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 ...
10 Eco-Friendly Gifts Under $50 Anyone Will Love
Do you know that feeling you get when you give someone the most perfect gift? I love trying to find things that make people feel special, appreciated and loved. Sometimes, though, you get stumped and can’t find something just right. This list of 10 eco-friendly gifts are things that will be appreciated by anyone on your list, and they will make you feel good as they all aid in making a small step in keeping our world green and beautiful. Here’s my list of the very best eco-friendly gifts this year: Ello Ceramic Travel Mug, $11 Bringing along your own travel mug for your morning coffee is one of the easiest ways to cut back on waste. My two favorite travel mugs right now are the Ello Ceramic Travel Mug and the Yeti Tumbler. I really prefer to enjoy my morning coffee from a mug, so one of my biggest issues with bringing my own travel mug is drinking from a stainless-steel cup. The Ello travel mug is double-wall ceramic which keeps drinks hot and is just as enjoyable as drinking from a mug at home. I also love the sleek look and it’s top-rack dishwasher safe. The only downside is that it’s heavy to tote around. Yeti Tumbler Travel Mug, $30 For that ...
All You Need to Know About Visiting Sesame Place During Christmas
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Our family kicked off the Christmas festivities at A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place. Located in Bucks County, PA (30 minutes from Philadelphia), Sesame Place has transformed into a one-of-a-kind Christmas wonderland with millions of twinkling lights and festive decorations all around. Christmas shows, a holiday train ride, a visit with Santa and the fantastic Neighborhood Street Party Christmas Parade make this the perfect family destination to get you in the holiday spirit. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Sesame Place during Christmas… CHRISTMAS SHOWS There is a big sign with all of the Christmas shows and times at the park entrance so be sure to take a picture on your phone when you arrive. The show times and locations are also listed on the park maps found throughout the park. You can also print a picture of the map off of the Sesame Place website, or download the Sesame Place app. A Sesame Street Christmas Show This show takes place in Abby’s Paradise Theatre which is an outdoor cinema near Sesame Island. Abby is not familiar with the celebrations and traditions of the Christmas season, so her ...