Here is where you will find travel blog posts highlighting travel destinations, travel guides, travel itineraries, and travel tips on destinations all over the world.

Top 10 Things To Do on Oahu

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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.

Sunrise over the Island of Oahu, Hawaii.

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.

  • Couple photo right outside the Royal Hawaiian Hotel

3. Cinnamon’s

Eat at Cinnamon’s in 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.

Guava pancake and breakfast at Cinnamon's in Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii.

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!

  • Food truck The Shrimp Shack along the highway to the North Shore in Oahu, Hawaii
  • Floating in the ocean in Oahu, Hawaii on a flamingo and swan float

5. Honolulu Botanical Gardens

If you need a break from the beach and sun, head to one of the Honolulu 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!

Oahu Botanical Gardens in Oahu, Hawaii.

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!

Hanauma Bay from above, a great snorkeling spot in Oahu, Hawaii.

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.

Beer at Waikiki Brewing Co in Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii.

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.

Authentic Hawaiian Luau in Oahu, Hawaii. Germaine's 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!

Shave Ice in Oahu, Hawaii.

What are some of your favorite things to do when traveling to Oahu, Hawaii?

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Aruba clear ocean with views of a wrecked ship

Top 10 Things to Do in Aruba

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Photos of the ocean in Aruba and the butterfly farm. Top 10 Things To Do In Aruba

Aruba’s slogan is ‘One Happy Island’ for a reason. There is so much to do on this tiny 74 square foot island, but you always feel relaxed and happy no matter what you’re doing. From relaxing on some of the top rated beaches in the world to exploring the Arikok National Park, here are my top 10 recommendations of what to do when visiting the beautiful island of Aruba.

1. Visit Flamingo Island

Flying into Aruba, you will land in the capital, Oranjestad. My recommendation is to stay two nights at the Renaissance Aruba Hotel and Casino, which is just a quick 10 minute taxi ride from the airport. That way you have time to explore the capital AND you can spend a full day at Flamingo Island! The Renaissance Hotel owns their own private island that guests can visit for free. The Island is technically called Renaissance Island and the Flamingo Island side is adults only and the Iguana Island side is family friendly. There are day passes for non-hotel guests, but it costs $99 per day per visitor and they only give out about 30 guest passes a day. On average, staying at the Renaissance Hotel costs $150 per night. Since I was staying with my husband, it was more cost effective and easier to stay at the hotel. Then we were guaranteed a full day at the island!  

  • Flamingo beach in Aruba, an island in the Caribbean
  • Flamingo beach in Aruba, an island in the Caribbean

2. Explore Arikok National Park

The west side of Aruba is filled with beautiful white sandy beaches, and the East side of the island is considered the “rugged” part of the island, which includes Arikok National Park. Spending time around the whole island, it is hard to believe these vastly different environments exist on one tiny island. Arikok National Park includes a lot to explore, from caves to natural pools. Some parts of the Park require a 4×4 vehicle (the natural pool areas), so make sure you are driving one of those if you want to visit! It does get VERY hot during the middle of the day, so make sure to get an early start. Entrance fee is $11/person.

  • Arikok National Park in Aruba rocky coast views
  • Dark Cave in Arikok National Park in Aruba

3. Yoga at Island Yoga

If you practice yoga, you probably know Yoga Girl, Rachel Brathen. Well, she lives in Aruba and started her own yoga studio called Island Yoga. If you’re lucky and she is in Aruba while you’re there, you can take a class with Rachel! They also offer stand-up-paddleboard yoga classes, have a really cute boutique and delicious cafe with all vegan options. It’s a must-stop while in Aruba.

  • Yoga Girl, Rachel Brathen, in Aruba at the Island Yoga Cafe
  • Island Yoga sign in Aruba

4. Relax on the Beach

Aruba’s beaches are what tropical vacation postcards are made of. Many of the beaches rank at the top in the world, including Eagle Beach, which was in National Geographic’s Top 24 Best Spots in the Caribbean. My favorite beaches with white sand and crystal, clear blue water (my vision of paradise), were Baby Beach on the southern tip of the island, Eagle Beach and Palm Beach. In Aruba, there are plenty of beaches to choose from to sit back and relax in the sun!

Baby Beach in Aruba with white sandy beaches and crystal clear blue ocean water.
Baby Beach

5. Snorkel or Dive

Crystal clear ocean blue water with an off shore shipwreck in Aruba

The ABC (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao) Islands are well known for their snorkeling and scuba diving thanks to the crystal clear blue waters. There are also a lot of shipwrecks, which is where a variety of fish gather. The ship in the photo to the left is a shipwreck we snorkeled and was my favorite snorkel spot. There were so many fish, it was unreal!

Unfortunately, we forgot to charge our Go-Pro and so we couldn’t capture this moment in photos.

A few other great snorkel spots is Baby Beach where we heard some people saw sea turtles, Mangrove Beach where my husband saw an octopus, and Catalina Cove where the water is crystal clear and very calm.

6. Sand Dune Sunrise

The California Sand Dunes are located on the far north corner of the island, just far enough to see a beautiful sunrise over the east side. It is a quick drive from the Palm Beach area. Like the name describes, it’s a large area of sand dunes, so driving there before the sunrise in the pitch black is a small challenge. It is worth it, though. We didn’t see anyone around for the entire sunrise and were able to explore the dunes on our own before heading back to our hotel for breakfast.

Sunrise over the ocean in Aruba

Also, an extra special treat for watching the sunrise at the California Sand Dunes is once the sun is up the California Lighthouse is visible!

California Lighthouse in Aruba

7. Deep Sea Fishing

Of course this is the part of the trip where my photos decided to disappear, but if you or your partner love fishing, deep sea fishing in Aruba is a must! There are so many types of fish available for catching. This was a special gift for my husband, but we both had a great time. I even caught a Tuna that we had for dinner (proof in the disappeared photos…)! Most of the fishing charters depart from the marina in Oranjestad and there are plenty of great options to choose from!

8. Enjoy Every Sunset

On an island this beautiful, it is no surprise that every sunset is worth watching. Many restaurants in Palm Beach have great views of the sunset that you can enjoy a drink or dinner while catching the last rays of the day. Or just pick a spot on the beach to sit back and relax while the sky puts on a show.

  • Sunset on Palm Beach in Aruba with palm trees
  • Sunset in Mangrove Beach in Aruba

9. Sunset Cruise

Another way to enjoy the sunset is to take a Sunset Cruise. There are multiple companies that offer this, but we decided to go with Red Sail Sports. We loved this group and you can tell the crew really enjoy their job. It’s about a 2 hour sail on a beautiful catamaran with complimentary appetizers, drinks for sale, and music. They depart right from Palm Beach where most of the hotels are located, so it’s very easy to walk to at the end of a day in the sun!

Sunset Cruise in Aruba

10. Hang With the Butterflies

If you need a break from all the sun and sand, head to The Butterfly Farm, which is right in-between Eagle Beach and Palm Beach. There are free guided tours throughout the day that share so much about the butterflies. You can freely roam the farm as long as you would like, and they provide you a ticket to come back for free during your stay in Aruba. Make sure to wear breathable clothes, it gets hot in there! Entrance fee is $15.

  • Monarch Butterfly at The Butterfly Farm in Aruba
  • The Butterfly Farm in Aruba with butterflies

Aruba is a beautiful tropical island with so much to offer. These were just 10 of my favorite things! What do you love to do most in Aruba?

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Snowshoeing Trail near Denver, Colorado.

Snowshoeing Trail Near Denver

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Dog running in the snow- Snowshoe Trail Near Denver

Colorado is definitely known for skiing and snowboarding, but my favorite winter activity is snowshoeing. One specific reason is because my dog, Lambeau, can join us. I think he was made for winter. He never looks happier than when he is running and playing in the snow. And yes, he wears dog booties because his paws pile in the snow real quick.

Goldendoodle dog running in the snow while parents are snowshoeing. Brainard Lake near Denver, Colorado.

Avoiding I-70 during winter is something I try to do often. This is the main highway to the mountains and is always jam packed on the weekends. I recently learned about a system of trails that are great for snowshoeing where you don’t have to take I-70. This trail system is Brainard Lake Recreation Area. It is out just past Boulder and takes only about an hour to get to from Denver. A very great option for a quick day hike.

Snowshoe trail near Denver, Colorado.

Brainard Lake Recreation Area has a lot of snowshoeing trail options. is free in the winter for visitors, and has a large parking lot. One snowshoeing trail leads right to Brainard Lake, which I hear is beautiful. However, if you bring your furry friend, you cannot use this trail. Instead, we went off on another trail that allows dogs and for a Sunday morning, it wasn’t busy at all. We basically had the trail to ourselves with some fresh new snow.

Getting out in nature, especially in the winter when the days are shorter and the weather is drearier, is a great way to reset and improve your mood. I would highly recommend this trail system as an easy day trip from Denver, for a snowshoe hike or a regular hike in the summer!

What are some of your favorite snowshoeing trails near your home or that you have tried while traveling?

Snowshoe trail near Denver, Colorado.

Where to Stay in Costa Rica

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Forest and ocean view - Where to Stay in Costa Rica

When I visited the Guanacaste Province of Costa Rica in December (I highly recommend going to Costa Rica in December!), I was able to tour multiple hotels. I was pleasantly surprised with the variety of hotel types in this region. There were all-inclusives, boutiques, and eco-friendly off the beaten path lodging. Costa Rica really has it all for any type of traveler!

Best hotels to stay at in the Guanacaste Region of Costa Rica
Best hotels to stay at in the Guanacaste Region of Costa Rica
Best hotels to stay at in the Guanacaste Region of Costa Rica
Best hotels to stay at in the Guanacaste Region of Costa Rica

Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Costa Rica

Planet Hollywood in Costa Rica just opened at the end of 2018. If you want to be treated like a Star on your vacation, head to Planet Hollywood. When you arrive, you are greeted with a cool towel and a delicious purple drink. It is all about experience here. You walk the red carpet, have your photo taken and everyone claps for you. It’s a great experience when arriving at a resort after a long day of travel.

Planet Hollywood Beach Resort in Costa Rica Red Carpet Entrance.

With a great all-inclusive program, you have many options from food and drink to activities. I luckily got to stay as a Star Class member, which I would recommend. You get additional benefits like a private pool and bar area (quieter and more relaxing than the main pool area), complimentary access to the hydrotherapy pool, upgraded room service, and more. You can’t go wrong staying at Planet Hollywood!

Planet Hollywood Costa Rica private pool for Star Class Members.

Hotel RIU Guanacaste

Hotel RIU is another all-inclusive option in the Guanacaste region. The RIU and the RIU Palace are right next to each other and both are great options for group or family travel. This resort is affordable and has the option of connecting rooms. RIU’s are known for their great locations on pristine beaches and this one did not disappoint. This resort is a large one with 3 pools, activities for kids and adults, all-inclusive 24 hours, large beachfront access, and so much more. If you’re looking for an affordable all-inclusive option, RIU is a good option.

View from Top Floor looking at the ocean at the Riu Guanacaste in Costa Rica.

Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo

Andaz is a lifestyle brand of Hyatt and you definitely feel their slogan “come as a visitor, depart as a local” the second you walk inside. Andaz is not an all-inclusive option, but don’t let that hold you back from visiting. Their unique architecture seems to be one with nature. They have four pools, one being an adults-only pool, and access to three beaches. They also have a private beach house! Being so intertwined with the natural environment, this hotel instantly calms and relaxes you.

View of the ocean and part of the Andaz at Peninsula Papagayo in Costa Rica.

El Mangroove

El Mangroove is part of the Marriott Autograph Collection. It is a modern hotel right on the Gulf of Papagayo. One of my favorite parts of this hotel was the spa area. The spa is incredible with outdoor spa stations, private relaxation pods, and all the services and treatments you could need to unwind and relax on your vacation. The hotel is surrounded by the forest and beautiful mangroves that Guanacaste is well known for.

Views of the private spa stations at the El Mangroove in Costa Rica.

Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica

If you want all-inclusive luxury, Secrets is the way to go. Their Unlimited Luxury program works to exceed your expectations of all-inclusive, and they do just that. This is an adults-only resort and is perfect for a couples getaway, honeymoon or destination wedding. Who wouldn’t want to relax with their honey with a view like that?

View of the beach at Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica.

Drift Away Eco Lodge

If you’re looking for a hotel off the beaten path away from tourists, definitely stay at the Drift Away Eco Lodge. This beautiful eco lodge is located south of Tamarindo and very much in with the locals. The beach is right across the road, just a short 3 minute walk. With no tourists around, the beach is basically your own private beach! I cannot recommend this hotel enough if you’re looking to get away, relax and rejuvenate.

Swimming pool with palm trees at the Drift Away Eco Lodge.

Are you interested in going to Costa Rica and need help deciding where to stay or what to do? Send me a message at hello@thekeystotravel.com, and we can start planning your trip!

Best hotels to stay at in the Guanacaste Region of Costa Rica

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Drift Away Eco Lodge Pool

The Drift Away Eco Lodge in Costa Rica

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Four photos of the Drift Away Eco Lodge in Costa Rica
Drift Away Eco Lodge in Costa Rica

If you’re looking for off the beaten path and a remote, beautiful stay in Costa Rica, I would highly recommend the Drift Away Eco Lodge.

Sign at the Drift Away eco-lodge in Cost Rica.

Drift Away Eco Lodge is located just 30 minutes south of Tamarindo in the Guanacaste Province of Costa Rica. The closest and easiest airport to fly into would be Liberia. I would recommend renting a car to get around, but there are many delicious local restaurants nearby and easy to get to and the beach is just steps away.

Drift Away Eco Lodge on a Google Map for direction.

While staying at the Drift Away Eco Lodge, I felt like I was really getting a feel for local Costa Rica and supporting the local community. To them, sustainability means being eco friendly and supporting the community. The staff are all local and so incredibly friendly and helpful. They always put a smile on my face. Drift Away works on local projects to help better the community they are a part of. And many of the products used at the hotel are sourced locally.

Drift Away Eco Lodge local sourced coffee and tea in Costa Rica.

One of my favorite parts about staying here (besides the basically private breach we had all to ourselves!) was the laid back, relaxing vibe. It is really a great place to relax and unwind. My life slowed down, and I was able to just enjoy the now. I enjoyed lounging by the pool, playing pool and ping pong, and eating the daily delicious breakfast.

Pool at the Drift Away Eco Lodge in Costa Rica.

I love that this hotel is built into the landscape. Luckily, I went in December right after rainy season so all the vegetation was so green and luscious. It felt like I was in a rainforest! One thing I noticed is how perfect this location would be for a group getaway, company retreat, or health retreat. There are plenty of spaces for breakout sessions, an area for yoga, and there are plenty of different room layouts to accommodate any group. I could see myself going a yoga retreat here… well any excuse to go back!

Drift Away Eco Lodge seating areas in Costa Rica.

Rooms

The rooms are beautiful and simple. Some rooms do have an open concept bathroom (no door!), so make sure you’re comfortable with whoever you are staying with! The furniture is all sourced and made locally along with the driftwood decorations. The memory foam mattresses are incredibly comfortable. It was hard getting out of bed each day… except the beach was always calling my name!

Hotel room at the Drift Away Eco Lodge in Costa Rica.

Beach

The beach is a 3 minute walk from the hotel. Like I said before, it is like having your own private beach all to yourself! I only saw a few people the couple days I were there, and they were all locals walking their dogs or jumping in the ocean for a quick swim. It was incredibly peaceful and a great way to just reset.

Beach in Costa Rica

If you are interested in staying at this hotel or have questions about Costa Rica, email me at thekeystotravel@gmail.com.

Happy Travels!

Drift Away Eco Lodge Pool in Costa Rica.

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Hammock on a beach at the Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort in Orlando, Florida

Why Stay at a Disney World Resort

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Four photos of Disney World - Why Stay at a Disney World Resort
Why Stay at a Disney World Property

There are many options when deciding where to stay when visiting Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. When my husband and I spent a weekend at Disney World, we decided staying at a resort on the Disney property was the best option, mainly because of the transportation. Disney has a convenient (and free) bus service to and from the Orlando International Airport, Disney Parks and Disney Springs. Having our hotel so close to the Disney Parks and with the convenient transportation allowed us more time at the parks and less time and money traveling each day.

Of course, another reason we decided to stay at a Disney Resort was to experience the full Disney charm throughout our entire vacation. We were only in Orlando for 2 full days, so that meant wanting to get our fill of Disney the whole time we were there.

There are numerous options to choose from when looking to stay on a Disney property from a campground, to value resorts, to moderate resorts, deluxe villas and luxury hotels. Ultimately, we chose Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.

  • Moderate resort hotel option
  • Close proximity to the Parks (Epcot and Magic Kingdom) that we were going to go to as well as Disney Springs and the Boardwalk
  • A fun “warm weather themed” resort that I was needing after some cold winter months in Colorado!
Hammock on a beach at the Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort in Orlando, Florida
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Even though we were at Magic Kingdom and Epcot for two full days, we were able to explore and enjoy the Caribbean Beach Resort on the two half days we had bookending our trip. If you’re going to Disney World, I would highly recommend staying on a Disney property to fully experience the Disney charm!

Where have you stayed when visiting Disney World? I would love new ideas for our next visit!

Do you need help planning and booking your next Disney Vacation? Message me here to get started!

Palm trees, grass, river, and bridge that connects Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort in Orlando, Florida
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

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Boardwalk Hotel Aruba swimming pool

Where to Stay in Aruba

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Flamingo floatie in a pool - Where to Stay In Aruba

Are you heading to Aruba but have no idea where to stay to get the most out of your experience? When I went to Aruba, I chose to stay at two different hotels. Here are my recommendations for where to stay on this One Happy Island! 

I heart Aruba Sign.

Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino

The first hotel we stayed at was the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino. There are two main reasons we chose this hotel to stay at for two nights, with the second one being the biggest driving factor!

  1. This hotel is located in the capitol of Aruba, Oranjestad, and is very close to the airport. We landed late at night so easy access to our hotel was a bonus. 
  2. They have their own private island with FLAMINGOS on it! Staying at this hotel gives you free access to this island. So of course we booked two nights here to spend one full day at the island of flamingos! This private island also has hammocks in the water. If you want a unique, perfect island day in the sun, I’d highly recommend staying at this hotel for easy access! 
  • Flamingo Island in Aruba
  • Hammock over the water in Aruba

Boardwalk Hotel

The second hotel I stayed at is an affordable, smaller boutique hotel in Palm Beach called the Boardwalk Hotel. This hotel isn’t directly on the beach, but just a short walk across the road will get you to their private part of the beach in-between the Ritz-Carlton and Marriott. 

  • Boardwalk Hotel Beach in Aruba
  • Boardwalk Hotel Beach in Aruba

The Boardwalk has individual casitas that includes a patio, hammock, kitchen, indoor sitting area, room and bathroom. I enjoyed having the option to cook our meal if I wanted to! It also felt like you were sitting in the jungle with the beach just steps away. 

I think my favorite part of this hotel, though, is the swimming pool. Surrounded by beautiful landscape it feels like your own personal sanctuary in the jungle. 

Boardwalk Hotel in Aruba pool and floatie flamingo.

There are many lodging options, including all-inclusive hotels in Aruba. I think the next time I go, I will try one that is directly on the beach in the Palm Beach area!

If you need help booking your trip to Aruba, please contact me at thekeystotravel@gmail.com. 

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