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Exploring the Charming Town of ATHENS, OHIO!

Helloooooo everyone!!!! I am so excited to say that we are BACK with yet another partnership
with Ohio. Find It Here. We have loved working with them to explore all things Ohio! This month, we
took it to the road to focus on the charming town of ATHENS! Although the area was new to me, it
might not be to you all since it is home of the one and only Ohio University, amongst other things! If you
are looking for a place to do a last-minute fall trip by yourself, with friends or with family, Athens is a
great option for you. It was about a 2 hour and 45-minute drive from Cincinnati which wasn’t bad at
all!  I personally went by myself and enjoyed my music and podcasts on the way! 
 

A little detail on Athens 

Fun Fact: Back in the day, Athens was home to two Native American groups- the Adena culture and Ohio
Hopewell tradition. Athens County was then formed much later in 1805 where there were no longer any
native settlements.  


Historical Fact: Athens has now been known as a coal and fruit producing region and a state center of
higher education and psychiatric care.


Location Fact: Athens is located 30-45 minutes away from two other charming towns- Chillicothe and
Marietta. There are lots and lots of hills and water around the area. That translates to lots of hiking and
boating! 
 
The more you know! :)
 

Now, let’s dive into how I spent my day in the area 

First…. FOOD! – Let me first say I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of good food there was to
choose from! I could have easily spent majority of my time roaming around the area, eating.
(Actually, that sounds like a fantastic day to me, but I had other things to do!) It was still pretty early in
the morning when I arrived, so breakfast was calling my name! That’s where Fluff Bakery came in. 
Fluff Bakery was opened in 2010 and brings you all the tasty pastries, cookies, coffee, sandwiches and
more! They pride themselves on bringing comfort food from their shop to your belly! I ordered one of
their seasonal drinks- the pumpkin spiced caramel latte- and the biscuit sandwich with bacon, egg and
cheese. All I can say is WOW!!! This was one of the best biscuit sandwiches I’ve had in a while. The
flavor, the buttery taste, and the flakiness made it perfect. It was exactly what I needed to gear up for a
busy day. 


Important Note: They have seating on the inside, but it’s currently not open due to Covid. You can use
their walk-up window to place your order and sit at one of their seats outside, but seating is limited.  
 

 

Let’s Get Educated! 

Now that I was fueled, I was ready to do a bit of exploring. Since I was right by campus, I was ready
to visit Ohio University! It is the first to be chartered in Ohio, in 1787, and open for students in
1809. When I reached campus, the first word that came to mind was “plush”. The greenery was so
vibrant and soft. There were also large, old trees surrounding the area. It was apparent that the grounds
are always well taken care of.  


As far as academics, they offer over 250 areas of study at all levels. There are 12 academic colleges
with the College of Arts and Sciences being the largest academic division in Ohio. For sports, if you are
from Ohio or familiar with Ohio University, you know they are known as the Bobcats and have several
local sports teams. They also seem to have a robust fraternity and sorority population with signs about
activities spread throughout campus. I bet there is never a dull day! 
 

Alright…time to have a little snack! 

I’d heard a lot about Whit’s Frozen Custard, which is right by campus, and was sooooo excited to try
them! They make all their custard fresh every day. One of the reasons why they’re such a hit is because
they churn their vanilla and chocolate flavors throughout the day- keeping it nice and smooth! What I
loved is you can get as creative as you’d like with small (and I do mean small) price upgrades per
ingredient. I ended up going with the famous “Whitser” with a vanilla base, snickers, caramel, and
M&Ms. INCREDIBLE!!! I highly recommend!  


 
Sidenote: This is not a place I was able to visit as there were no showtimes during my time, but if you
have a chance, grab tickets for Athena Cinema. It’s right across from Whit’s and looks really unique.
They are a nonprofit cultural institution with a mission to Educate, Entertain, and Engage. As they say it,
there is something for everyone- including controversial, discussion items. In addition to their showings,
they also have student screenings, festivals, and panels. Fingers crossed that you get a chance to check
them out!  

Ok…. Now it was time to explore the outdoors! 

As mentioned, if you have an interest in being outdoors, you will likely find something for you that is a
short distance away. Athens is known for hiking, biking, boating, camping, swimming and more. The first
place I visited was Strouds Run State Park, named after the family that settled in the area in the
1800s.   


I first stopped at the boat house where you can rent a boat for specific amounts of time. Although I was
focused more on hiking this day instead of boating, it was great to walk out on the dock and see how
beautifully serene it was. There was not a large amount of people on the water, which makes for a safer
experience if you go this route. You also can just sit out and enjoy the scenery like I did! 

 


I spent majority of my time hiking a portion of Lakeview trail. It is a long, quiet trail (3.3 miles). Being
alone, you must be careful as there are lots of critters all around you. Although I didn’t experience the
full trail, what I saw was amazing! It could’ve been how much the sunshine was beaming down
or all the trees around, but whatever it was, it was worth it! So put on your hiking boots, grab your
hiking sticks, and get moving!  


Know before you go: There are several different entrances that are spread out miles apart. Be sure to
look at the website to narrow down exactly where you want to go. Also, plug the address into your GPS
ahead of time because you likely will loose service.  
 

Time to explore the eating and drinking scene! 

Well, I certainly worked up the desire to sit down and have a nice glass of wine! Athens only has one
wine bar in the area, and I was certainly going to visit it! Athens Uncorked is SUPER CUTE! I could not
believe how awesome it looked when I walked inside. It has a calm feel to it mixed with vibrant colors
throughout. As soon as I walked in, the staff was so friendly. They allowed me to walk around to view
the space while also explaining the different wines they have. They offer a variety of domestic and
imported wines, featured Ohio wines, seasonal cocktails, a small selection of fine European beers and
ales and Ohio craft beers. If you’re with people who don’t drink (or are underage), they have mocktails
as well! 


What I like is they have something for everyone’s palette- sweet, dry, white, red…there’s a flight for
you! I went with the white wine flight, which came with 3 pours. I can’t say there was one that I didn’t
like, which always makes me happy! When thinking about the venue, the ambiance, the staff, and the
wine, I would easily go back, especially for dinner to try their food as well. I’m so happy this wine
bar was added to the area! Major win! 
 

Although Athens Uncorked had food as well, I was ready for something hearty and for another style of
drink. In comes another recommended stop: Jackie O’s Pub & Brewery. Jackie O’s is great for those of
you who love a good beer and love a pub with tasty food. I did not order a beer, but their cocktails were
fantastic! They have a taproom and brewery next door too if you want to see how they brew their craft
beer.  


Since it was a pub, I absolutely had to have the beer battered fish and chips (battered in their beer of
course). OMG!!! The crispy yet soft texture of the batter was so good! The fish was also well
flavored. This was the perfect place to end the foodie part of my adventure. So satisfied!  
 

One more for the road! 

By this part of the trip, my time began to be extremely limited, but I didn’t want to leave without at least
quickly stopping at Hocking Hills which is a HUGE state park about 25-30 minutes away from
Athens. The park spans across 25 miles and also partially connects to the forest. There is sooooo much
to do here. You’ll find your typical hiking, camping, and boating, but there’s also rock climbing, zip
lining, ATVing, canoeing, fishing, waterfalls, rappelling, and literally so much more.  
Pro tip: Research the park before you go. It can be a bit overwhelming considering how many options
they have. They have a trip planner option online that will help you coordinate your time. I would
recommend dedicating a full day for this because you might be a bit exhausted after (in a great way!) 

Final Suggestions: 
Before I go, I want to offer up a few additional tips!  

  1. Give yourself time! Although this is a small town, I would encourage you to take at
    least a day and a half to explore the area. There are super cute gems and shops surrounding
    the campus and plenty of nature to stop at if you’re an outdoorsy type of person!  
     
  2. Try different food locations – It’s a college town so you’ll see lots of college style places,
    but they also have top rated restaurants such as Thai Paradise, Sol, and Salaam 
     
     
  3. Bring a portable hotspot if you have it! – I lost service at both Strouds Run Boat House
    and Hocking Hills. Luckily my GPS continued to work but if I needed to plug in a new
    address, I would not have been able to. A portable hotspot is definitely the best option just
    in case! 
     
  4. Wear your mask– Masks are still heavily required around the city and while moving
    about indoors.  

 
Well that is all folks! I hope you’ve enjoyed my review of this charming town and hope it encourages you
to visit one day soon! Bye for now!

Our Summer Bucket List with Ohio. Find It Here !

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!

Know Before You Go/ Exploring Naples

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!

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

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

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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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!

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

A Weekend of Unique Chicago Dining

I’ve been to Chicago many times and can offer suggestions on the traditional, delicious restaurants to dine in. You would surely leave satisfied with a full belly from each. On our recent trip to the Windy City, we were set out to experience something different than your typical Chicago Dog and Deep-Dish Pizza.  Our mission was quite successful, which makes me happy to share it with you. Whether you live in Chicago or are visiting for a short while, below are 3 dining experiences that will leave your mouth watering for more! Read more

Submerged In Brazilian Culture

Each time I travel, whether it’s for an extended or short amount of time, I am always ready to get home. For me, there’s nothing like experiencing my natural elements, sleeping in my own bed, eating my usual food, etc. Brazil was the first trip I’d been on where I did not have any of those feelings. After being there for nine days, I was ready to stay and continue the journey. Sometimes when people hear the word “Brazil”, they have a sense of hesitancy. If you are one of them, this post will help you release those preconceived notions and have you ready to book a trip tomorrow! I was pleasantly surprised with the endless amount of fun I had. Continue reading to find out why this trip was my favorite experience to date!

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