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Tuesday, March 22, 2016

My 10 Favorite Travels

First, I wanted to give Jess from Little Bits of Joy a shout out today. She was on Living for Naptime's podcast yesterday (here) and she rocked it. She writes some of the most open and honest posts and of course her Bachelor recaps are the best. She gave me a sweet shout out and I can't thank her enough. #mysoulsister

It's another link up with Karli for 10 on Tuesday. This week I am bringing you my 10 Favorite Places I Have Traveled.

I love traveling, and with my job, I have seen some pretty amazing places. Now onto my 10 Favorite Places I Have Traveled in no particular order.

Costa Rica

In 2012, Rory and I went to Guanacaste, Costa Rica (for fun). I had always heard amazing things about Costa Rica and after some research, we decided that Guanacaste had more outdoorsy things to do instead of San Jose which is more busy and touristy.

We spent 11 amazing days right outside of Tamarindo. We rented a car so we could travel the whole upper area. We went to see the volcanoes, hike to a waterfall, horseback riding, walks on the beach, plenty of drinking, beach time, snorkeling off a catamaran and so much more.
Lola's, a favorite restaurant that you walk to in the middle of nowhere.

Alaskan Cruise

In 2009, I went on a cruise to Alaska. We started off in Seattle and made our way through Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau and Prince Rupert, Canada. It was my first and only cruise I have ever been on, but it was amazing. We went over the week of my birthday, so I was able to be spoiled just a bit more. We did excursions on each of our stops except Prince Rupert. We went zip lining (highly recommend in Alaska), to a lumberjack tournament, a huge crab feed and lots of shopping. Definitely take a cruise to Alaska.

Australia

I went to Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne, Australia for work. It has always been on my bucket list and it did not disappoint. The food is just ok, but the sights and beauty can't be beat. When you visit Sydney, take a bus to Bondi Beach. They have amazing graffiti art, cute shops and lots of surfers. Plus there are a ton of people in the water, so less likely you will be bitten by a shark. Yes, I constantly think of sharks when in the ocean. So afraid.
Melbourne, Australia
Bondi Beach

New York City

Another place I had always wanted to visit was New York City. I have had a love for NYC since watching Friends and Sex and the City. I have been several times for work now, and it never disappoints. It makes me want to visit over and over again. My sister-in-law used to live there, so she would show me all the best places to eat and visit. There is so much to do in NYC that I always have jam packed evenings there. My first visit was during Christmas time and this is a must on any travelers list. Macy's, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, Times Square, and the list goes on for the typical touristy things to do.


Kauai, Hawaii

For our honeymoon, we went to Kauai. We were told that it was a beautiful green island full of outdoorsy things to do. We went golfing twice, hiking, driving the entire island, atv riding, Waimea Canyon, swimming in a waterfall, shopping and eating our way through the island. You can read about my trip here, here and here.

London, England

Back in 2008, I went to London for work. I went with one other co-worker and traveled all around England on the train. We went to Birmingham, Cambridge, Nottingham, Manchester and a few other places. We saw so many castles and the beauty of England. You must do all the normal touristy things (Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Big Ben, etc.), but I would skip the London Eye. It was too expensive for the 30 minute ride.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

It's no secret that I love PV. We have been going for years. My husband's great aunt lives in PV and she has an extra condo that she rents out on VRBO. We try to go every other year in March or April. PV is clean, beautiful, not dangerous like other Mexico cities and full of adventure. We have gone on the atvs, zip lining, on a catamaran, to other islands (Yelapa), bus rides up north to other cities and so much more. You can spend an entire day walking the Malecon, visiting shops, going into historic buildings and swimming in the ocean. I wrote about our last trip here.
View from our condo

Miami, Florida

I went to Miami for work and loved it. Well most of it. I stayed in the South Beach Miami area and Ft. Lauderdale. Every morning I was able to get up and take a run on the beach. Heaven and not something I experience everyday. The weather was perfect, the ocean was crisp and I can definitely see the appeal in living in Florida.

Atlanta, Savannah and Saint Simons Island, Georgia

I have been to Georgia a few times for work and I love it there. From fast paced Atlanta to the sweet country feel in Savannah, it is a great state. I was first introduced to Macallan 25 in Atlanta, had one of the best meals of my life at the Pink House and amazing bbq at Southern Soul Barbecue in Saint Simons Island.
Seriously the best sauce ever for bbq.

New Orleans, Louisiana

In 2014, I took a trip to New Orleans for work. I was pregnant and it was one of my last work travel trips. I made the most of it and ate my way through New Orleans. I loved the culture there. So many voodoo shops, Bourbon Street, LSU (a short drive away), Cafe Du Monde, cajun food and seafood. New Orleans stole my heart from the beginning and I can't wait to return. I may have went to Cafe Du Monde twice in one day and again the next morning. My pregnant self couldn't get enough of the the beignets. Heaven.
 BBQ oysters
One of my many helpings of beignets
LSU's Mike the Tiger

35 comments :

  1. You have been to some pretty great places girl! We really want to go on a Alaskan cruise so someday when that gets planned I'll be asking you for advice. :) can't wait to hear about this year's Mexico trip!

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    1. You should go on an Alaskan cruise. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. I wanted to add even more to this list, but capped it off. 2 1/2 weeks until Mexico...not that I am counting. Haha.

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  2. I love to travel...my husband not so much! what awesome places you have been to!

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    1. Traveling is so much fun. You can see other cultures and experience the beauty the world has to offer.

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  3. I cannot wait to go to Australia and to take an Alaskan cruise! Definitely on our list for the next couple of years.

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    1. I feel really fortunate to travel to some of the places I have been for work. It helps me realize where I want to go back to and where I don't. Australia was always a top favorite of mine and the Alaskan cruise was so beautiful and picturesque.

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  4. You have seen some pretty amazing places! I'm so jealous of all of your travels!

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    1. Awe. Most of my travel is from work, but I do try to travel as much as I can on the personal side. I should have backpacked Europe before my girls were born (something I have always wanted to do), but maybe we can take them in a few years.

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  5. I grew up 1.5 hours north of New Orleans. I can't tell you how many times I've visited that city. I love to visit it, but I've never had the urge to move there.

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    1. Oh I couldn't ever live there either. I love to visit and eat there, but the thought of living there is a little too much.

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  6. Oh London is my favorite by far hands down place in Europe.

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    1. London has so much culture and beauty to it. Love it so much. I am going back in June for work!!

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  7. oh my word! girl. i'm so jealous. i totally want to take my farmer to costa rica. he's a goer and a doer and isn't the type to relax and read a book on the beach. hiking and zip lining sounds good to me!

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    1. He would love the Guanacaste area because it has all the hiking, zip lining, atving, but it also has the beaches to relax on. It would be an amazing trip for you two!

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  8. We're kicking around an Alaskan cruise for our 5 year anniversary. So glad to hear you liked it! Did you do a week or 10 days? What time of year do you recommend.

    My life is very sheltered compared to yours!! :)

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    1. It is an amazing trip. I loved Norweigan Cruise Lines (they are a bit more pricey but everyone loves them more). We went on a 7 day cruise and it was the perfect amount of time. We also stayed in Seattle for a day before and two after, so it was an amazing trip. I would recommend the summer time because it is warmer there, but you still get the crab and salmon, see all the sights, can go zip lining, see wild life and explore so much more.

      My life has this much travel because of work, but it is the best perk about my job :)

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  9. You've been to some amazing places! Your feelings on NYC are mine on Vegas...I always find something new to do..I love NYC too though!

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    1. Haha, I live so close to Las Vegas that I have been there too many times to count. I have family that lives there, so the allure isn't as much for me. I still love it there, but I try to stay away from the touristy areas (believe me, I have done them and loved them too). NYC has my heart though. I wanted to move there after high school for college. Reminds me of Gossip Girl, haha. Sorry to deviate.

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  10. Oh my gosh I have so many comments on this!!! Thank YOU for the shout out on your blog!!! I just love you!! and I really want to take an Alaskan cruise... I think that trumps a tropical cruise in my opinion... and New Orleans... yes!! totally on my bucket list!! I love all the creepy haunted stuff and voodoo stuff and I really want to go there! London, my heart is still there... I want to go back so bad! I didn't go on the London Eye, so good to know it wasn't worth the price. And I wish I had gotten a pic of me and the Naked Cowboy together when I was in NY! Dang!!! Loved this post!!!

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    1. You are very welcome!!! Alaska is so beautiful. I would do it again. Now I want to go on the Caribbean cruise since I did Alaska. New Orleans has the best haunted things. I saw where they filmed American Horror Story (the witch season). London is amazing. I can't wait to go back. I love how different it is there. NYC has my heart. Haha. And thank you.

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  11. Great list! I want to do an Alaskan cruise so badly. Tim is just meh about it, so I need to work on talking him into it! So jealous that you've been to Australia! I'd love to go there! NYC is amazing. It's only an hour and half away so I've been there so many times. Is Puerto Vallarta where you're going in Mexico this time? I've been there before and I'm not gonna lie - I didn't love it. It may have been the time of year or where we stayed, but I wasn't overly excited about the trip. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't quite what I expected. If I ever go again, I'll have to come to you for tips!

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    1. Thank you. There is so much to do on the Alaskan cruise. We did the zip lining where we saw a bunch of wild life and went through the super tall trees. Best zip line I have been on and I have been on a lot. And the food. Wow. I had a King Crab feed and it was heaven. And a salmon feed. So good. It changes your world. I am jealous you live so closely to NYC. I have been quite a few times for work, but not enough. And it has been too long. Puerto Vallarta is where I am going this time. It is where I have gone everytime other than Tijuana (spring break and gross). I don't stay at the resorts because we stay in a condo in downtown. So we know all the hidden restaurants, shops, activities, etc. Definitely hit me up for ideas. I love it there.

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  12. Girl, you have been EVERYWHERE! You lucky thing! Glad to see that ATL is in your list because that's my neck of the woods! We love Savannah and St. Simon's as well. They are both so quaint and picturesque.

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    1. Haha. When I actually wrote the list, I thought the same. But when I just think about it, I feel like I never travel. Haha. I need another Atlanta trip so I can visit you. I loved Savannah. So cute.

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  13. I LOVE Puerto Vallarta!! My husband and I are taking our (belated) honeymoon there this summer and I cannot wait!! We'd also love to travel to Australia someday.

    xo Christina

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    1. That is awesome. Where are you staying? We stay in a condo, but if you take a bus to the melacon (boardwalk area) I can recommend so many amazing restaurants. Polo's, Joe Jacks, Paco's tacos, Freddy Tucans (for breakfast) and the list goes on. Seriously I love the food there. I will be going in 2 1/2 weeks so stay tuned for a recap of it. Australia is simply amazing. So different from anywhere else I have ever been to.

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  14. Wow, you have been to some amazing places girlie! Love all the photos! We went to London for our honeymoon and it was honestly a dream trip! We did Hawaii with my family when I was in high school and Kauai was our favorite stop.

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    1. Thank you. They are all from my travels. I love looking back on them. London for your honeymoon. Jealous. I want to travel to Europe with Rory and now the girls too. I want them to explore a lot!

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  15. You have traveled a lot! I'm jealous of your overseas travel!

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  16. I lived on St. Simons! Love me some Southern Soul!

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    1. That's awesome. Their food is heaven. And I had some deep fried oreos thanks to the guy sitting next to me (they weren't on the menu!).

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  17. Awesome! Makes me realize how little I've actually traveled haha. I did love Hawaii, Colorao, NOLA, the Caribbean, and Okanagan Valley (Wine country in BC) though!

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    1. Oh I want to go to wine country in BC. I bet it is beautiful there. You have traveled to some awesome places!

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  18. I love this post! My boyfriend and I are hoping to making to New Orleans before we move back north in the next two months!! Mostly for that food!!

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