Tag Archives: inspiration

New Zealand South Island Itinerary

Total Days: 9 days on the South Island | Accommodations: Hotels/Hostels in central downtown Queenstown, Te Anau, Wanaka, Mount Cook, Tekapo and Christchurch, and one night on a Milford Sound Cruise | Traveled with: A girlfriend | Type of Trip: Focus on mountains, hiking and unique scenery  | Highlights: Queenstown scene, Milford Sound, Rippon Vineyard, […]

New Zealand North Island Itinerary

Total Days: 6 | Accommodations: Hotels/Hostels | Transportation: Aukland is walkable and rented a car for the rest of the trip| Traveled with: A girlfriend | Type of Trip: Focus on beaches and unique scenery  | Highlights: Waiheke Island, Tongariro Crossing Hike, beach walks and kayaking trips There are so many different routes you could […]

New Zealand Travel Tips and Fun Facts

Useful information and tidbits before traveling to NZ! Kiwis (the bird) are nocturnal so don’t expect to see them out and about! We spoke to life-long locals who had never seen a Kiwi in the wild. New Zealand is very clean.  Even the public restrooms are some of the nicest I’ve ever been in. The […]

Why you should go to Doha instead of Dubai!

Doha, the capital of Qatar, is the “little sister” city to Dubai.  While Dubai offers ample accolades and record-breaking landmarks including the best hotel, tallest building and largest mall by total area, visitors in Doha won’t be disappointed with the Arabic-inspired architecture, waterfront sand dunes and authentic Middle-Eastern attractions. Not the largest in the world, […]

5 Days in San Francisco Itinerary for First Time Visitors

Total Days: 5 Days | Accommodations: Recommend the Washington Square Inn or a hotel in Nob Hill | Transportation:  Lots of walking and urban hiking, Uber and a car rental for 36 hours | Traveled With: Sister and brother in law | Type of Trip: A whirlwind of walking to the best landmarks and excellent […]

How to Crush Your Half or Full Day Layover in Istanbul

Making the most of Istanbul with transportation, site seeing and activity suggestions When I have the time and a longer layover is in an option in a new city, I jump on the opportunity!  Istanbul was an easy yes, as most city sites are in the same area.  It’s an ambitious itinerary but it can […]

5 Days of Pure Bliss in Maui Itinerary

Total Days: 5 Days | Accommodations: Resort in Kaanapali | Transportation:  Rented a car | Traveled With: Girlfriend | Type of Trip: Relaxing and reveling in natural landmarks | Highlights:  Haleakala Sunrise, Surfing, Waterfall exploring on Road to Hana, Old Lahaina Luau DAY 1 At a glimpse: Rent a car at the airport and drive […]

Five Absolutely Essential Activities in Maui

Add to your Hawaii must-do list now! Practice your hula at a traditional Luau.  There are several luau options and pros/cons of each, but the waterfront Old Lahaina Luau is focused on the authenticity of Hawaiian history and music, as well as traditional cuisine. Spend time in the warm cobalt blue water.  Surfing was invented […]

15 Things Nobody Tells You about San Francisco

First and foremost, don’t call it San Fran!! The only worse crime would be calling it Frisco.  To the locals it’s San Francisco, SF or The City. It is COLD! It is not your typical “California weather” so prepare for clouds, fog (Karl) and chilly nights any time of the year.  The water is also […]

Napa & Sonoma

There are over 600+ vineyards and wineries in Napa and Sonoma.  Where to begin and how to choose? Here are the basics: When traveling from San Francisco, you can expect the weather to be 10-20 degrees warmer in wine country!  But it still gets chilly and the fog rolls in at night.  This is part […]