What are You Doing for Spring Break?

It’s time. The holiday season is behind us, the resolutions have been broken (or not – good for you!), and the cold weather has officially become intolerable. The best cure for the winter blues is vacation planning! It is truly therapeutic to have a planned, warm-destination vacation to look forward to, to countdown to, to dream about while you shiver.

But where to go?

Here are some destinations to consider based on possible parameters, whether it be time, budget, or otherwise.

We can’t go away for a full week.
(And/or: We don’t have valid passports)
Maybe your kids’ schools have different breaks. Maybe you don’t have enough vacation days. Maybe you have family obligations. Whatever the reason, sometimes we just can’t make a full week work. This limits the distance you’d want to travel because no one wants to waste precious time in an airport or on a long car ride. Staying within the US is probably your best bet. Florida may seem like an obvious choice, but don’t ignore the west coast. While east-coasters might think it’s too far, consider the time difference – this can add significant pool time to your abbreviated vacation. Southern California, Palm Springs, Scottsdale. Consider Puerto Rico – the island is rebuilding fast and could use some tourism support! Those who live close to cruise ports could consider 3-5 night cruises.

We don’t want to just go to the Caribbean and sit on a beach.
There are plenty of warm-weather destinations that have a lot to do and see. Costa Rica has rain forests, a volcano, and various wildlife (monkeys, anyone?), not to mention some world-class surfing opportunities if that’s your thing. Belize has a 185-mile long barrier reef and Mayan temples. Arizona has beautiful resorts near red rock hiking trails and more. The Florida Keys have an eclectic flare, and are popular for fishermen and non-fishers alike. Kayak, paddle, snorkel. Mexico has many gorgeous resorts on both coasts, alongside delicious cuisine, history and cultural opportunities.

We just want to sit on a beach and do nothing.
Certainly this can be accomplished anywhere you can find a beach. But if you’re like me, sometimes the pressure of places or things you “must see” and “must do” can take away from relaxing. Most Caribbean islands fit the bill as there are few, if any, that have major tourist attractions beyond their sparkling turquoise waters and white sand beaches.

We are not beach people but we want to go somewhere warm.
The southwest has some gorgeous resorts. Scottsdale, Arizona or Palm Springs, California might be good choices for your family. Also, the Florida Keys are not widely known for their beaches as the coastlines are often rocky. The waters, however, whether you choose ocean, bay, or pool, are heavenly. Cabo San Lucas is also a great destination if you’re not a beach bum. While there are plenty of beautiful beaches to enjoy there, much of the coastline is rocky, making swimming in the ocean difficult. The resorts compensate by providing beautiful pool areas. Yacht charters are also something to consider if you enjoy the water and adventure. Theme parks are a fun alternative but can be very crowded during spring break weeks.

We’re traveling with a group of friends and/or family.
Group travel can be tricky, but if you’re a flexible bunch, there are a lot of options. Cruises are great for groups. There are many different cruise lines and types to choose from. Villas with a staff/cook can make everyone’s lives much easier (there’s no “who’s cooking tonight” or “where should we eat” and “who takes reservations for 15?”). Yacht charters are something for small groups to consider. It might sound fancy and super expensive but there has been an effort to make this more affordable for the average person to enjoy. All-inclusives are also a great option for groups. Personally, I find the most stressful part of group travel to be the meals. The who/what/when/how/price of eating with a crowd can be stressful, so removing that variable is a huge relief for all.

We’re on a tight budget.
Cruises and all-inclusives will definitely get you the most bang for your buck. However, there are some things to consider. Depending on how close you live to a cruise port, cruises might require a flight to port and also a hotel room to stay the night prior to departure. All-inclusives can be economical for some families, while others might benefit more from having a room with a kitchen, grocery shopping for some light meals, and dining out on their own. Driving to destinations help with airfare, but consider your gas and the meals you’ll buy along the way.

Before you plan any trip outside the US, be sure to check your passport’s expiration date. Many countries won’t allow entry if your passport expires within 3-6 months of your date of entry.

#LifeGoals

I am not a fan of the popular term, “bucket list,” referring to the things we want to do, see or otherwise experience before we “kick the bucket” (i.e. die). It’s kind of morbid, isn’t it? Can’t we just aspire/dream/wish for these experiences? Can’t we call them something else? Life Goals? You get my point.

We all have places in the world we hope to experience while we’re here on this Earth. You can probably rattle off your top ten without pause. I know I can. Being a travel agent has encouraged me to follow a lot of resorts and travel photographers on Instagram and I have learned two important things:

Now there are many more places I want to visit. Most of them I can’t pronounce, many of them I never heard of. Then there are places I had little interest in visiting because I had my own impressions and visions of what they were like. Now that I see every day how beautiful the world is, I’m overwhelmed to say the least.
When I do have a trip planned, I follow different property, restaurant, and area Instagram pages ahead of time. This not only psychs me up for what’s to come, but it helps me learn a lot about the area beforehand in a very passive, simple way.

I learn from you as well. Sometimes I plan trips to places where I never had the desire to go, and after finding the fabulous hotel and researching all there is to do and see there, I’m hooked! Vancouver? Sign me up. Montreal at Christmas? Packing my sled. Italy by bike? YES.

There are so many types of trips you might never have considered because you didn’t know they existed. Travel agents can help you uncover these adventures by car, train, boat, hike or bike. Get inspired! Whether it’s via social media, the internet, or television, explore the possibilities. Celebrate LIFE on this beautiful Earth and figure out how to see more of it!

Girls Weekend in Scottsdale

For almost 20 years, my college friends and I talked about doing a “real” girls trip. Every time we were together we threw out a new destination, a new date, a new dream. During our post-graduate years and through our career-building and child-bearing 30’s, the most we could manage was meeting up at one of our homes, eating apps, drinking wine, and chatting away. Which was not only all we could afford to do, but it was all we needed. It’s STILL all we need. But when our 40th birthdays started closing in, we decided it was time to plan a long weekend where no one lives.

After some discussions, debates, and even a vote, we settled on Scottsdale, Arizona. It seemed like the perfect destination for what we wanted to do: chill out, relax, drink fancy cocktails by a pool, go to a spa, chill out, and relax. Oh, and let’s not forget eating and drinking. The chosen resort was The Camelback Inn (and no, they aren’t paying me to write this) which was perfect for our needs. It was just big enough, just intimate enough, to be comfortable and fun. One morning we hiked Mummy Mountain (on property), and the next we walked through the posh Paradise Valley neighborhood and gawked at houses. We spent hours by the pool, in and out, in and out, because it was so hot (dry heat, of course). We spent a glorious day at the spa getting multiple treatments, lounging by the spa pool, and eating sprouts (ew, no).

Our adjoining rooms were perfectly suited for our group. We had mini kitchenettes which we stocked with “snackies” and happy hour libations to enjoy on the lanai. We loved our evenings on the patio, watching jack rabbits hop by, and admiring the succulent landscapes.

Another thing that made this trip especially perfect, with all of us being from the northeast or mid-west, was the time difference. We felt like we slept in, but we were up early. We felt like we were going to bed late, but I’m not sure we ever made it past midnight. It was something these old gals appreciated.

Old Town Scottsdale’s size makes it a great city for a long weekend. There is nothing you HAVE to do or see or eat. Just wander around and enjoy. We had a fabulous meal, walked around some shops, and were happy to head back to the resort firepit (I know I said it was hot, but those desert nights aren’t!).

I am very drawn to the southwest, and during that trip it dawned on me as to why. I love the stillness of the desert. It’s very peaceful. There is little to no wind, and even if there is, there are few trees around to rustle. The heat keeps people moving slowly and quietly. It’s no wonder it has earned a reputation for spirituality and wellness.

As for me and my girls, we had a fantastic time. We made a lot of great memories and took some hilarious pictures that will last forever. Now the question is, where do we go for our 50th?

Change of Pace

What is it about sleeping in another place that helps us reset? Throwing some essentials in a bag and leaving behind your home and surroundings? It might be a night at a nearby hotel or renting a house an hour away. Sometimes, the act of leaving your usual surroundings behind, along with all that comes with them (laundry, unmade beds, overgrown yards, and other messes) is all we need. Sometimes we just need a change of pace.

I moved to Charleston during the summer months and was surprised at the amount of people who were leaving the laid-back beach town where they live, to spend a week or weekend in another beach town down the road. Or the people who would rent a beachfront house for thousands of dollars a week, when their own house was only 8 miles away. Once I had the chance to experience this for myself through a friend, I realized that while I was only 8 miles from home, somehow I felt like I was a world away.

A friend who lives in the northeast takes her kids to a nearby hotel on various brutally cold winter weekends to let the kids swim in the indoor pool. Resetting is good for everyone. It doesn’t have to cost a lot. The simple freedoms of sleeping on clean (we hope) sheets, dropping your towel on the bathroom floor, and not having to make your bed in the morning can do wonders. It’s a break from the everyday. It’s a change of pace.

Be a Tumbleweed

I broke my parents’ hearts when I told them I was moving 800 miles away. For them, this was unfathomable. Why would I leave my family? What could possibly be worth the distance? I tried to reason with them. While they moved only 20 miles from where they both grew up, it was a world away. And what about my grandparents? Immigrating from Europe? Now that’s a far trip. I, on the other hand, am just a short plane ride (or long car ride) away. I understood, though. My parents are older, set in their ways, and unable to get around like they used to.

My dad was more understanding than my mom. “People are like plants,” he said. “Some like to stay in one place. Others are like tumbleweeds and need to keep moving.” Yes, dad. You raised a tumbleweed. His analogy stuck with me, and was the inspiration for this blog.

For as long as I can remember, my parents have been travelers. To me, it just seemed like that’s what grown ups did. As the baby of five kids, I was fortunate to travel with my parents from a young age. I acquired the travel bug and thankfully my husband shares my love of travel. Now, I want to share love of travel with you.

Perhaps you’ve seen recent research proving that spending our money on experiences makes us happier than spending our money on things. Of course. It’s experiences – a great meal, a night on the town, a new excursion, a vacation – that stay with us forever.

People are like plants. Some like to stay in one place. Others are like tumbleweeds and need to keep moving. — My Dad