The Peace of Asheville

/1 Comment/in , , , , /by

Well, as you all can see, travel is starting to pick back up for me (Yayyyy). And it will be a bit more now that I’m fully vaccinated (Yayyy again)!!! In my last post , I mentioned personal tips to consider prior to traveling. If you haven’t reviewed that, definitely start there first. After reading it, if you now know you are ready to travel and are looking for something low key to get back into the groove, consider ASHEVILLE, NC. I visited Asheville a few years back, but it was only for a day. I’ve always wanted to go back for a longer period of time and was thankfully able to for a quick girl’s trip with my mom and her best friend. Considering how much we all needed relaxation and rejuvenation, this was the perfect location for us.

Asheville is great for those who are looking for variety. If you want to just chill, it’s great. If you want to engage in activities such as hiking, going to museums, etc, it’s great. If you want to celebrate your bachelor/bachelorette and/or honeymoon, it’s great. There is so much to choose from in this area and it also provides you with the benefit of not being in a congested, large city.

Let’s start with where to stay:

I HIGHLY recommend the Omni Grove Park Inn. Why?

  • First off, it’s BEAUTIFUL. There are incredible, panorama views from pretty much any part of the back end. Looking out at the trees and mountains is so peaceful and truly helps you appreciate all of God’s creations.
  • The amount of options you have on site is awesome! This is a resort that provides you with multiple restaurants, shopping, a spa (I’ll get to that in a minute), live music in the lobby on the weekends, bars, luxury fitness center, and more; right at your fingertips. You don’t have to leave unless you really want to. This is important for those who want to travel, but still aren’t comfortable moving from place to place. Just kick back, relax and enjoy the resort ALLLL you want!
  • On Site Restaurants – As I mentioned, The Omni Grove Park Inn has different restaurants to choose from. These range from grab and go markets, smoothie bars near the spa, lunch/dinner, and more. If it’s mid-day, they have first come, first serve tables outside at the Sunset Cocktail Terrace that are great for sipping a cocktail and having a quick bite while you stare out into the view. My absolute favorite for dinner is Sunset Terrace. We ate here two different nights and could’ve done so again and again. The food is delicious and the sunset (if you get there early enough) is breathtaking. Whether you are staying at the hotel or not, make sure you make reservations! This is a hot spot for many Asheville visitors and residents.
  • The Spa- Ya’ll! This spa is the best spa I have EVER been to. I really wish I could show you all of the details in pictures, but you aren’t able to use our phones past the check in area. The spa treatment itself was so good and so thorough. I never felt like she was rushing or not giving her best effort. They offer you a mimosa after, which I gladly accepted :) Now, the best perk that comes with your treatment is your access to the spa grounds for the full day of your service. This comes with thermal pools, hot tubs, lounge areas, steam rooms, and so much more. I was blown away by all of it. My suggestions: Be sure to bring your swimsuit, dedicate the full morning and afternoon to the treatment and area, and make reservation WELL in advance. They book up sometimes 4-6 weeks out so this is critical. Pro-Tip that worked for me: I went down on a Saturday morning right when they opened and asked if there were any cancelations over the next few days. Luckily there were!! Don’t just call. Go downstairs! *** They normally would accept reservations from anyone, but due to limited capacity, they are only accepting reservations from hotel guests at this time.

*Disclaimer: The rooms aren’t super high end, but that fits with the vibe of the resort. They preserve the character, look and feel throughout, which includes the rooms. However, they are well maintained and still high quality.

Additional things to do outside of the Omni:

Explore Downtown- Their downtown is very small, but has a really artsy vibe to it. It reminds me of a baby Portland with a mix of vintage shops, rocks/crystals, restaurants, and more. They also have newer hotels with rooftop bars if that is more of what you are looking for. We took a few hours and just walked around for a bit and really enjoyed the area!

Visit the Biltmore– This is one of the attractions Asheville is most known for. It is America’s largest home (800 acres), built by George Vanderbilt. You can either take a guided tour or opt for the self-guided option. There are lots of fun facts you’ll learn in your experience. They’ve done quite well to preserve the space so give it a try- even if it’s not your typical thing to do. Be sure to visit the flower garden as well!

Go Hiking– I did NOT go hiking (lol), but with these mountains and views, I would’ve certainly been open to it! There are guided tours for this or you can gather your group and go to one of the popular trails and go about it on your own!

Dive into the Restaurant Scene– Asheville has many great restaurants to explore. My list quickly grew from deep diving yelp, asking the waitresses at the hotel and overhearing conversations. Two of the restaurants I was able to visit were:

  • Hole Doughnuts– This place came highly recommended by so many people. OMG they were so warm, so simple and so delish! They typically have standard flavors, but add in a special that day. The great thing about these is you can order them in advance for a scheduled pick up time. Woop- skip the line! It might’ve been the best decision I made all day lol Even if you can’t eat a whole doughnut at that moment, at least take a bite of it while it’s warm.
  • Benne on Eagle – This was another one that came highly recommended. Although their entire menu looked great, I was all for their brunch (because brunch is LIFE). It took me a little while to decide on what to get but I landed on the grouper and grits (fantastic!!) and the biscuit on the side. This was probably one of the best brunch meals I’ve had in a long time. I would go back just for this and also for those doughnuts :)

Well that’s it for now folks. I’m so happy I get to share travel details with you all again! Hopefully it helped add another location to your list. If you’ve been to Asheville or have been traveling, let me know where in the comments!

Know Before You Go/ Exploring Naples

/4 Comments/in , , , /by

How many of you said 2020 was supposed to be your year of travel? *Raises hand* As you all know, I have always traveled a lot, but 2020 was going to be extra special with incredible trips. Then..Covid. I canceled so many trips for myself and for others (I’m a travel agent on the side if you didn’t know). After taking over a year off from getting on a plane, I finally made my way to Naples, FL with my mom. I can’t tell you how excited, and nervous I was to get back out there. So before I get to Naples and how that was, I’ll share a few bits of info on what to be aware of/what to know before you go. 

  1. Flying– No matter where you fly out of, masks are mandatory the entire time. This may be uncomfortable for you so wear one that is fitting and breathable to protect yourself and others. I flew out of a major airport for a different trip and had different experiences based on who I flew with. With Delta, they still keep the middle seats open, which felt comfortable and safe for me. On American, they filled every seat. This pretty much gave me anxiety the whole time, although I’m sure everything was fine. 
  1. Covid Tests– I highly encourage anyone who is flying (and doesn’t have the vaccine) to get a Covid test at least a few days before you go. Of course, you can pick up Covid anywhere, but it’s still a good thing to do. For extra precaution, get a test when you return as well. 
  1. Restrictions- Know the Covid restrictions and guidelines before you book. Each state is different. For instance, Florida doesn’t have a mask mandate, while Ohio does. However, the cities may be different. In Naples, most businesses required it and most people wore a mask outside, but they technically weren’t mandated to. 
  1. Don’t get too comfortable– It’s easy to get comfortable and want to just take off your mask and be in crowded spaces, but the pandemic is far from over. Keep this in mind when planning out your day. 

Overall, be mindful and be safe!

If you’re looking for a place to ease into traveling again, I’d suggest Naples, FL. First off, it is beautiful! Although there are many people who travel and live there for retirement or extended breaks, it is not nearly as crowded as some of the other areas of Florida. This was perfect for me considering I was not used to traveling and didn’t want to be around an abundance of people. 

A misconception about Naples is that it is only for people who are retired (65 and up). It’s certainly not a big city with clubs and parties every night (not my style anyway), but there are plenty of calmer options for you such as: 

Visit the beach– There are hotels all throughout Naples, but if you want the best experience, stay within walking distance or 5-minute driving distance from the beach. Not only will you be able to experience an incredible sunset, you’ll also put your toes in the sand whenever you’re ready. The water isn’t too cold and certainly is not choppy. 

Visit the Farmer’s Market- Each Saturday, downtown streets are closed off to host vendors from all over the local area. This was one of my favorite moments. There were so many delicious food items such as bourbon syrup, freshly made conch, guacamole, ice cream, pasta and so much more. The amount of choices can be a bit overwhelming, so my best advice is to pace yourself and come hungry 😊 

Rent a bike & explore the town– I unfortunately did not have the opportunity to do this, but it looked so fun! There’s not a ton of traffic in this area so riding a rented bike along the streets is very safe. You’ll also see many residents doing the same thing, which made me feel comfortable with the though of it. This is a great way to do something slightly active with lots of fun. 

Shop – There are many shops in and around downtown with something for everyone. Our hotel was right on 5th street with shopping and restaurants in walking distance of it. The downtown shops were about a 4-5 minute drive with lots of jewelry and clothing options. I love a unique boutique and there were plenty of them here!

Eat! (Of course)- I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of REALLY good restaurants to choose from. Naturally with it being on the coast, there was an abundance of seafood. All of them have outdoor/patio options as well as having distanced tables. Here are a few of the places I loved:

Jane’s Café on 3rd– They’re perfect for breakfast, lunch or brunch (same menu). The menu is huge and the food is delish so no shame if you go back more than once 😊 I recommend the Bacon, Egg and Cheese Croissant, the French Toast, and the Jumbo Mimosa!

  • Processed with VSCO with al3 preset

Pazzo! – Ok, the fresh Ricotta White Truffle Garlic Bread….OMGGGGG. Incredible! Also try the Linguini Alla Vongole and the Agliatelle Pisane. This is one to for sure come with an empty stomach because the portions are massive! 

Verginia– We went here randomly one night when we couldn’t think of what to have. I highly recommend the Prosciutto Pizza and Bolognese. Rich and delightful! 

Yabba Island Grill– This one was my actual favorite because of one specific dish- the crab stuffed grouper. My goodness! The grouper had the perfect crust and was topped with berries and pineapple. Everything about it was incredible. 

Lastly, as mentioned, traveling certainly can be done at this time. Just remember the tips and remember to protect yourself, your family, and everyone else! Safe travels!!

An Adventurous Day in Yellowsprings, OH

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

Summer is here and that means sunny, hot days, sightseeing, shopping, biking, and eating. All the things Pursuit of Delights loves! Are you looking for an affordable, fun, and outdoor adventurous day in Ohio? If the answer was yes, you are in for something amazing. We recommend taking a mini day trip to Yellowsprings, OH. It is a quick and easy travel destination that is within 100 miles of Cincinnati. It’s perfect for all ages and interest, with biking and hiking trails, tons of shops on the strip, and cafes for a fabulous meal. This will still feel like a mini getaway right in your backyard. This will be a day spent exploring and enjoying the outdoors. Most activities are within walking distance from one another while others are a short drive away. There is surely something for everyone. OHHH and did we mention everything can be done even in the middle of a pandemic with all the necessary health precautions in place. Wearing a mask and being 6ft apart does not have to put a wrench in your summer plans. We have partnered with Ohio.Find It Here to bring awareness to a fun unexpected travel destination to visit. Whether you live in Cincinnati, Dayton or making this destination a road trip, we have planned out a fun filled mini day to a place right under your nose.

Tip: If you do want to make this a full day or weekend trip, Mills Park hotel is located at the end of Xenia Ave. They offer nice lodging with a nice restaurant and bakery named Ellie’s located inside. Ellie’s food is amazing, and they offer some amazing pastries. If you’re a nature lover, another lodging option that Yellowsprings is known for is camping. Bring your tent and head to the campgrounds for a night under the stars.

Let’s Talk Over Lunch!

It is a Friday afternoon and there is no time to loss! Let’s get the weekend started off right. Wake up, get your Friday morning things done, and hit the road to Yellowsprings for an afternoon mini day trip. We want you to be able to enjoy every bit of what Yellowsprings has to offer. Before you get your afternoon started, we highly recommend fueling up with a delicious meal at one of the cafes or restaurants on the strip. Once we arrived, we grabbed a bite to eat at Ye Olde Trail Tavern. They are Ohio’s Oldest Tavern. If you love an outdoor patio, this is the place for you. We grabbed a table on the outdoor patio to enjoy our meal. You can grab a quick and light meal while people watching, soaking up the sun, and talking over lunch. The patio was super spacious, clean, and guest were seated 6 ft. apart. We enjoyed the Bourbon Chicken Salad. It was light, fresh, and came with the most tender pieces of chicken covered in Bourbon glaze. This meal was delicious and the perfect meal to give us fuel for our activities.

Shop Till You Drop!

Now that your belly is happy, your full and have some energy, it is time to shop till you drop! This cute and unique location is made up of a long strip full of shops and restaurants with another street over with more shops. It makes everything so convenient to access. From clothing stores, glass blown art shops, t-shirt shops, to toy stores, there is something that interest everyone in your party. Not interested in buying anything, no problem. It is nice just to walk around and see what all the stores have to offer. The sales associates of the stores that we stopped in were super friendly and welcoming.

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For Twisted Ice Cream!

It’s now time for what you really came on a getaway for, the good eats! You cannot come to Yellowsprings and not stop by The Corner Cone. This little cute shack is your go-to stop in the area for soft serve ice cream, hot dogs and renting bikes. Located at S Walnut St., which is one street over from Xenia, this cute food shack offers tons of different flavors of soft serve. While flavors are fun sometimes, we like to keep things basic. One of the Tiffs settled for a vanilla and chocolate twist served on a cone. It was so delicious, and the cone added the perfect crunch. This is also the only location that offers bike rentals to take on the biking trails or just to simply ride around in the area.

Let’s Go For A Ride!

Don’t worry, there is no need to watch your waistline or count calories. Now that you’ve had that ice cream cone, it’s time to work it off! One of the activities Yellowsprings is known for is their hiking and biking trails. While we love to eat, Tiff Squared also loves nature and doing outdoor activities such as bike riding. It’s a great way to exercise, feel good, and enjoy the views along the way. Here at Yellowsprings, there is two scenic trails. If you are feeling adventurous and don’t mind the challenge, take the 10 mil trail. If you want something a little more relaxing but still want the exercise, take the 1 mil trail. You can’t go wrong with either trail, while being out in nature is calming, peaceful and relaxing alone. Don’t have a bike and The Corner Cone renting is closed, no problem. One of the Tiffs didn’t have a bike and it was still a fun time walking. Tiff D. brought her bike from home, while Tiff B. walked along side. We were able to walk, talk, and keep our mask on and enjoy the time outdoors exploring. It was so refreshing to be outdoors enjoying the fresh air. Whether you and your friends are serious cyclist or just a group of people looking for a good time, the bike trails at Yellowsprings are designed to give you a low to medium challenge or just simply enjoy a peaceful ride!

Tip: If biking isn’t your thing or you’re a super trooper and want to bike and hike, they also have Glen Helen which is a hiking trail. When we went Glen Helen was closed, but Clifton Preserve and John Bryan State Park remain open for hiking.

Let’s Wine Down!

Ok, we know you just burned off some calories but whose complaining about making room for wine?! From here, it’s time to wine down! Oh boy, if you love wine we have the perfect wine shop for you. Stop into The Winds Wine Cellar. It is the cutest little wine shop with tons of varieties of wine to choose from. From red to white or sweet to dry, they have the perfect bottle to wine down your evening. The sales associate working was super sweet and gave a little background of some of their wine offerings. If you liked Yellowsprings while visiting the shops, it’s no problem stay awhile and have the perfect glass of crisp wine.

Tip: If wine isn’t your style, that is a-ok. You could also head to one of Yellowsprings’ distilleries such as Devil Wind Brewing or Flat Rock Spirits/Stillwright’s. Devil Wind is located in downtown Xenia along the Little Miami Scenic Trail and is a brewery and taproom. They produce European ales and lagers, as well as newer American styles of beers. They also have food trucks and live music. If you can’t make it to Devil Wind, head on over to Flat Rock. They are a family-owned craft distillery producing handcrafted Bourbon, Rum and Moonshine. Flat Rock is located in the heart of the Midwest, proudly using Ohio grown corn and wheat in their StillWrights Straight Bourbon Whiskey. With a range of wineries and distilleries, you are sure to find something fitting for everyone in your group.

Supper Time!

After all the beer or wine, you have drunk, you cannot end your afternoon without a delicious meal. We suggest you dine at Winds Café. This café is cute and funky. Their food is European inspired with an American twist and uses many local ingredients. We love that their menu is seasonal and changes to reflect what is new, fresh and in season. When you walk in, the décor is cute and more modern. As we love patio sitting, we opted to sit outdoors in their cute outdoor area. The outdoor area is the perfect setting for a date night or a night out with the girls. Their food is delicious. They’re known for their Figs, Pigs and Goats appetizer. This dish is figs stuffed with goat cheese all wrapped in bacon. YUMMMMM! This was one of our favorite dishes along with Seared Halibut. The halibut was seasoned and cooked perfectly. Now, you can’t leave without a decadent dessert. Please do not leave without a sweet treat. We shared a huge homemade ice cream sandwich. It was Chocolate Ice Cream sandwiched between two Snickerdoodle cookies rolled in chocolate sprinkles. I promise this was a dessert lover’s dream!

  • Martini
  • Mule
  • Fried Fish with Lemons and Lemon Garlic Aioli
  • Zucchini Fritters
  • Snickerdoodle Ice Cream Sandwich
  • Figs, Pigs, and Goats
  • Seared Halibut with Spanish Spices and Gazpacho Sauce

This is the end of our mini day trip. However, this could be the beginning for you. There is plenty to do and see for every interest such as classes with Bonadies Glass Studio, Clifton Mill, Caesar Creek Vineyards, events and festivals all year long, and much more. If you decide to stop by Yellowsprings, please let us know in the comments below. Be sure to check us out next month as well to see what we have in store as our partnership with Ohio. Find It Here continues. Stay tuned!        

A Day Spent In Black Owned Cincinnati!

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Summer has arrived!!! Don’t you all just love the sunshine, being outdoors, and longer days? And what
about the site seeing? We long for it all! Summer for Pursuit of Delights means getting out and exploring
all things new and old! Speaking of exploring, we have a special treat for this blog post. We partnered
with Ohio. Find It Here to bring awareness to Black Owned businesses to visit in Cincinnati. Whether
you’re in the Greater Cincinnati area or coming in from a road trip, we have mapped out specific
activities to take your day from good to GREAT!

Put a Little “Pep” In Your Step!
It’s the weekend and there’s no time to waste! We want you to soak up as much as possible so let’s get
things kicked off early. blaCk Coffee Lounge has been open just shy of a year and is perfect to energize
you if you are in the downtown area. They are also one of the first black owned coffee shops in the
surrounding area. You can grab a seat and a coffee while listening to mellow sounds and observing the
amazing art on the walls. They often also have light bites, if you are looking for something to go along
with your coffee, and juices, if you are looking for an alternative to coffee. Have kids with you? No
problem! Be sure to order the hot chocolate! I really love that they also throw live poetry/spoken word
events after hours. It’s a great way to further learn about and gain more of an appreciation for black
culture. If it’s not too early, we suggest stopping into BlaCk Owned Outerwear right next door for a little shopping. It’s never too early to treat yourself!

Tip: If you are not starting off in the downtown area, Cream and Sugar Coffeehouse is a very new, blacked owned coffee shop that gives off all of the summery vibes. They have quite a bit on the food menu to choose from as well. The owners are some of the first black entrepreneurs to have more than one black owned business in the area. If that weren’t enough, another reason to stop in is they offer milk substitutes (outside of the traditional almond and soy) such as oat milk.

Whichever location you go to, you find an almost full black staff, which is extremely rare in coffee shops.
They are both focused on giving back to the community as much as possible too!

Work It Out!
Now that you have a bit of energy, it’s time to get a little active! Rather than joining a fitness class
indoors and missing the beautiful weather, we suggest grabbing one of the red bikes (or bringing your
own) and joining Major Taylor Cycling Club, a cycling club started by black cyclists. Although all are
always welcome! We highly suggest taking a ride with them because when most people think cyclists,
they mentally envision a white male or female. There are black cyclists who care for their body just as
much! It is refreshing to see a group of diverse riders taking on the city roads. They have rides designed
to give you low to medium challenges. There’s another win if you take a ride with them- you will pass by
so many murals designed by Cincinnati artists, with many of them being black. It’ll be a peaceful and art-
filled ride, all while working you out! Win Win!

Peace and Love
It’s time to focus on YOU for a bit. Since you’re in such a peaceful state after your ride, let’s take a break
and stop at Pause Cincinnati. Located in the heart of OTR, they are a wellness space focused on health,
wellness and relaxation (Perfect right?!) Taking care of how you feel on the inside is so important. Pause
will help you revitalize your mind, soul, and home. You can purchase juices to refuel your body now or
you can purchase items to get your zen on at home, such as candles, sage and crystals. If you have a
green thumb, grab a plant for your home too! There are not many places like this in Cincinnati and to
know this one is a black owned location is amazing. The closest you will get to finding a variety of shops
such as this is by visiting Yellow Springs- about an hour and a half away. So take advantage of it while
you can!

Let’s Eat!
Ok, we know you’re hungry so next up is a spot for lunch. Boombox Buns is a black owned eatery that
just opened their brick and mortar location. They were featured on many local news outlets for their
quick, tasty, late night buns that would typically set out in just a few hours. Now they are open
throughout the day and are ready to satisfy your taste buds! If you have a quick Asian bun craving, this is
certainly the place to be. They have a variety to choose from that you will have in hand within just a few
minutes! Their buns are sold in singles so it’s the perfect place to eat a light, but filling meal.


If you are looking for a place to sit down for a bit, we suggest going to Conscious Kitchen as an
alternative. Conscious Kitchen is one of the only black owned restaurants in the city that offered
healthy, vegan, and/or vegetarian meals. Although is has these options, it does not lose its flavor quality
in the least bit! If for nothing else, please try the Carrot Fries. These are a unique spin on the usual sweet
potatoes fries but are better and lighter in my opinion!

Expand Your Brain, Heart & Soul
If you didn’t know, Cincinnati is well known for representing the arts. Although these two locations are
not black owned, you will get a ton of important, black culture there.

First up: National Underground Railroad Freedom Center– This museum is based on the history of the
Underground Railroad. It also pays tribute to the efforts to abolish human enslavement and secure
freedom for all people. It is an incredible museum that brings awareness to so many social issues. I
highly encourage not skipping this one. If for nothing else, you can learn about how many slaves escaped
through Cincinnati using the underground railroad. The exhibits rotate on a regular basis. There are also many live performances/events that you just may be lucky to catch as well. You can visit their website to see the calendar of events.

Next: 21c Museum mGallery Hotel Cincinnati- The museum inside of 21c Hotel does an excellent job of
highlighting different artists that portray what is going on in the world. There have been many black
artists that I’ve seen featured over the years. It is pretty typical to find black artists showcasing their pain over the years while also celebrating the culture as well. This museum is much smaller so you’ll
likely get through it within 30 minutes to 1-hour max. You will still leave with memories of incredible art!

Ok, that’s a little heavy (but necessary). Let’s get back to some fun and food!

Cocktails and Wine!
Did you know Cincinnati had a black owned winery? Yep! Sure do! We’re walking over to Revel OTR
Urban Winery to sit for a bit and listen to music! During the day, this is the perfect place to lounge for a
bit while enjoying a nice glass of wine. In the evenings, they usually turn it up a notch and host themed
dance parties. You will love the variety of wines offered, including their infamous Sangria Slushy. I
personally could drink this all day and be happy. They also have beers to choose from if wine is not
your thing. This location is awesome to sit outside, listen to music, and sip a drink with very little cares in
the world. I know it’s comfortable here, but we have a few more stops to make!

Dinner Time!!
We’re keeping things light and fun and suggest you walk from Revel Winery to Pataroja Taqueria (very
close distance). They are black owned and have THE BEST TACOS IN THE CITY. Yes, you heard that right.
The Best! The owners spent months and months in Mexico learning how to perfect the taco game and
have done it justice! When you walk up, you will hear the sounds of Mexican fiesta music. Don’t be
surprised if you see people dancing as well. It’s such a fun experience. They typically have a variety of
tacos, but the al pastor is a MUST. You will see them slice meat directly off the block which also makes
for a cool and flavorful experience. Please do not leave without getting this specialty!
I can really appreciate the black owners taking an appreciation to the Mexican culture and bringing the
full experience to Cincinnati. They will have you coming back for more and more every weekend!

Sweet Tooth Cravings
We didn’t forget about all of you with the sweet tooth. We have the perfect bakery for you. We’re going
to walk off some of those tacos and head a few blocks up to Sugar. Sugar is a black owned bakery that
has been open for less than a year. Despite their newness, they have been making waves in the city.
They went through the MORTAR black owned entrepreneur and literally took off once they opened their
location in OTR. After being featured multiple times in news outlets, their lines quickly were formed
outside of the entrance. There are so many cookies, cupcakes, and other treats to choose from. My
personal favs are the strawberry cupcakes and s’more cookies. It feels like heaven right there on your
hand. If you can’t choose, just go ahead and get them all…no judging. They are all quite sweet so save
some for later because we have one more suggestive stop.

Wine Down

To close out your full day in downtown Cincinnati, stop at the brand-new Nostalgia Wine & Jazz Lounge.
This black owned lounge is set to have soft openings beginning in July and has your name all over it. It is
gorgeous inside with such jazzy vibes (how fitting!) What is unique about them is they will have wine on
tap! Wine that just keeps flowing. Sign. Me. UP! And to pair all of that with live jazz performances…We
just might join you! This one has been listed as “one to watch” and will be a refreshing new venue for us
music and wine lovers out there.

Well that’s all for now folks. You’ve officially spent a full day in black owned Cincy. There are plenty of
other black owned businesses to support. You can check out our blog for a detailed list. Tell us all about
your visit in the comments! Be sure to check us out next month too. We will be partnering with Ohio. Find It Here for a day trip to another location in Ohio. Stay tuned!

Road Tripping Through Gatlinburg

/4 Comments/in , , , /by

Gatlinburg is an area I’d encourage everyone to go to at least once. A lot of people stay in and experience the typical downtown Gatlinburg offerings (which I’ll dive into later…), but there’s so much more than what’s in this area. In November, a few of my close friends and I packed up our things and took a weekend road trip to explore just that! We wanted a mix of new and old which I’ll now pass on to you! The post will include unique finds, typical Gatlinburg musts, and helpful tips!

Read more

Dreaming Of The Amalfi Coast

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

You know when you see something that looks so stunning that it’s almost too good to be true? That is how I felt about the Amalfi Coast. Italy has been on my list of places to visit for a long time so when a great opportunity presented itself, I booked my trip on the spot. Most travelers go directly to the major cities like Rome, Pisa, Florence, etc. (which I absolutely plan to visit one day), but my eye was always on the coast. There was just something magical about it. Even more than what pictures can showcase. Many think of this area as just relaxing and romantic, but there were so many great activities and things to do. The coast is also known to be pretty expensive, but there are also ways to save money while traveling and exploring the area. Read on to read tips on the best ways to make the most of your experience and save a little while you’re at it!

Read more

10 Things To Explore In Sydney, Australia

/1 Comment/in , , /by

I recently had the amazing opportunity to take a trip to Sydney, Australia and indulge in lots of what Sydney had to offer. Sydney is by far the most known place of Australia. It’s a city of laid back, friendly people who spend most of their time working out or at the beach. It’s a melting pot to restaurants of all cuisines. You can rest assure there is plenty to eat and you won’t go hungry. From the rooftop swimming pools at the hotels, small bars, stunning beaches, and cool wildlife that seems to only be dreamed about or seen in picture books; there is always something fun and exciting to explore in the wonderful city of Sydney.

**HELPFUL TIPS**

Before visiting Australia, there are a few things you might want to consider and plan ahead for to create a smooth and fun trip. I will use my actual destinations so, the readers (you), can get a true understanding of time and location.

ORIGIN – Cincinnati, OH (CVG)

DESTINATION – Sydney, Australia (SYD)

DURATION OF TRIP – All together Apr 12 – Apr 18. However, because Australia is 14 hrs ahead of Cincinnati, 2 days were spent for traveling there. You gain time coming back so we left on Apr 18 and arrived back in Cincinnati Apr 18. We left on Apr 12 and arrived in Sydney Apr 14. From Apr 14 7:30 AM (when we landed) to Apr 18 9:30 AM (time our flight left) it was 4 days actually spent in Sydney.

SEEING AUSTRALIA IS ONE THING, GETTING THERE IS ANOTHER! – Flights & Layovers, ahhhh! Getting to Australia you will endure long flights and layovers, but I promise it will be worth it!

  • From Cincinnati to Los Angeles (LAX) (4hrs flight time)
  • Layover 1 (there): Los Angeles (7hrs)
  • From Los Angeles to Sydney (approximately 16 hrs flight time)
  • From Sydney to Los Angeles (approximately 12.5 hrs flight time)
  • Layover 2 (back): Los Angeles (7 hrs)
  • From Los Angeles to Cincinnati (4 hrs flight time)Flights & Layover:
  • Understand you will leave from your origin one day and arrive in Sydney two days later. (We left CVG on 04/12/2019 at 2:40 pm and did not arrive in Sydney until 04/14/2019 at 7:30 am)

PLANE TICKETS! – Australia can be costly to fly to. However, if you look at the right time you can get plane tickets for a good price per person. We paid $1000 per person. I have honestly not seen cheaper than this. Most of the time when I searched in the years prior to fly to Australia, I would see $1500-$2000 per person. I am also not a travel agent so there may be a much better deal on tickets and activities and/or hotels combined. Don’t forget Tiffany Dace, the other half of Tiff Squared, is a travel agent and would be more than happy to assist you with this. We booked our entire trip through Delta airlines because of the price and being the cheapest we saw, we did not want to pass this up.

PLAN AHEAD! – Although you do not need to plan out every step before your trip, it is a good idea to know what types of activities you would like to do. This is important in the case you want to do a day tour as we did. Some day tours can be 10-12 hours. We did a 12 hour tour that left at 6:15 AM and did not return till approximately 6:30 PM. I can’t stress this enough!! If you do not plan ahead, this will take up an entire day and depending on your schedule of how long you are staying you may have to rearrange or miss out on certain activities. I would also encourage looking into activities and booking before you go. Waiting till you are already there can be risky. We waited till we got there and almost missed out on the day tour.

PREGNANT?! – Yes, you can do this trip pregnant as I was, but it is not the most comfortable while flying. I was 25 weeks pregnant when I took this trip. You will have to get up and walk around on the plane every 2-3 hours. Also, drink PLENTY of water.

ETA – What is an ETA? – An Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) provides authorization to travel to and enter Australia and is electronically linked to your passport. We didn’t seem to need it, but we still applied for one just in case. I applied the morning we left as I didn’t realize I could need it. The cost is approximately $14-15 per person. You can find the website we used here ETA.

COMFORTABLE SHOES! – We did a lot of walking to sightsee, so if you want to save money and not take an Uber or cab everywhere, I would suggest bringing comfortable shoes to walk in.

WHERE TO STAY?! – Of course this is optional, but we stayed at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour.

  • I would recommend staying at a hotel that is in good walking distance from the main attractions you want to see. There is also lots of food places around the main attractions (i.e. Darling Harbour, Cockle Bay, Circular Quay, etc.).

UBER?! – Yes, they have Uber in the case that you need it. We did use Uber sometimes if places were just to far to walk. However, most of the time we did a lot of walking.

SAVE UP! – Lastly, I would encourage having a good amount of spending money. While Australia is nice some activities and most restaurants are pricy.

Now that you are excited to explore Sydney and have your handy dandy “tips” covered, let’s see what there is to do in Sydney, Australia:

1. Darling Harbour

There are many places to stay and visit while in Sydney, but one of the most popular is Darling Harbour. Darling Harbour is known for its amazing entertainment and delicious waterside dining. Darling Harbour is the perfect destination in the heart of Sydney. We enjoyed the sunny days and nice weather while walking around enjoying the everyday hussle and bustle of a harbour. You’ll find plenty to do and see. The waterfront restaurants are an amazing experience as well, and make for a fun night out or a good date night with the significant other. We dined at one of the waterfront restaurants, Crinitis, and the food was pretty good. It was mainly Italian cuisine with many options to choose from. Don’t forget the harbour is a large recreational and pedestrian precinct which means it is great for walking. We did LOTS of walking! Darling Harbour is also walking distance from other attractions, to name a few: Cockle Bay, Circular Quay, Chinatown, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanical Garden, and many more. We experienced the harbour first hand by staying at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour. This was an awesome experience. Our room had a harbour view, so we could enjoy the scenery of the harbour as the sun rise and set.

2. Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge, in its beautiful harbour location, is a renowned international symbol of Australia. You cannot come to Sydney and not visit and take pictures of and with the bridge (in the background, haha). Its amazing through arch structure is beautiful, bold and present in appearance and can be seen for miles away. This bridge carries rail, vehicles, bicycles and pedestrian traffic. You can even book a tour to walk the arch of the bridge. It was a surreal experience to be able to see the bridge in real life, take pictures that I will have for years, all while creating memories of a lifetime.

3. Sydney Opera House

Another one of Sydney’s most iconic buildings, is the Sydney Opera House. Despite its name which suggest a single venue, it is known to be a multi-venue performing arts centre. Millions of people visit and attend performances a year. This structure like the bridge is bold and beautiful and makes for amazing pictures. Get your cameras ready, as there are some wonderful views from the Opera House. You can book tours to see the inside of the Opera House as well. While we did not take a tour, we had a blast walking around soaking in the everyday life of locals and tourist hanging around the Opera House. If you get hungry and want a bite to eat, there is also restaurant and bars open to the public located at the Opera House.

4. Royal Botanical Garden

Just a short walk away from the Sydney Opera House, is the beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens. The Botanical Gardens is a historic garden at Farm Cove on the eastern fringe of Sydney Central Business District. It was so relaxing to simply walk around, take in the fresh air, see people interacting, see the beautiful plants, all while the sun beamed down on us. The gardens are a great place to go to simply take in and enjoy life at a calm slow pace!

5. Bondi to Coogee Beach Coastal Walk

The sounds and the air of the ocean waves while walking the coastline was amazing! The beaches were such a beautiful view as well as the surrounding area. It was so relaxing yet a good mild workout, especially for me because I was 25 weeks pregnant. The path has some flat walking, downward inclines as well as upward inclines. I really enjoy outside hikes, so this was cool. We started at Coogee Beach and walked to Bondi Beach. It was about a 5-mile walk. The sun was out, and it wasn’t too hot or too cold. It was perfect. If you’re an outdoors person and love hikes and beautiful views, this is for you! Yes, these are more of the touristy beaches but even being a “touristy” location, it still made for a great experience and a great sight to see. It wasn’t overly crowded when I went in April, and I still had plenty of room to walk and enjoy the coastal path with the people I came with. The beaches also weren’t overly crowded.

6. Blue Mountain Day Tour

As I previously mentioned in the helpful tips section (located at the beginning of this blog post), there are day tours that you can take. A day tour is typically 10-12 hours depending on the tour and tour guide company. Hence the name “Day Tour” these tours will take up one full day during your visit to Australia. We were picked up from our hotel at 6:15 AM and we were dropped back off by boat to Darling Harbour at 6:30 PM.

My husband and I refused to come to Australia and not see Koala Bears and Kangaroos. We looked into what was the best option to be able to experience this opportunity and found the Blue Mountain Day Tour (Glenbrook). We booked through our hotel concierge which made it easy and hassle free. The tour was an amazing experience! The activities that we did while on the tour are as follows: 1) had breakfast with the kangaroos, 2) visited the Scenic World Blue Mountains Australia, 3) Lunch at Ivanhoe Hotel, 4) visited more kangaroos and koalas at Featherdale Wildlife Park, 5) had a small cruise ride back to either Circular Quay or Darling Harbour. Our tour guide, Sean, was amazing, super accommodating and very knowledgeable.

BREAKFAST WITH THE KANGAROOS – This was truly an amazing experience. We got to start the morning off by seeing kangaroos and kookaburras in their natural habitat while enjoying a “wildlife on-the-go breakfast.

SCENIC WORLD BLUE MOUNTAINS AUSTRALIA – This was another great experience and memory. We got the opportunity to see the Three Sisters rock formation from Echo Point Lookout at Katoomba. We also boarded the world’s steepest passenger railway and descend into an ancient rainforest. Last, we hopped aboard a glass-floored cable car suspended above the steep gorge to get a panoramic view of the mountains.

LUNCH AT IVANHOE HOTEL – We got the opportunity to have lunch at Ivanhoe Hotel, a local restaurant in Katoomba known for its pies (food item Australia is known for).

FEATHERDALE WILDLIFE PARK – If you didn’t get enough of the kangaroos at breakfast, here is another opportunity. Featherdale is a good way to get up close and personal with some of Australia’s native wildlife. My husband and I even took pictures with Archer the Koala. What is unique about this park is that some of the animals are actually out walking or hopping around while you walk around and see them. You can even feed some of the wildlife. This was pretty cool yet a little weird at first.

SMALL CRUISE RIDE BACK – At the end of the tour, we were transported back to Darling Harbour by boat. You can either be transported back to Darling Harbour or Circular Quay. This was such a good way to sit back relax and enjoy the view from the water as well as experience a small cruise.

7. Sydney & Bondi: Big Bus Open-Top Hop-on, Hop-off Tour

One of my mine and my husband’s “thing” to do when visiting another city or country is the Hop-on, Hop-Off bus tour if its available. We love learning about the history and culture of other places in the world. For me, this is the perfect tour. It’s usually automated whether it’s a recording or a live person speaking into a microphone giving facts. This is also another good way to sight see and be able to view most of a city’s known attractions all at the comfort of just riding and listening. Hence the name, you do have the ability to hop-on and off at the many stops provided for drop-off and pick-up. While my husband and I don’t hop-off, we enjoy the full tour and just ride the bus back to our original stop. During this tour we did both the Sydney route and the Bondi Beach route. Both are unique with many things to see.

8. King Street, Newtown, Sydney

King Street is the central access route of the suburb of Newtown in Sydney. It is also where artist, the LGBT community and university students reside. This street is good for walking, seeing murals, eating and shopping. As you walk the streets, you can feel the artist come alive through the different murals and paintings. These murals tell different stories and made us appreciate the history and culture of this area. If you are looking for a great way to appreciate art, this is the street for you.

9. The Rocks

The Rocks is a historic precinct on the southern shore of Sydney Harbour. It is also where many historic buildings and shops are located. Like many other small areas in Sydney, this is a good place to eat, sightsee, shop and bar hop. We came to The Rocks to walk around and explore the area. We also decided to grab a bite to eat. We enjoyed this area just as a simple exploring adventure.

10. The Birdcages on Angel Place

With such a charming name, the birdcages on Angel Place was a creative yet beautiful sight to see. While the birdcages are empty it lends to a unique way of getting history across to its observers. The collection of the empty bird cages is called “Forgotten Songs” designed by Michael Thomas Hill. As you stand underneath the cages, you can hear the sounds of the birds that once inhabited Sydney. It was a unique way to experience history while seeing such a creative design. While I am not a huge art geek, this made me appreciate the creativity and concept of the artwork.

This wraps up my 10 to-dos while in Sydney, Australia. As you can see this trip was a packed, fun-filled experience that I will never forget. I hope you enjoyed reading all about things, wellll – Sydney If you choose to visit Sydney after reading this post, I hope the helpful tips and suggestions of where to visit will make your trip a fantastic experience. Until next time, See ya! **Waves**

Explore, Eat & Relax In Charming Charleston

/2 Comments/in , , /by

Recently, I went on a girl’s trip with my mom, sister-in-law, and mom’s best friend to Charleston, South Carolina. I will admit, when I heard the plan was Charleston, I was not overly excited. I figured it would be a nice, quiet weekend without many activities. I couldn’t have been more wrong! Charleston ended up stealing my heart for many reasons such as:

  1. There were plenty of varying activities to choose from.
  2. There were great restaurants with amazing food!
  3. It was great to also rest during our free time.

If you have never been, PLEASE read on to see why Charleston would be a great destination for your next domestic vacation. Read more

8 ways to enhance your Cartagena, Colombia Trip!

/2 Comments/in , , , /by

South America has quickly become one of my favorite continents to visit due to its liveliness and color. My visit to Cartagena was no different. From the moment we landed, we were immersed in the culture. The area was bustling with people, street vendors and markets were ready to accommodate your every request, the sun was shining, and music was playing everywhere. That is my kind of vibe! Although it is great to stay in the heart of the city the full time, below are sites within and outside of the city to make the most of your trip:

1. Tour Colombian City

 

There is such a rich amount of history in Cartagena. This is heavily influenced by the location being a main port for trade between Spain and its overseas empire, the Spanish culture in general, slavery, religious ties, and its strong military background. As you walk the streets, you can feel the history through the art and graffiti. When you think graffiti, you may think illegal tagging, but it is true art here. I was mesmerized by the murals on the walls and the stories they told. The area has developed significantly within the last decade, which has greatly increased tourism and global attention. If you are looking for a great tour guide, look up Freddy Paz on Facebook. He was so knowledgeable, patient, and well known in the community.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100014791723485

 

2. Visit Convento de la Popa

Behold, the highest point of Cartagena! La Popa Hill is on a 150m-high hill boasting, as you can imagine, an incredible view of the entire city. Legend has it that the Virgin Mary appeared to an Augustinian monk and instructed him to build a monastery at the tallest point in Cartagena. Whether true or not, I’m glad it’s there! It is a great location to take pictures and read more about the history of the area. There is also a charming flower-filled courtyard that I could sit in for hours!

 

3. Dive into the Totumo Mud Volcano

Get ready to get muddy! I’d seen the pictures, but actually going to a mud volcano is a one of a kind experience! El Totumo is a bottomless, active mud volcano located near sea level in northern Colombia. It supposedly has many healing properties that will leave you feeling light and refreshed afterwards. It’s a heavy tourist location so I’d suggest taking a tour rather than taking a cab.

A few things to remember before diving in:

Bring an old swimsuit– I did not, which prevented me from getting in. I kick myself when I think about how I should’ve prepared properly for this.

Bring cash– There will be workers everywhere that will give you a massage, rinse you off, hold your camera, watch your shoes, etc. They all expect 1 peso for each service they provide.

Be prepared to get close!- It gets pretty packed in there so expect to rub shoulders with whomever you came with and strangers!

Go Early- Lines will begin to form around 10:30/11am. Try to get in and out before then or you’ll be baking in the hot sun for a while.

After you climb out of the mud, you will be able to wash off (with help if you’d like) in a nearby lagoon.

 

4. Visit and dine in Galerazamba

This little town is located about 10 minutes away from the volcano and is where many of the employees’ work. We first stopped at the Etnoindustrial museum, which is dedicated to the indigenous history. It is located seaside and has a peaceful beach. We also dined here, eating fresh fish, rice, and salad. You have the option of ordering chicken or vegetarian if you don’t like/eat fish or can’t deal with eating a fish with the head still on . After dining, us ladies danced with an instructor, which ended up being quite the workout! It was fun to experience how their subtle movements can make for powerful dancing.

 

5. Walk in the Pink Sea (El Salar de Galerazamba)

This was one of my favorite parts of the trip. During certain times of the year, the water at this location turns pink due to the salinity in the water. We were lucky enough to visit at the perfect time of year when the pink was nice and vibrant. Most don’t know the level of salt in the water is just a few points behind the dead sea, which means no wildlife swimming throughout. It was amazing to see the large salt rocks washing ashore. This was definitely one of those moments where I was so thankful to be able to travel and see all of the beauties of the world.

Side note: The three activities above can be combined into a single tour. That is the best bargain and a great way to meet strangers. If you’re looking for a suggestion, book through Book Back Packers. They were great!

6. Relax at Baru island

Baru Island is a nice beach once you get past all the tourist traps- and there are many! I would encourage you to just keep walking until you find a nice quiet space. Otherwise you will be surrounded by vendors the whole time. We used Book Back Packers again for this which covered our transportation from Cartagena (about an hour) and provided us with a private space and lunch. It was a really nice experience if you can get past someone coming up to you to sell you something- not as bad as the public space, but still a bit interrupting. Don’t be surprised if someone (or multiple people) touch you to give you an idea of what their massage will feel like. This is something that you can’t quite get away from in Colombia. Outside of this, the beach has clear water, nice sand, and offers excursions!

 

7. Take a night cruise with a 4 course dinner

The night cruise was a great way to cap off our final night in Cartagena. Our cruise was about 3 hours and included a four-course dinner and a bottle of wine while sailing across the sea and viewing the beautiful evening sites. It was such a great way to connect and reflect with the group while eating delicious food. There are many cruise ship options you can find that are both during the day and at night. From researching, you can’t go wrong with any of them!

 

8. Find a way to give back

You will find many beautiful areas to visit, great restaurants to try, and history to explore, but Cartagena is a very, very poor area. You may get a bit turned off by the number of people who approach you trying to sell something when you are trying to have a peaceful time. As frustrating as this might be, try to overcome it by remembering that while we are enjoying the beauty of their land, they are trying to provide for their families. You can find opportunities to serve the community if you’d like or you can do simple things like tipping beyond what you normally would (our dollar goes far there) and giving money to the performers on the street. Often, we watch their entertainment and forget they are doing this as a profession. This is something I am going to remember everywhere I go!

I’d like to give a quick kudos to The Flight Life group, who coordinated the entire trip. You can find additional information about Cartagena and the many trips they have coming up here . Whether you want to go on an organized group trip or with a small group of friends, these suggestions will hopefully make your trip a spectacular one!

Cheers!

New Orleans Bayyy-Bay

/0 Comments/in , , /by

I recently enjoyed a baby mooning trip with the hubs in New Orleans. New Orleans has been on my bucket list to travel to for a while. I have heard so many good things about its culture and food and wanted to have my own experience down in the Big Easy. I thought what better time than now to experience the strong French and Roman Catholic background of New Orleans. I am so glad I did. A city so full of history. This was an exciting trip with lots of laughs, good food, sightseeing, culture, history, and overall fun!

Let’s have a little fun and start by talking that New Orleans Talk. Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler !! That is French for “Let the good times roll”, and for certain we did. During this trip we did lots of walking on the Banquette. My Boo and I love to walk when on vacation and there is plenty of walking on Bourbon Street and the surrounding areas. We stayed dehydrated with a Cold Drink or maybe my husband had a Slush Frozen Cocktail or two. LOL! No need to worry, we had our fair share of water as well. After walking and burning some calories, we had to eat. My husband couldn’t leave the Big Easy without a Dressed Po’Boy and I couldn’t leave without Jambalaya, Etouffee, and Gumbo. Maybe a Beignet or three! We took a city tour and amongst seeing lots of what New Orleans has to offer, we also visited some of the different Wards and saw a few Shotgun Houses. Oh yeah, you can’t leave without riding past the Mercedes Superdome and yelling “Who Dat”! Now that you are a little familiar with the New Orleans Talk, I’m fixing to tell you about the highlights of the trip 😊

**New Orleans Talk Legend:

  • Banquette = A sidewalk
  • Boo = Cajun term for endearment or sometimes your sweetheart
  • Cold Drink = Soda or Soft Drink
  • Dressed = When you order a po-boy, “dressed” means you want lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and mayo on it.
  • Po’Boy = Short for poor-boy. A French bread sandwich and signature dish of New Orleans. The origin of the name is not    settled, but it may refer to the sandwich being a staple meal of poor workers or children. It has also been proposed that these sandwiches would have be purchased with a worker’s tips (French: pourboire) or that they were made using the “tips” of a loaf of French bread.
  • Jambalaya = A rice dish with meat or seafood, similar to Spanish paella. The word is said to come from the Provençal word “jambalaia,” meaning mish-mash or pilaf.
  • Etouffee = There are many variations to this dish. Most etoufees start with a roux and consist of rice, shell fish or meat and vegetable.
  • Gumbo = The word “gumbo” comes from an African language that means okra. Gumbo is a traditional southern soup like dish. It can be made with just about anything. But, all gumbos start with a rich roux and usually include either sea food or sausage.
  • Beignet = These are French style donuts that are drowned in powdered sugar. Usually, beignets are served with cafe au lait. Stop by Cafe Du Monde for the cities best coffee and beignets.
  • Ward = Designations dividing New Orleans’ into 17 regions, or wards, which are subdivided into precincts.
  • Shotgun Houses = A long, narrow, hall-less house common to New Orleans, which was named because if one fired a shotgun through the front door, the shot would go straight through the house without hitting a wall and exit through the back door.
  • Who Dat = A term used to cheer on the New Orleans Saints.
  • Fixing to = Getting ready to do something.

****THE ADVENTURES****

Bourbon Street

If you don’t know by now, New Orleans likes to stay up late. Of course, you heard Bourbon is famous for its bars and strip clubs, and it is. However, since I was baby mooning my experience was a little different. Yes, you can still enjoy Bourbon Street and be pregnant or with family. In fact, we went during Spring Break and there were quite a few families or couples with babies.

We walked up and down Bourbon and the surrounding streets people watching, eating, and simply enjoying the culture. At nights, Bourbon is very lively. The city certainly comes alive at night. Come sundown, the night lights shine in the clubs and on stages. The dance floors are full of people ready to have a good time. Although I did not party and drink, I enjoyed being in the heart of the French Quarter taking all my surroundings in. Conveniently, we stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton French Quarter on Bourbon Street. Right in the middle of all the fun and night life. I will also say staying on Bourbon Street is great for access to other areas and activities.

Jackson Square

Jackson Square is a historic park in the French Quarter. It is also where the St. Louis Cathedral and Andrew Jackson’s Statue are located. The St. Louis Cathedral is the oldest ran Catholic Church and still conducts mass today. My husband and I found ourselves walking here everyday. It is so full of life and always has something to see. From tons of artist being set up with their crafts, mules waiting to take people for a ride with carriages attached, local people putting on street shows, the sounds of cars zooming by, people talking, and the many shops and restaurants; you will surely find something you enjoy! We certainly enjoyed Jackson Square! Oh yeah, did I mention Beignets and Café Au Lait? There is also a Café Du Monde located right across the street! 😉

VIP City Tour

I don’t know about you, but I love going to a city and learning about the history and culture of that particular city. Almost everywhere my husband and I travel to, we always make time for a city tour. Whether it’s a private tour with 20 people or a hop-on, hop-off bus (Yes, the big red ones. Lol) we always experience a tour. We both like history but in different forms. I love guided tours such as the VIP City Tour and my husband enjoys museums. The tour lasted about 2 hours and the tour was very informative. The places we saw while on the tour were The Upper and Lower Ninth Ward (biggest areas where Katrina hit), Lake Pontchartrain, Super Dome, St.Louis Cemetery, Canal St, French Quarter, French Market, Cafe Du Monde, Levees, Seventh Ward, Eighth Ward, St. Louis Cathedral, Pumping Stations (drain canals & levees), Ellis Marsalis School In Musician, Shot Gun Style Homes, Esplande Ave, Xavier University (known for pharmacy school), World War II Museum and the Garden District.

French Market

The French Market was a fun local experience. It is basically their flea market located in the French Quarter. Like with many nationally known flea markets, it is filled with lots of history, artist and their crafts. From food, to paintings, to clothing, to jewelry, to other good finds there is tons of cool things that can be found at the French Market. They also have café and bars located through the French Market. Sometimes there are different groups there playing live music. One of the days we went, there was a band playing live music while people watched and ate outside.

World War II Museum

The National WWII Museum is packed with lots of history. Whether you’re a history geek or not, the WWII Museum is a must see. From a non-history geek standpoint, you will still enjoy and appreciate the history and the work put into putting the museum together. There is a lot to see and learn if you do not already know. From a history maniac standpoint, you will love the museum.

Frenchmen Street

New Orleans is the city that is the birthplace of jazz. Music here is the local language any time of the day or night. Every corner you turn to, you will find some form of music. There are plenty of opportunities to listen and dance to live music. The beats of the music are irresistible, and you will find yourself dancing till the sun comes up. Frenchmen Street is where the locals go to party. It’s a street for live music only. No DJs!

Vaso

Vaso, a super lounge located on Frenchmen Street is the place we stopped in for some good live jazz. You will find there are plenty of lounges to choose from, but you have to gravitate towards the lounge that’s playing the music that moves your soul. The musician and his band that were playing here the night we went were very good. The vibe was nice, and the dance floor started to fill up with people dancing the night away. My husband and I enjoyed ourselves and had some good laughs and quality time.

****THE FOOD****

Andouille, Beignet, Café Au Lait, Cajun, Chickory, Crawfish, Créole, Étouffée, Flambé, Grillades, Gumbo, Jambalaya, Jazz, Po’Boy, Pralines, and Roux. Are you hungry yet? The list could go on. These are some of the foods I got to experience while visiting the Big Easy. You surely can’t come to New Orleans and not try any of the food. You’d be missing out!

Gumbo Shop

Gumbo, mmmm yum! One of the many dishes New Orleans is known for. My belly just got happy all over again. On the first night in New Orleans we stopped by the Gumbo Shop. We experienced first hand some yummy Gumbo, Jambalaya, Crawfish Etouffee, Red Beans & Rice and Alligator Sausage. My husband and I wanted all the good stuff so we both ordered what they call the Complete Creole Dinner. You pick an appetizer, entrée, side, and dessert from a list of choices in each category. Yes, we had a feast! All the New Orleans classics in one dinner! Who could say no to that?

Willa Jean

This was where I had my first Latte! EEK! Willa Jean is a small cute eatery with a small cute bakery counter inside the eatery. The pastries here were amazing. We had a Chocolate Chip Cookie and an Oatmeal Cookie both topped with Sea Salt. Those paired with the Latte, talk about a good pre meal. The food is southern inspired with a New Orleans spin. We tried the Hangover Bowl and the Fried Chicken + Tabasco Honey. Talk about yummy food, and that biscuit on the Fried Chicken Sandwich was the bomb diggity! You could tell the love they put into their food and pastries.

Café Du Monde

OMG, OMG, I FINALLY got to try Café Du Monde. The most talked about and famous Beignet place in New Orleans! I loved this place! I have a sweet tooth and these smothered in powdered sugar French donuts hit the spot. I also tried Café Au Lait for the first time. You may be wondering what Café Au Lait is. This is New Orleans traditional coffee. Cafe Au Lait is made from coffee and Chickory mixed with boiled milk. I will admit I’m not a true coffee drinker and had to add a lot of sugar. However, when I got my coffee right, it paired perfectly with the Beignets. The best part of it all is 3 Beignets (considered 1 order) and 1 Café Au Lait is all $6.00 including tax, TOTAL!

Oceana

Po’Boy and Crawfish Etouffee?! Yes, please! You can never get enough Etouffee while in New Orleans, and you can’t come to New Orleans and not try a Po’Boy. Oceana is where we had both! Both dishes were good! Don’t forget to get your Po’Boy DRESSED – lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, mayonnaise. The only way to eat a Po’boy.

Stanley

Conveniently located on historic Jackson Square. If you travel to New Orleans and stay close to Jackson Square, I would highly suggest at least experiencing one of the restaurants located on Jackson Square. The view from Stanley’s elegant dining room provides a beautiful back drop of the St. Louis Cathedral and downtown New Orleans. If you’re looking for a good breakfast dining spot, this is it! Definitely order the Stanley’s Classic and Bacon & Cheese Grits. They are simple but both classic New Orleans comfort food at its best.

Loretta’s New Orleans Authentic Pralines

Pralines is all you hear about from people from Louisiana. I had never tried a praline until this trip. I would have never considered pralines. However, after a friend suggested I try Loretta’s Pralines, I figured I couldn’t come to New Orleans without trying one. I asked a friend who is from New Orleans on food suggestions, and this was one of the places on his list. Thank goodness I did. Loretta’s has some of the yummiest Sweet Potato Cookies and Pralines. I can’t speak much on the pralines as I have nothing to compare it to. Although from what I tasted I was pleased. However, those Sweet Potato Cookies with the mashed sweet potato filling in the center was divine. If you want a good praline (in my opinion) and a bomb Sweet Potato Cookie, go to Loretta’s.

Creole House Restaurant & Oyster Bar

This location is located on the famous Canal Street. Coming to Creole House is a good way to eat good food and explore Canal Street. During the VIP City Tour, our tour guide referenced a few places and this was one of them. If you like fried fish, I would encourage you to give this place a try. They have some of the best fried fish and hush puppies I have had! They also had really good Jambalaya and Red Beans & Rice. We enjoyed some of the New Orleans classics, while sitting in the outside seating area soaking up the sun and people watching.

The Ruby Slipper Café

If you know Tiff Squared, you know we are brunch maniacs. We live for a good brunch! I could not leave New Orleans on a Saturday without brunch. It just would not be true Tiffany fashion. The funny thing is I had been eyeing this café the entire trip and almost passed on giving it a try. Thank goodness I didn’t. This was certainly a delight. I grew up on Catfish and Grits. My mom use to make this meal once a week when I was younger. When I saw it on the menu, I immediately knew what I was ordering. I’m glad I did. It touched on my childhood memories. Also, besides having a childhood dish they had Banana Foster French Toast. Flambé Bananas in a butter, brown sugar, and rum sauce. This is also a New Orleans classic you can’t pass up on. My heart and belly were full! A childhood memory and a New Orleans classic for my fav meal – BRUNCH, it doesn’t get much better than that!

By now I’m sure you can tell I thoroughly enjoyed New Orleans. My experience was everything I wanted. I explored a city full of history and ate all the New Orleans classics I could dream of. I felt like I was surrounded by the love and good vibes the locals have for their city, and wanted others to see and take in. I would highly encourage visiting the Big Easy and creating your very own memories.

Until the next travel expedition…See ya!