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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Happy International Women’s Day (March 8th)! There are many women in the travel industry making huge, positive impacts changing the way we travel, the way we think about travel and more. On this special day, I wanted to acknowledge just a few of these amazing women and share a bit about how they are making BIG differences in this world.
What role did travel play for you in your younger days?
Leticia:
My parents always taught us to appreciate diversity, different cultures, traditions and beliefs. They would always say when I was little that there were so many invaluable lessons they couldn’t teach us. Only going out and witnessing this diversity in the world would we learn the most important lessons in life. So travel always played this role of being essential to our growth and development as humans. Because travel fosters compassion, awareness, understanding of one another, and allows us to gain perspective and clarity of our sense of place in the world.
Savannah:
Growing up, travel was always a source of adventure and learning for me. I am lucky to have gone on service trips throughout my childhood that sparked my passion for supporting grassroots organizations as well as my curiosity for people’s stories. I found that I learned the most valuable and memorable lessons while I was traveling. I am really grateful I had these opportunities when I was younger to see how important getting outside of your comfort zone is for self-growth.
What is 109 World and how did it come about?
109 World is a platform dedicated to help individuals fulfill the promise of their potential through self-love and love for the world. What does this mean? 109 designs and hosts experiences for individuals to participate and go through a programming rich in mindfulness and wellbeing, but also in giving back to the world. The goal is for each individual that takes part on a 109 experience to learn how reconnecting with their truly authentic selves through self-love is a powerful tool to transform their lives and the world for better. Once you feel good with yourself, it means you are best positioned to do good in the world, and our 109 experiences offer the space to do all of that.
The concept for 109 World came from our discomfort over how, despite today’s advancements and technology, a majority of the population still lives in either one side of the pendulum: either just taking care of themselves and practicing self love and not being of service to the world at all, or just giving back and not prioritizing their own health & wellbeing. Very few of us realize that a combination of both is important if we want to make the world a better place. Moreover, very few of us identify as change-makers of the world and our own lives, so our team at 109 realized this lack of empowerment was not only affecting people’s happiness & wellbeing in general, but also greatly hindering amazing initiatives from getting the necessary support they need in order to scale their impact. It’s an interesting contrast. The world today is more connected than ever, information and content is cost-free and knows no borders, and yet we (individuals, corporations and other organizations) remain unaware as to the influence and impact we can have. It is this paradox that drove us to give people the space and inspiration they need to start changing their lives and the world for better.
What is the mission of 109 World?
Our Mission is to help individuals fulfill the promise of their potential through mindfulness and giving back.
What are your roles with 109 World?
Leticia:
I am the Co-founder and Executive Director of 109 World. I make sure our strategic and operational objectives are aligned with our goals of helping individuals fulfill the promise of their potential through mindfulness and actionable impact.
Savannah:
I am the Associate Director with 109 World. My role consists of managing all elements of operation and logistics for each 109 experience, as well as relationships with the 109 community, especially as it pertains to past, current, and potential participants on a 109 trip.
In what ways can travelers get involved?
We would love to have them joining one or many of our experiences. Our trips are all so different from one another – we go to different countries every time, do different volunteer type of work and support different causes, have different mindfulness classes with different teachers and speakers for each trip. You will never get the same experience, even if you join every single 109 journey!
We have all the information about our upcoming trips on our website: www.109world.com/trips/ and we are very active on social media as well, especially instagram – where we not only share about our upcoming trips, but also about our local projects, partners, future trips, pop-up events we host and much more. We very often launch very cool campaigns promoting travel and offering the opportunity for travelers to join our trips for very little, like $2 dollars! We are planning on launching the Travel for $2 campaign again this year, so stay tuned @109world!
What has been your favorite travel experience?
Leticia:
This is a hard question. But I think my favorite travel experiences were both with 109 when we went to Greece in 2017 and Mexico last year.
Mexico because we stayed at the most beautiful eco-hotel I have ever been. The place is called Playa Viva, a sustainable boutique hotel (with tree houses!) located on the western coast of Mexico nestled between the sparkling waters of the Pacific Ocean and the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains. This paradise is situated on a mile of pristine and private beach, with nearly 200 acres including an estuary, an Aztec archeological site, a turtle sanctuary, and a coastal forest and mangrove ecosystem which supports an array of stunning wildlife. If you haven’t heard about them, go check their instagram account @playaviva! Besides it being a very special and gorgeous place, to work with their turtle sanctuary was an unique experience for me, too. To wake up everyday releasing baby turtles and during the day building a new turtle sanctuary was more inspiring than I expected to be. To witness baby turtles being born with all the odds stacked against them, from crawling out of a hole for several days, to making their way towards the ocean with the tide constantly bringing them backwards – and then seeing them finally reach the water taught me so much about life, and that no matter what life throws at you to remember to just keep moving forward. We will get where we were meant to be eventually.
Greece was also my favorite because it was such a nourishing and transformative experience. The Greek culture is so warm, the way they prioritize time with family and friends is so beautiful to see and the food is absolutely delicious. The 109 Greece trip was particularly transformative for me because of the work we did there with building a school in a refugee camp. This cause really touched my heart in a different way. Not that the refugee crisis is worse than any other crisis, but personally it was hard for me to think we could treat people like that or even let it become what it became: more than 65 million people living as refugees worldwide, forcibly displaced. Doctors, engineers, lawyers, mothers, sons and daughters. People like those you grew up with, people like those you love, people like you and me that now live in refugee camps with a life without digital resources and services, a life without income, without literacy skills and opportunities, and without the satisfaction that comes from feeling welcomed by society. That really impacted me. I felt that I left Greece, but my heart and mind stayed with them, with the reflections that this refugee crisis is everybody’s problem and each one of us has a personal responsibility to help. Because this is as much about the rescue of humanity and our values as it is about the rescue of refugees and their lives.
Savannah:
I would have to say our last 109 retreat to Mexico is definitely top of my list. The eco-hotel we stayed at, Playa Viva, is a place unlike any other with being both a breathtaking location (treehouses, majestic sunsets, & baby turtle releases!), but also one that is sustainable and deeply committed to the local community. I loved this trip because from the second we arrived I felt like I was home even though I had never been there, as there is a true sense of community at Playa Viva, which is something I believe is vital to our success and happiness as humans. Plus, being able to learn more about ocean and marine life conservation while working on the turtle sanctuary was profoundly moving. Nothing substitutes experience, and it was an honor to have this chance to not only learn about the immense threats the turtles face just to survive, but also to get my hands dirty and learn what it takes to protect them. The day we left was truly heartbreaking for me as I did not want to leave our new friends or this special place, and it is now somewhere I consider a second home – I cannot wait to be back!
What is one destination you would recommend to everyone?
Leticia:
Anywhere in Greece. The landscapes with all the olive trees are magical, the paradisiac beaches that feels like you are in a movie, the delicious food they are so proud of and their culture and history – it’s birth of civilization and one of the best places on Earth in my opinion!
Savannah:
One place I would recommend everyone go is Barcelona! This city holds such a special place in my heart and is the perfect place to go with friends, your partner, or even solo. There is so much history, delicious tapas (patatas bravas are my favorite food on the whole planet), and you can feel how alive the city is everywhere you go. It will always be one of my favorite places and I cannot wait to be back there one day!
What is one piece of advice you would give a female looking to start her own business in the travel industry?
Leticia:
There is a quote that I love from Alan Cohen that describes it well: “Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect.” If you always wanted to start something, don’t wait longer to make it happen. Do what you can, with what you have, where you are!
Savannah:
Surround yourself with people you trust and value, and then go from there. Obstacles feel much less daunting when you know you have a team you are fully confident in and can rely on. You can’t predict how amazing things will go, or how hard they will be – but with the right people you will be equipped for it all.
What role did travel play in your lives growing up?
Kristi:
Growing up, my family always took vacations exploring the sites and history of the United States. In high school I took many solo trips to visit extended family and spent a summer on a mission trip to Egypt. After that, I realized how much more of the world there is to see, and I was hooked. I knew that somehow travel had to be a part of what I did for a career.
Brittany:
Travel came into my life for the first time when I was 16 years old when I walked into a local travel agency and applied for a job working as a receptionist. After being hired, I worked everyday after school for four hours and they were the BEST four hours of my day. I vividly remember spending hours organizing and ordering brochures and getting lost in the images of amazing destinations. This job would change my future as I never waived from my passion in life and future career from this point on.
How did you meet one another and decide to start a travel agency together?
Kristi and I met working for the same company as independent contractors. We met at our very first annual conference and immediately hit it off and would spend many years traveling together, leaning on each other and supporting one another. After many years of knowing each other, we were both looking to grow in a different aspect of what we were currently doing and decided to join forces.
Tell us a little bit more about Travel Savvi
We primarily cater to vacation travelers but specialize in destination weddings, honeymoons, romantic getaways and family vacations. Our biggest strength is working with our clients to ensure we are qualifying them for their perfect vacation based on their travel needs, wants and preferred budget.
What has been your favorite travel experience?
Kristi:
This is a tough one because I love each trip. Probably the times I get to travel with my family. A couple specific times were when my kids were little and seeing how magical Disney was to them, and the first time I took them to Mexico for them to experience a place I frequented and loved so much are at the top of the list.
Brittany:
I don’t have a favorite as every single trip I take is an amazing new experience. Traveling with my family and friends brings great joy and fantastic memories!
What is one destination you would recommend to everyone?
Kristi:
I don’t think there is a one size fits all destination. Part of what we do is working with someone to find which destination is right for them. I think an all-inclusive vacation is a type of trip everyone should try. For the person that may be a little intimidated to go somewhere, it’s the perfect choice for ease of flights, transfer and stay all included! Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican are perfect destinations for an all-inclusive vacation.
Brittany:
Mexico and Hawaii – two of my favorite destinations to spend the days relaxing and exploring.
What is one piece of advice you would give a female looking to start her own business in the travel industry?
Kristi:
Asking yourself a few questions: Do I like to help others? Am I willing to put myself out there to let people know what I do? Am I willing to learn and continue to learn to stay on top of the latest travel trends? Passion for travel is a huge, but wanting to help others discover their own love of travel is key. I know that this is the right fit for me when I get just as excited for my clients vacation as I am for my own trip.
Brittany:
This industry is tough and can be a lot more stressful than one would think. The magic ingredient is not “loving to travel” but “loving to BOOK travel”. Having the opportunity to travel is a huge advantage but isn’t going to make you amazing at your job. Loving people, being able to problem solve and enjoying the process of research and booking travel are all crucial to succeed in this business.
What role did travel play for you in your younger days?
My mom laughs about this all the time. Apparently when I was a child I absolutely hated to travel. I hated leaving places that I loved and would cry for hours when going back home. I think about that a lot now and what I realize is that I’m a lover of places. It’s not that I don’t like being home – in fact, when I’m home I am a big-time nester and I’m always decorating and making the house cozy. It’s just that I love to be in the place that I am at the time that I’m there and I really try to relish that.
I was lucky enough to grow up traveling with my parents and my family to places like Disney World and Cape Cod and even on one amazing European vacation, but I honestly don’t remember too much from it. The first real travel experience that impacted me was when I studied abroad in Portugal in college. It really profoundly changed me. My family is Portuguese so it was as much studying abroad as it was rediscovering my roots and meeting so much of my family that I never really knew and learning their language. It opened up a part of me that I didn’t know existed and I think that part of me just grew from there.
What is Wanderful and how did it come about?
In 2009 I was traveling in a country called Sao Tome and Principe off the west coast of Africa. I was a young woman living a pretty hyper local experience in a place that was quite different from where I’d grown up and it really affected me to be in that place. I started thinking about a woman’s experience abroad, which was so much more than what society tells us it is – beauty magazines and super fashionable travel and all. I really wanted to explore what it meant to be a woman in the world until I started writing about it. That was the seed that eventually became Wanderful.
What is the mission of Wanderful?
Wanderful is an international community of over 40,000 women travelers. Our mission is to help empower women to travel using a live network of others who have been there. We do this through events in 46 cities around the world, global community gatherings like the Women in Travel Summit and Wanderfest, and the first-ever identity verified Woman to Woman Home Sharing Network.
Where is Wanderful located, and in what ways can female travelers get involved?
I think the really neat thing about Wanderful is that we really are everywhere. We have a very active Facebook group called Wanderful Women Who Travel which includes over 9,000 women from around the world that share travel tips with each other. But then we also have Chapters that meet for coffee gatherings, brunches, and outings. But our home sharing network is going to allow women to actually physically host each other in their homes and meet up with each other whether or not there is actually a chapter there, which I’m really excited about. It means that we can now create a place where you can stop in any airport around the world and there can be somebody there from the Wanderful Community who can guide you.
Where do you see Wanderful going in the next 5- 10 years?
It’s really exciting for me that more and more women are traveling the world alone these days. Even 10 years ago, it was so much less common and now it’s becoming a lot more of a regular occurrence. I think we’re going to continue to see that movement in the next 5 to 10 years, and what I hope that means is that we are going to see a change in travel with it. More women and travel leadership and more solutions for women when they travel that become part of mainstream culture. I hope the Wanderful can be not only a part of these solutions but also a leader in some of them.
What has been your favorite travel experience?
I think Istanbul is still one of my favorite cities. It was when I was there that I heard the Muslim call to prayer for the first time, and I found it absolutely beautiful. I think that’s what’s really special about travel – immersing yourself in someone’s daily life which is so normal for them and so different for you and really taking a moment to appreciate how unique we all are.
What is one destination you would recommend to everyone?
Being Portuguese American, of course Portugal is one of my top recommendations for people. Of course, it’s not quite the hidden gem that used to be – a lot of Americans are really discovering how cool is a country it is and how inexpensive a flight from the East Coast is, so it’s less of a surprise! But if you stop about halfway through the Atlantic and end in the Azores, a Portuguese Archipelago, you might still find some surprise there. It’s such an amazing place. You can visit a pineapple farm, cook your dinner inside a volcano, go wine tasting, and even see a bunch of old Portuguese guys wearing Red Sox hats all in the same day.
What is one piece of advice you would give a female looking to start her own business in the travel industry?
I think travel is honestly a really challenging industry. Many entrepreneurs will tell you that the business you’re creating is much more likely to succeed if it solves a pain point – if its a “medicine” – more than if it just improves something that is working okay – a “vitamin”. I think in the travel space you find a lot more vitamins than you do medicine and so it’s really important to think critically about what the problem is that you’re solving for, and if it’s solving for a real need.
What role did travel play in your life growing up?
I grew up in a rural part of South Denver, and we were constantly outside and adventuring. My family raced motorcycles, so every weekend we were off on a family van trip to some remote parts of the Western US. This fostered my love of nomadic travel and our current #vanlife adventures! I didn’t do a ton of international travel as a child, so my study abroad in college to Florence, Italy was when I was entirely consumed with absorbing and immersing myself in new cultures. I have had an incurable wanderlust ever since then and have built my life and my business around travel!
What were you doing before Waypoint Goods and how did Waypoint Goods come about? I spent the majority of my life 100% convinced that I wanted to be an Architect. I was in the architecture studio while all my friends were at the bar for the 6 years it takes to get a Masters of Architecture. I promptly took all 7 of my exams, did my internship hours and got licensed. Whew! Made it! Except once I finally climbed this crazy mountain to the top, it really wasn’t what I had expected. I loved the creativity and problem-solving aspects, but the day to day life didn’t bring me any joy, so I knew I desperately needed to find an alternative lifestyle to the standard 8-5. I love to be outside, traveling, seeing new places and trying new things. Sitting at a desk all day and living for two weeks a year of vacation would never fulfill my soul. I began looking into other industries and other opportunities that would give me the freedom I craved. I knew I wanted to create a company based on travel that I would be able to run while traveling myself. E-commerce was the way to go. An incredible mentor helped show me the ropes and walk me through the early stages, including getting going on Amazon. It was a crazy journey, but I am so glad to have refocused on what lifestyle I wanted and create a business around that!
Tell me a little bit more about Waypoint Goods
Waypoint Goods gives women the confidence and inspiration to explore the world, both at home and abroad, with the perfect travel accessory to make it happen! The Travel Scarf with a hidden zipper pocket allows you to ditch the purse and stop worrying about pickpockets while safely hiding your essentials, like your wallet, passport, keys, and even your phone. Our bold BASICS series will keep you stylish and fashionable wherever you go! Our travel themed CITY series prints will add some destinations to your bucket list while our ART series prints feature some unique patterns by talented female artists. The STADIUM series lets your sport your team colors and the PARKS series gets you inspired by the natural beauty all around us. At Waypoint Goods, we want YOU to be YOU and live the life you have always dreamed of. We want you to feel empowered to try new things, go new places and make new friends! We are just here to make life a little easier for you (and hold your stuff)!
What does the next year look like for Waypoint Goods?
The next year is super crazy for us! Last year was explosive and this year, we are making plans and growing more sustainably. I hired a social media & marketing team to help me spread the word and a business strategist to help me grow, expand and make the best decisions I can. I am going to be spending a lot of time writing and storytelling, especially about the origin, inspiration, and creation of the CITY series patterns. There are some fun things coming up! We will be launching our new Lightweight collection in June! This includes a few new CITY series prints and some complementary solid colors too. We are doing a serious relaunch of our STADIUM series and going to focus on colleges and college sports teams. Stay tuned for the cooler weather for a Heavyweight wool collection.
Where do you see Waypoint Goods going in the next 5-10 years?
There are some really exceptional things I have planned for us in the next few years. We will be mixing in more patterns from incredible female artists and creatives. My favorite is that we are going to continue to work with incredible groups supporting women, like the Marshall Direct Fund, who we donate 100% of the proceeds of the Summiya scarf to help fund girls education in Pakistan. I am also developing a non-profit branch that will make these types of projects more accessible. We are working on way to be able to fund a travel scholarship for a featured artist who will produce a textile pattern that will be turned into a scarf pattern! I absolutely cannot wait!
What has been your favorite travel experience?
My favorite travel experience was one I planned for the day I finished my hardest semester in Grad School. I did my final studio review and then my then boyfriend (now husband) dropped me off at the airport. I woke up in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for a 3-week solo trip. I had a flight out of Hanoi but no other plans. I spent the next few weeks exploring a totally foreign culture and learning that I have all of the inner strength, resourcefulness, and confidence that I need to do anything in the world. I made friends, had spontaneous motorcycle adventures, ate bizarre foods (squid jerkey!), got lost, missed busses, climbed mountains, rode in unusual vehicles, and learned that being humble, kind and polite goes a long way. Years later, this trip still serves as a pivotal moment in my life.
What is one destination you would recommend to everyone?
Cuba! It is so close but so strangely unique. The people are exceptional, the food is to die for and the music will keep you dancing all night. It’s one of the few places I will keep going back to.
What is one piece of advice you would give a female looking to start her own business in the travel industry?
Anything worth doing will be hard.
There is no silver bullet or shortcut. You have to put in the time, effort and energy to make something meaningful and successful. You have to love what you. That passion will drive you. There are ups and downs and the highs are super high and the lows are painfully low. You will go through all of them, over and over again. It is worth it. You are worth it. As women, we are passionate and driven and surrounding yourself with other like-minded women will help encourage and inspire you!
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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!
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.
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.
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
5. Snorkel or Dive
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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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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.
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.
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?
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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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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!
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
If you are interested in staying at this hotel or have questions about Costa Rica, email me at thekeystotravel@gmail.com.
Happy Travels!
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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!
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!
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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!
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!
This hotel is located in the capital of Aruba, Oranjestad, and is very close to the airport. We landed late at night so easy access to our hotel was a bonus.
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!
Boardwalk Hotel
The second hotel I stayed at was 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.
The Boardwalk has individual casitas that include 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.
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!
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UNICO All-Inclusive Hotel
/in Hotels, MexicoAs 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.
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!
Top 10 Things To Do on Oahu
/in United StatesSo 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’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.
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 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!
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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Women in the Travel Industry
/in Travel TipsHappy International Women’s Day (March 8th)! There are many women in the travel industry making huge, positive impacts changing the way we travel, the way we think about travel and more. On this special day, I wanted to acknowledge just a few of these amazing women and share a bit about how they are making BIG differences in this world.
Leticia + Savannah with 109 World
What role did travel play for you in your younger days?
Leticia:
My parents always taught us to appreciate diversity, different cultures, traditions and beliefs. They would always say when I was little that there were so many invaluable lessons they couldn’t teach us. Only going out and witnessing this diversity in the world would we learn the most important lessons in life. So travel always played this role of being essential to our growth and development as humans. Because travel fosters compassion, awareness, understanding of one another, and allows us to gain perspective and clarity of our sense of place in the world.
Savannah:
Growing up, travel was always a source of adventure and learning for me. I am lucky to have gone on service trips throughout my childhood that sparked my passion for supporting grassroots organizations as well as my curiosity for people’s stories. I found that I learned the most valuable and memorable lessons while I was traveling. I am really grateful I had these opportunities when I was younger to see how important getting outside of your comfort zone is for self-growth.
What is 109 World and how did it come about?
109 World is a platform dedicated to help individuals fulfill the promise of their potential through self-love and love for the world. What does this mean? 109 designs and hosts experiences for individuals to participate and go through a programming rich in mindfulness and wellbeing, but also in giving back to the world. The goal is for each individual that takes part on a 109 experience to learn how reconnecting with their truly authentic selves through self-love is a powerful tool to transform their lives and the world for better. Once you feel good with yourself, it means you are best positioned to do good in the world, and our 109 experiences offer the space to do all of that.
The concept for 109 World came from our discomfort over how, despite today’s advancements and technology, a majority of the population still lives in either one side of the pendulum: either just taking care of themselves and practicing self love and not being of service to the world at all, or just giving back and not prioritizing their own health & wellbeing. Very few of us realize that a combination of both is important if we want to make the world a better place. Moreover, very few of us identify as change-makers of the world and our own lives, so our team at 109 realized this lack of empowerment was not only affecting people’s happiness & wellbeing in general, but also greatly hindering amazing initiatives from getting the necessary support they need in order to scale their impact. It’s an interesting contrast. The world today is more connected than ever, information and content is cost-free and knows no borders, and yet we (individuals, corporations and other organizations) remain unaware as to the influence and impact we can have. It is this paradox that drove us to give people the space and inspiration they need to start changing their lives and the world for better.
What is the mission of 109 World?
Our Mission is to help individuals fulfill the promise of their potential through mindfulness and giving back.
What are your roles with 109 World?
Leticia:
I am the Co-founder and Executive Director of 109 World. I make sure our strategic and operational objectives are aligned with our goals of helping individuals fulfill the promise of their potential through mindfulness and actionable impact.
Savannah:
I am the Associate Director with 109 World. My role consists of managing all elements of operation and logistics for each 109 experience, as well as relationships with the 109 community, especially as it pertains to past, current, and potential participants on a 109 trip.
In what ways can travelers get involved?
We would love to have them joining one or many of our experiences. Our trips are all so different from one another – we go to different countries every time, do different volunteer type of work and support different causes, have different mindfulness classes with different teachers and speakers for each trip. You will never get the same experience, even if you join every single 109 journey!
We have all the information about our upcoming trips on our website: www.109world.com/trips/ and we are very active on social media as well, especially instagram – where we not only share about our upcoming trips, but also about our local projects, partners, future trips, pop-up events we host and much more. We very often launch very cool campaigns promoting travel and offering the opportunity for travelers to join our trips for very little, like $2 dollars! We are planning on launching the Travel for $2 campaign again this year, so stay tuned @109world!
What has been your favorite travel experience?
Leticia:
This is a hard question. But I think my favorite travel experiences were both with 109 when we went to Greece in 2017 and Mexico last year.
Mexico because we stayed at the most beautiful eco-hotel I have ever been. The place is called Playa Viva, a sustainable boutique hotel (with tree houses!) located on the western coast of Mexico nestled between the sparkling waters of the Pacific Ocean and the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains. This paradise is situated on a mile of pristine and private beach, with nearly 200 acres including an estuary, an Aztec archeological site, a turtle sanctuary, and a coastal forest and mangrove ecosystem which supports an array of stunning wildlife. If you haven’t heard about them, go check their instagram account @playaviva! Besides it being a very special and gorgeous place, to work with their turtle sanctuary was an unique experience for me, too. To wake up everyday releasing baby turtles and during the day building a new turtle sanctuary was more inspiring than I expected to be. To witness baby turtles being born with all the odds stacked against them, from crawling out of a hole for several days, to making their way towards the ocean with the tide constantly bringing them backwards – and then seeing them finally reach the water taught me so much about life, and that no matter what life throws at you to remember to just keep moving forward. We will get where we were meant to be eventually.
Greece was also my favorite because it was such a nourishing and transformative experience. The Greek culture is so warm, the way they prioritize time with family and friends is so beautiful to see and the food is absolutely delicious. The 109 Greece trip was particularly transformative for me because of the work we did there with building a school in a refugee camp. This cause really touched my heart in a different way. Not that the refugee crisis is worse than any other crisis, but personally it was hard for me to think we could treat people like that or even let it become what it became: more than 65 million people living as refugees worldwide, forcibly displaced. Doctors, engineers, lawyers, mothers, sons and daughters. People like those you grew up with, people like those you love, people like you and me that now live in refugee camps with a life without digital resources and services, a life without income, without literacy skills and opportunities, and without the satisfaction that comes from feeling welcomed by society. That really impacted me. I felt that I left Greece, but my heart and mind stayed with them, with the reflections that this refugee crisis is everybody’s problem and each one of us has a personal responsibility to help. Because this is as much about the rescue of humanity and our values as it is about the rescue of refugees and their lives.
Savannah:
I would have to say our last 109 retreat to Mexico is definitely top of my list. The eco-hotel we stayed at, Playa Viva, is a place unlike any other with being both a breathtaking location (treehouses, majestic sunsets, & baby turtle releases!), but also one that is sustainable and deeply committed to the local community. I loved this trip because from the second we arrived I felt like I was home even though I had never been there, as there is a true sense of community at Playa Viva, which is something I believe is vital to our success and happiness as humans. Plus, being able to learn more about ocean and marine life conservation while working on the turtle sanctuary was profoundly moving. Nothing substitutes experience, and it was an honor to have this chance to not only learn about the immense threats the turtles face just to survive, but also to get my hands dirty and learn what it takes to protect them. The day we left was truly heartbreaking for me as I did not want to leave our new friends or this special place, and it is now somewhere I consider a second home – I cannot wait to be back!
What is one destination you would recommend to everyone?
Leticia:
Anywhere in Greece. The landscapes with all the olive trees are magical, the paradisiac beaches that feels like you are in a movie, the delicious food they are so proud of and their culture and history – it’s birth of civilization and one of the best places on Earth in my opinion!
Savannah:
One place I would recommend everyone go is Barcelona! This city holds such a special place in my heart and is the perfect place to go with friends, your partner, or even solo. There is so much history, delicious tapas (patatas bravas are my favorite food on the whole planet), and you can feel how alive the city is everywhere you go. It will always be one of my favorite places and I cannot wait to be back there one day!
What is one piece of advice you would give a female looking to start her own business in the travel industry?
Leticia:
There is a quote that I love from Alan Cohen that describes it well: “Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect.” If you always wanted to start something, don’t wait longer to make it happen. Do what you can, with what you have, where you are!
Savannah:
Surround yourself with people you trust and value, and then go from there. Obstacles feel much less daunting when you know you have a team you are fully confident in and can rely on. You can’t predict how amazing things will go, or how hard they will be – but with the right people you will be equipped for it all.
Where can we find 109 World online?
Instagram: @109world
Facebook: @109world
Twitter: @109world_
www.109world.com
Kristi + Brittany with Travel Savvi
What role did travel play in your lives growing up?
Kristi:
Growing up, my family always took vacations exploring the sites and history of the United States. In high school I took many solo trips to visit extended family and spent a summer on a mission trip to Egypt. After that, I realized how much more of the world there is to see, and I was hooked. I knew that somehow travel had to be a part of what I did for a career.
Brittany:
Travel came into my life for the first time when I was 16 years old when I walked into a local travel agency and applied for a job working as a receptionist. After being hired, I worked everyday after school for four hours and they were the BEST four hours of my day. I vividly remember spending hours organizing and ordering brochures and getting lost in the images of amazing destinations. This job would change my future as I never waived from my passion in life and future career from this point on.
How did you meet one another and decide to start a travel agency together?
Kristi and I met working for the same company as independent contractors. We met at our very first annual conference and immediately hit it off and would spend many years traveling together, leaning on each other and supporting one another. After many years of knowing each other, we were both looking to grow in a different aspect of what we were currently doing and decided to join forces.
Tell us a little bit more about Travel Savvi
We primarily cater to vacation travelers but specialize in destination weddings, honeymoons, romantic getaways and family vacations. Our biggest strength is working with our clients to ensure we are qualifying them for their perfect vacation based on their travel needs, wants and preferred budget.
What has been your favorite travel experience?
Kristi:
This is a tough one because I love each trip. Probably the times I get to travel with my family. A couple specific times were when my kids were little and seeing how magical Disney was to them, and the first time I took them to Mexico for them to experience a place I frequented and loved so much are at the top of the list.
Brittany:
I don’t have a favorite as every single trip I take is an amazing new experience. Traveling with my family and friends brings great joy and fantastic memories!
What is one destination you would recommend to everyone?
Kristi:
I don’t think there is a one size fits all destination. Part of what we do is working with someone to find which destination is right for them. I think an all-inclusive vacation is a type of trip everyone should try. For the person that may be a little intimidated to go somewhere, it’s the perfect choice for ease of flights, transfer and stay all included! Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican are perfect destinations for an all-inclusive vacation.
Brittany:
Mexico and Hawaii – two of my favorite destinations to spend the days relaxing and exploring.
What is one piece of advice you would give a female looking to start her own business in the travel industry?
Kristi:
Asking yourself a few questions: Do I like to help others? Am I willing to put myself out there to let people know what I do? Am I willing to learn and continue to learn to stay on top of the latest travel trends? Passion for travel is a huge, but wanting to help others discover their own love of travel is key. I know that this is the right fit for me when I get just as excited for my clients vacation as I am for my own trip.
Brittany:
This industry is tough and can be a lot more stressful than one would think. The magic ingredient is not “loving to travel” but “loving to BOOK travel”. Having the opportunity to travel is a huge advantage but isn’t going to make you amazing at your job. Loving people, being able to problem solve and enjoying the process of research and booking travel are all crucial to succeed in this business.
Where can we find Travel Savvi online?
Instagram: @TravelSavvi
Facebook: @TravelSavvi1
Twitter: @Travel_Savvi
https://travelsavvi.com
Beth with Wanderful
What role did travel play for you in your younger days?
My mom laughs about this all the time. Apparently when I was a child I absolutely hated to travel. I hated leaving places that I loved and would cry for hours when going back home. I think about that a lot now and what I realize is that I’m a lover of places. It’s not that I don’t like being home – in fact, when I’m home I am a big-time nester and I’m always decorating and making the house cozy. It’s just that I love to be in the place that I am at the time that I’m there and I really try to relish that.
I was lucky enough to grow up traveling with my parents and my family to places like Disney World and Cape Cod and even on one amazing European vacation, but I honestly don’t remember too much from it. The first real travel experience that impacted me was when I studied abroad in Portugal in college. It really profoundly changed me. My family is Portuguese so it was as much studying abroad as it was rediscovering my roots and meeting so much of my family that I never really knew and learning their language. It opened up a part of me that I didn’t know existed and I think that part of me just grew from there.
What is Wanderful and how did it come about?
In 2009 I was traveling in a country called Sao Tome and Principe off the west coast of Africa. I was a young woman living a pretty hyper local experience in a place that was quite different from where I’d grown up and it really affected me to be in that place. I started thinking about a woman’s experience abroad, which was so much more than what society tells us it is – beauty magazines and super fashionable travel and all. I really wanted to explore what it meant to be a woman in the world until I started writing about it. That was the seed that eventually became Wanderful.
What is the mission of Wanderful?
Wanderful is an international community of over 40,000 women travelers. Our mission is to help empower women to travel using a live network of others who have been there. We do this through events in 46 cities around the world, global community gatherings like the Women in Travel Summit and Wanderfest, and the first-ever identity verified Woman to Woman Home Sharing Network.
Where is Wanderful located, and in what ways can female travelers get involved?
I think the really neat thing about Wanderful is that we really are everywhere. We have a very active Facebook group called Wanderful Women Who Travel which includes over 9,000 women from around the world that share travel tips with each other. But then we also have Chapters that meet for coffee gatherings, brunches, and outings. But our home sharing network is going to allow women to actually physically host each other in their homes and meet up with each other whether or not there is actually a chapter there, which I’m really excited about. It means that we can now create a place where you can stop in any airport around the world and there can be somebody there from the Wanderful Community who can guide you.
Find a local Chapter near you here.
Where do you see Wanderful going in the next 5- 10 years?
It’s really exciting for me that more and more women are traveling the world alone these days. Even 10 years ago, it was so much less common and now it’s becoming a lot more of a regular occurrence. I think we’re going to continue to see that movement in the next 5 to 10 years, and what I hope that means is that we are going to see a change in travel with it. More women and travel leadership and more solutions for women when they travel that become part of mainstream culture. I hope the Wanderful can be not only a part of these solutions but also a leader in some of them.
What has been your favorite travel experience?
I think Istanbul is still one of my favorite cities. It was when I was there that I heard the Muslim call to prayer for the first time, and I found it absolutely beautiful. I think that’s what’s really special about travel – immersing yourself in someone’s daily life which is so normal for them and so different for you and really taking a moment to appreciate how unique we all are.
What is one destination you would recommend to everyone?
Being Portuguese American, of course Portugal is one of my top recommendations for people. Of course, it’s not quite the hidden gem that used to be – a lot of Americans are really discovering how cool is a country it is and how inexpensive a flight from the East Coast is, so it’s less of a surprise! But if you stop about halfway through the Atlantic and end in the Azores, a Portuguese Archipelago, you might still find some surprise there. It’s such an amazing place. You can visit a pineapple farm, cook your dinner inside a volcano, go wine tasting, and even see a bunch of old Portuguese guys wearing Red Sox hats all in the same day.
What is one piece of advice you would give a female looking to start her own business in the travel industry?
I think travel is honestly a really challenging industry. Many entrepreneurs will tell you that the business you’re creating is much more likely to succeed if it solves a pain point – if its a “medicine” – more than if it just improves something that is working okay – a “vitamin”. I think in the travel space you find a lot more vitamins than you do medicine and so it’s really important to think critically about what the problem is that you’re solving for, and if it’s solving for a real need.
Where can we find you online?
Instagram: @sheswanderful
Facebook: @sheswanderful
Twitter: @sheswanderful
Pinterest: @sheswanderful
https://www.sheswanderful.com
Caitlin with Waypoint Goods
What role did travel play in your life growing up?
I grew up in a rural part of South Denver, and we were constantly outside and adventuring. My family raced motorcycles, so every weekend we were off on a family van trip to some remote parts of the Western US. This fostered my love of nomadic travel and our current #vanlife adventures! I didn’t do a ton of international travel as a child, so my study abroad in college to Florence, Italy was when I was entirely consumed with absorbing and immersing myself in new cultures. I have had an incurable wanderlust ever since then and have built my life and my business around travel!
What were you doing before Waypoint Goods and how did Waypoint Goods come about?
I spent the majority of my life 100% convinced that I wanted to be an Architect. I was in the architecture studio while all my friends were at the bar for the 6 years it takes to get a Masters of Architecture. I promptly took all 7 of my exams, did my internship hours and got licensed. Whew! Made it! Except once I finally climbed this crazy mountain to the top, it really wasn’t what I had expected. I loved the creativity and problem-solving aspects, but the day to day life didn’t bring me any joy, so I knew I desperately needed to find an alternative lifestyle to the standard 8-5. I love to be outside, traveling, seeing new places and trying new things. Sitting at a desk all day and living for two weeks a year of vacation would never fulfill my soul. I began looking into other industries and other opportunities that would give me the freedom I craved. I knew I wanted to create a company based on travel that I would be able to run while traveling myself. E-commerce was the way to go. An incredible mentor helped show me the ropes and walk me through the early stages, including getting going on Amazon. It was a crazy journey, but I am so glad to have refocused on what lifestyle I wanted and create a business around that!
Tell me a little bit more about Waypoint Goods
Waypoint Goods gives women the confidence and inspiration to explore the world, both at home and abroad, with the perfect travel accessory to make it happen! The Travel Scarf with a hidden zipper pocket allows you to ditch the purse and stop worrying about pickpockets while safely hiding your essentials, like your wallet, passport, keys, and even your phone. Our bold BASICS series will keep you stylish and fashionable wherever you go! Our travel themed CITY series prints will add some destinations to your bucket list while our ART series prints feature some unique patterns by talented female artists. The STADIUM series lets your sport your team colors and the PARKS series gets you inspired by the natural beauty all around us. At Waypoint Goods, we want YOU to be YOU and live the life you have always dreamed of. We want you to feel empowered to try new things, go new places and make new friends! We are just here to make life a little easier for you (and hold your stuff)!
What does the next year look like for Waypoint Goods?
The next year is super crazy for us! Last year was explosive and this year, we are making plans and growing more sustainably. I hired a social media & marketing team to help me spread the word and a business strategist to help me grow, expand and make the best decisions I can. I am going to be spending a lot of time writing and storytelling, especially about the origin, inspiration, and creation of the CITY series patterns. There are some fun things coming up! We will be launching our new Lightweight collection in June! This includes a few new CITY series prints and some complementary solid colors too. We are doing a serious relaunch of our STADIUM series and going to focus on colleges and college sports teams. Stay tuned for the cooler weather for a Heavyweight wool collection.
Where do you see Waypoint Goods going in the next 5-10 years?
There are some really exceptional things I have planned for us in the next few years. We will be mixing in more patterns from incredible female artists and creatives. My favorite is that we are going to continue to work with incredible groups supporting women, like the Marshall Direct Fund, who we donate 100% of the proceeds of the Summiya scarf to help fund girls education in Pakistan. I am also developing a non-profit branch that will make these types of projects more accessible. We are working on way to be able to fund a travel scholarship for a featured artist who will produce a textile pattern that will be turned into a scarf pattern! I absolutely cannot wait!
What has been your favorite travel experience?
My favorite travel experience was one I planned for the day I finished my hardest semester in Grad School. I did my final studio review and then my then boyfriend (now husband) dropped me off at the airport. I woke up in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for a 3-week solo trip. I had a flight out of Hanoi but no other plans. I spent the next few weeks exploring a totally foreign culture and learning that I have all of the inner strength, resourcefulness, and confidence that I need to do anything in the world. I made friends, had spontaneous motorcycle adventures, ate bizarre foods (squid jerkey!), got lost, missed busses, climbed mountains, rode in unusual vehicles, and learned that being humble, kind and polite goes a long way. Years later, this trip still serves as a pivotal moment in my life.
What is one destination you would recommend to everyone?
Cuba! It is so close but so strangely unique. The people are exceptional, the food is to die for and the music will keep you dancing all night. It’s one of the few places I will keep going back to.
What is one piece of advice you would give a female looking to start her own business in the travel industry?
Anything worth doing will be hard.
There is no silver bullet or shortcut. You have to put in the time, effort and energy to make something meaningful and successful. You have to love what you. That passion will drive you. There are ups and downs and the highs are super high and the lows are painfully low. You will go through all of them, over and over again. It is worth it. You are worth it. As women, we are passionate and driven and surrounding yourself with other like-minded women will help encourage and inspire you!
Where can we find Waypoint Goods online?
Instagram: @waypointgoods #waypointgoods
Facebook: @waypointgoods
www.waypointgoods.com
Top 10 Things to Do in Aruba
/in The CaribbeanAruba’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!
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.
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.
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!
5. Snorkel or Dive
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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
/in United StatesColorado 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.
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.
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?
Where to Stay in Costa Rica
/in Central America, HotelsWhen 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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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!
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The Drift Away Eco Lodge in Costa Rica
/in Central America, HotelsIf 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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
If you are interested in staying at this hotel or have questions about Costa Rica, email me at thekeystotravel@gmail.com.
Happy Travels!
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Why Stay at a Disney World Resort
/in Hotels, United StatesThere 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.
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!
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Where to Stay in Aruba
/in Hotels, The CaribbeanAre 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!
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!
Boardwalk Hotel
The second hotel I stayed at was 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.
The Boardwalk has individual casitas that include 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.
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!
How to Book Your Vacation to Aruba
If you need help booking your trip to Aruba, contact me at hello@thekeystotravel.com or fill out our travel inquiry form.