January, which is also their rainy season in Bora Bora. We used our 2 free reward nights and paid for another 2 nights with points and a small fee at the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort Thlasso Spa, all we had to do was wait until January, but it's ok, we were busy planning our destination wedding in Maui.
Finally, January arrived and we were Bora Bora bound! Upon arrival at the airport in Bora Bora, which was one of the smallest airports I’ve ever seen. They did have a gift shop and snacks. There were many hotel check-in desks, and we had to find the InterContinental check-in desk so we could board our boat to the hotel. Everything was by boat there! None of the hotels really connect.
The InterContinental reception staff greeted us with refreshing drinks and a cool towel as it was very hot and humid outside. The lobby was covered but still open air like a giant patio. Our host let us know what our accommodations were and gave us a brief overview of the amenities of the hotel. We were whisked away on a golf cart to our room, our overwater bungalow! Dreams were coming true!
THE OVERWATER BUNGALOW ROOM
After you walk along the aqua water, the path leads you to your overwater villa. Inside, the room was huge! There was a living room with a glass coffee table the peered into the depths below, allowing you to see the fish swimming underneath your room!
The bedroom had a king size bed facing a giant floor to ceiling window facing the water with no one in sight. Just the pretty aqua water and some palm trees. There was a large walk-in closet, with shelves made of beautiful wood. I wish I had this closet at home!
The bathroom was long a narrow with a stand alone shower and a huge bath tub. They had large oversized towels that were the softest hotel towels I had ever used in my life. They were so great, we immediately got towels just like them when we returned home! The robes were really nice too!
Off of the living room was a large patio with a table and chairs as well as 2 cushioned lounge chairs, and a ladder that went straight into the water of the lagoon.
BALCONIES OFF THE OVERWATER BUNGALOWS
Note: rainy season (January) wasn't that bad, in the 4 days during our stay, there were storms everyday that came through but would clear up. These storms involved HEAVY rainfall. We were in our bathing suits most of the time so it didn't matter. The last day it poured all morning and didn't look like it was going to clear. I like to think the island was crying because we were leaving. The sunsets were pretty spectacular!
Sunset in Bora Bora
THE POOL
Since it was their "off season" they only had one restaurant open for lunch and dinner, but you could also get food at the pool.
POOL VIEWS
Speaking of, let's talk about the pool. A gorgeous infinity pool overlooked the lagoon and island, with plenty of lounge chairs and some shade to go around. The sun is very intense there and even after reapplying sunscreen a few times, we burned. Shade was our friend.
INFINITY POOL VIEWS
Seemed like everyone else at the pool was also on their honeymoon after we talked to a few others!
ICE CREAM AT THE POOL
There was a wait staff for towels, drinks and food. We of course ordered ice cream while at the pool!
THE RESORT
Around the resort were a lot of free things to do, such as feeding tropical fish, feeding stingrays, playing pool at the pool tables, renting kayaks and stand up paddle boards by the pool. If you get bored, there are other things to do.
You can also pay for activities and a resort host would be more than helpful to get you booked and prepped for activities such as: renting jet-skis, scuba diving, sunset cruises, breakfast brought to your balcony by kayak.
Check out some of our favorite things we did during our time in Bora Bora: Top Things to do in BORA BORA
BREAKFAST BROUGHT TO YOUR ROOM BY KAYAK!
BATHROOM SIGNS
FEEDING STINGRAYS
Everyday the Stingrays were fed around noon or so, I’d ask the hotel what time the feeding will take place. The stingrays come up to you like little puppies and want to be pet and fed! It’s AMAZING!
The spa even offers massages with glass floors that let you look into the water below at the fish! How relaxing is that?!
Don’t forget to pack these essentials (my fave):
Love this hotel as much as we do? Check InterContinental.com for rates and availability or try Booking.com - we find the best rates there!
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Hotel Review: InterContinental Hong Kong - China
The Hong Kong InterContinental is the perfect place to stay in Hong Kong, China. A great location with harbor views and walking distance to shops, restaurants and public transportation, I wouldn’t stay anywhere else! See our full review on the blog!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
To see pricing and book your stay, click here: Booking.com
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HOTEL REVIEW: Las Vegas Park MGM
We stayed at the new Park MGM and got a last glimpse of the Monte Carlo as most people know it! See our review why you must stay at the Park MGM for your next Vegas trip. Best hotel to stay in Las Vegas.
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.
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.
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!
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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Top 10 Best Things To Do in Moorea - French Polynesia
Top 10 things to do in Moorea, French Polynesia. What to do in Moorea | Where to go in Moorea | where to stay in Moorea | Hotel Honeymoon in Moorea #Moorea #frenchpolynesia
During our 3 week Honeymoon, another stop was Moorea in French Polynesia. This was our first break after going nonstop for almost 2 weeks and boy were we ready for relaxation.
We booked our Moorea portion through Tahiti Legends, who booked everything including our transfers from airports and hotels. We stayed at the Sofitel Moorea, in an overwater bungalow, which is something everyone must do in their lifetime!
Here's our list of the best things to do in Moorea:
1. Nothing
We made some drinks in our room from the alcohol that we bought at the duty free shop in the airport, then sat on the patio of our overwater bungalow and played cards. When we got too hot, we jumped into the water for a few minutes, then hopped back up on the patio and continued to play cards. Talk about fun and relaxing!
2. Snorkel
There was plenty to see right off of our bungalow balcony (or right through the floor), including tons of coral, fish, seas slugs, etc. We bought rash guard T-shirts with UPF 50+ protection and definitely needed them. The sun is very intense and we burned quite easily even with 50 sunblock. Plunge right in!
3. Wake up and Swim
First of all, sunrises in Moorea are gorgeous, try and wake up early for one! Here is a video on how to wake up in Moorea for a perfect start to your day:
4. Take a Buggy Ride around the Island
We rented a buggy through Moorea Fun Roadsters. We had booked a buggy the night before, and without a problem they delivered it to our hotel the very next morning! A map was provided, including the best places to stop (which we did almost all of them), and we were on our way. We went back and forth between renting for 4 or 8 hours, but we decided to do the 4 hour which was the perfect amount to go around the entire island and make stops.
Before you return you have to fill it up but it doesn't use much gas and it cost about $8 to fill it back up! The road was bumpy at parts but overall it was a blast! It was like riding in a fast go kart around the island!
See our full review here: Buggy Around Moorea
5. Feed the Fish Under your Bungalow
In our Bungalow, there is a spot with glass flooring which you could watch the fish swim around under your feet! We had some bread and decided to have some fun:
6. Massages
We booked a couples massage and it was perfect. After traveling for 2 weeks, we were ready for relaxation and getting those knots out of our backs from lugging around bags. We had a private room for the two of us and after the massage, there was a shower in the massage room to rinse off all oils before putting our clothes back on.
7. Lounge by the Pool
Even though we could jump in the ocean off of our balcony, the pool had warm calm waters without worrying about coral or fish below you (and they had some fancy tropical drinks).
8. Go on a Hike
There are a few trails around or you can walk around the top of Belvedere. We rented the buggy to get to the top for great views! Watch out for the wild chickens!
9. Star Gaze at Night
Living in Los Angeles, you definitely don't see enough stars, but in Moorea, there are millions of stars to see right off your hotel balcony! Don't forget the bug spray!
10. Polynesian Dance
Experience the culture of the Tahitian Polynesian dance! This occurred nightly at the Sofitel Moorea's main restaurant.
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Wine Tasting in Napa and Sonoma Weekend Itinerary with map!
After multiple trips to Napa, we’ve come up with the perfect weekend itinerary! See where to go wine tasting in the Napa Valley and Sonoma County region. We also have suggestions where to stay and our favorite restaurants for some grub! #napa #wine #winetasting
Where to go Wine Tasting in Napa and Sonoma - map included
For my 31st birthday, I couldn't decide what I wanted to do. Gathering all my friends at a loud bar doesn't have the same ring as it did when I was 21. People told me I would slow down at some point, but I think I've just figured out better use of my time. ;-) So Josh and I decided to explore wine country! Now we go back every year for my birthday!
Here’s my map that I made to see which vineyards/wineries (Instagrammable for sure) I wanted to go to:
Getting to NorCal Wine Country from Los Angeles
We just did a weekend getaway leaving Los Angeles late Friday night and coming back late Sunday afternoon. Since it was a such a quick trip, we decided to stay in Santa Rosa and Napa instead of San Francisco because the commute to San Francisco is about an hour each way.
Oakland had cheaper and more desirable flights times on Southwest, so of course we used points and our companion pass that we earned with points. We got a decent rate on a rental car from Alamo and by 9:30p on Friday night, we were on a crazy rainy road to Santa Rosa.
There was a toll bridge for $5 which was well worth not driving the extra hour or so that google maps suggested to avoid toll roads. It took us about an hour to get to Santa Rosa from Oakland (not bad)!
RESTAURANT & BREWERY: Third Street Ale Works
Address: 610 3rd St, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
We drove straight to the Third Street Aleworks before it closed for a bite to eat (and maybe a beer or two). It reminded me of a grungier BJ's Brewery, with a bigger selection of their own brews made in-house. For a little over $20 they brought out their taster collection of 18 beers in 4-ounce glasses. I, of course, liked the IPA's and made Josh drink everything else, especially the sours.
Where to Stay in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County
HOTEL: Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country
Address: 170 Railroad Street, Santa Rosa, California, USA, 95401
We checked into our hotel for the night, the Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country which had been renovated recently. The lobby had a lodge feel with a beautiful Christmas tree in the center of the room. They even had warm apple cider for guests! The hotel rooms were very modern and beds were pretty comfortable. Had a perfect night sleep for a full day of drinking.
See our full review here: HOTEL REVIEW: Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country
RESTAURANT & BREWERY: Russian River Brewery
Address: 725 4th St, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
The next day, we were contemplating on going to breakfast or getting in line for the Russian River Brewery. We went RRB! Business opens at 11a and there was already a line for people to run in and get their Pliny the Elder supply for the weekend. We couldn't decide what beers to get so we decided to taste them all (it was cheapest that way, at least that's how we looked at it). It's 5 o'clock somewhere.
We consumed Pliny the Elder, Belgian Sours, IPAs, all before noon! After some tasters, some pizza bites (they were so good), and a purchase of 12 bottles or so, we left satisfied and happy.
PRO TIP: we brought bubble wrap and a wine travel case to bring back on the flight, which meant we had to check our carry-on but it was worth it!
Best Wine Tasting at Santa Rosa Wineries
See our full post of our favorite Sonoma County Wineries here: Best Wineries to Visit in Sonoma
WINERY: Korbel Champagne Cellars
Address: 13250 River Rd, Guerneville, CA 95446
Reservations Required?: Nope, but click here for their free tour hours!
Cost?: $ FREE! That's right, free tastings! No purchase required!
Food?: There is a little cafe that has snacks and sandwiches.
Champagne is my favorite type of wine and you can always find a bottle of Korbel in my fridge! For over 135 years, Korbel has mastered making the perfect bottle of champagne. Free tours are offered throughout the day and FREE wine tasting are provided in their tasting room.
Afterwards, we went to my favorite place in the land of a trillion bubbles, Korbel Champagne Cellars. Apparently, their Natural champagne has been served at the celebratory presidential inaugurations since 1981 and the actual winery has been in existence for over 132 years.
Korbel offers 4 complimentary champagne tastings. Beware of their red Rouge champagne. It's different. They even have an organic champagne!
They also offer tours but we didn't really care to walk around the grounds for hours (it was cold), we had other places to explore and it was getting dark fast.
WINERY: Kendall-Jackson Winery
Address: 5007 Fulton Road, Fulton, CA 95439
TASTING COUPON: Click here to print a Two for One Tasting Coupon for our Estate Tasting. Offer available for up to 4 guests.
Reservations Required?: Nope
Cost?: $$ Wine flights range from $15-25 - try their Stature!
Food?: Wine and Food pairing available by Appt or there is always a chocolate or cheese pairing available.
Our next stop was the Kendall-Jackson Winery. We almost skipped it but it's one of my Dad's favorite wines, so we had to get him a bottle or something for Christmas. We stepped up to start tasting and looked at all their different options. We explained to our host how we'd like to get a special bottle and he recommended the Stature Chardonnay which was $100 a bottle and probably the best Chardonnay I've ever had. Compared to their everyday Chardonnay, the Stature was smooth, fruity and had a rich taste. We ended up buying a bottle for my Dad and signed him up for their wine club for the year!
KENDALL-JACKSON WINERY
Josh and I are a bigger fan of red wine, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, so we asked what was the best of the 8 or so that they offered. Of course their Stature version was the best, but we were looking for a more affordable price point. We ended up loving the Hawkeye Cabernet which had a deep cherry taste with some Earth taste to give it full body. We ended up liking it so much and because we signed up for the wine club, we bought 6 bottles and 2 of the Stature!
It was getting dark and late, so we drove to our hotel in Napa to take a nap-a. Haha ;-)
NIGHT APPROACHING KENDALL-JACKSON WINERY
Where to Stay in Downtown Napa Valley
BED AND BREAKFAST: Cabernet House - Old World Inn $$
Cabernet House, Old World Inn is the best place to stay in Napa, California. Not only is it affordable, but their prime location gives you access to everything - restaurants, shops, and of course wine tasting rooms! Their rooms have different themes, my favorite was the Starlight Room which had a skylight above the bed!
See our full review on the Cabernet House here: HOTEL REVIEW: CABERNET HOUSE
HOTEL: River Terrace Inn - A Noble House Hotel $$
Address: 1600 Soscol Ave Napa, California, 94559
The location of the River Terrace Inn was perfect. Located in downtown Napa Valley, walking distance from restaurants and shopping, and also along the river. The only problem was the walls of the room were a little thin, but if you have enough wine, you won't notice. They had a great outdoor area with wine and fire pits!
Andaz Napa Hotel
HOTEL: Andaz Napa - Hyatt $$$$
Address: 1450 1st St, Napa, CA 94559
The Andaz Napa is designed like a boutique hotel and doesn’t look like your typical Hyatt property. Located in the heart of Downtown Napa, this gorgeous hotel is the perfect place to unwind at the end of the day. The rooms are large with a cozy fireplace separating the living room and bedroom.
See our full review on the Andaz Napa here: HOTEL REVIEW: ANDAZ NAPA
Restaurants in Napa, California
RESTAURANT: TORC
Address: 140 Main St, Napa, CA 94559
Their wine selection was full of great choices including many from the local wineries and their food was very farm to table from local farmers prepared in an open kitchen that is part of the restaurant. We sat at the bar and enjoyed some cocktails, jamon (cured ham) and cheese. For dinner, we enjoyed an amazing steak, mac n cheese, pork, and some excellent ice cream for dessert (of course).
I made our reservation about a month in advance through Opentable.
RESTAURANT: COLE'S CHOP HOUSE
Address: 1122 Main St, Napa, CA 94559
We love a good steakhouse, Cole's Chop House, was our kinda place! I made the reservation about 2 weeks in advance through Opentable. Ribeye steaks topped with sides of a delicious Red Wine Veal Reduction sauce and the Peppercorn Sauce along with a side of Yukon Gold Mashed potatoes, were the ticket here.
Not to mention a very sweet Birthday dessert - brownie sundae with caramel gelato. Mmmmm.
RESTAURANT: JAX DINER
Address: 1122 1st St, Napa, CA 94559
For brunch, we went somewhere to get a big breakfast and we were successful. Jax had amazing beignets covered with powdered sugar as well as free tater tots if you showed the coupon on Yelp. So we got both of course on top of their special of the day on the chalkboard: Bacon Eggs Benedict (which you would think you couldn't have enough bacon, this was a little over the top, delicious but filling).
We also got the French toast bites but they were more of a crouton consistency instead of bread like.
You're probably thinking, how many people came to breakfast? Oh, just the two of us. Smart thing we did was take some of the food to go to eat after wineries. ;-)
Favorite Wineries for Wine Tasting in Napa
I recommend picking 3 wineries to stop at on your last day. This way you can spend some quality time at each one and enjoy your tastings!
BEAUTIFUL FALL IN NAPA
ME: WHAT IS THAT? JOSH: A BUNNY WITH A LIGHTSABER. DUH!
WINERY: Hall Wines - Wine Tasting Room
Address: 401 St Helena Hwy, St Helena, CA 94574 (St Helena Location)
Reservations Required?: Not required but recommended
Cost?: $$$ Tastings: $40, Tours starting at $40
Food?: Not really
I was excited for Hall since they specialize in Cabernet Sauvignon, winning many awards for their 100 point cabs! Also, not going to lie, I love bunny foo foo, especially when he is holding a light saber (Star Wars was released in theaters that weekend). Speaking of, they had amazing art throughout the winery, in the gardens, in the tasting room, everywhere!
This vineyard had more of a modern flair with an artistic eye, making it more unique. Their tasting bar was setup on the second floor near floor to ceiling windows with spectacular vineyard views.
WINERY: Mumm Napa
Address: 8445 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558
Reservations Required?: Reservations are recommended but not required for fewer than six guests. Call 866.783.5826 to make a reservation. Limited walk-in seating is available on a first-come first-served basis.
Cost?: $$ Tastings are $25 to $35 on the patio/salon; Tours are $40
Food?: Cheese/Crackers and snacks
Mumm Champagne is one of my favorites and couldn't wait to visit. I loved my visit and tasting so much, I even joined their wine club. The grounds are beautiful and the staff is very friendly. I can't wait to come back again and again!
We walked up around 11a without a reservation and were seated immediately. Since it was December and on the cooler side, we opted to sit in the salon for our tasting.
WINERY: Castello di Amorosa
Address: 4045 St Helena Hwy, Calistoga, CA 94515
Reservations Required?: Not required but recommended - 707-967-6272
Cost?: $$$ Starts at $30 just to get into the castle and comes with a tasting. Designated Drivers also need to pay an entrance fee, even if they aren't drinking! There are guided tours and food pairings as well.
Food?: Yes, see the Royal Pairings Menu
This 13th Century Tuscan inspired castle is picture perfect! You can visit the knight’s hall and their flagship cabernet sauvignon is a must try. Animals from goats to chickens surround the castle, including some gorgeous peacocks! Not something you see everyday in Napa.
The tour seemed worth it if we had more time: Reserve a tour with a guide through the Castello, including the lower levels which feature our Torture Chamber, Armory, and Grand Barrel Room, followed by a tasting flight. Of course the torture chamber and armory semi appealed to us, we will definitely come back to this one.
WINERY: Del Dotto Venetian Estate Winery
Address: 1445 St Helena Hwy, St Helena, CA 94574
Reservations Required?: Yes, call: (707) 963-2134
Cost?: $$$ Bar Tasting – $45 or Cave Experience & Barrel Tasting (90 min) $60 per person Mon-Thu, $75 per person Fri-Sun
Food?: From house-cured salumi and slow braised meats to vegetables from their garden and Grandma Dee’s handmade ravioli, Chef Joshua and the entire culinary team collaborate on a unique menu that embodies the season and pairs perfectly with the wines.
Had to make a reservation for this one, but since it was December and not too crowded I called a coupe of hours before and was able to get a reservation. The tasting was more expensive than other vineyards, it was $45 per person, at least it included cheese, bread and olive oil! I highly recommend venturing into their gorgeous Venetian caves the tour with barrel tasting is $75. Check out that chandelier! The wines were good, but I think they were overpriced. The tasting room is beautiful decked out with venetian paintings, tiling, marble pillars and expensive wines.
Currently, our family produces cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, sangiovese and sauvignon blanc from our Napa Valley vineyards, as well as pinot noir, chardonnay and limited amounts of syrah, sauvignon blanc, sparkling grenache and mourvedre from our Cinghiale (wild boar) Vineyard in the King Ridge region of the Sonoma Coast.
WINERY: Domaine Chandon
Address: 1 California Dr, Yountville, CA 94599
Reservations Required?: Not required but recommended - call 1-888-242-6366, Opt. 2
Cost?: $$ Tastings $20 and up
Food?: Snacks are available
The grounds here looked like a giant beautiful park. Upon entering the winery there is a wall of upside down wine bottles artistically designed and lit. The tasting room gets pretty busy but just elbow your way up to the bar and you'll get served. The servers also make specialty cocktails if you ask nicely!
This was our last stop of the day and I love my bubbles! I felt like I had tasted most of the champagnes Chandon had to offer, but our bartender had a special drink he makes that tastes like apple cider.
ME IN MY HAPPY PLACE!
The specialty drink, called Spiced Apple Punch, had the following in it:
· 2 oz Spiced Simple Syrup (1 cup water; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 cinnamon sticks; 1 small piece nutmeg)
· 2 1/2 cups apple cider (unsweetened)
· 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
· 2 oz honey
· 750ml (1 bottle) Chandon Brut Classic
After our 3rd winery, the trip was over and it was time to head to Oakland airport for our 7p flight. I was sad that it was over but had a wonderful birthday weekend! Thanks, Josh! :)
Please note this is not a sponsored post and based on my own personal experience, all thoughts are my own.
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HOTEL REVIEW: Hyatt Regency Sonoma County
When staying in Nor Cal’s wine country, the Hyatt Regency Sonoma County is the best hotel! Located in the heart of Santa Rosa, this newly remodeled Hyatt is not far from wineries and walking distance to many restaurants and shopping areas. #Napa #sonoma #winetasting #hotel
I love our annual trip to Napa for my birthday weekend! It’s a great way to relax and enjoy some tasty wine. Having a Hyatt Credit Card gives us an annual free night and spending it in Napa is definitely the way to go. We fly into Oakland on a Friday and drive to Santa Rosa to stay at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma County.
When staying in Sonoma, the Hyatt Regency Sonoma County is the best place to stay. Located in the heart of Santa Rosa, this Hyatt is not far from wineries and walking distance to many restaurants and shopping areas. Most importantly, it is a quick 5 minute drive from Russian River Brewery, our favorite place to stop for good brews! I know it’s wine country and I love it all, but this brewery is one of the best!
Lobby
The lobby has a rustic outdoor chic decor with shovels above the fireplace and wooden sticks holding up lamps. In December, a beautiful Christmas tree is placed in the middle of the lobby for all to see and admire! Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree…
Also, coffee is available in the morning but in the afternoons there was usually Apple Cider or Hot Cocoa out for guests (free of charge)! Such a great perk!
Just off the lobby is the patio with an enormous fire pit, perfect to enjoy a glass of wine from the vineyard you stopped at that day. ;-) This is the view for most rooms, there isn’t much of a view otherwise!
Bedroom
The rooms are a decent size for 2 people with a very clean and modern design. I love that there are outlets EVERYWHERE and even USB ports to charge almost anything. Your standard amenities were available: safe, big TV, iron, and mini bar. The room is fairly quiet, you can hear people in the hall if they are talking by your front door, but it wasn’t too noisy.
Had a nice sized closet for a weekend stay! I always think it’s weird when they put the hair dryer in the closet!
Bathroom
The bathroom renovation makes the bathroom feel twice as big with their fresh design. With a standing shower and a sink in the corner, this bathroom had all the space I needed.
Nothing makes me happier than a nail file! I ALWAYS need one!
If you go to Russian River, you must try Pliny the Elder and order their pizza bites!
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HOTEL REVIEW: Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa - Best hotel in Maui, Hawaii
The Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa is the best-kept secret of hotels in Maui! Not only do they have newly renovated rooms, you’ll be blown away by the best ocean front view rooms on the island! See our travel guide to the best hotel and Ka'anapali beach resort in Maui, Hawaii! #Maui #hotel #hawaii
Our Best Kept Secret, Stay at the Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa in Hawaii!
The Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa is located on the Ka’anapali Beach stretch of hotels and is the last hotel buried into Black Rock. This place has EVERYTHING: gorgeous ocean front views, the best snorkeling on the island, a great pool, a relaxing spa, delicious restaurants, what more could you need?! It’s about 45 mins to an hour from the airport with a gorgeous coastal drive and just 5 minutes away from Lahaina.
Before you go, check out everything you need to pack for Hawaii here: Packing Checklist for Hawaii
I might be a little biased on the review because two of the biggest events of my life have happened at the Sheraton Maui, first I was proposed to then we came back with our family and friends and were married on the property making this place unforgettable.
Don’t forget to wave to Oprah on your way (her pad is up on the mountain on your drive in).
Relative Post: See How to Spend 4 Days in Maui
Where to stay in Maui: The Sheraton Resort
The resort first opened in 1963, and is massive! Depending on where your room is, you’ll definitely be hitting your daily step goal. There are some pictures of what it looked like when it first opened in the hallways.
Everything you could possibly need is on the property: restaurants, spa, bars, gift shop, snorkel, and other water activity rentals. Nearby, there is access to zip-lining, snorkeling, golfing, shopping, hiking, star gazing spots, anything you can think of!
Check out what to do: The 10 Best Things to do in Maui
Parking is always available and conveniently located next to Whaler's Village, a shopping center with clothing stores, an ABC Store (good for snacks and booze for the room), and restaurants.
Resort fee and Parking
A resort fee of $26.04 is charged per night, per room that is in addition to our rates and that will be automatically added to your bill by the hotel. The Resort Fee provides the following:
Complimentary valet parking on the day of arrival
Shuttle service to the area Westin hotels and town of Lahaina
Adult pool floats
A resort photo session and digital keepsake
A signature tote bag
Access to PressReader
Local telephone calls on Maui
Wi-Fi access in guest rooms and public areas
Access to the fitness center and coin-operated laundry room
Access to the Maui Ocean Center educational Hawaiian marine life hale near the pool
Trolley service in Kaanapali
25% off greens fees at the Kaanapali golf courses
Cultural activities like lei-making and hula demos
In-room coffee and tea
Parking fees:
Electric car charging stations: 4, For a fee
On-site parking, fee: $24 USD daily
Valet parking, fee: $32 USD daily
How to get to the Sheraton Maui
Airport shuttle service, fee: $60 USD (one way)
Alternate transportation: Hawaiian Executive Private Car Service; on request
Estimated taxi fare: $100 USD (one way)
Uber and Lyft are available but prices can range from $50-100 depending on availability.
Guest Rooms
All the rooms were newly renovated this year giving the rooms a fresh new modern look. We like to stay in Building 6, where all rooms are deluxe ocean view rooms. Although it is located on the opposite side of the hotel, the building is on a bluff above a drop-off, leaving the area quiet and private.
The bed is a perfect balance of firm and soft, allowing for a good nights sleep.
These rooms are fairly large for 2 people, and also have an empty mini fridge and a microwave, perfect for things like wine and popcorn (my faves). There are not mini bars in these rooms, so stop at an ABC Store and stock up on your way in!
The bathroom has a shower tub combo, with a shower head that you can use as a hose, which is great for washing sandy feet! Their amenities are pretty standard with shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and shower cap. The best part of the renovation of the bathrooms is they added a bidet!
Honestly, it’s the view here that keeps us coming back. I mean, can you blame us?
Sheraton Maui Views
POOL VIEWS AT THE SHERATON MAUI
Swim time!
The lagoon-like pool consists of two big pools that funnel like a river to connect and even has a small slide. There are usually bean bag floaties available in the pool which are perfect for towing your Mai Tai around. They just added some lounges around in the pool cabanas!
You’re also a few steps away from swimming in ocean! Although it is the Pacific and thought to be cooler waters, sometimes the ocean is warmer than the pool! The Sheraton is located against black rock, which is the perfect place to snorkel! You can typically see turtles in Maui almost anywhere, but I always have the best luck when snorkeling around Black Rock. If you go in the little shallow cove, they are usually eating in there!
Although the black rock is dark and jagged above water, a beautiful reef lies below the surface where you will often see huge green sea turtles swimming around along with tons of aquatic life including butterfly fish, beautiful colored wrasse, rays and you might even find an octopus (if you look very closely). Watch where you swim, many vacationers like to jump off Black Rock into the water! If you’re adventurous, plunge away, but be careful climbing up the rocks!
Please protect the reef and get some reef-safe sunscreen:
Restaurants at the Sheraton Maui Resort
There are 5 restaurants on the property and beach access to more hotels and Whalers Village. You won’t go hungry, that’s for sure.
Before you go, check out everything you need to pack for Hawaii here: Packing Checklist for Hawaii
Breakfast views from ROCKsalt
Coral Reef Breakfast (fka ROCKsalt)
I’m not typically a buffet person but everything here is amazing! There is something for everyone bacon, eggs, frittatas, pancakes, waffles, fruit, French toast, and there is also an omelet station where the chef makes it right in front of you! Definitely try the guava juice!
Drinks at the Cliff Dive Grill
WATCH THE CLIFF DIVERS FROM THE CLIFF DIVE GRILL
Cliff Dive Grill
Located by the pool, great for lunch or an afternoon snack. Can’t go wrong with their burger or chicken sandwich. At sunset, the cliff diver lights all the torches around the pool and along the top of black rock, then jumps into the water.
Mai Tai Bar
Similar to the Cliff Dive Bar, located next to the pool and a short walk from the beach, Mai tai’s are a must here! Food is also served here, sandwiches, burgers, fries, but this bar is only open from 10a-3p. Head over to the Cliff Dive bar for Happy Hour!
Shave Ice!
A Shave Ice spot replaced the hot-dog joint and I couldn’t be happier! It’s open earlier in the day and great for taking down to enjoy on the beach, by the pool, or even on your room balcony!
See more of our favorite restaurants in our post, 10 Best Restaurants in Maui.
Maui Nui Lu’au
Discover the remarkable stories, history, and culture of the Valley Isle and Kaanapali through the songs and dances of Maui and the Pacific at the Maui Nui Luau! Pro Tip: You can get discount tickets for the Maui Nui Lu’au HERE!
ENTRANCE TO THE SPA AT BLACK ROCK
The Spa at Black Rock
We love getting our annual couples massage at the resort, especially after a few scuba dives or doing a trip to Hana (see our favorite things to do in Maui and Road to Hana posts for more on that).
We usually get a basic full body massage for 50 mins ($130), but this last time we went for the 80 mins ($180) and it was worth every penny. The spa rooms are patio like with natural sunlight peaking from the top, complete with soothing Hawaiian tunes. The spa offers a variety of massages and invites travelers to relax on the massage tables around the resort! There are a couple closer to the ocean for that soothing sound of waves crashing.
Ahhh.. it’s relaxing just thinking about it.
Perfect for a Destination Wedding
Josh proposed to me up on Haleakala at sunrise while we stayed at the Sheraton in 2013. As we started wedding planning on our balcony, we decided we wanted to get married on the lawn directly below us. A year later, we were married on that exact lawn (Moana Lounge) and hosted our reception on the ocean lawn with 70 of our closest friends and family. It was literally the best day of our lives in our favorite place.
If we weren’t already sold on the location, the ice cream bar option sealed the deal! ;-) We had a lovely coordinator for the day from the hotel and they worked with the best vendors!
Would you stay here?! Have you stayed somewhere you loved? Let us know in the comments below!
We always find the best rates on Booking.com - always check there prior to booking anywhere else!
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The Seychelles was one of the most relaxing and beautiful islands we’ve ever been to! Where to stay in the Seychelles? You must stay at the Hilton Northolme Resort and Spa and get a pool villa! See why this was the best hotel in the Seychelles!