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The Last Summer Hurrah!

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While we enjoy the heat, blossoms, and treats that summer brings, we also enjoy welcoming Fall just as much. However, we still have about two months left of summer. You are just in time for the last hurrah! There are plenty of things to see and do to close out the summer. With vacation seasoning ending and back-to-school time just around the corner, it’s time to indulge in every bit of summertime left. How can you enjoy the last bit of summer you ask? Well let us tell you – take an impromptu road trip, visit an amusement park for all the adrenaline rush thrills, visit a museum and learn a little history, or take the kids to a cool Dairy Farm. Grab that last minute summer bucket list and start crossing off those activities waiting to be explored. Now is the time to take a Rock & Ride Road Trip, a Family Fun Road Trip, or a mixture of both. We have partnered with Ohio. Find It Here. to bring you our top last minute summer activities for your August adventure.

Cedar Point

Have you been to an amusement park this year? If not, you must visit Ohio’s Cedar Point. Cedar Point is located in Sandusky, OH, right outside of Cleveland. If an adrenaline rush and need for speed is your thing, you will certainly find it here. They are known as the Roller Coaster Capital of the World, with jaw dropping drops on certain rides. Talk about a fun time and an amazing experience. They have your traditional rides like the Ferris Wheel, Loopty Loop Rides, Water Rides, and Kid’s Rides. Then there are the rides that they are most known for like Top Thrill Dragster, GateKeeper, Millennium Force, and more. This park is full of rides with adventure, twist, and turns. My husband and I went for a weekend on a couple’s date, and it was fun. Of course after riding all those rides and walking the park, you will certainly work up an appetite. After our adventurous day, we walked right outside the park to one of the restaurants and had a delicious dinner. Whether you like rides full of speed, twist and turns or you like simpler laid-back rides, Cedar Point has something for all ages and thrill levels.

TIP: Cedar Point is located on Lake Erie and offers a waterpark called Cedar Point Shores. If you are not a thrill seeker and amusements parks are not your thing, there are other activities to do in the area. You could enjoy the waterpark, or you could plan a weekend getaway, rent a hotel, and enjoy the beach. Also, water activities like kayaking are offered around the beach shore.

National Veterans Memorial and Museum

First and foremost, we would like to thank the men and women of the Armed Forces for their services! Did you, someone in your family, or someone you know serve in the Armed Forces? Are you just curious to know what soldiers go through from the time they enlist to the time they get out or retire? If you answered yes to any of these questions, the National Veterans Memorial and Museum is the place for you. Located in Columbus, OH, this museum is sure to give you another level of respect for the men and women that serve(d) our country. It is well put together, organized, and teaches you a lot about what a veteran may experience during his or her time in the military. It is so unique! Tiff Squared enjoyed our time learning about the process a veteran takes from enlisting to retirement or sadly even a lot of times death, listening to stories given by veterans, and learning history through a cool timeline wall. Tiff D. even lifted some tactical gear and my was it heavy. To think some of them must go to war with all of this equipment on is mind blowing. However, they go through rigorous training that “tries” to prepare them for the toughest moments they will experience ever in life. I use the word “tries” because no matter how much training you have, some moments can never be prepared for. It also allows them to form a comradery with their peers that is never lost. The military certainly makes tough people! It was also interesting to learn about the color flags some soldiers wear on their uniforms as to what war they served in. We both learned so much and found ourselves invested to want to keep reading and learning more. This museum is truly a wonderful experience as well as an awesome way to pay homage to the men and women that took an oath to protect and serve the United States of America.

Young’s Jersey Dairy

I get it, school is out, the kiddos are running around the house like crazy, and you just need to find something to wear them out! We have something fun for them and you. Take a visit to Young’s Jersey Dairy located in Yellow Springs, OH. It is also about 10 minutes away from the main strip in Yellow Springs filled with shopping, outdoor activities (bike riding, hiking, and more), and restaurants. Yellow Springs makes for the perfect weekend getaway. I know taking the kids to a dairy may sound strange, but I am here to tell you there is a lot more fun than the name suggest. Young’s Farm first started as a farm that grew grain, raised hogs, milked cows, and eventually sold their milk. Today they grew the farm into what we like to call family friendly fun at Young’s. I took my 5-year-old daughter for a mommy and me day. We both had a lot of fun! The farm offers their Dairy Store, Two Miniature Golf Courses, Batting Cages, Covered and natural grass driving range, Moovers & Shakers (a fun barrel ride around the farm), Cowvin’s Fast Slide, Cowvins Kiddie Corral, Young’s Annual Cheese Anniversary, The Wool Gathering, Pick Your Own Pumpkins & Cowvin’s Corny Maze + Playground, Fall Farm Pumpkin Festival, and Vintage Truck Show. WHEW, that was a mouth full! Haha! My daughter had fun doing the Moovers & Shakers, Cowvin’s Kiddie Corral and the Batting Cage. She enjoyed the kiddie slides and the tricycles that the Kiddie Corral offered. They also have goats that you can feed. Additionally, aside from their milk and cheese, Young’s Dairy is known for their fresh ice cream made on their site. They have a drive-through or a dairy store that you can purchase ice cream. There was a line for the dairy store, but we wanted the experience, so we stood and waited. My daughter loves ice cream, so this was her favorite part. She ordered her favorite, Chocolate Ice Cream. I decided to go out of my norm and try their Banana Split. Both ice cream treats were delicious, refreshing, and the perfect way to beat the summer heat, so grab the family and set out for a fun day trip to Young’s Jersey Dairy.   

Loveland Castle Museum

Where are the history lovers at? If this is you, plan a visit to Loveland Castle Museum located in Loveland, OH. The castle is filled with history about Sir Harry and the KOGT (Knights of the Golden Trail). I found it very interesting to learn we had a castle right here in the Cincinnati, OH area. When I hear the word castle, I offer times think of large castles such as Buckingham Palace. I do not think of smaller castles with a great foundation behind them. I was so happy to hear of a castle here in Ohio and it made me rethink of my appreciation of what is in my own back yard. I had to go check it out. At the Loveland Castle there are so many things do to and explore when you visit. You can have a family picnic by the river or enjoy a walk down the pathways of the gardens to see various plants and flowers. During my tour at the castle I learned about Harry, Picnicking, Games and Puzzles, Ghosts, Architecture, Swords and Weapons. There is never a dull moment when you visit the castle, there is something to learn around every corner.

Duke Energy Children’s Museum

Cincinnati is home and you know I could not give a list of last-minute summer bucket list activities and not feature a location right here in the Queen City. What I found unique about the atmosphere and look of the museum, was that is resembles the New York Train Station. With school getting ready to start back, what better way to get the kiddos back into the swing of things than exploring history and science at the Children’s Museum. This is a great way for kids and families to get out and explore together. The vision of the Cincinnati Museum Center is to bring understanding of their past, present, and future by providing world-class learning experiences enjoyable for children and adults, and they do just that! My family and I visited the Children’s Museum and had a blast. You will learn about dinosaurs, the evolution of technology, Cincinnati’s history, and so much more. My children’s favorite parts were the dinosaur exhibit as well as the hands-on activity exhibit. The museum offered different hands-on activities for the kids to learn different objectives. After we played and visited the exhibits, we watched a 45-minute movie in the Robert D. Linder Family OMNIMAX Theater. This was a fun, full screen experience. The theater is in the shape of a dome and the screen takes up the entire front side and moves up. Its pretty neat! If you are feeling inspired to learn more about the world through science and regional history in a fun, educational, and engaging way, the Duke Energy Children’s Museum is the place for you. It will open your eyes to a world of meaningful experiences.  

While summer is coming to an end, that does not mean it is over just yet. There is still plenty of time to get out and explore and make those summer bucket list items a reality. Whatever you have been meaning to do this Summer, now is the time! Grab those friends or family members and seize the day! Visit a place you have never been before, try something outside of your comfort zone, or find something that is familiar to your interest. No matter what you decide to do, you will enjoy every minute of soaking up the end-of-summer sun! 

Outdoor Adventures in Ohio

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Summer has officially begun, and that means it is time to get out and explore. After a year of being stuck in the house, I think the outdoors is calling everyone’s name. There is so much to see and do right here in Ohio. How do you do the outdoors? Is it a good patio with fancy drinks, an outdoor mural, or maybe a good ole breath of fresh air outside hiking or a walk in the park! We recommend taking a mini day trip to Columbus, Dayton, or staying right here in Cincinnati. All three of these cities provide a great experience with friends or family. The awesome thing is the two listed destinations outside of Cincinnati are within 100 miles of Cincinnati. Cincinnati is great and can be the perfect day exploring what is in your back yard. Dayton and Columbus are perfect for mini getaways not to far from home. Each city offers something for everyone. Whether you like to shop, eat, ride a bike, hike, play volleyball, walk in parks, or embrace the art culture, we promise you will not be left out. Ohio is a beautiful state with unexpected hipness and coolness. We have partnered with Ohio. Find It Here. to bring awareness to just how cool and fun Ohio is! Whether you live in Cincinnati, Columbus, or Dayton, or you are making any of these destinations a road trip, you will appreciate the beauty in each city and what it has to offer.

TIP: While we are providing outdoor adventures for all three cities, we will also suggest one food stop per location as well.

Cincinnati

ADVENTURES:

Queen City aka Cincinnati! They do not call Cincinnati the queen for no reason, the city is truly a diamond! While we, Tiff Squared, do a lot of travel, Cincinnati is where we call home! They always say home is where the heart is 😉 We absolutely love our city and the fun we have here. From Pedal wagoning through the city on a mural tour, restaurants, playing volleyball at a cool brewery, to farmer’s markets, the Queen City has a lot of jewels to offer.

Pedal Wagon Cincinnati

Experience Cincinnati’s colorful side through the beautiful mural masterpieces! Whether you’re a local looking for a unique way to explore the art that Cincy has to offer, or a out-of-towner visiting for the first time, Pedal Wagon Cincinnati’s Mural Tour makes for a fun and creative day! This is the perfect insider to Over-the-Rhine’s (OTR) most known murals. What is also really cool is that Pedal Wagon Cincinnati gives back. Ten percent of all proceeds of this our go to ArtWorks, an award-winning non-profit arts organization that empowers and inspires the creative community.

Tiff Squared took this tour and loved exploring the city through its creative art. Each mural told a story and gave a piece of the city in its own unique way. Every mural was painted with love and care and uniqueness to its placement on certain buildings or the story that it told. What was also fun was that the pedal wagon offers an opportunity for you to hang with friends and meet new people. While not everyone knew each other on our tour, we were all brought together by our city’s precious art and the meaning it had to the city. The fact that Cincinnati has such a cool and unique way to exhibit artwork on the streets, outside was something that everyone could appreciate and connect on. This experience was one for the books. Grab your friends and pedal your way through Cincinnati’s OTR neighborhood and tap into your creative side.  

Findlay Market

Are you someone who likes fresh, local ingredients and products? If you answered yes, we have the spot for you, Findlay Market. Findlay Market is Ohio’s oldest continuously operated public market and one of Cincinnati’s most cherished institutions. Findlay is one of the top visited locations in Cincinnati by locals as well as out-of-towners. It is in OTR and just a few blocks from downtown. Our love for Findlay runs deep. The sense of community you gain from visiting Findlay is like no other. We love to visit the thriving Farmers Markets on the weekends while sitting outside to enjoy street performers and live music. It is so nice to be able to go and support local businesses while purchasing farm fresh, locally sourced, artisanal and specialty foods. Findlay offers a little of everything. From sweets, savory, spices, plants, chocolate, to candles, you name it and they have it. It is also the perfect weekend plans for the family and young kids. It is one of our favorite places to visit. If you want a true since of Cincinnati mixed with a little home grown, Findlay is the place to see.

TIP: You might even catch our very own, Tiffany B., out in the market. She works out of Findlay Market’s commercial kitchen, Findlay Kitchen. She makes thick, hand-made, delicious, stuffed cookies. Look for Sweet Mae’s Cookie Co. She even sometimes participates as a vendor at Findlay Market during different events Findlay Market host.

50 West Brewery

Need a brew or want to have some outdoor fun? Either way, 50 West has you covered. Located on US 50 heading west into the city of Cincinnati. This brewery was founded in a former roadside speakeasy. If you did not know US Route 50 passes through 12 states from Ocean City, MD to Sacramento, CA, meaning it passes right through Cincinnati. If you are up for a HUGE road trip you can still pass right through the Queen City. However, in the meantime let us just take US 50 right to 50 West.

This brewery is huge with lots to do, eat and drink! It is the perfect summer activity for outdoors adventures as well as outdoors sports. They have a cycling trail, volleyball, and so much more. Not only do they have outdoor activities, but they also even have food and drinks to keep you fueled. Tiff Squared spent an afternoon here. We took a short walk on their biking trail and went back to watch people play volleyball. It was cool. What we loved most about this brewery is it is not just a brewery; they provide you with a fun experience. Most breweries offer just beer and food. 50 West is giving all the vibes with food, drinks, and outdoor fun!

FOOD:

50 West Brewery – Staying in true Tiff Squared Fashion, we must talk about food! LOL! The food stop suggestion for Cincinnati is 50 West Brewery Burgers. You do not have to go to far for this location. LOL! While you are at 50 West indulging in all the outdoor activities, you will certainly need food to recharge. They are known for their burgers. What is fun is they offer different toppings and name each burger after states. After our biking adventure and watching people play volleyball, Tiff D. decided to grab a burger and fries. The burgers are really tasty! They have great flavor and really unique toppings. Pictured is the Maryland burger which is a double with Old Bay Tater Sauce, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, and American Cheese. It was soooo good! Tiff D. is challenging herself to try all of the flavors at least once.

Dayton

ADVENTURES:

Keeping this outdoor adventure moving along to our next stop in our three city Ohio outdoor guide. While Cincinnati is known as the Queen City, our next stop, Dayton, is known as “Gem City”. How cute and fitting is that? The Queen City and a few miles away is her Gem. Hehe! See we told you Ohio has so much to offer. Dayton received this nickname from an article written by a reporter in an August 1945 report in the Cincinnati Chronicle about Dayton, due to its beautiful upkeep of the city. The report sited wide streets, kept in excellent order, noble blocks of stores, filled with choice, and of course, the exceeding beauty and neatness of the dwellings. We can surely attest to that, especially the nature side of things! Dayton offers a great way to get out and explore the outdoors through great views at beautiful parks while embracing a breath of fresh air and enjoying your family. 

Wegerzyn Gardens

The Wegerzyn Garden is a metropark in Dayton. You will be wowed by its beauty. A hidden gem?! Very much so! The next time you find yourself in the area, certainly get out and explore this gem of a garden. This garden is perfect for a summer afternoon stroll. The flowers are in full bloom and the garden turns into what we will call a magical place. It certainly offers the most picturesque backdrop. The garden is surrounded by the Stillwater River Trail. The Stillwater River Trail provides cyclist, runners, and walkers tranquil and diverse terrain. The Park features the Stillwater Trail, Formal Gardens, a Children’s Discovery Garden, a Giant Pedestal Oak, Marie Aull Nature Trail, the Swamp Forest, and Community Gardens. Wegerzyn Gardens is beautiful and packed with fun and offers the perfect family time. My children and I ran around the open gardens and took tons of cool pictures while having fun. They also loved the Children’s Discovery Garden. It features a small waterfall, pond, sand boxes, and other interactive exhibits. My family and I had a blast visiting Wergerzyn Gardens. If you are looking for a fun, peaceful and stunning place to explore, this is the location for you! It is free and open to the public.

Cox Arboretum Metro Park

Cox Arboretum is another metropark in Dayton. Like its counterpart, Wegerzyn Gardens, Cox too provides the beauty of nature. Here is a place for you to come and connect with nature. Discover the peacefulness nature, its trees and shrubs thoughtfully placed to capture your imagination and take you to a place of serenity. The Park features Pollinator Gardens, Specialty Gardens, The Barbara Cox Center for Sustainable Horticulture, a Butterfly House, Tree Tower, Bell Children’s Maze, Zorniger Education Center, Conservation Corner, Nature Trails, and Ruth Cummings Mead Woodland. There is certainly something for everyone. My family and I enjoyed a nice stroll admiring all that Cox Park has to offer. We spent a lot of time at the pond at the entrance. It had all the “fishys” and turtles. Go get out and explore Cox Park and enjoy a relaxing family adventure.

FOOD:

Salar – We gotta eat! It is part of what we do and as they say food brings people together! Located in Dayton’s Historic Oregon District, Salar features an exciting menu with strong Peruvian, French, and Mediterranean influences. We love a good reasonably priced, upscale, yet casual meal. Not to mention it is one of our favorite restaurants in Dayton. We love that they offer unique flavors. Some of the dishes we tried were their Beef Empanadas, Fried Calamari, Chicken Chicharrones, Pollo a la Brasa, Faroe Island Salmon, and the Red Quinoa Encrusted Chilean Sea Bass. All of their food is flavorful and touches on different flavor elements and cooking techniques. Overall, Salar is delicious, and you can not go wrong with any option. 

Columbus

ADVENTURES:

Welcome to the state capital- COLUMBUS! Columbus is one of those cities that has been thriving for a long time and won’t be letting up any time soon. There is just so much life and vibrance to it! Even with that, it still feels super homey with awesome opportunities to connect with other people. It’s a great city for people of all ages and at any stage of life. If you’re looking for something for your family, they have it. If you’re looking for nightlife, they have it. If you’re looking for outdoor activities, they have that too! And we can’t forget about sports at THE Ohio State University! Clearly there’s something for everyone. Here’s a small glimpse at the many activities they have to offer:

Easton Town Center

Shopping is an activity, right? Hmmmm Of course it is!! And it just happens to be one of our favorite ones! If you also enjoy shopping, Easton in Columbus is absolutely the place to be. It is one of the largest outdoor shopping centers in all of Ohio. If you’re looking for something specific, they probably have it. That can range from items for kids, items for the home, shoes and so so much more! But the thing is, they are not just for shopping. There are quite a few delicious restaurants there, ranging from grab and go to high-end sit-down options. One of my favorites is Shake Shack. It’s simply delicious! If you want to make a day out of it, they have entertainment as well! This includes a movie theater, comedy club, legoland, Pins mechanical company, and a wealth of other options. Prior to my brother getting married, my family stayed at the Hilton on site when we would visit him. We’d spend hoursss shopping, playing, and overall, just enjoying the area and each other’s company. They do have indoor shopping, eating and entertainment as well, but we’re all for the outdoor options!

Topiary Park

Topiary Park is a beautiful, public park and garden located in downtown Columbus and is officially known as the Topiary Garden at Old Deaf School Park. It is such a cool place! When we visited, we originally thought there were just cool figures cut into the trees, but what they actually depict are figures from Georges Seurat‘s 1884 painting, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. It is the only park based entirely on a painting. They are life-sized shapes which makes it really fun to take pictures with. We really enjoyed pulling up the actual image and picking out which topiary matched to each part of the picture. From what we observed, the park is used to relax, take professional pictures, and to learn about the history of the painting and the Ohio School for the Deaf. We were really excited to experience something new that’s tied to such a beautiful painting.

FOOD:

Hen Quarter Dublin – If you haven’t been to the Dublin area of Columbus, it is a must go! Bridge view park has plenty to offer that is outdoors. If you’re looking for a restaurant with a great patio, we’d highly recommend Hen Quarter. They are a black owned restaurant focused on southern cuisine. We loved how much of a diverse crowd they drew (I mean…who doesn’t love fried chicken, Mac n cheese and more?!)

We ordered the chicken and waffles with greens, the crab stuffed salmon over rice, and a side of mac n cheese. From the seasoning, to the rich balance of flavors, we loved every single bit of it. I also loved the old school R&B playing over the speakers. Such a vibe!

This is the end of our Ohio three-city outdoor adventure tour. However, this could be the start for you. Ohio has so much to offer, and we love getting to explore such a great midwestern state. A lot of times people view the Midwest as cows and pastures. However, we are here to show and tell that the Midwest, Ohio, has such great hidden gems. There is plenty to do and see in every city for everyone. We hope you enjoyed our guide! 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!

Our Summer Bucket List with Ohio. Find It Here !

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Hellooooo Everyone!!!! We have exciting news for you all! We are back with a new partnership with
Ohio. Find It Here. If you were following our blog last year, you likely saw our partnership with them
which took us on foodie tours, charming towns, and so much more. Together, with Ohio. Find
It Here, we have a great line up in store for you for the remainder of 2021. First up is…..

OUR SUMMER BUCKET LIST!

You know, Ohio has so much to offer- especially in the summer. There are tons of options to choose
from with something fitting for everyone! Here are some of the top things we are looking forward to:

Parks

Who doesn’t love a good park especially in great cities? If you didn’t know, Cincinnati was
recently rated in the top 10 in the nation for its park system. Pretty cool right?! There are quite a few to
choose from, but our favorites are:

Washington Park- This is one of the best parks in the city for events and festivals. If you want to
just relax in the grass, it’s great. If you want to listen to live music, it’s great. If you want to have a drink
and good food, there’s a different festival on a regular basis. It also has a playground and water area for
kids (or adults. Hey, we’re not judging. Be playful!)


Ziegler Park- Ziegler park is awesome because they have a huge playground, nearby basketball
courts, and the best part- a pool! The pool comes at a low price and is great for all of the kids in the
area who are looking for something to do. Swimming lessons are available and there’s even adult swim
time as well.


Smale Park– Smale Park is just beautiful!!! I love to go at the start of Spring to see their flowers
bloom (tulips are my favvvv and they have plenty of them), which last throughout the summer and most
of fall. This is a nice activity park. You can bike ride by the river, run, play on the playground, hop on a
boat, or walk down to Sawyer Point for volleyball. The bridges and Ohio River are right in view which
makes for such a beautiful site.

Cincinnati and Columbus Zoos!
Did you know Cincinnati and Columbus zoos are both highly rated for top zoos in the nation as well?
Yep! They have the best animals that can roam freely with lots of space, which is important. I love to see
when one of the babies are welcomed to the family. I mean, who doesn’t love Fiona?! (although she’s
not much of a baby anymore). There are several activities you can choose from such as encounters, train
rides, carousels, climbing activities, and more. What I love about the Columbus zoo is the size of their
aquarium! It is awesome! The botanical gardens are also so beautiful and soothing to walk through as
well. Anddd Cincinnati’s annual fundraiser is coming back at the end of summer: Zoofari . This is a gala
that is so well done and so fun! What a great way to close out summer!

Red’s Games– One thing about Ohioans… we love our sports! I mean…..who doesn’t love a good Red’s
game?! Whether you like baseball or not, you certainly can’t deny the fun atmosphere when you’re in
the stands or in a box. My family and I have been going to the games for years and never get tired of it.
It really is a great way to fellowship with each other while cheering your city on. I’m just waiting for the
time when we catch a foul ball! And what about the food? Baseball food (i.e. hot dogs, popcorn, etc.) is
the best, but I absolutely love getting Cincinnati staples such as Skyline and Larosa’s there too.
Somehow, they just taste better in the stadium!

Music Festivals
Music festivals are such a great way to discover new artists that you will end up loving but may never
have heard of if you hadn’t of gone. And guess what? They’re coming back!!! Some of my favorites have
been right here in Ohio. All the open land really allows us to have the perfect venues with awesome
performers. Fun fact: Cincinnati and Cleveland attract tens of thousands of people from surrounding
areas for the Cincinnati Music Festival and Wonderstruck in Cleveland. That’s how good and reputable
they are. Although the Cincinnati Music Festival is not coming back until 2022, Wonderstruck, as well as
many others throughout Ohio will continue this summer- and mostly at full capacity.

King’s Island/Cedar Point
For all the thrill seekers out there- King’s Island in Cincinnati and Cedar Point in Sandusky are right up
your alley! I grew up on both parks and have yet to get tired of them. I absolutely love how they both
add new and exciting rides just about every year. It truly keeps things exciting. If you don’t ride
rollercoasters, don’t worry. There’s plenty for you too! The food alone could certainly keep you coming
back (can I get an amen for the funnel cakes?!). I also love the different performances right in front of
the Eiffel Tower. They make my friends and I want to have a dance party right on the spot. The other
two things that I truly enjoy are the water parks section and the games. Considering how hot the
summers can get, the water is a great way to cool down before drying off at the regular park again. Thrill
seeker or not- these two places are for YOU.

Rooftop Bars-
Most people know I loveeee a good rooftop bar. I could spend every weekend at a different rooftop and
would consider my summer complete. That’s how much I truly enjoy them. Here are a few of my favs in Cincy:


Rhinegeist- When you step up, your jaw might drop because the panorama view of Cincinnati is
awesome! It is nice for a fun night out but can also end up being cute and romantic because of the
sunset and comfy outdoor couches. Grab yourself a beer and enjoy this great space.


Lytle Park- Lytle Park is one of the newer rooftops in Cincy and is all the rave. Their view is
primarily of the Ohio River, bridges and stadiums. Lovely! They offer fun cocktails and bar food while
you sit in the space. One great thing about them- they offer a covered glass area in the event it rains.

If you’re in Columbus visit:
Lincoln Social – They are awesome. The entry includes a floral wall (with BLM in the design-
thank you!) that then opens up to a beautiful space. This is another rooftop that offers super fun
cocktails and delicious food. I would highly suggest making reservations though. They book fast!

If you’re in Columbus or Cincy:
Pins- Pins has expanded to different parts of Columbus and also now in Cincy. It’s such a fun
place that has so many different games to choose from. Not all of them have a rooftop, but regardless,
you will love it because they do have an outdoor space. The Cincinnati location has a rooftop that is so
cute! The firepits (which are also at the non-rooftop locations) make for a cozy yet playful feel. The thing
I love most about them though- their summer slushy drinks! Drink up!!

That’s all for now folks! We hope you’ve enjoyed a glimpse into what we are looking forward to.
Look out for our next partnership with Ohio. Find It Here coming soon! Cheers to SUMMMERRRRR!

The Peace of Asheville

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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

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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!

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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!!

Road Tripping Through Gatlinburg

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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!

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Dreaming Of The Amalfi Coast

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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!

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10 Things To Explore In Sydney, Australia

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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**

8 ways to enhance your Cartagena, Colombia Trip!

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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!