Last Updated on December 13, 2019I’m sharing 7 of the craziest and most unusual things you can do in Moscow in this post. If you’re looking for a list of the top tourist attractions in Moscow (Red Square, the Bolshoi, the Kremlin, yada yada) – this isn’t the list for you! Now, some of these things I have done myself while living in Moscow and can recommend them. Some are completely out of my price range, but I still think… Read more »
Last Updated on December 11, 2019I’ve been babbling about how beautiful Moscow, Russia is in my last few posts… and I didn’t want St. Petersburg to feel left out! This city is just as gorgeous as Moscow is. With fewer crowds and fresh snowfall, St. Petersburg is an especially magical destination to visit during winter. I can’t recommend visiting Russia at this time of year enough! Pavlovsk Palace was my particular favorite to visit during winter – as they have… Read more »
Last Updated on December 10, 2019Wondering how to spend 3 days in Moscow, Russia during the winter? This itinerary is here to help! I know I’m beginning to sound like a broken record at this point, but I can’t help it! Visiting Moscow, Russia during the winter is SO worth being a little cold to experience. Besides, when you think of Russia – do you think of hot summer days spent in shorts and sandals? Of course not. You imagine… Read more »
Last Updated on December 12, 2019Wondering what to pack for a trip to Russia in the winter? This post is here to help with packing tips for both men and women. Russia is cold and snowy in the winter, there is no doubt about that. However, this shouldn’t discourage you from visiting! Russia is even more beautiful in winter, in my opinion. After living here for a little over a year, I’ve figured out how to dress appropriately for the… Read more »
Last Updated on November 28, 2019I do almost all of my shopping online these days – especially at this time of year! The thought of being stuck in traffic, then fighting my way through crowds to browse to then wait in line for who knows how long – eek! It makes me feel a little nauseous! So, today I’m sharing some of the online Black Friday and Cyber Week sales I’m taking advantage of. This will range from clothing to… Read more »
Last Updated on November 25, 2019For this post, I’m reviewing 5 different camera backpacks I’ve used over the years, and what I consider the best camera backpack for travelers. I’ll discuss their pros and cons, and which one I ultimately chose as my “go-to” backpack for traveling with my camera gear. Now, that being said, I do understand that what works for me may not work for you. So, I’ll give some background on what I’m looking for in a… Read more »
Last Updated on December 10, 2019This gift guide is for the travelers in your life who love map-themed things! I am one of those travelers who can’t get enough of maps and globes. I’m in the process of decorating my home with a world map theme, and I’ve found some really cool things I wanted to share. I’m not limiting this list to just world map home decor, though, as I also have a pretty impressive selection of map-themed clothing… Read more »
Last Updated on November 18, 2019Written by Sarah Saker One of the best parts about going on vacation is the chance to take a break from your normal routine. You can turn off your laptop and phone, taking a break from work. You can stay up a bit later or splurge on fun activities. There are lots of foods to try, so go crazy at all the local restaurants and hot spots. While you should definitely take a break while… Read more »
Last Updated on November 15, 2019When you think of Russia, you can’t help but also think “vodka.” Russians and vodka have a longstanding history with one another. And the Vodka Museum in Moscow is here to shed some more light on this history! (Plus, there are inexpensive vodka tastings here…need I say more?) If you’re debating adding Moscow’s Vodka Museum to your Russian itinerary – then this post is for you! I’ll break down what to expect when visiting, and… Read more »
Last Updated on November 13, 2019After living in Russia for more than a year, my husband and I have accumulated quite the collection of Russian souvenirs! Most of these were bought right at Izmailovsky Market in Moscow, too. (Click here if you missed my post on that!) The majority of the souvenirs on this list will easily fit in your luggage as well. We didn’t ship anything back to the United States when we returned to our home – so,… Read more »
Last Updated on November 13, 2019The best place to buy souvenirs in Moscow, Russia is easily Izmailovsky Market. It’s located just outside the city center and is easy to get to via the metro. The prices here are a fraction of what you’ll pay on Arbat Street for the same souvenirs… and you can barter! My husband and I went here countless times to buy souvenirs for friends and family members. We also took anyone who visited us in Moscow… Read more »
Last Updated on November 6, 2019This post will explain the differences between Sandals Montego Bay and Negril Resorts in Jamaica, as well as Sandals Royal Caribbean. I was fortunate to experience all of these resorts and thought it might be helpful to share some firsthand photos and knowledge of our stay…. in case you just can’t decide which Sandals resort to stay at in Jamaica! Click here for Sandals Montego Bay’s current rates. Click here for Sandals Negril’s current rates…. Read more »
Written by Mary Johnson Italy is a vibrant and beautiful country, famous for the Colosseum, great food, and beautiful cities. One overlooked part of Italy is the Italian Alps, which just happens to be the perfect vacation spot for couples, families, adventurers and the locals themselves. The Italians love their hidden gem so much that they welcome everyone to share their enthusiasm and love for it. To make things even better there is a new tunnel in the Alps, to… Read more »
This post is my honest review of our stay at Sandals Montego Bay Resort – a luxury, all-inclusive, adults-only resort in Jamaica. Sandals Montego Bay is a gorgeous, luxury resort that is much larger than the previous resort we had stayed at in Jamaica – Sandals Negril. Sandals Montego Bay is also located VERY close to the airport in Montego Bay. So close it actually concerns some about staying here…It’s also the very first Sandals Resort to ever open back… Read more »
Last Updated on October 23, 2019Whether we’re flying across the world or driving to a new restaurant in town – having a way to conveniently charge our devices is very important for my husband and me. We both have power banks, but neither of them are anything “special.” If I get through one international flight with my phone staying charged while connected to my power bank – I’ve considered that a win. I never really thought there were any other… Read more »
Last Updated on December 5, 2019When you hear the dress code for some restaurants at Sandals Resorts requires you to wear “resort evening wear” – you may start to picture suit coats and gowns. Fret not! The dress code is not that over-the-top, and this post will break down how to dress for “resort evening” for both men and women, but still be comfortable on your beach vacation. Click here to see current sales & promos for Sandals Resorts. These… Read more »
Last Updated on October 29, 2019This post is my honest review of our stay at Sandals Negril Beach Resort and Spa – a luxury, all-inclusive, adults-only resort in Jamaica. Now all-inclusive, relaxing and beachside are words that are not normally used to describe the kind of vacations my husband and I embark on. We’re usually more of the scaling mountains, jumping out of airplanes, in need of at least 3 days of sleep after our vacation sort of people. So…… Read more »
Last Updated on October 16, 2019I’m testing out the Aviator Merino Wool Travel T-Shirt in today’s post. When it comes to travel clothing, I am always intrigued by any company that says their clothes are wrinkle-free and moisture-wicking. I hate ironing my clothes, even if I’m not traveling. Oh, and when I’m in an airport… I sweat profusely, even in the middle of winter (thanks to usually running to catch connecting flights in O’Hare and lugging around a heavy backpack… Read more »
Last Updated on October 14, 20192 days in Baku, Azerbaijan is just enough time to get a good feel of the city. Granted, you won’t be able to see absolutely everything Baku has to offer in this timeframe – but you will get a great overview. I’m sharing how we spent our 2 days here and a few tips for planning your Baku itinerary. How to Spend 2 Days in Baku, Azerbaijan – The Ultimate Itinerary We had come to… Read more »
Last Updated on November 4, 2019What comes to mind when you think of Baku, Azerbaijan? If “nothing” is your first thought – you’re not alone. I honestly couldn’t have pointed to the city of Baku on a map until a year ago… let alone tell you what there is to do there. This post is here to explain this interesting city – from language and safety concerns to what there is to see and do here! Where Even Is Baku,… Read more »
Last Updated on October 10, 2019Wondering what to wear for a day of exploring in Baku, Azerbaijan? This post is here to help! Unlike my previous outfit post from Baku, this outfit worked perfectly for a day of exploring around the city! I was comfortable in it all day long – and it went from rainy and miserable in the morning to hot and sticky by the afternoon. (I had visited in September.) Shoes As with any city, a day… Read more »
The Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, Azerbaijan is one of the most stunning buildings I have ever seen in my life. Not a single straight line was used in its design! This architectural wonder is a museum complex designed by British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid. (She was the first woman to receive the Pritzker Architecture Prize.) The exhibits inside are dedicated to the history and culture of Azerbaijan. However, in the basement of this magnificent building is an impressive Classic Car… Read more »
Last Updated on October 9, 2019While traveling in Baku, Azerbaijan we had booked our hotel stay at the JW Marriott Absheron Baku. My husband and I always try to stay at Marriotts anytime we travel to continue building our status and points. JW Marriotts are some of the most luxurious hotels in the Marriott chain. When given a choice, we don’t normally stay at this high of a category hotel (due to the matching high price tag). Fortunately, though, the… Read more »
Last Updated on October 2, 2019 Ok, so what I am wearing in this post was NOT an ideal outfit for visiting the Gobustan National Park and Mud Volcanoes outside of Baku, Azerbaijan. In theory, this outfit should have been OK. It’s comfortable. My dress is 100% cotton and breathes very well. And I’ve worn these sandals on countless adventures because they’re so easy to walk in. However, in practice, this outfit just wasn’t the greatest! Here’s why… My Sandals… Read more »
Last Updated on October 8, 2019If you’ve been following my blog for a bit, you’ll know I enjoy taking at least one guided tour while visiting a new area…especially if I’m not terribly familiar with its history. And Azerbaijan is a country I only recently started to learn about, so I wanted a little more in-depth, local knowledge of the area when I visited Baku. When researching tour companies, Bag Baku Tour came up as one of the highest-rated tour… Read more »
Last Updated on November 4, 2019When planning your trip to Baku, Azerbaijan, be sure to take (at least) one day trip and venture to some of the fascinating places just outside the city. You can easily visit Gobustan National Park’s mud volcanoes and petroglyphs, as well as “Fire Mountain” (Yanar Dag) and “Fire Temple” (Ateshgah of Baku) all in one day. This post will explain, in my opinion, the best way to go about getting to these places and what… Read more »
Last Updated on November 12, 2019Dreaming of visiting Magnolia Market in Waco, Texas? This post is sharing my tips for how to make the most of your day here – from parking to what to wear to where to eat and even more things to do in the area. I hope this post helps you enjoy your “Fixer Upper” journey as much as I did! Magnolia Market at the Silos, or just Magnolia Market, is where “Fixer Upper” stars Joanna… Read more »
