Posts

Explore, Eat & Relax In Charming Charleston

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!

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

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!

 

 

 

 

 

All things Peace in the Middle East

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Jordan thanks to meeting a new friend in Brazil (read about that adventure here), who happens to be stationed there as a US Diplomat. I never would have considered exploring this area, but I believe we meet people for specific reasons. When the offer was extended to visit, I said… WHY NOT?! Thank goodness I did. This has now become one of my top destinations for many reasons. Read on to see why… Read more

French Food and Beverage Federation

I have had the pleasure of visiting France once and immediately fell in love with the food and drink options. The food in particular stood out to me. I’d always been told the selections were good, but they were actually quite fantastic! I was really craving French food, but thankfully, in perfect timing, I was able to review a variety of French products from the French Food and Beverage Federation, all directly from France!  Read more

Aloha from Hawaii!!

Are you looking for a vacation filled with beautiful beaches, amazing hikes and views, cool luau’s, and some of the nicest people you will meet? If the answer was yes, then Hawaii is the place for you. Pack your bags and experience an amazing trip to one of the eight beautiful islands.
Read more

To know Paris is to know a great deal <3

I’ve always been told that once you plan to go to Paris, you will also need to prepare yourself to fall in love with it over and over again. I now fully understand this statement. Although I was only there for 4.5 days, I soaked in so many wonderful scenes and food. They say “A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty and in the point of Life” (originally by Thomas Jefferson). I feel every bit of this. Whether you’ve been to Paris or not, allow me to immerse you into a journey through these lessons and leave your heart yearning for more…. Read more

Unwind with Wine in Napa Valley

I have had the pleasure of visiting Napa Valley three times in my life (and many more to come) and can absolutely say it just keeps getting better! As wine gets better with time, Napa seems to also. This is the ultimate trip to explore different types of wine, build your palate, be in the midst of amazing scenery, and eat great food! As a food and travel blogger, that’s right up my alley! There are so many wineries that it can become overwhelming to decide which ones to go to. But, that’s what Pursuit of Delights is here for! Scroll on to see which wineries met my list of top, affordable places to visit (in no particular order). Read more

Paradise and Unicorns – Male, Maldives

IMG_1904The place that everyone “Oohhs” and “Aahhs” over. The place that everyone talks about.. The Maldives. Read more

Places To See In The DMV!

Are you looking for a quick weekend trip with a variety of great things to see, reasonable prices, and amazing history? Well, the DMV is perfect for you! I’ve always been a fan of the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area, but never dedicated a weekend to exploring the top areas… until now! I was so impressed with how much we experienced in such a short amount of time that I felt it necessary to share it with you all! Although there is much more, here are a few “Must Do” options. Read more