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 October 23, 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 for a complete list of Sandals Resorts. How to Dress… 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 »
Last Updated on September 26, 2019If you’re heading to Dallas, Texas in the near future – you’re in luck! The Dallas Museum of Art has extended the “Dior: From Paris to the World” exhibit until October 27th. This exhibit shows more than 70 years of the House of Dior’s work and more than one hundred haute couture dresses. There are also original sketches, mood boards, accessories, runway videos and letters on display. It’s amazing! I was fortunate enough to tour… Read more »
Last Updated on October 1, 2019“A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles is a must-read novel, recommended by even the likes of Bill Gates and soon it will also be a TV series. You don’t have to be interested in Moscow either to be charmed by the wit of Count Alexander Rostov – the book’s main character. The Count’s story takes place almost entirely in the Metropol Hotel in Moscow near the Bolshoi and the Kremlin. This hotel is where… Read more »
Last Updated on October 1, 2019 Seeing a performance at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow should be at the top of your Russia bucket list! This historic theatre holds some of the world’s best ballet and opera performances. Dressing the part for this grand theatre is at the top of many theatre-goers minds, too. Should you wear a gown? A suit coat? Are jeans acceptable? This post is here to explain how to dress for the Bolshoi Theatre for both… Read more »
Last Updated on September 16, 2019Written by Joniel Suezo Without a doubt, flying is the most efficient mode of traveling, and the widely accepted go-to solution when you need to cover great distances in one swift swoop. However, human nature is fickle, and we can feel that even the miracle of flight can take an excruciatingly long time. It’s almost a rule of thumb that, no matter what mode of transportation you use or how fast you go, the trip… Read more »
Last Updated on September 24, 2019Combining Egypt and Jordan into one trip may seem like a lot to some. However, this itinerary is here to show that if you have around 14 days of vacation to spare, this can be just enough time to get a taste of these fascinating countries in one go! For our trip through Egypt and Jordan, we had spent a total of 13 days. However, 3 of these days were lost to travel (so, technically… Read more »
Last Updated on September 24, 2019While hiring a tour guide service is not necessary to explore Jordan (I’m sure most seasoned travelers would be fine navigating this lovely country on their own), it can certainly make the trip easier and less stressful. We had ended up using a tour service because we had paired this trip with a week-long adventure in Egypt, prior to coming to Jordan. Now, in Egypt, I highly recommend hiring a guide service. We had worked… Read more »
Last Updated on September 9, 2019Wondering what to pack for a trip to Jordan as a stylish woman? This post is breaking down how to dress in this fascinating country from the Dead Sea to Petra & more. I’m also sharing some of my packing tips for this trip & outfits! Packing for a trip to Jordan can seem to be a bit daunting if you’re a woman, especially if you’re a woman who likes to look stylish whilst traveling…. Read more »
Last Updated on September 6, 2019Written by Marie McCaughey We all like to look our best on vacation. When you look good, you feel good and we all want to feel our best on our special time away. The rules are all different on vacation, and it feels exciting to sort of reinvent yourself in a foreign land. Why not go all out with your style, and more importantly, your accessories? Here are a few options that can make any… Read more »
