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Fall is my all-time favorite season. It is the start of cooler weather (but not cold), beautiful colorful trees, and weeks of holiday celebrations. After moving to Colorado, I realized fall weather and fall colors can last for more than a day! And with that, means more time to celebrate Halloween.
I recently wrote a blog sharing some haunted hot spots in Colorado for a friend whose blog is all about Halloween. Her blog is called Spooky Little Halloween and you can read the post here. If you need any Halloween inspiration throughout the entire year, this should be your go-to blog.
If you’re like me and are less inclined to the scary side of Halloween, here are a few ideas of
Non-scary things to do in Colorado to celebrate Halloween.
Pumpkin Nights is a half-mile walk through different scenes, like a pirate’s cove and a forbidden pumpkin city. Each scene is filled with hand-carved real and artificial pumpkins designed and built by local artists. While on your walk you can enjoy snacks and beverages, including adult beverages. I went with a group of friends, and it was a night filled with Halloween fun without all the Halloween terror.
This event is especially good for the little ones. The Denver Zoo opens its doors during the day for families to come and enjoy trick-or-treating, entertainment, and zoo fun. It is a unique and fun way to experience the zoo for the whole family.
One of my favorite winter activities is walking through the Botanic Gardens when they set up their Blossoms of Light show. They now have a similar experience for Halloween, but with pumpkins! A little different than Pumpkin Nights, they use all real carved pumpkins to light up the Gardens. There are elaborate locally carved pumpkins and sculptures spread out throughout the Denver Botanic Gardens. There is also trick-or-treating, fire performances, pumpkin carving demonstrations, and glow-in-the-dark games. Costumes are highly recommended. This is a very popular event and sells out fast!
The Chatfield Botanic Gardens hosts a Pumpkin Festival every year. It is more than just a place to pick out your pumpkins in a pumpkin patch, though. There is an antique tractor exhibit, pony rides, photo booths, food, beer stations, and a corn maze. It is the perfect event to attend to get you in the fall spirit.
If you are looking for some scarier activities to do in Colorado to celebrate Halloween, head to Spooky Little Halloween. What are your favorite Halloween traditions?
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Travelers, I am so excited to be sharing this guest blog post with you by Miranda Enzor with the blog Spooky Little Halloween! I virtually met Miranda through a blogger group I’m a part of. When I learned about her blog and how it revolves around Halloween every day of the year, I had to get to know her more. She was willing to share some of the greatest places to visit for Halloween with us. I hope you all enjoy her 5 perfect places for a Halloween vacation!
When you think of holiday travel, I’m willing to bet my candy corn Halloween is the last holiday that comes to mind. You’re more likely to think of that fantastic Christmas vacation your family took as a kid or the spring break you spent with friends on a beach, right?
But I bet you’re also not thinking about the thing holidays and traveling have in common: they’re a great way to make memories that last a lifetime.
Both are a way to mark the passing of time, spend time with important people in my life and have experiences together that I’ll always remember.
Plus, traveling during Halloween season (September/October) is a chance to travel in the off-season, as Sarah talks about in this blog post. You’re missing the crowds, spending less on hotels and flights and getting a chance to see more! So why not combine them? Today we’re going to do just that as I share
5 perfect places for a Halloween vacation across the U.S. and the world.
1. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Disneyland and Disney World
Celebrate Halloween in the House of the Mouse! Both Disneyland and Disney World are known for going big when it comes to the spooky season with Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Both parks transform overnight into a pumpkin wonderland. The nightly parade takes on a haunted look, new spooky treats pop up in all the restaurants and one-of-a-kind Halloween merch goes on the shelves of park shops. Plus, this is one of the few chances you have to wear a true costume in the park! Learn more about the Disneyland celebration and the Disney World celebration.
2. Salem, MA
There is no spookier spot in the United States for Halloween than Witch City itself! Salem’s Haunted Happenings takes place all October and includes something for everyone, from a witch’s market and family movie night to parades, trolley tours and even great restaurants that embrace “eat, drink and be scary”.
Plus, Salem is in the heart of historic New England. Of course, you can explore spots important to the Salem Witch Trials, but the city also has a rich history in maritime, American literature, and is home to the Peabody, one of the fastest-growing museums in the country. Learn more about Salem.
3. Sleepy Hollow, NY
Sleepy Hollow is just a quick train ride north of New York City and a spot that comes alive in the fall. It is home to Washington Irving’s classic, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”. Stop by the city cemetery for a peek at his grave, a walking tour of a cemetery full of notable American names, like Rockefeller and Carnegie, or even one of their special events.
Wander the city’s sleepy downtown area for local shops and restaurants (the Bridge View Tavern is a personal fave), then stop by the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze for a Halloween experience you’ll never forget.
4. The Stanley Hotel
Here’s one right in Sarah’s backyard! The Stanley Hotel is famous for inspiring The Overlook in Stephen King’s “The Shining”. It sits at the foot of the Rockies just outside Estes Park in Colorado and quietly embraces its connection to one of the most infamous stories in horror. In addition to offering night tours that share the hotel’s paranormal history, The Stanley also hosts The Shining Ball AND a masquerade ball each October. It’s the perfect spot to spend a night or two anytime in October.
5. Bran Castle
Looking to go international with your spooky travels? Bran Castle near Brasov, Romania in the region of Transylvania is one that’s on my bucket list because it’s also known as Dracula’s Castle. Why? Because the 1970s communist government of Romania thought it’d be a great marketing tool for their country!
And it’s one that worked. While the castle was once home to Vlad the Impaler – a blood-thirsty ruler who earned his nickname for his penchant for impaling enemies and criminals, which one could argue is downright vampiric – there is no direct connection between Vlad and the castle and Bram Stoker’s novel, “Dracula”. The vampire myth, however, stemmed from Romanian folklore well before the book was written, and over the years the two have merged together.
No matter where you go, there is no wrong way to celebrate October 31st – Happy Halloween!
Miranda Enzor is the writer, blogger and Halloween lover behind SpookyLittleHalloween.com, the blog celebrating October 31st all year long. Halloween has been one of her favorite holidays to celebrate for as long as she can remember. These days she keeps her love of the spooky season alive by hosting her annual party, Halloweenie Roast, carving as many jack-o-lanterns and possible and, of course, writing her blog.
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Fall is my all time favorite season and having lived in Colorado for 5 years now, I love it even more. First off, you can actually enjoy a long fall here in Colorado. Temperatures stay relatively warm until November, so you can enjoy being outside! Second, the amount of Aspen trees turning yellow throughout the state are in the millions (or so it seems). I feel like every year I’m discovering a new favorite spot to view the fall leaves.
If you are looking to see the fall colors in Colorado, there are plenty of options that are easy day drives from Denver all the way to weekend long adventures.
Here are my top favorite places to see fall colors in Colorado.
Breckenridge
Guanella Pass is a 22 mile paved road that leads you from Georgetown, Colorado to Grant Colorado. You get beautiful views of Mount Bierstadt Mount Evans, two famous Colorado 14ers, as well as incredible fall foliage.
Boreas Pass is a 22 mile gravel road that brings you from US Highway 285 to Breckenridge, Colorado.
One year, I took a “sick” day from my full time job and drove up to Boreas Pass. It was so worth it! Having basically the whole road to myself made for easy leaf viewing, and I could go at my own pace and get some really great photos. These roads get super busy on the weekends, so if you can take some time off during the week to take a drive, I would recommend doing that.
Crested Butte
If I could have a second home in the mountains, it would be in Crested Butte. Crested Butte is my favorite mountain town, no matter what season it is. But fall is a magical time to be in Crested Butte. There are so many roads, passes, and trails you can explore to see the fall leaves. And since it is about a 4 hour drive from Denver, it doesn’t get as busy as places like Breckenridge.
Ohio Creek Pass is an 11 mile gravel road road that connects to Kebler Pass. Along this drive I saw some orange leaves mixed in with the traditional yellow of the aspens.
Kebler Pass connects Crested Butte with Highway 133 near Somerset, Colorado. It is a 33 mile gravel road that passes through Gunnison National Forest. The amount of times I stopped to take photos and explore made this 2 hour a drive a full day adventure! This may be my favorite drive near Crested Butte.
Washington Gulch Road is a dirt road that heads to the mountains right from Main Street in Crested Butte. I didn’t drive too much of this road, but have driven to Horse Ranch Park Loop multiple times and the hike has incredible views with gorgeous aspen groves. It is a 6 mile roundtrip trail.
Independence Pass is the scenic way to get from Denver to Aspen. It’s a beautiful highway winding through the mountains full of aspen trees. There aren’t too many places to pull off and take in the scenery, so make sure to be safe. If you do pull off, pull off far enough for cars to pass by!
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If you are heading to Olympic National Park for the first time, the thought of all you can do can be overwhelming. Depending on what season you go, you can hike, swim, camp, fish, snowshoe and so much more. When I visited Olympic National Park for the first time, it was late spring and I only had a few short days, so I couldn’t do it all! Here are my thoughts on the most memorable things to do in Olympic National Park. I would love to hear what you think after you visit!
Hiking Trails in Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is not short on hiking trails. They range from short distances to day long or weekend long hikes. Pick and choose which one fits your hiking preferences and explore! We chose to do the Hoh River Trail (just part of it, since it is 17.5 miles long, one way!) and the Hall of Mosses. Both trails were so vibrant lush with all shades of green I wondered if I was back in Ireland!
Hall of Mosses
The Hall of Mosses Trail is part of the Hoh Rain Forest and is 0.8 miles long. This is a quick beautiful walk through an actual rain forest! I couldn’t believe how tall the trees were and how green and luscious everything looked. Make sure to remember your raincoat. I never knew if it was actually raining or if I was just getting wet from the moisture filled air. When it was raining, I never got too drenched because the trees are a great umbrella for protection.
Hoh River Trail
The Hoh River Trail is also a part of the Hoh Rain Forest. This trail is 17.5 miles long one way! We only walked and explored a little ways and then turned around. It was just as beautiful as the Hall of Mosses, but a bit more strenuous. We went on a Saturday and still only saw one other couple on the trail. It’s very secluded and serene. It’s a great trail to get out in nature, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and just be.
The Coast at Olympic National Park
One of the most memorable things to do in Olympic National Park for me was walking the coast at low tide. This could be because I love the ocean and the calm it brings my soul when I’m near the tide or it could be all the starfish we got to see! Make sure you check the time of low tide and go to Kalaloch Beach during this time. Just look at all we got to see!
While you are here, see if you can find this tree that is basically just hanging in thin air. Some call it the ‘Tree of Life’ and some call it ‘Tree Root Cave’. Whatever it’s official name is, make sure to explore this area and underneath the tree. Technically, the tree shouldn’t be alive with its roots so exposed to the coastal weather, but hey, sometimes we just keep fighting!
Also, the walk down to the beaches (like the photo below on the left) at Olympic National Park are a site to see themselves! There is no shortage of beauty in this park, that is for sure.
What things do you love to do in Olympic National Park that I missed? I will definitely be getting back here one day!
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When traveling with my husband, we try to do and see as much as possible in a new destination. With only six days to explore Maui and knowing how much there is we wanted to see on this beautiful island, we knew we had to make the most of our time there. When I asked around about what to do on Maui, everyone said we had to do The Road to Hana. Most people are able to do this drive in one day, but knowing my husband and how long he can take shooting with his camera while exploring new places, I knew I had to plan for two days on the Road to Hana. Lucky for me, this meant that we got to stay at Travaasa, one of my dream hotels, located in Hana!
Planning out our trip, we decided to fly into Maui late on our first night, rent an AirBnb in Paia (right near the start of the Road to Hana on Maui), and get a fresh start on the Road to Hana first thing in the morning.
Here are all all stops you need to make along your journey on the Road to Hana on Maui!
*Side Note* I don’t normally get car sick, but these windy roads did make my stomach a little queasy. Luckily, there are plenty of stops along the way where my stomach got a break from the car. Just be prepared if you are someone who gets car sick! But don’t let this deter you from going. It is definitely worth it!
Stop 1: Fuel up at Colleen’s at the Cannery
We woke up early to start our drive along the Road to Hana. We decided to fuel up at Colleen’s at the Cannery in Haiku, a restaurant I read many raving reviews about. It was so good, I forgot to take a photo of my food to share before I devoured it all, so here is a photo of the outside! Colleen’s opens at 6am every day, so no matter how early you want to start on your Road to Hana journey, Colleen’s will be ready for you!
Stop 2: Hike Twin Falls
The Twin Falls area has a few easy hikes to explore. This first photo is a trail that leads past Twin Falls to the river upstream. We hit this spot right at the perfect time to see beautiful sunlight streaming through. These short hikes are not strenuous and are easy for everyone from little kids to grandparents. I enjoyed that this first “hike” was easy, considering my stomach was still very full from the delicious breakfast at Colleen’s!
Here is a photo of the actual Twin Falls, just a short walk from the parking area.
Stop 3: Eat at a Food Stand
We didn’t stop at a food stand since we were still so full from Colleen’s Restaurant, but I read wonderful things about this food stand at Huelo Lookout (another great stop). If you are hungry or thirsty, make sure to stop and grab some fresh fruit and smoothies to fuel you for the rest of the drive.
Stop 4: Walk Around Keanae Peninsula
I was really excited for this stop along the Road to Hana because of the history. When you enter Keanae Peninsula, you pass by a stone church that was built in 1856. A large tsunami hit this village in 1946, killing 24 people. The waves topped 45 feet and crashed into the village with no warning. The church was the only remaining building after the tsunami hit. Due to the tragedy of this tsunami, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center was created, which now sends out tsunami warnings for all of the Pacific Ocean. With such a beautiful stop, it was sad to think about the village and lives that used to be here.
Even without a tsunami, you can see how rough the waves are crashing into the edge of this peninsula.
Stop 5: Waikani Falls
This is a quick stop you will miss if you aren’t keeping an eye out. As you cross a bridge, this waterfall is right off to your side. It’s a quick pull off to view. It’s definitely worth a stop simply because it’s so easy to see!
Stop 6: Visit Black Sand Beach
Black Sand Beach at Wai’ anapanapa State Park is a beautiful place to stop and see. Oh, and there are bathrooms! We got to this spot late afternoon and the beach was packed with people. Unfortunately, most of the beach is pretty rocky and only a little bit is sand. If you want to lounge on the beach, I’d recommend getting here earlier in the day to get a good sandy spot.
If you are a camper, this is also a great spot to stop and camp for the night.
Stop 7: Rest in Hana at Travaasa
I wish we could have stayed here longer, and I hope one day we will be back. But man, if you can spend at least one night at Travaasa, please do! I will be writing a blog post soon highlighting the hotel and all it has to offer. In the meantime, this pool was one of my favorite spots to relax.
We also got to see a beautiful rainbow after our morning yoga class! Talk about perfection.
After a night of relaxation at Travaasa, head to your next stop. Normally people turn around and head back once they hit Hana, but I recommend taking the south side back to the main part of Maui. I personally loved this half of the Road to Hana much more than the first half.
Stop 8: Relax at Hamoa Beach
After a morning of yoga, meditation, beautiful rainbows, and a delicious breakfast at Travaasa, we headed on our way to finish up the drive on the Road to Hana. Our first stop was at Hamoa Beach. This beach is consistently rated one of the top beaches on Maui. I can definitely see why. If we could have stayed at Travaasa another night, I would have been sitting on this beach for an entire day! I’m a beach girl, if you can’t tell!
Stop 9: Hike the Pipiwai Trail inside Haleakalā National Park
Our next stop, and where we spent most of the day, was the Pipiwai Trail. If you want to be memorized by the views and the sounds of walking through a bamboo forest, make sure to hike the Pipiwai trail. When we were there, we were one of the few people hiking. It was an odd combination of peacefulness and eeriness. When walking through the bamboo forest portion of the hike, it was nearly silent. Then the wind would pick up and the bamboo would bounce against each other making hollow wind chime sounds. It is hard to explain. You will just have to experience it on your own! The hike is 1.8 miles one way and leads to to he hike leads to Waimoku Falls.
After your last stop at Haleakala National Park, continue the drive on the backside of Haleakela. It honestly looks like the hillsides of Ireland.
What are your favorite stops along the Road to Hana on Maui?
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There is a lot you can do in Seattle for a day! My husband and I spent the weekend in Olympic National Park and decided to spend a day in Seattle before flying back to Denver. My list was, of course, way too long to fit into one day. So I narrowed it down to five essentials. A little bit of beer, food, art, and touristy sites!
Pike Place Market
You can’t go to Seattle and not walk around the long halls of the public market, Pike Place Market. We stumbled upon a store that has years upon years of old magazines and newspapers. It was fun to flip through and see all the headlines year after year. There are also rows and rows and rows of tulip and flower shops! If we weren’t flying home the next day, I would have bought a bundle! And finally, if you get lucky, you can see the iconic fish throwers whipping their catch around the store.
Eat (and drink) at Old Stove Brewing
Head around the back side of Pike Place Market and find Old Stave Brewery. It is right on the water and has beautiful views of the city! The food and beer is delicious, definitely what you deserve from walking around the market for awhile.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
After your stomachs are satisfied, make your way to Chihuly Garden and Glass. We got tickets here in advance that included entrance to the Chihuly Garden and Glass and a ride to the top of the Space Needle that is right next door.
I am obsessed with blown glass. It’s my favorite souvenir to purchase… so far in Hawaii, Italy, and now Seattle. Walking through an entire museum of incredible blown glass work blew my mind. I also really wanted to touch each piece but held back! These artists in my opinion are magicians, and it was a special treat to be able to see so many beautiful pieces of blown glass all in one space.
Space Needle
I could have spent all day at the Chihuly Garden and Glass, but we had tickets to the Space Needle, so next door we went!
Normally, I am not afraid of heights, but it was a bit trippy at the top of the Space Needle! I can’t believe that when they built this, none of the workers were wearing harnesses or protective gear to keep them from falling 80 feet to their death. Miraculously, no one was injured during the construction of the Space Needle! It was insane to see the progress photos and the men just hanging out at the top of the needle doing work with no harnesses.
The view from the top is amazing, but be forewarned if you are afraid of heights!
Optimism Brewery
And finally, end your night with a drink or two at Optimism Brewery. The atmosphere is really fun with outdoor space for games and the beer is delicious. It’s hard to not end your day in Seattle on a high note with cute glasses like this! Oh and don’t worry about tipping- they pay their employees fairl here :)
What is your favorite thing to do in Seattle in a day?
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After weeks of non-stop pressure from work and life, my two girlfriends and I desperately needed an all-inclusive getaway. Within a few days of talking about a girls weekend, we had this trip booked. That’s just how bad we all needed it! My requirement was an all-inclusive resort in Cabo. My friends’ requirement was amazing food. We quickly narrowed in on Paradisus Los Cabos, and to really make it a ‘Treat Yo Self’ weekend, we splurged for the Adults-Only Royal Service with a butler. We booked our trip and were all ready for five days of relaxation, delicious food, and girl talk!
Paradisus Los Cabos is an all-inclusive getaway resort in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico right on the coast of the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean. Something unique about this resort is the family section and adults-only section. There are separate check-ins for both these room categories and a third check-in area for the rest of the guests. It really makes the check-in process go quickly and smoothly.
Hotel Rooms
The rooms are spacious and very comfortable at Paradisus Los Cabos. My two girlfriends and I stayed in a Royal Service Ocean View Suite with two queen beds. There was plenty of room for all of us and our stuff! And we had a beautiful view of the pool and ocean. This is the adults-only side of the resort, so we didn’t have to worry about crying kids in the middle of the night.
In the adults only part of the resort, there are swim-up suite room options. These rooms have a king bed and a large hydromassage tub inside the room, perfect for a honeymoon couple!
Food
My two friends wanted delicious food and they certainly got it! I cannot rave enough about the food at Paradisus Los Cabos and neither could they!
There are seven different restaurants at Paradisus Los Cabos:
Naos is a breakfast buffet with plenty of food options to choose from.
Bana is Asian fusion. We loved the sushi so much we got it multiple times and had fun at Teppanyaki one night.
Mole is the Mexican restaurant. You can order whatever you want on the menu, but our waiter asked us our meal preferences (I am vegetarian) and brought out the best options for us. It was great to be surprised and all the food was authentic and amazing. Make sure to get the churros!! And bring some back for me. :)
Terraza & Market Grill is an Italian steakhouse
La Palapa is next to the adults-only pool and is only for the Royal Service guests. You can get pool side dining from the restaurant or go sit in the restaurant to eat. Make sure to get the shrimp!! It was so good we got it almost every time we went to the pool!
Gastro Bar by Martin Berasategui is the only restaurant that is an extra charge and the attire is very fancy.
Gabi Beach overlooks the ocean and beach and is open pretty much all day
Royal Service Lounge Bar has food and drinks and is only for the Royal Service guests. Their breakfast smoothies are really refreshing on a hot morning!
The food is really worth the hype at Paradisus Los Cabos. They always ask if you have any food allergies or restrictions in order to provide you the best dining experience during your stay.
Swimming Pools
There are two swimming pools at Paradisus Los Cabos, well technically three if you count the swim-up suites! The main one is for all guests. It is large enough that it never feels crowded. It has a swim-up bar and a zero entry making it easy for kids (and adults!) to get in and out.
The second pool is adults only and for Royal Service guests. I personally liked the main pool better because there is so much seating that it feels like you have your own little corner of paradise. It is also entertaining to watch the pool aerobics class happening in the middle of the day! For being a family friendly resort, there weren’t many kids around. We were there in the middle of May, so I’m not sure what the resort will feel like when kids are out of school. It was nice to have the option to go to the adults-only side if we wanted.
Beach
The beach right next to Paradisus Los Cabos is HUGE. It is more of a rocky sand than smooth sand, though. There is a roped off section of the beach for Paradisus Los Cabos guests with towels, lounge chairs, umbrellas, and beach side food and drink service. There is a roped off section in the ocean that is technically swimmable, but the waves were so rough I didn’t want to go in any farther than dipping my toes. I would be nervous to have kids swimming in it.
Family-Friendly
Along with having an adults-only section of the resort, Paradisus Los Cabos is very family friendly. There is a section of the hotel that is meant for families. These rooms have backpacks with beach toys for the kids. At night, you can request milk, cookies and a bedtime story from your family concierge specialist. There is free group babysitting so the parents can have time to themselves. AND while we were at Paradisus Los Cabos, we joined in on a movie showing of Moana with popcorn blankets and pillows.
Activities
We spent five days at Paradisus Los Cabos without leaving the resort and did not get bored once on our all-inclusive getaway weekend! There are plenty of daily activities to do along with plenty of relaxation options. We got a good laugh out of watching the pool time aerobics class (which I should have joined). We got up early one day and participated in a yoga class overlooking the beautiful ocean. One afternoon we took a wine tasting class. It was really fun to learn more about the wine they serve at Paradisus and different notes and flavors to pick up in the wines.
If you are a Royal Service guest, you are able to use the spa’s hydrotherapy pool without booking a spa treatment. We definitely spent time here!
If you want to just spend a weekend relaxing at an all-inclusive getaway, you can do that at Paradisus Los Cabos. It’s also very easy to go explore Cabo and do excursions, we just didn’t want to do that on this trip!
A Perfect All-Inclusive Getaway
With the different sections of the resort, Paradisus Los Cabos is a perfect all-inclusive getaway for everyone including families, friends, couples, weddings, honeymoons, and a girls weekend.
FAQs about Paradisus Los Cabos
Do I need to bring my own beach towel?
No! There are towels on every beach and pool chair and extras spread throughout the resort. There is no need to pack extra towels. Save that suitcase room.
When is the best time to visit?
August and September are incredibly hot and it is also hurricane season. If you want the best rates, this may be the best time to go, but the weather will not be ideal. Cabo barely gets any rain and stays relatively warm throughout the year, so visiting year round is a good idea!
Whale season is November through April. During this time you will see Humpback Whales coming down for the winter and then in spring going back up to Alaska for the summer. You can see whales from the resort itself or take a boat tour to see them up close.
Do I have to tip?
That is completely up to you. I recommend tipping $1-$3 per bag for bellmen, $1 per drink for the bartender, and $1-$3 per person at a meal. If you do get a butler, it is recommended to tip. You can tip each day, or do one large tip at the end of your stay. If you tip at the end of your stay, I recommend tipping $20-$30 per person.
Is there a swimmable beach?
Technically, there is an area of the ocean that is swimmable. It is roped off, so you know where to stay to be safe. When we were there, the water was pretty rough, and I wouldn’t recommend letting children swim in the water.
Can we drink the water?
Do not drink water out of the tap in Mexico. There are water stations throughout the grounds at Paradisus Los Cabos and this is with filtered, clean water. When drinking water at the restaurants, they provide you with filtered, safe water. When in your room, drink water out of the provided water bottles. To be extra careful, brush your teeth with bottled water, too.
Are there activities to do on the resort?
Yes! We did not leave the resort for five days and had plenty to do.
Is the Royal Service worth it?
Yes! I believe the Royal Service is worth it. They treat you well no matter what level of guest you are a Paradisus Los Cabos, but if you want that extra special treatment where you don’t have to worry about anything, Royal Service is where it’s at.
How environmentally friendly is Paradisus Los Cabos
Paradisus Los Cabos is striving to be as environmentally friendly as possible. They have linen napkins and no straws. The resort is trying to get rid of water bottles with water stations throughout the property. They still need to find a way to provide safe drinking water in the rooms without having water bottles. Finally, Paradisus Los Cabos has started to grow their own produce onsite!
Can you get married at Paradisus Los Cabos?
Yes! You can get married on the beach or on the pavilion overlooking the ocean.
How do I book a trip to Paradisus Los Cabos?
If you need help booking your next all-inclusive getaway to Paradisus Los Cabos, email me at thekeystotravel@gmail.com.
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Savannah, Georgia has become one of my favorite cities USA. It is beautiful and romantic, has an unbelievable history, and is exciting to explore. Here are my top tips for visiting Savannah, Georgia.
When to Visit Savannah
Summer in Savannah is incredibly hot and humid. August is the rainiest month along with the second hottest month (July being the hottest month). In July and August, prices for activities and hotels are pretty reasonable because most people are heading to the beach to get a break from the Southern summer heat.
Winter in Savannah is “cold”, and by cold I mean in the mid-60s and not humid, which is perfect for some people. Temperatures can get close to freezing, though, so be prepared if you run into some icy, cold conditions. Prices of hotel rooms are significantly lower than the summer.
Fall and Spring is a great time to visit Savannah. The temperatures are mild, room rates are reasonable, and it isn’t too crowded with most kids being in school. During spring time you can see plenty of blooming flowers all over the city.
If you want to avoid the crowds, heat, humidity, and high prices, my suggestion is visiting Savannah in late October through March.
You can’t visit Savannah without seeing one of the prettiest streets in America. Yes, Jones Street has officially been named one of the most beautiful streets and for good reason!
Located in the heart of the Historic District of Savannah, most of the homes were built in the mid-1800s on Jones Street. The extra wide street and sidewalks are paved with brick. The trees lining the street have hanging moss, which makes it a very romantic and peaceful location. Make sure to take a leisurely stroll down the brick paved sidewalk and dream of a life in one of these homes!
Savannah has 22 historic squares spread throughout the Historic District. The first squares were designed in 1733! These mini parks are a great break among all the historic homes and buildings. They provide shade and a comfy place to sit and read (and possibly visit with some ghosts).
Do a Haunted Pub Crawl
Savannah is one of the most haunted cities in the country… or so they say! Whether or not you believe in ghosts, doing a haunted tour or haunted pub crawl is a great way to learn the history of Savannah. On most of these tours, you walk around the Historic District of Savannah with a tour guide sharing stories of the most haunted squares, homes, and buildings. And of course, you end at a cemetery!
Get Lost in a Book at The Book Lady Bookstore
If you are a book nerd like me, finding a good bookstore is like visiting the candy store. The Book Lady Bookstore is Savannah’s only full service independent bookstore. They have all types of books, including brand new, slightly used, out of print, and rare finds. I can guarantee you will find some hidden gems in this tucked away oasis.
Stroll Around Forsyth Park
When visiting Savannah, Forsyth Park is a must-stop. It is one of Savannah’s most well-known and largest parks. It’s iconic feature, the Forsyth Fountain, is at the north end of the park. There is almost always an event going on, and you can often see a wedding group taking photos near the fountain.
Walk Savannah’s River Street
River Street is supposedly one of the most haunted areas in Savannah. If you are willing to battle the ghosts, River Street is a great area to explore at night. There are pubs and restaurants up and down the river. One of my favorites is Kevin Barry’s Irish Pub. They have live Irish music each night. With a glass of Guinness, it almost felt like we were back in Ireland!
Where to Eat and Drink in Savannah
Brunch at Clary’s Cafe
Visiting Savannah without stopping at Clary’s Cafe is not an option. Clary’s Cafe is a classic cafe with a basic menu, but the food is so good I’ve eaten there multiple times! Oh, and they serve breakfast all day!
Visit the Olde Pink House
Fun Fact: The Olde Pink House hasn’t always been pink! In 1771, the mansion was built with bricks and covered in white stucco. Over time, the red of the brick faded through the white of the stucco to give The Olde Pink House it’s pink hue!
The Olde Pink House is now a restaurant, but be careful of the ghosts that are said to roam the halls!
Drink and Walk Around Town
One of the many wonderful things about Savannah is the open-container law. This means you can take your drink to-go and explore Savannah with a drink in hand. Make sure to head to Wet Willies to get your frozen alcoholic drink to-go!
Where to Stay in Savannah
There are plenty of places to choose from when looking for a place to stay in Savannah. We chose to stay near Forsyth Park so we had easy access to all the hot spots in the Historic District. One great thing about Savannah is their free trolly system. The dot connects you (for free!) all around Downtown and the Historic District. They even have a free water ferry shuttle! This free shuttle system makes it very easy to find affordable lodging and get to where you want to go around Savannah.
Day Trips from Savannah
If you have extra time when visiting Savannah, make sure to check out these four place just a quick drive away.
Wormsloe Historic Site
You may have already seen photos of Wormsloe Historic Site without even knowing what it was! The iconic road surrounded by rows of live oaks is what I am talking about.
This estate is only 15 minutes from Savannah. There is a lot more to this Historic Site than the beautiful tree-lined road, though. It holds the ruins of the oldest standing structure in Savannah, built in 1745. Head there yourself to see this beautiful estate!
Savannah National Wildlife Refuge
When I was in Savannah with my family, we got the chance to go on a kayak tour with Savannah Coastal Ecotours in the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge. Kathryn and Fran helped us navigate the marsh and educated us along the way. I would highly recommend Savannah Coastal Ecotours for water excursions in and around Savannah. We didn’t see any alligators, but maybe you will!
Tybee Island
Tybee Island, also known as Savannah’s Beach, is the closest beach to Savannah. It is only about a 20 minute drive from the city, but is worth the drive, especially on a hot, humid summer’s day. If you want tips on what to do on Tybee Island, head to my friend Bree Pair’s blog. She created a really great Travel Guide to Tybee Island!
The Crab Shack
On the way back from Tybee Island, make sure to stop at The Crab Shack. It has a really laid back, beach feel with delicious seafood.
When you sit outside, the tables have a hole and trash can in the middle where you can throw the shells of your discarded seafood for convenience. Make sure to have a Captain Crab’s Sampler Platter for me!
Have you visited this beautiful city? What is your favorite thing to do in Savannah?
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As a travel advisor, I have toured quite a few all-inclusive resorts. I am always looking for something unique to share or a ‘wow’ factor that gives travelers a reason to visit. UNICO 20*87* is the resort to visit if you are looking for unique and authentic. Before I visited this resort, I followed their Instagram account closely. It’s hard to not want to visit with a feed as beautiful as theirs. Whether you are a couple looking for a romantic honeymoon destination or a group of friends wanting a girl’s getaway, UNICO offers a unique adults-only, all-inclusive retreat unlike anything else I have seen.
Design
The meaning behind the design aesthetic at UNICO is based on local, cultural immersion. UNICO takes hints from the local Riviera Maya community and implements them into the resort with major design details like the entryway lobby (below) all the way to small details like local artists’ work on the walls.
Rooms
There are multiple room options and sizes at UNICO. The one below is the traditional Alcoba Ocean View room, which has the option of a king size bed or two queens. These rooms are very spacious, and I never felt tight on space while sharing a room with a friend.
The rooms below are swim-up suite rooms. These rooms have direct access to your own private pool area!
All rooms without a swim-up pool include a hydro spa tub on the balcony that your local host can prep for you.
With the slippers, robe and hat UNICO provides in each room, I could have relaxed on my balcony all day long.
Food
The food is delicious at UNICO. They take local inspiration and use it in all their restaurants and bars. There are five restaurants, three bars, and in-room dining.
The in-room dining options are endless. You can get breakfast, lunch, dinner and even late night snacks. With room service this good, I had to order it a couple of times!
At the 20*87* Restaurant you can even get a mini ice-cream truck for the table! How cute is that?
Pools
There are three different pools at UNICO, one for whatever type of mood you are in.
La Unica Pool’s atmosphere is a mix between relax and party. In the morning you can do water yoga and then relax with a drink in hand all afternoon.
2. 20*87* Pool is the party pool. There is a swim-up bar, a blow-up volleyball net and a live DJ. If you want the party vibe, head to the 20*87* pool.
3. La Escondida Pool is for those who want to relax and enjoy some quiet time. There is peaceful music playing and always a very chill vibe.
Sometimes at all-inclusive resorts you have to wake up before the sun to claim your spot at the pool. I did not feel this was the case at UNICO. There is plenty of seating options around every pool, so even if I didn’t show up to the pool until mid-afternoon, I could still find a comfy chair to relax in.
Activities
There is always something going on at UNICO. If you like to have something to do all day and night on vacation, UNICO has it all. There is a UNICO app you can download on your phone that has the full schedule of activities. There is an activity for everyone from fitness classes to tequila tasting classes to live music and salsa lessons.
Volunteer
Another aspect of UNICO I love is their “Vacation for a Cause” program. It is a very simple volunteer program. They provide a list of needed items on their website and all you have to do is bring those items to UNICO when you visit. The staff then brings the donations to local non-profit organizations in their community. I don’t have children yet, so it was fun to shop for some coloring supplies to donate! See what types of things you can bring to donate when you visit UNICO here.
If you would like to learn more about visiting UNICO 20*87*, email me at hello@thekeystotravel.com, and we can start planning your vacation!
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So you’re heading to Oahu, Hawaii, but you’re not sure what you should do or things that shouldn’t be missed? Here are my top ten recommendations on what to do when traveling to the Island of Oahu!
1. Watch the Sunrise
Inevitably, you will have jet lag waking up the first morning in Oahu if you are flying in from the mainland. When you wake up before the sun, head over to the East side of the island to watch the sunrise. Lanikai Beach is great for this.
2. The Royal Hawaiian Hotel & Mai Tai Bar
Check out The Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Built in 1927, this hotel has incredible history. It is truly beautiful inside and out… it will be a hard one to miss considering it is a light pink on the outside, sometimes nicknamed the Pink Palace. Outside just steps from Waikiki Beach, make sure to try out the Mai Tai Bar. There are so many different mai tais and taste delicious.
3. Cinnamon’s
Eat at Cinnamon’sin Kailua for breakfast. Their guava pancakes are award winning for a reason! Also, try their ginger tea, and let me know if you can find out the secret ingredient that makes this tea so delicious.
4. The North Shore
Drive to The North Shore along the Kamehameha Highway. It is one of the most scenic drives on Oahu and there are plenty of food trucks to pick from along the way. The famous Shrimp Shack was my favorite spot! The North Shore in winter has huge waves with well known surfer competitions, but in the summer the ocean is pretty calm and this is a good floating spot for you and your favorite floatie!
5. Honolulu Botanical Gardens
If you need a break from the beach and sun, head to one of theHonolulu Botanical Gardens. There are five gardens throughout the island, so plenty to choose from depending where you are staying. We went to Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden. There are so many tropical plant species to learn about and see with plenty of walking trails. Also- free admission!
6. Hanauma Bay
If you are interested in snorkeling, head to Hanauma Bay. It is a very popular snorkel spot, so get there early. They will close if they reach capacity. They provide snorkeling gear and a quick tutorial and safety 101, if you need it. Otherwise, you can head on down to the beach and start snorkeling!
7. Waikiki Brewing Co.
Along the main drag in Waikiki is Waikiki Brewing Co. They have great beer and food and a fun atmosphere with plenty of seating indoors and out.
8. Hike
Three of my favorite hikes were Kaena Point, Manoa Falls Trail, and Diamond Head. Kaena Point is super hot and dry, so make sure to bring plenty of water. Fun Fact – It is also the most Western point of Oahu. For a hike where you are pretty much guaranteed to get wet, head to the center of the island for Manoa Falls Trail, You’re basically hiking through a rainforest, so bring a raincoat! Diamond Head is a touristy hike to do, but the views from the top are amazing. It is also very easy to get to if you are staying in Waikiki.
9. Luau
Experience an authentic Luau. We went to Germaine’s Luau and had a blast. You will learn the history to the Hawaiian Luau, enjoy a traditional Hawaiian feast, and watch and maybe participate in an authentic luau.
10. Shave Ice
And a final classic Oahu tradition is eat all the shave ice you can! You can find shave ice stands pretty much everywhere you go. There are so many flavors you can mix, and they are especially refreshing when you get hot from being out in the tropical sun! Let me know what your favorite flavor is when you are back on the mainland!
What are some of your favorite things to do when traveling to Oahu, Hawaii?
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