It has been a year spent in lockdown with the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, and it feels so amazing to finally book our first family vacation: an amazing farm vacation in New York's Catskill Mountains. As a kid, my parents would take us to a small farm in Pennsylvania where we could help with barnyard chores like milking the cows and feeding the chickens. My siblings and I still talk about our childhood memories visiting that farm and the unforgettable adventures we had exploring the farm property. I’ve been dreaming of finding a similar place for our two boys (age 3 ½ and 2) to help them develop a love for the mountains and outdoors. And I finally found the perfect place: Mountain View Dairy in Bloomville, NY. We rented a three-bedroom home on the 260-acre property for a long weekend. This home was a complete escape and a true taste of farm country, with tractors rolling by and clear night skies for stargazing. The house was very clean and well-kept with a fully equipped kitchen where we cooked all of our own meals. Here’s how we enjoyed our stay at this amazing farm property: Day 1: Arrival / Exploring the Farm Grounds We scheduled our getaway for April ...
Things to Do & See in Shenandoah National Park
I believe there is nothing more relaxing and restorative than spending time in nature. This was never more true than our road trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and I'm so excited to share my list of things to do and see in Shenandoah National Park. My husband and I love hiking in our beautiful wooded area of New Jersey. We were excited to plan our first ever family vacation as a family of three with our son, Gavin, when he was 10-months old. We want to share our love for the outdoors with him at an early age, and we quickly decided that the Blue Ridge Parkway would be a perfect destination for our first family adventure. We spent the first two days of vacation visiting my cousin in Washington, DC. This is another great East Coast destination for families, and we enjoyed a slow-paced visit walking the National Mall and viewing the monuments. Washington DC is a short 2 ½ hour drive from the North entrance of Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive, so it’s a great stopping point or add-on. Here’s the deal: I did mention we’re traveling with a 10-month-old, right? Well, our darling baby foiled our vacation plans two days in when he woke up with a 104 fever. We ended ...
How To Plan The Ultimate Road Trip In Ireland
Some beautiful destinations can’t be discovered without getting a little lost. This is what I quickly learned when my husband and I set out on a road trip in Ireland. Ireland is famous for so many wonderful things: magnificent castles, Celtic history, traditional Irish cuisine, folk music, Irish whiskey, and, of course, Guinness. I’ve traveled to Ireland three times, each at different stages of my life, and repeatedly what I love most about the country is its luscious green landscape and rural countryside. And so, Ireland is the ultimate destination for a cross-country road trip. Step on the gas! Let’s speed ahead for a look at our seven-day road trip in Ireland. Day 1: Dublin Good morning Ireland! Our Aer Lingus flight landed at 6 a.m. and so our adventure begins. There was a man standing with a tray of whiskey shots in the airport right after we disembarked. My husband quickly assimilated to his Irish roots by enjoying this traditional Irish breakfast without hesitation. We picked up our hot wheels for the week, a silver diesel Skoda. Read on to the bottom of this post where I will share everything you need to know about renting a car in Ireland and how ...
How to Experience Cape Town, South Africa as a Solo Traveler
Cape Town. A city of unmatched beauty with its landmark Table Mountain and scenic Cape Point. A city that survived the apartheid and emerged more united in their national patriotism. All this and so much more inspired my first trip to Africa. My husband, Ryan, was traveling to Cape Town and Johannesburg as part of his master’s studies at Montclair State University. South Africa was on my under 20 bucket list, so immediately I knew I was tagging along. At first, I was hesitant about traveling in Africa alone, but I found the city to be safe and welcoming if I was smart and planned ahead. This trip was everything I hoped for and more. Read on to explore this incredible destination… DAY ONE // THE LONGEST FLIGHT EVER The flight from JFK -> Cape Town is one of the longest passenger flights in the world. It’s a 14-hour direct flight to Johannesburg, then a two-hour flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town. I’m used to traveling for work, often on transcontinental flights, so it didn’t bother me, but it was a struggle for my 6’4” husband. We flew on South African Airways which was enjoyable enough, except one half of the plane lost TV and internet connection. Guess ...
How to Party in New Orleans for Mardi Gras
America’s biggest, loudest showstopping party goes down in New Orleans, Louisiana every year between January and March (depending on the calendar year). This unruly scene is best known for its elaborate floats, colorful beads, live music, and French and Spanish food influences. Mardi Gras, which means “Fat Tuesday,” is the day before Ash Wednesday. However, the celebration starts 12-days prior with three-story floats parading around the city. I’ve been in New Orleans for Mardi Gras two times. Once in my last 20’s with my husband (awesome) and once for work while six months pregnant (less awesome). Mardi Gras is a truly unique experience and a trip that requires some strategic planning if you want to experience all the event has to offer. So I’m here to give you all the details on how to party in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Here's how we spent four days we will never forget… DAY ONE – BOURBON STREET & LIVE MUSIC SCENE We had a late flight that landed in New Orleans at 9:30 p.m. We checked in at the Sheraton Hotel on Canal Street. We were happy with the hotel’s location, a short walk to Bourbon Street and the heart of the Mardi Gras activity. It was too cold ...
Top 20 Places You Need to Visit in 2020
Another year, another opportunity to explore this big, beautiful world. If you’re like me, you have an endless bucket list of must-see destinations around the globe. How do you decide where to jet next? Below I’ve compiled my list of the top places to travel this year. These destinations made the cut based on several factors, including cheap flight options, unique events, or because they’re just that awesome. And the top 20 list is…. 1.) CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA Cape Town is a city of unmatched beauty with its landmark Table Mountain and scenic Cape Point. A city that survived the apartheid and emerged more united in their national patriotism. At first, I was hesitant about traveling in Africa alone, but I found the city to be safe and welcoming and a great destination for solo travelers looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Penguins love to hang out on the Boulders beach, and with a visit in the summer you are sure to see them exceptionally playful. Top attractions include Cape Point, Boulder Beach, Table Mountain, Robben Island, and the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Planning a trip? Check out this guide on traveling solo in Cape Town on Girl Pack ...