Tag: Beaches

Colombia, Destinations, Travel

Rosario Islands Day Trip: A Review of Islabela Eco Resort

Krystal standing in the water at Islabela

A trip to Cartagena wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the beach. But after reading numerous reviews of the beaches in the Bocagrande district citing thick crowds, constant offers from street vendors (including oyster scams and sudden massages), and slightly murky water, we decided to look further afield to Colombia’s Rosario Islands. The islands …

Destinations, Florida, Packing Lists, Style, Travel, USA

A Lazy Beach Getaway in John’s Pass, Florida, and Everything I Packed

Michael’s answer to where he wanted to go for his birthday was the same as last year: “The beach.” “Are you sure?” I asked. “Absolutely,” he replied, and off I went exploring both of Florida’s coasts on Airbnb. I compiled a short list of places to stay, and he chose a small studio in John’s …

Destinations, Florida, Travel, Travel Tips, USA

10 Things Everyone Should Know Before They Visit Florida for the First Time

Flamingos standing in and around water

“it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.”

Destinations, Florida, Style, Travel, USA

Miami Beach Photo Diary

Alyssa walks along Miami Beach

My “year of Florida travels” continues! …sort of. Michael and I savored our only weekend at home during the month of September, which meant we needed to squeeze another Florida destination somewhere else on the calendar. Thankfully our flight to Europe was booked out of Miami, and who am I to deny these perfectly-aligned circumstances? …

Destinations, Florida, Packing Lists, Style, Travel, USA

Traveling Light: A Packing List for Jacksonville, Florida

Downtown Jacksonville from Fuller Warren Bridge at Night

On Monday I shared what we did during our weekend in Jacksonville, Florida and today I’ll share my packing list for the weekend away. As a refresher, this trip took place over a weekend in July (i.e. smack-dab in the middle of the hot, sticky, sweaty Florida summer) and included a trip to the zoo, …

Destinations, Florida, Travel, USA

36 Hours in Jacksonville, Florida

Alyssa stands in a bamboo garden at the Jacksonville Zoo

It was surfing that brought Michael and me to Jacksonville one weekend. Not what you expected, right? Perhaps a sporting event or convention or family or something, but not surfing. Yet there we were on a recent Saturday, standing on the beach in our swimsuits and wondering what we’d gotten ourselves into. This post contains …

Destinations, Florida, Packing Lists, Style, Travel, USA

Traveling Light: Destin, Florida (30A) Packing List

A Basket Backpack with sunglasses and sandals

A real-life packing list for Destin, Florida (30A)

Destinations, Florida, Travel, USA

Weekend Travel Guide for Destin, Florida (30A)

Two chairs on the beach in Miramar Beach

Destin, 30A, whatever you choose to call this area, here’s how to have a truly local experience.

Destinations, Mexico, Packing Lists, Style, Travel

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Packing List

A cover photo that reads "Puerto Vallarta Packing List"

Typically I title the posts in my packing series “Traveling Light,” but I didn’t feel that was a fair statement to apply to my Puerto Vallarta packing list post. In fact, I could almost title this post “summer travel capsule” as it includes nearly all of my warm-weather items! The hot-weather forecast in PV meant …

Destinations, Food, Mexico, Restaurants, Travel

A Vibrant Travel Guide for Five Days in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Papel Picado hangs over the street in Puerto Vallarta

We were so delighted to receive an invitation to attend the wedding of two dear friends in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico over Memorial Day weekend. Neither Michael nor I had ever visited Mexico’s west coast, and we were grateful for the excuse to get away to a destination we might not have normally selected. Getting to …