To fulfill a bucket list wish and celebrate my birthday at the end of the year, I floated over my hometown and watched the sunrise from a hot air balloon. It was breathtaking! But it took not one, not two, but three tries to get up in the air! Here’s my story and some helpful…
There are so many fun ways to celebrate the holidays and Christmas at Universal Orlando Resort. Get into the spirit of the season with a hot Butterbeer, the awe-inspiring Macy’s Parade, Grinchmas, and the light show at Hogwarts! Take a look at all of our favorite reasons to celebrate the season at Universal below. “Our…
I feel like I can still smell the scent of pine mixed with salty sea air from a recent Alaska cruise. It was a cool and refreshing break for an otherwise hot summer, and the memories we made on the cruise are ones we’ll be talking about and sharing for years to come. Summer Alaska…
Universal Orlando Resort’s new theme park, Volcano Bay, is the ultimate water theme park! I had the opportunity to visit as part of Universal Orlando’s Blog Squad, and there are so many things about the park that truly blew me away. I’ve got the full scoop here including tips for planning your visit, what to…
This post is sponsored by the Grand Ole Opry. Traveling for music has moved up on my priority list, especially since 2016 when it seemed that unlucky year was going to take every last one of our favorite music icons. So now, if there’s a concert or festival I’ve been meaning to see, it’s going…
This post is sponsored by the Grand Ole Opry. When it comes to weekend getaways, Nashville is perfect for food-lovers. I flew up to see a show at the Grand Ole Opry and was pleasantly surprised by the city’s food scene. The list of delicious eats and fun things to do in Nashville are endless!…
Food is a multi-sensory experience, so what happens when you take away your sense of sight for a Dining In The Dark experience? Will the flavors of a meal seem more intense if you can’t see it? Personally, I couldn’t imagine not looking at my food, especially as a food blogger that takes a picture…
The term farm-to-table is so commonly used that it can be cliché, but there are some chefs and restaurants truly doing this food movement justice, including the Sprouting Project at Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort. Located along the Florida Georgia boarder, with the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and intracoastal waterways curving around the island to the…
When it comes to travel, we’re always trying to get ahead of the trends (and the crowds!), so when I was asked to visit Greenville, South Carolina, on an assignment to scope out their foodie scene and take photographs for an advertorial, my curiosity was piqued. I had never been to Greenville before and hadn’t…
I spent a deliciously relaxing weekend in Albuquerque during my first trip to New Mexico, and I gotta say – it’s breathtaking. We stayed at Los Poblanos, a historic inn and organic lavender farm that feels like it’s peacefully miles from anywhere even though it was only a 20 minute drive from the airport. We visited during the springtime, before plants…
What do you do when your travel plans unexpectedly change and you have 48 hours in Winnipeg? Eat amazing food, then zen out with spa time and yoga, that’s what! As you probably well know, travel doesn’t always go as planned. So, when bad weather and flight cancellations happen, making the best of the situation turns into…
Named one of the top U.S. travel destinations by Lonely Planet and second only to California in agricultural diversity, Michigan has been on my personal list of states to visit. While I’ve got nearly fifty stamps in my passport, I still have about 25 more states to go to hit that same milestone in my own…
If you love Asian cuisine, then you definitely need to visit Richmond, British Columbia. Located just outside the city of Vancouver and only a 25 minute drive north of the US border, Richmond is where the far east deliciously meets the west coast. They have the largest concentration of Asian restaurants in North America and a…
As part of Universal Orlando’s Blog Squad, Pete and I enjoyed a weekend staycation in our hometown of Orlando that truly felt like a getaway. Staying on-site at Universal Orlando Resort played a big part in helping us get into that carefree relaxed state that’s sometimes difficult to achieve when you’re so close to the responsibilities of home….
I had so much fun during my Colorado trip last summer and it looks like an exciting place to be during the winter too! With a delicious Whiskey Warm Up festival, and a city whose name makes it the perfect place to celebrate Valentine’s Day — I definitely need to go for a return visit. Whether you’re…
If there was ever a luxe way to get scared the dickens out of for Halloween, it would be Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Orlando. I’m not usually one for thrillers and gore, but I do love a good ghost story and have been on a few spooky walking tours in historic cities. But one…
During our cruise to Alaska onboard the Carnival Legend, we were so exited to go on several glacier excursions, especially since one of the benefits of cruising Alaska is that you get to go places that are impossible to see by car. After cruising through the Tracy Arm Fjord to gaze at glaciers right from…
When cruising along the shores and through the fjords of Alaska, you can’t miss the opportunity to experience the great outdoors and get up close and personal with nature. Throughout our Carnival cruise, I mentioned to my husband, Pete, more than once that it felt like we woke up in a painting, surrounded by fresh…
I recently traveled to New Orleans for the first time this spring. Since this is such a culinary-focused city, some of my close friends had joked that they’d revoke my proverbial “foodie card” if I didn’t get there soon! Now having been, I agree that it’s unbelievable that I didn’t visit sooner and now I can’t wait…
Located right in the heart of Louisiana, and often referred to as Cenla for “Central Louisiana,” is the charming historic town of Alexandria. I must confess, I had not heard of Alexandria before Louisiana Tourism invited me to explore their culinary trails, but I’m so thankful for the introduction as it’s a great destination for two…
I’ve been wanting to visit Boulder, Colorado for quite sometime. The food scene, the hiking trails, and it’s bike-frienly atmosphere have all been calling me, but I hadn’t realized how much fun there is to be had outside of Boulder too, until my recent whirlwind girl’s trip exploring Colorado’s front range. Sponsored by Colorado’s Front…
Driving into Covington, you can’t help but sigh and think this is the kind of small town you want to move to — inviting shops, art galleries, walkable streets shaded by sprawling oaks, and every block covered in a smile-inducing charm. Located along the northern shore of Lake Pontchartrain, it’s just a 45 minute drive from…
With our combined love for the outdoors and delicious food finds, San Francisco feels like our spirit animal. There’s such an exciting entrepreneurial vibe and always something new to discover, but there are also few classics you just can’t miss. Pete and I have been to San Francisco several times now on business trips and…
When it comes to Albuquerque hotels, I must admit, Los Poblanos Historic Inn has spoiled me. This dreamy property seems like it would be more fitting to the countryside of France or a scene from a Jane Austin novel and it’s not at all what I expected for a city in the middle of a dessert…
A guest post by Kym Hawkins Sunday Funday is a tour designed to show both tourists and natives what’s going on in The Hipster Capital of the World, Williamsburg. AKA “Billysburg.” When you live in a city as big as New York, it’s not hard to feel like a tourist even when you’re from the…
From Europe, to Australia, to Scandinavia, to Asia and Mexico, you can taste your way around the world at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. Here are my are my top tips for getting the most out of your EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival experience. Travel Tips For The EPCOT Food And Wine…
If you’re visiting EPCOT to dine or drink around the world for the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival (or any time of year around their World Showcase), then consider staying walking distance to the park at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. Loaded with vintage coastal charm and excellent views of the fireworks right from the balcony of…
A Foodie’s Road Trip Guide To Nova Scotia Traveling to taste the best scallops in the world is reason enough for any culinary enthusiast to plan a trip to Nova Scotia, but other than exploring the food scene, Pete and I really didn’t know what to expect. Turns out, we were about to be wowed. As one…
It’s not common to see the word “cheap” and “South Beach” used in the same sentence. With countless luxury stays (many of which, I love), it’s not a destination that easily lets it’s secret bargains known. Turns out, searching for places with a kitchenette in Miami revealed all kinds of adorable and stylish boutique hotels…
Ever want to take a career break and try doing something new and completely different? I recently stepped outside of my comfort zone of food and classic cultural experiences to roll up my sleeves and be a zookeeper for a day at Wild Florida. WILD FLORIDA ADVENTURE BEGINS On the morning of my outdoor animal adventure,…
At the top of the Rocky Mountains in the central part of Alberta, along the treeline where the forest meets snow-dusted granite and slate, there’s a remarkable tree showing off it’s autumnal colors — the golden Alpine larches. While spending a long weekend at Lake Louise, Pete and I embarked on a half day hike up…
Portland has an outstanding reputation for being a culinary destination. No, not that Portland, the other Portland. You know, the one in Maine. Didn’t realize there was an east-coast Portland that’s also popular among foodies? I hadn’t either until we stopped by and explored Maine’s largest city on our way to Nova Scotia. Since there’s…
What does summertime mean to you? Is it lounging at the beach? Chasing the ice cream truck down the street with your kids? S’mores? Pete and I celebrated the end of summer with a coast-to-coast road trip across central Florida, with the intention of seeing and doing as much as we could in 24 hours….
While visiting Hawaii, I had the chance to enjoy dinner at Four Seasons Hualalai’s beachfront restaurant, ULU Ocean Grill. The name Ulu derives from the Ka’upulehu region’s history as this is the area where ancestral Hawaiian’s grew breadfruit. Ka ‘ulu pulehu meaning “the roasted breadfruit” and ‘ulu meaning simply: breadfruit. I had the opportunity to…
It’s rare that I’m able to loose myself in the moment, let alone feel relaxed for an entire day. So, I enthusiastically said yes when a friend invited me to go to Discovery Cove. I thought, “let’s give this relaxation thing a go!” It’s funny, I know Discovery Cove has been open here in Orlando…
It is entirely possible for a husband and wife to find balance and spend equal time doing things they both love during a trip. Pete and I just got back from a weekend road trip to Charlotte to indulge two of our interests … bikes and food. The drive quickly started out fun, with Pete…
As the capitol of Alberta, Edmonton is best known for it’s reputation as a “Festival City” due to the amount of events scheduled there throughout the year. They also boast the largest mall in North America. Pete and I visited Edmonton on a festival-free weekend, so to be honest, we were a bit underwhelmed upon…
Calgary is known for its wide open spaces, wild west attitude, rolling prairies, and of course, their famous Stampede. It’s also the gateway into outdoor play in Banff and corporate headquarters for some pretty big companies. But after my quick visit there, I’d venture to say that Calgary is also a culinary mecca. This big…
Notes from the table … It’s lively, bustling atmosphere brings outdoor vibrancy indoors from the patio seating out front to the kitchen in the back with tables spanning the gap and a bar running the length of one side. With a singular focus on providing the highest quality meals using only the freshest ingredients, MARKET…
Writing for Visit Florida, I’m lucky enough to have the opportunity to travel to Miami quite a bit. Just a quick morning drive from Orlando, and I’m transported to a city with tall swaying palms, a vibrant Latin culture (and food!), and miles of beaches with mesmerizing azure water. Since it seems I’m there pretty…
The island of Manhattan is 33.7 square miles of countless choices for cuisine and some of the best restaurants in the world. So the question is … where do you start? If it’s your first time in New York City, you must try their only-in-NYC pizza and bagels. But beyond fast food, there is a…
Finding a reasonably affordable stay in New York City might feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Especially a hotel room that has any sort of amenities and is comfortable and clean. Honestly, I didn’t know if it was possible to find a “budget” stay for less than $300 a night. When you…
While in Mexico City, I learned that less than 25 miles northeast of town is the ancient archeological site of Teotihuacan. Here anyone can spend the day climbing Aztec pyramids and exploring this ancient city. I had to go! After spending the day stepping back in time, I have learned a few things Tips For…
Our first day in Chicago was fantastic. We took the Lright from Chicago Midway Airport to the Silversmith Hotel, right by Millennium Park. The hotel was literally right next to the train stop, and the location was perfect for anyone who wants to explore downtown Chicago. To make it even better, the hotel offers…
On my recent trip across the United States for Race Across America, I had the fortune to drive through Monument Valley. The red dust and unique rock formations have you feeling like you’ve either landed on Mars or stepped back in time to an old spaghetti Western with Clint Eastwood. Monument Valley is about a…
This weekend I’ll be flying out to LA to participate on the media team for Race Across America (RAAM). There are over 250 racers from 15 different countries including Australia, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Korea, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Slovenia, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the USA. Find your country and root for your team here…
Santa Fe is a hub of art, history and culture and the city’s ten museums highlight that. For a small city (2010 census figures put the population at a little over 75,000) that’s a lot of museums. They all have a distinct character and are worth a visit. If time is short, here are my five top picks: