I personally LOVE the beach. Staying in an all-inclusive resort on a white sand beach, with a view of the sparkling blue water is pretty much all I dream about. And having the option to stay in an over-the-water bungalow would be an amazing bonus! Therefore, my next destination of choice would have to be Montego Bay, Jamaica.
About
Montego Bay, located in the northwest portion of the Jamaican island, is full of resorts, beaches, and some golf courses. It is a popular vacation destination for tourists, as it is full of natural beauty, lively nightlife, shops, and activities. On average, the temperature is between 72 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, which is ideal for taking a dip in the ocean or the pool.
Attractions
Doctor Cave’s Beach
Luminous Lagoon Glistening Waters
Chukka’s Jungle Outpost – includes river rafting/or ziplining
Sam Sharpe Square
Aqua-Sol Theme Park
Cornwall Beach
Main Street Jamaica
Gloucester Avenue – includes dining, stores, and art galleries
Over 6 years ago, I took a trip to the City of Angels, or more widely known as, Los Angeles, California. My AirBnB was in a prime location of West Hollywood, just steps to the Walk of Fame. Within the week that I was there, some of the major attractions that I hit were the Griffith Observatory, with a view of the infamous “Hollywood” sign to my left, the Santa Monica Pier, Koreatown, and the Grove. And yes, of course, I had to try In N’ Out Burger. Besides West Hollywood, I took transportation to and from North Hollywood and Anaheim. In Anaheim, I attended the annual Vidcon event, as I was in two YouTube Collab groups at the time. While at the event, I met popular YouTube stars including Christian Collins, Maggie Lindemann, Arden Rose, Lauren Giraldo, and Zachary Piona. I had an overall great vacation in Los Angeles and am looking forward to eventually going back again.
About L.A.
Located in Southern California, Los Angeles has the most amazing weather, especially when I visited in July. During that time, it was, on average, 75 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny, every day. The coldest month there is January, and even then, the weather only drops down to roughly 55 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if you want to avoid larger crowds, you may want to try to go between March and May or between September and November. For specifically going to the beaches, July or August would be recommended.
L.A. is the biggest city in the state, consisting of over 500 square miles. There are a total of 88 smaller cities just within that metropolitan area.
Favorite Tourist Attractions
Runyon Canyon – This is where you may have a chance to spot a celebrity on a hike. Justin Bieber, Channing Tatum, and Natalie Portman have been seen here before.
Griffith Park – Being 5x larger than Central Park in New York City, it contains a planetarium/observatory, golf courses, zoo, train rides, tennis courts, trails, and the Bronson Caves, where the Batman series took place. This park, and Lake Hollywood Park, are likely the greatest places to observe the Hollywood sign.
Universal Studios – Found in the San Fernando Valley region is this 425 acre theme park and film studio. There are tours with attractions there, based on movies, including Jaws and the Fast and Furious franchise. If you are a Harry Potter fan, you need to check out the “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” area within the park. Get tickets here.
Disneyland – Based off of Disney-themed movies, it is nearly impossible to not have fun spending the day at the Disneyland park in Anaheim.
Santa Monica – This coastal city, beach, and pier, home to the end of Route 66, overlooks the Pacific Ocean.
Sunset Boulevard – This iconic strip is 22 miles long. You will probably want to explore the stretch between North Crescent Heights Blvd and Doheny Drive, where the stores and nightlife are. Along the boulevard are tourist stops, like the Roxy Theater, where Bob Marley recorded live albums, and The Comedy Store, where Jerry Seinfeld has performed.
Rodeo Drive – This Beverly Hills road is known for its designer boutiques, Armani, Cartier, and Coco Chanel, to name a few. Britney Spears, P. Diddy, Paris Hilton, and Jack Black are some of many public figures who shop here.
Warner Bros. Studio – Here, you can purchase tickets to take a tour of the studio where the hit TV shows Friends and The Big Bang Theory were shot.
Beaches – Huntington, Venice, Laguna, and Malibu are among the highest-rated beaches on the Southern California coastline.
Hollywood Blvd – Along this lively street, you can find the Walk of Fame, with approximately 2500 Hollywood star’s names on it. Plus, the Kodak Theater is where the Academy Awards are held annually. And let’s not forget about the TCL Chinese Theater, the location at which the Stars Wars franchise premiered back in 1977.
Capital Records – Intended to look like a stack of vinyl records set on a turntable, this building is the studio in which Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole have recorded songs.
Guided Tour – Ride in a vehicle and take pictures of celebrity homes in Hollywood Hills and Beverly Hills.
Know an avid traveler that you need to purchase a present for this holiday season? I’ve got you covered! Here are 10 excellent gift ideas that you can buy online.
This South African city lies in the east, right off the coast of the Indian Ocean. Not only is it the perfect temperature all year long, rarely dropping below 64 degrees Fahrenheit, it also has gorgeous beaches. On the North Beach, you will find what is called the Golden Mile. It is a large area of white sand, a boardwalk, casino, and piers. Right along the Golden Mile is the luxurious Beverly Hills Hotel, where you can catch amazing sunsets on the coastline.
The Garden Route is a stretch along the bottom tip of South Africa. It goes on for 190 miles. On it, you can view rivers, towns, mountains, forests, beaches, and lagoons. You may even have the chance to go on a whale/dolphin-watching tour in Knysna.
You may also be interested in exploring at Tsitsikamma National Park. The Suspension Bridge & Lookout Trail is an easy walk, passing by the Strandloper Cave. The Waterfall Trail is tougher, yet shorter. As for hotels, the Plettenberg, Simola Country Club, and The Mount Knysna are rated as some of the best value hotels along this route.
This is a scenic route in the north-eastern part of the country. Along are notable sights, including Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Lisbon Falls, God’s Window, and Sudwala Caves. Ukuthula Bush Lodge, Sheppard Boutique Guest House, and Safari Moon Luxury Bush Hotel make for excellent accommodations on the way.
Cape Town, found on the south-western shore, is home to pristine beaches and marvelous landmarks. Around this town, you will see Table Mountain, Clifton Beach, and Signal Hill. Popular places to stay are Lagoon Beach, Ellerman House, and POD Camps Bay.
Located at the very top of South Africa is this giant game reserve. All of the big five game animals, the lion, cheetah, leopard, rhinoceros, and elephant can all be found at the park. So, be sure to go on a safari there when you visit!
If you’re ready to book your vacation to South Africa, please reach out to me.
The most exquisite hotel located in Nashville, Tennessee, is easily the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. It is approximately a 15 minute drive from downtown. But, there is plenty to do within walking distance as well. For example, it sits next to the Grand Ole Opry, where the 55th ACM Awards were hosted in September of 2020. The resort also sits along the Cumberland River, with a mall, food joints, a water park, and a golf course nearby.
The 4.6 star place itself is situated on 9 acres of indoor gardens, waterfalls, and a river. The atrium, where you can take an indoor boat ride, is absolutely jaw-dropping. And, when it comes to eating, there are 20 places to choose from, just inside the hotel! Meanwhile, the European-inspired spa offers many services, such as body treatments, facials, massages, manicures, pedicures, and more. Additional amenities are a state-of-the-art fitness center, game room, newsstand, barber/beauty shop, florist, and a shoeshine stand.
If you stay here, you CAN’T miss the SoundWaves indoor and outdoor water attraction. The Lagoon Activity Pool features a rock wall and basketball hoops. There are two other heated pools in the vicinity too: one with a swim-up bar for adults and one for those who want to swim in a lap lane. And, I can’t forget about the wave rider, lazy river, and water slides!
When it comes to rooms, the hotel has 3 different types. The least expensive is the guest room, which is the size of a typical hotel room, filled with contemporary decor, a television, radio, mini fridge, a sink area, bathroom, desk, chair, coffeemaker, and either one king or two queen beds.
If you’d like to upgrade, you can pay for the parlor or the deluxe room. The parlor has all of the same furniture as the guest rooms, but with different style decor, additional furniture, and much more space. It is a large suite with a queen-sized bed, plus a couch in the room’s lounge area.
As for the deluxe, this is basically the size of a mini apartment! It includes a 6-chair dining area, a lounge area with a television, couch, 2 sofa chairs, and a coffee table. This room is by far the biggest, and comes with a queen-sized bed.
If you stay at the Gaylord Opryland Resort, you are sure to be amazed, and you will never get bored! Not to mention, you will get VERY reasonable rates, depending on the dates that you book your stay. If you have any further questions, please reach out to me.
The Love Island couple, Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury have flown to the Maldives numerous times. Molly-Mae even claims it to be her “favourite place in the world” on one of her Instagram posts. In 2020, they stayed in the SAii Lagoon. This Hilton resort has beautiful 2-bedroom beach villas with customized aroma bath amenities and stairs leading right down to the sparkling water.
They have also stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel. The Rock Star Villa there includes an infinity pool on a massive deck, a small, in-room cocktail bar, and a look into the ocean right underneath your suite!
Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner traveled to the Maldives for their honeymoon in 2019. They stayed at the Soneva Fushi. At this resort, the most exclusive villa is called the Private Reserve. However, having 9 bedrooms, it is more like a mansion. The reserve includes a gigantic private pool with a sunken day bed and water slide. Not to mention, the in-suite spa had a sauna and direct access to the beach.
In 2017, the Pretty Little Liars star, Shay Mitchell, traveled around the Middle East. When stopping in the Maldives, she relaxed in the COMO Maalifushi. At this boutique hotel, you can choose from garden rooms, which are located in the middle of the island, or from beach suites and villas. If you book a Como Villa, you have your own butler service available, a sun deck, and a pool. Under the palm trees on the beach, you will find swinging benches, where you can watch the sunset over the clear waters.
About five years ago, world-famous boxer, Floyd Mayweather, took a luxurious trip to the island, Landaagiraavaru, a resort island in the Maldives. He basked in the sun at the Four Seasons Resort Maldives. This Four Seasons has four public pools and lounges. Some villas have hammocks that hang right about the sea. Meanwhile, the 3-Bedroom Landaa Estate comes a waterfall-linked two-tier pool and a private beach!
Tom Cruise, David Beckham, and Gordon Ramsay have all stayed at the same resort there, which is the One & Only, Reethi Rah. The Grand Sunset residence is completely private, as it is engulfed in gardens and sits on its own beach. This 3-bedroom residence provides two swimming pools AND a personal chef too.
Each one of these resorts looks immaculate, as well as the islands themselves. However, the high quality comes with a high price tag. I can only hope that travel here sometime in the near future!
In September 2018, I went on a Carnival cruise, which was my first cruise ever. I can honestly say that it was my favorite vacation I have ever taken because there was never a dull moment. The trip lasted for 8 days and 7 nights, sailing from Baltimore, MD to the eastern Caribbean, and back.
Costs
This being a Sunday to Sunday cruise, at the end of September, the cost per person was $599. This did not include taxes and fees, which can be around $250 on average. There is also the option to pre-pay gratuities and/or add travel insurance. An abundance of other options are available for cruising as well, including shorter trips with ports that are closer to its destination. For instance, a 4-day, 3 night cruise from Miami, FL to the Bahamas would be nearly $1,000 cheaper than the one I took for the same room, dates, and number of people!
Room
Oceanview Stateroom
The least expensive room type is interior, which is a basic room with a bed, but without windows. Because I wanted to have a window to look out, we chose the Oceanview room. For slightly more money, you could add a balcony onto it. The largest and most costly room would be the suite, which is much more spacious than all of the others. Each room typically has a queen-size bed (or sometimes two twin beds), a small flatscreen television, and a private bathroom. Mine had a couch, coffee table, and desk as a well, so it was somewhat spacious.
At Sea Activities
Pool on Lido Deck
When at sea for a few days, there were plenty of onboard activities to keep me entertained.
While most activities are free, some are an additional cost. I participated in scavenger hunts, games, and went to the comedy club every night because the performers were hilarious. The first day of the cruise, I actually went to a prize giveaway that the cruise line was hosting, and I won three free rounds of bingo. Besides prize giveaways, the Carnival Pride provides passengers with:
Punchline Comedy Club
Mini golf
Basketball hoops
Pools, water slides, hot tubs
Cornhole
Deck parties
Karaoke
Competitions, scavenger hunts, games, trivia
Night club (18+), with DJ
Arcade
Jogging track
Dive-in movies
Adult only deck (21+) with hot tub, lounge chairs, hammocks, bar, and pool
Shops for essentials, souvenirs, and candy
Art & crafts
Fitness center (treadmills, dumbbells, benches, machines)
Camp for kids
Additional cost:
Spa (hot stone massages, body wraps, aromatherapy)
Bars/pubs
Casino (slots, blackjack, poker)
Bingo
Fitness classes
Food
All of my meals were already included in our total price! However, people sometimes chose to go to restaurants on the ship that cost extra, such as Bonsai Sushi and David’s Steakhouse. Or, they could order room service and have it charged to their card. The included breakfast was a large buffet, where you could order eggs anyway that you want them. Lunch options were burgers from Guy Fieri’s onboard joint, tacos from Blue Iguana Cantina, a slice of Pizza Pirate, Asian dishes from Mongolian Wok, and more. For dinner, I always went to the dining room, where they served me my meals. The menus were varying each night. They offered steak, seafood, vegetables, pasta, and even dessert. Other desserts like cake, brownies, and a soft serve ice cream station were available each night on the Lido deck, too.
After two days at sea, we docked at Grand Turk, which is a part of Turks and Caicos. When we got off the port, we were surrounded by palm trees on the gold sand and sailboats in the blue water. On Grand Turk was a small shopping center and one of the seven Margaritaville locations. It provides a bar and an enormous pool that is free for cruise passengers to take a dip in.
The next destination that the ship stopped at was Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas. It is a private island owned by Carnival. In my opinion, it was the most beautiful location of the three that we visited on the cruise. The sand was so white and soft, while the water was so clear that you could see all of the fish and shells in the water. The temperature of the ocean had me floating in there for over an hour. Although I did get slightly sunburnt from that, I had never felt more relaxed in my life.
The last island was Freeport, Bahamas. As soon as I stepped off the ship, there was a cluster of tiny shops, but no beach in sight. I chose to purchase a dolphin excursion there. All of the people participating in the excursion took a 20 minute shuttle, then a 15 minute boat ride through the canals and past the beach. Finally, we had arrived at where the dolphins were. Everyone got to interact with them and see how smart the dolphins are. They were all very well-trained and performed a few different tricks. With dolphins being my favorite animal, it was amazing! Plenty of other excursions are offered as well, like ATV riding, horseback riding, or water sports.
That being said, if you are wondering if you should book a cruise, I highly recommend it!
If you need a getaway but also would like to maintain social distancing, a road trip might be the perfect solution for you. There are alternatives to staying in a hotel that may be safer. You can rent an RV/camper, rent a private cabin or Airbnb, or go tent camping. Here is a list of amazing spots that you can take a road trip to throughout the United States:
Yellowstone National Park
Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming
Yellowstone is located in Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, consisting of almost 3,500 square miles. It contains geysers, canyons, rivers/lakes, hot springs, forests, and hiking trails, all scattered throughout. The most well-known destinations located within the park are the Grand Prismatic Spring and the Old Faithful Geyser.
The Canyons of Arizona
Grand Canyon, South Rim, Arizona
The famous one that everyone should already known about is the Grand Canyon. The South Rim of the Grand Canyon has the greatest views and is the most suitable path for hiking. Much further north is the Antelope Canyon, which is described as a slot canyon with upper and lower sections. The Upper Antelope Canyon is easily accessed, as it is located on ground level. Meanwhile, Lower Antelope Canyon is a more difficult hike, even with the stairs for visitors to walk down, but draws people in due to the beauty of the spiral rock arches.
Blue Ridge Mountains
Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina
These mountains get the name from their blue tint that is seen from a distance. It is located in the eastern part of the United States, from Pennsylvania, down to Georgia. The highest peak of the mountains is Mt. Mitchell in North Carolina. In this range are the popular national parks, Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains. Shenandoah National Park is located in Virginia, and has trails leading to waterfalls, mountains, and limestone caves like Luray Caverns. From the overlooks, you can get gorgeous views of the sunrise or sunset. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a mountain range along the borders of North Carolina and Tennessee. It has scenic valleys, nature trails, rivers, and waterfalls.
Appalachian Trail
Clingmans Dome
From Maine to Georgia, there are countless places to start hiking on the Appalachian Trail. It has various types of scenery on this 2,200 mile path. Hikers have arguably ranked McAfee Knob, Mount Katahdin, and Clingmans Dome as some of the top places to visit.
Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier & Eunice Lake, Washington
Mount Rainier itself is an active stratovolcano located in the state of Washington. Besides mountains, the park is filled with waterfalls, glaciers, blue lakes, and wildflower fields (only in July and August). Scenic gondola rides are offered with breathtaking views of Mount Rainier and the Cascade Mountains. Tipsoo Lake Loop and Snow Lake Trails are must-sees while you are there.
Glacier National Park
Upper Grinnell Glacier, Montana
This national park is located in Montana, right on the United States/Canadian border. It has over 700 miles of trails for visitors to hike on, as well as, part of the Rocky Mountains. Glacier National Park is filled with hundreds of lakes and waterfalls. The largest lake in it is Lake McDonald. In it is an abundance of naturally colored rocks that can be seen from Apgar Village. Some recommended paths are Hidden Lake Trail or Grinnell Glacier Trail.
Acadia National Park
Jordan Pond, Maine
Acadia is on the coast of Maine, consisting of rocky beaches, ponds, and forests. Jordan Pond, Cadillac Mountains, and Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse have excellent views of the sunrises and sunsets. The best time to visit would be September to November if you are interested in colorful fall foliage.
Zion National Park
Angels Landing, Utah
Located in Utah is Zion National Park. The red cliffs, waterfalls, hanging gardens, and emerald pools are what draws visitors in. You will want to see the Lower Emerald Pools, Angels Landing, and The Narrows while in that recreation area.
Arches National Park
Delicate Arch, Utah
Arches National Park is in Grand County, Utah. It is such a unique location with over 2,000 natural red arches. The Delicate Arch Trail is rated the #1 in the park.
Olympic National Park
Hoh River Trail, Washington
The beautiful national park is found in Washington state. Inside it are alpine areas, rainforests, and the coastline. If you are looking to explore a temperate rainforest, Hoh River Trail is a great option. If you take the Third Beach Hike, you will end up on the pacific coast.
Silver Falls State Park
Middle North Falls, Silver Falls State Park, Oregon
In Oregon is Silver Falls State Park. If you love waterfalls, like myself, you will really enjoy this recreation area. Along the Trail of Ten Falls is 7.9 miles of 10 incredible waterfalls.
There are so many breathtaking parks to choose from all over the United States. I would love to visit them all!
A Sweet Paradise 
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