So I recently traveled to St. Lucia to attend one of my best friend’s bachelorette parties, and as a solo group of 4 girls traveling the country without a guide, I want to give you my thoughts on our experience and share what to expect if you are thinking of planning a trip to St. Lucia.
I am going to give an itinerary of what we did, as well as, what I think is worth it and what’s not. I will also share at the end all takeaways and what I would recommend. 🙂
What You Need To Get There
Getting to St. Lucia isn’t exactly a cakewalk. There are 3 forms you must complete before entering the country, one of which must be completed 48 hours before travel to receive approval. I will add the link to the website for this paperwork, and the most current requirements.
As of our trip in February of 2022, you must:
- Be fully vaccinated and have proof of vaccination on hand
- Have a valid passport
- Have a negative PCR test result not older than 5 days
- Complete the Travel Registration form, and receive approval
- Ministry of Health & Wellness Screening Health Questionnare
- Immigration form (provided to you on the airplane)
- Any potential documentation your airline requires
I am a huge fan of extended weekend trips. Jhonathan and I take them pretty often and love to fit as much as we can into the short time we are in the city. So for me, and extended weekend would consist of Friday (or late Thursday night) to Sunday or Saturday to Monday. And I’d like to add, these trips are always within the U.S. and consist of flights under 4 hours. I find it such a fun challenge to see just how much we can take in from a city in just a few days!
So our most recent trip was to Chicago. This was not my first time visiting the city so we did not hit the most popular tourist attractions as we have already done that. If you haven’t been before you MUST visit the Bean along with these awesome stops I will be sharing with you.
Accommodations
So on this trip I did something a little different and booked our rooms through Hotwire. This ended up being an amazing deal with us spending under $350 for all 3 nights! We stayed at Sofitel and the Freehand. Both hotels are located in great locations, but for me the Freehand was in the better location wise as it was close to everything we had on our list. We had some rain during our trip but so much was close by so it wasn’t an issue.
Shopping
While in Chicago we shopped at Topshop, Louis Vuitton, and Bloomingdale’s. If you are looking for some epic shopping on your trip then all you have to do is head for the Magnificent Mile, it’s Chicago’s version of New York’s 5th Avenue!
Bloomingdale’s was actually right across the street from our hotel and was a huge lifesaver once the rain began. They sell the most perfect travel bag! It is a tote constructed of plastic with a zip top. I was able to safely store my camera, crossbody and around town essentials easily so they could stay totally dry!
When we travel to new cities, Jhonathan and I started to tradition of purchasing a Louis Vuitton travel guide for that particular city. This tradition started after our first time here so we decided to pick the guide up on this trip.
And of course, if you haven’t visited a Top Shop it’s the perfect stop for some sunnies and to get a glimpse at the latest fashion trends. I love the Chicago Mag Mile location!
Entertainment
We decided to head south to check out a White Socks game! The stadium is really beautiful and has such a fun feel to it! One of the coolest touches I noticed was that the vendors carried the snacks and drinks in old wooden soda crates! So cool! We purchased tickets of the club level which is honestly the very best deal! There was even an opportunity for us to visit a suite to play video games and watch the game from a closed in air conditioned space! – Yes, this is not like the stadiums here in Houston that feature retractable roofs, this space is always open rain or shine.
Jhonathan and I both watch Shameless which is set on the southside of Chicago, so while visiting the southside we had to try Frank’s fav beer, Old Style and ride the L.
Eats
Pizza, cheese curds, and Hotdogs all the way! Oh, and I ate a salad once.
Portillo’s – All I can say is yum, and it’s open late! Jhonathan got a Chicago dog here while I opted for a heaping plate of fettuccine Alfrado with garlic bread. We also both ordered sundaes to enjoy on our walk back to the hotel.
Sugar Factory – I would like to point out, we didn’t actually eat here. The wait for a table was 2+ hours but the bar was open seating, and since we were just getting a drink that was perfect! So note that if you are going just to get one of their amazing candy filled drinks you don’t have to wait, just head to the bar! We tried a mango themed drink with little penguin gummies and sugar coated orange slices. SO much fun to watch them make the drink and so much fun to enjoy! Also I’d like to mention the interior of this place is beautiful! It have an elegant feel to it, mixed with fun candy and alcohol!
Sights
So on this trip we kept the sights pretty minimal with just a trip to the top 360Chicago. This is a skyscraper that takes you up over 90 stories to panoramic views of the city. There is even a bar atop so you can have a nice drink, or even an ice cream while you take in the breathtaking views of Chicago. I highly recommend this stop as there was virtually no line! I feel like not as many people know of this in comparison to the Willis Tower Skyview so if you are short on time, stop here instead!
Chicago is such a great city, with so much to do and so much to see! I’m sure I will be adding many more travel guides for the city as we will definitely be back!
When you have only a day to visit the nation’s capital, what all do you have time to see? What do you wear? Are all of the locations easily accessible? Well I am here to answer those questions!
First of all, I’d like to start off by saying I think January-February is a great time to see D.C. because there aren’t lines! This really optimized how many stops we were able to fit into out day trip, not to mention that the weather is PERFECT! All you need is a sweater and maybe light jacket.
On our trip to D.C. we were able to visit:
- The White House
- Lincoln Memorial
- Reflecting Pool
- Smithsonian Air and Space Museum
- National Archives
Honestly this was a lot of stops to fit into one day, but with no lines or crowds it was totally doable!
But, what do you wear?
So when touring you want to be comfortable, BUT you are going to be capturing pictures you are going to keep forever sooooo you want to look nice, AND be able to go from museum to dinner without having to change. The ensemble I selected was not only comfortable but on trend and so stylish! I was warm, my feet didn’t hurt, and I never looked underdressed.
I choose a soft knit sweater from Express, oversized Quay sunglasses, a metallic accordion pleat skirt, a knit beret, and over the knee boots. I think the skirt color, along with pleating detail is what really dresses up this look, along with the crisp white. I was able to comfortably walk everywhere and never felt underdressed while out and about. So I think this style is perfect for travel and transitioning from day to night.
Now on to what all we did!
Note to self: Monuments are open 24/7
This is important to keep this in mind, as you have no time restraints when planning out tours and stops to these locations. That means you can stop at the memorials very early in the morning before the museums open, or late at night when everything else is closed – depending on if you are wanting pictures during the day or not. We chose to fit in the monuments after touring the Smithsonian and National Archives.
Museums are only open from 10-5ish with last tours starting around 30 minutes prior to close.
I am pointing this out because the museums are only open for a short timeframe so you have to time them right if you are wanting to visit multiple locations in a day. There are also no tickets to be purchased because everything is free. That is why I think it is important to map out your route, and have a game plan before heading out.
Okay so now that all of that is out of the way, here is how we spent our day!
9:00AM Breakfast at the Juniper.
The Juniper is the restaurant located in the Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown which is where we stayed. For info on the hotel and our accommodations click here!
10:00AM Smithsonian Air & Space Museum
We decided to conserve our energy and Uber to our first stop for the day. The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum was awing. The sheer size of some of the pieces they have will stop you in your tracks! Jhonathan was like a kid in a candy store, and I felt like I had to pry him out of there just so we would be able to make our remaining stops for the day. The museum is cataloged and organized so well! No matter what era of aviation interests you, they have it! Not only that, but they have artifacts and pieces that transport you through time….not literally but, you know what I mean. We even took a spin in the flight simulators they have available! Here you can do barrel rolls, fly a jet and even be a gunner! Needless to say we both very much enjoyed all this museum has to offer.
12:45PM National Archives
Just a short walk across the street we arrived at the National Archives, and after a brief security scan we were inside. Sadly, there is no photography allowed in the Rotunda but getting the opportunity to see the Declaration of Independence, United States Constitution, and Bill of Rights with my own eyes was such an incredible experience. There are many other historical documents and rooms to visit while in the Archives building, but as we has a lot to still do, we only attended the Rotunda. I also recommend stopping in for your souvenirs while at the National Archives because there is a little bit of everything D.C. related available in their shop and its fairly priced.
2:00PM Joe’s
It’s about a 15 minute walk from the Archives to the White House so we decided to hop over to Joe’s on the way. I ordered mint ice cream with hot fudge and chicken wings – yes I know, what a combo, and Jhonathan also ordered a mule. The architecture of this building is exquisite, and so welcoming. After a rejuvenating snack it was time to see the White House.
3:00PM The White House
We walked by the White House and took pictures, but did not tour or stay in the area for long. There were many protestors out, and the grounds were double barricaded. I really only wanted to see it in person, so I got to do that and check it off of my list.
3:45PM Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool
We Ubered from the White House to the Lincoln Memorial as it would have been a 25-minute walk. This is totally walkable, but we didn’t want to loose sunlight so we opted for the 5 minute Uber ride. I definitely think the monument was the most moving thing I saw on the trip. The sheer size is overwhelming and the words, so meaningful. This is a MUST for anyone traveling to D.C.; I think all of our stops were, but this one even more so. We stood atop and looked out to the reflecting pool with a beautiful clear blue sky as the back drop. Such a perfect way to end the day. On our way out, we spotted a lady taking pictures of her two golden retrievers so I had to snap a pic of the cuteness.
6:00PM
We finished the evening back at our hotel, the Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown for dinner in their lounge. The perfect ending to a lovely day!
There is so much to see in D.C., and I am definitely interested in going back to see more; but for one day in town, I think these stops are a must if it’s your first time in the city. Thanks for stopping by, and look forward to my upcoming NYFW posts as I will be traveling there in ONE WEEK! <3
So this past weekend Jhonathan and I took and impromptu trip to Seattle! Since this was the first time visiting there for the both of us, and seeing as we were only going to be there for the weekend, we wanted to pack in the best spots possible for the time-frame we had. So if you ever find yourself on a layover in Seattle, or just have a day to explore there, here are some must-see places!
Where We Stayed
Our accommodations were at the W Seattle. This hotel is not only beautiful with modern appointments, but it also features great live entertainment in the evening, comfortable spacious rooms, excellent customer service, and is walking distance from a lot of sights!
Favorite Breakfast
Sweet Iron seriously has the best waffles EVER! Just two short blocks from our hotel, this trendy breakfast spot was a must! Jhonathan and I tried two from the menu, one sweet, the chocolate dipped waffle, and one savory, the bacon with maple syrup, and loved both! The waffle is so soft and made to order. All ingredients are fresh and served to perfection. I also ordered hot chocolate, which was the optimal choice to finish off breakfast.
For Pictures
I know everyone wants to see the space needle, but how do you get a great picture of it? Go to Kerry Park! Kerry Park is on the Queen Anne hill, about a 15 minute drive from where our hotel was located. This park is on a hill, and provides the perfect view of the skyline, and on a clear day, Mount Rainier! We weren’t so lucky to get a glimpse of the mountain, but we were able to get the skyline.
The Market & Starbucks
After breakfast, we walked over to the market and stopped at the very first ever Starbucks! I of course had to pick up a few souvenir mugs, coffee, and get myself a hot cider to drink.
The Pike Place Market was not at all what I expected! It was so large with many floors and seriously has a shop for everyone! There are levels of stores, from fish, tea, to magic stores, comic books and collector model cars…everything! You could honestly spend an entire day here, there is just so much to see!
Quick eats
One of my favorite things about NYC is the easy access to food, i.e. street food (hotdogs and chicken kabobs) We found a park area across from Macy’s that had just the thing!
Speaking of Macy’s, since we were visiting in December they had their window displays set for Christmas and it was totally amazing!
And yes, if you a breathing, I am sure you have heard of Christian Grey. Well this is where he lived in the movies and the books. Sooooo obviously I had to take a quick snap of the Escala on our walk.
Bars
So the two bars we had to check off of our list on this trip were: Canon and The Nest.
Canon is a whiskey bar with a spirit collection of over 4,000 labels serving AMAZING specialty drinks in quirky serveware, with the perfect amount of gastro/old timey vibe!
The Nest is a rooftop bar in the Thompson hotel. It features beautiful views of the city and an amazing space to relax and have a drink while watching the ferry, ferris wheel, and city life.
Seattle is such a great city, and I cannot wait to visit again! Even though it rained the entire trip, that didn’t take away from the fun! I will mention I did not expect the amount of hills! LOL so yes, keep that in mind if you plan on walking, phew! But I did love that even with the rain my hair did not mess up! There is not all the humidity like we have here in Houston so I could actually fix my hair and it would hold through the weather!
The buildings are beautiful, the transportation is easy and convenient, the food is great and I cannot recommend it more! Next time I’m planning on checking out the mountains so I guess a spring or summer trip is is store?!
Hi Friends! So last month I vacationed to Acapulco and wanted to share some of my favorite stops with you!
If you are interested in seeing my layover adventures in Mexico City, I’ll have that blog post up soon!
Acapulco is such a lush and tropical beach destination just a few short hours (by plane) from Houston! For this trip, we decided to stay at a resort and the one we selected was The Grand Mayan – a Vidanta property. Just a short 10 minute taxi ride from the airport and we were there!
The resort was absolutely breathtaking! We checked in at night so we left exploring for the morning. That evening we stopped at the bar and watched the evening performance.
The room was spacious and comfortable with luxurious bedding and toiletries. After a good night’s sleep we woke bright and early to start our first day of adventuring.
While exploring the property I sported my Stronger athletic wear. This brand is so comfortable and perfect for any climate! After we checked out the grounds it was time to change and venture off property.
Favorite Places / Activities
So the two things I think everyone needs to stop and do/see when in Acapulco are: releasing baby sea turtles and visit the Diego Rivera mural.
Releasing baby sea turtles was seriously one of the coolest things I think I have ever done! Before the release you watch a short film on conservation and the life cycle of sea turtles that way you fully understand the importance of this release!
Holding the tiny turtle and watching it take its first steps to the ocean was so touching!
As for the Diego Rivera wall, I was taken aback by the sheer size of the mural, which seems to come out of nowhere! It is just off of the side of a building on a random street, as if it is nothing special…perfect for a photo op! There is so much detail in this piece, that I wish I could have captured it all for you! The mixed materials and mosaic design are so beautiful and entrancing, a must see!
Here are a few photos from our other Acapulco stops, enjoy! From learning about gemstone mining and jewelry, to food, poolside drinks, local iguanas, and scenic outlook spots.