Top 16 Places to Visit in 2016
Time to start planning out travel adventures for 2016! These 16 countries are all on the bucket list for next year.
Top 16 Places to Visit in 2016
As this year is coming to a close, it is time to start planning next year’s adventures. There are so many places to travel and so little time...but we’ve got to start somewhere! Here are my top 16 places to visit in 2016! Just hope I can make it to most (all) of them...
1. Cuba
Photo via www.GiveMeBackMyFiveBucks.com
Cuba is finally starting to open up their doors to the public and now is the time to go. The beautiful city of Havana looks like it's been caught in a time warp from the 1950s and I'm all about that nostalgia.
2. Spain
Photo via www.GreatPerformanceTours.com
Going all the way back to my roots in Spain... It's about time that I spend some time in this beautiful country. I would love to spend a few weeks at the end of the summer exploring the country, eating delicious tapas, and drinking great wine. Barcelona and The Canary Islands are top of mind for me.
3. Dominican Republic
Photo via www.VenYViaja.com
With beautiful beaches, coastal diving and snorkeling, and places to completely go off the grid, Dominican Republic is a prime spot to check out for 2016. The waterfalls of Samaná (shown above) are reason alone to go and visit!
4. Japan
Photo via www.MarshallThompson.net
Japan is filled with so much rich history, stunning nature, and unbelievable architecture that is ranks high on my list of places I'm dying to see. The fact that I love sushi and Asian food doesn't hurt either... Kyoto and Tokyo are 2 places that would be fascinating to see first.
5. Germany
Germany is home to many attractions and sights that are calling my name. Munich, Frankfurt, Berlin, along with the idyllic castles on the Castle Road... I am going to have trouble picking just 1 place first! The Neuschwanstein Castle seems like a good place to start.
6. Thailand
Photo via www.ThaiEmbassy.org
I might be a little late to the party, but Thailand is still on my bucket list of places to visit. I vowed to myself that I would make it there this year; but another year has gone and passed and I still haven't been. Thailand has so much to offer visitors from a lower cost of living, to delicious food, to gorgeous ancient temples. I'm looking forward to seeing cities such as Chiang Mai and Bangkok first.
7. Puerto Rico
Photo via www.Tourist2Townie.com
It's (embarrassingly) been about 5 years since I've been back to Puerto Rico and I'm itching to get back. I think it is important for everyone to keep close to their roots of where they came from in any way possible. Puerto Rico has been making strides in recent years to encourage more tourism despite their current economic situation. Great spots include El Yunque, Old San Juan, Isla Culebra, and Rincon.
8. USA
Photo via www.Washington.org
There are still so many places in the US that I have yet to check out. High on my list are places like Napa, California; Portland, Oregon; Santa Barbara, California; San Diego, California; St. Augustine, Florida; Austin, Texas; and Washington D.C. What better place to start touring than your own backyard, right?!
9. Canada
Photo via www.MomentoTravel.com
Oh, Canada. Don't tell the USA, but I definitely have a crush on you. Places like Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal are calling my name in 2016. There is so much to love about Canada and I'm antsy to explore more of what it has to offer.
10. Belgium
Photo via www.Blog.SuperBreak.com
Belgium is a country that I think will soon be climbing every traveler's list (if it isn't already on there). With charming towns like Brussels and Bruges, it is hard to think of a reason not to go. The waffles and fries may or may not be 2 of my top reasons for wanting to go...
11. England
Photo via www.RedBubble.com
It's been 10 years since my last visit to England, and I think 2016 would be a fabulous time to return. London is high on the list, along with Oxford, York (pictured above), and a few other great spots.
12. Denmark
Photo via www.LayoverGuide.com
I've only had the pleasure of seeing Denmark from the airplane window, so I'm hoping to get down into the city at some point next year. Copenhagen and it's cute little streets are top of mind for my visit there. Any city surrounded by water is good for me!
13. Czech Republic
Photo via www.Voyage.Gentside.com
The city of Prague has been on my to-do list since Lonely Planet said that it was equal parts beauty to Paris. That's a heavy statement that I'm going to have to investigate on my own; but something tells me I won't be disappointed.
14. Austria
Photo via www.GoAroundEurope.com
Maybe I watched too much "Sound of Music," but Austria is a must-see country for me in the coming year. Places like Salzburg, Innsbruck, and Vienna are full of natural and historic beauty that I'm excited to see.
15. Indonesia
Photo via www.BaliTourismBoard.org
The country of Indonesia is known for it's iconic destinations such as Bali, Ubud, and the Gili Islands. This gorgeous country is a perfect destination to escape and relax in the stunning nature that surrounds the country. I'm feeling a yoga retreat along the beach here sometime in 2016!
16. Morocco
Photo via www.Aiesec.ma
Last, but certainly not least, is Morocco. This little country is full of culture, architecture, spices, and color. Marrakech and Casablanca are obviously 2 must-see destinations, but there are so many other spots like Essaouira and Fes that would be wonderful to catch as well. The architecture alone is a driving force for getting me to this country! Have you seen pictures of that Blue City?!
What places are on your bucket list for 2016? Somewhere near or far? Comment below with great ideas!
PS - See my favorite travel things that I can't live without here!
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10 Promises You Should Make To Yourself in 2016
Make 2016 your best year yet by promising yourself these 10 simple things.
10 Promises You Should Make to Yourself in 2016
2016 is upon us and it’s time to start making those New Year’s Resolutions! It is important to be constantly upgrading to a better version of you and the New Year is a nice jumping off point for it.
I don’t believe that the New Year should be the only time of year to make changes in your life, but it sure is a good time and place to hit the “Refresh” button and make adjustments to certain aspects of your life.
In an effort to make 2016 the best year yet, I’ve made a list of promises that everyone could benefit from making to him or herself this next year. Let’s go 2016!
IN 2016 I PROMISE TO...
1. Make ME Happy First
Gone are the days of putting other people’s happiness first. If there is one thing that 2015 taught me, it is that you cannot make other people happy until you are happy first.
If making myself happy means staying home instead of going out, then I’m going to do it! If making me happy first means getting rid of negative people in my life, then it is time to say ‘goodbye’. Cleansing your life of relationships that don’t serve you can be a huge first step to finding happiness!
2. Be More Decisive
No more tiptoeing around what I want for dinner or what task to accomplish first. It is time to be more decisive and make decisions quicker. Yes or No. Now or Never. And once you make a decision, stand confident in it. *Hanging out with people who are more decisive is a great way to enforce this new habit.
3. Say “NO” More
Warren Buffett once said, “The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.”
How is anyone expected to keep a focus on what matters when you have a ton of different things competing for your attention? Simplify, simplify, simplify!
In order to keep my focus on the projects and things that matter next year, I am vowing to say no to things that do not serve me and move me in the direction of my dreams. We’ve got to learn that we can’t do it all.
4. Go Somewhere I Haven’t Been
It is so important to continuously gain new perspectives on the world. What better way to do it than going somewhere new?!
Going somewhere new doesn’t have to be a new country or a new city. It could be as simple as a new route home from work. Just make sure you get out of your comfort zone so you can experience something different.
5. Take Care of Mind, Body, and Soul
This is so much more than just shedding those last few holiday pounds. This one is about taking care of the entire self—mind, body, and soul.
Vow to take care of the mind by being positive, being kind to yourself with good thoughts, and constantly learning new things.
Vow to take care of the body by nourishing it with clean foods, working out consistently, and indulging in beauty regimens that make you feel and look better.
Vow to take care of the soul by feeding it with things that are positive and true to yourself, meditating consistently, and spreading love and positive energy.
6. Say “Yes” When I Mean YES and “No” When I Mean NO
It is time to stop making choices based on what we “should do” or what makes other people happy. I am very guilty of this one and have made choices based on what I thought would make my loved ones happy instead of what I truly wanted.
It is time to start standing up for yourself and saying “Yes” when you mean YES and “No” when you mean NO. Enough of trying to please other people!
7. Stop Feeling Guilty for What Makes Me Happy
Stand tall and confident in the decisions you make and stop feeling guilty for things that truly make you happy. It may sound selfish, but you are not responsible for other people’s feelings. It is time to stop feeling bad for things that make you feel great.
You decided to take a night off from going out in order to stay home and pamper yourself, and now your friend is mad... SO WHAT?! You want to eat that piece of chocolate, but it doesn't adhere to your "diet." EAT IT! In the long run, your happiness means much more than pleasing other people. Promise to take care of you first.
8. Say “YES” to More Adventure
Before embarking on any adventure or fun activity, you should always ask yourself, “Am I going to look back and wish I had done this one day? Or will I look back and laugh at the story?”
It is time to indulge on more adventures and say, “YES!” when it comes knocking at your door. Just think of all the fun you will have and the stories you will be able to tell when you treat yourself to more adventure...
9. Spread More Positivity
Smile more. Be thankful. Compliment a stranger. Laugh harder. Make a daily list of things you are grateful for. Think positively.
If we all did this—even just a little bit—every day, the world would be an even more beautiful place.
10. Dream BIG
If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough. Dream bigger than you have, believe that it will happen, and take the steps you can to move towards that dream. It will happen. Dreams really do come true.
Set specific/time-bound goals, replace negative thoughts with positive ones, and lean into your fears. When you lead a positive life, your dreams are closer than you think.
What are you vowing to do differently in the new year? Any tips for things you did this year that you will repeat next year?
PS - See my favorite travel things that I can't live without here!
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50 Best Travel Movies
50 best travel movies that make you feel good & move you to travel. Go ahead..BInge this weekend!
50 Best Travel Movies That Make You Feel Good & Move You To Travel
Don't you love those travel movies that you watch and they instantly make you feel good and you think, "Damn, I wish I could travel there right now..."? Yeah, me too. I have way too many to name or remember...
Winter is coming--aka my favorite time of year to stay inside and have endless movie marathons on my couch (don't act like you don't do the same!). I've compiled a list of my favorite, feel-good movies that get me excited to pack my things and head out the door every time I watch them and I'm sharing them with you today! Here are the 50 best travel movies that make you feel good and move you to travel.
VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA (Barcelona, Spain)
"Two girlfriends on a summer holiday in Spain become enamored with the same painter, unaware that his ex-wife, with whom he has a tempestuous relationship, is about to re-enter the picture."
A.K.A. the film that made me fall in love with Penelope Cruz and Spain. Does it get any better than this 3-way love triangle with Barcelona as the background? I think not.
AMELIE (Paris, France)
"Amelie is an innocent and naive girl in Paris with her own sense of justice. She decides to help those around her and, along the way, discovers love."
I love this movie for so many reasons. Amelie is endearing and cute, the music is wonderful, and Montmartre is the perfect setting for a romantic story.
VEGAS VACATION (Las Vegas, USA)
"In the fourth outing for the vacation franchise, the Griswolds have to survive Vegas fever when they go to Las Vegas for a fun family vacation.
This might be my favorite installment of the vacation movies. Nick Papagiorgio, Wayne Newton, and Cousin Eddie?! Yes to all of it.
DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS (Beaulieu-sur-Mer, France)
"Two con men try to settle their rivalry by betting on who can swindle a young American heiress out of $50,000 first."
Michael Caine and Steve Martin give excellent performances as 2 con men in the French Riviera trying to rip off filthy, rich women. And who can forget Ruprecht?!?! The Riviera isn't bad to look at either...
THE KING'S SPEECH (London, England)
"The story of King George VI of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, his impromptu ascension to the throne and the speech therapist who helped the unsure monarch become worthy of it."
There is a reason why this movie won Best Picture along with a ton of other awards. It's amazing. And I love how you're learning a little bit of England's history while being enthralled by the story.
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (Paris, France)
"While on a trip to Paris with his fiancee's family, a nostalgic screenwriter finds himself mysteriously going back to the 1920s every day at midnight."
Words can't describe how much I love this movie. I honestly believe that Woody Allen climbed into my brain one night and figured out the formula for the perfect movie and then created Midnight in Paris. 1920s + Paris...It's like seeing my past life flash in front of me.
ROMAN HOLIDAY (Rome, Italy)
"A bored and sheltered princess escapes her guardians and falls in love with an American newsman in Rome."
Audrey Hepburn movies have a natural way of making you want to escape. Roman Holiday (along with other favorites like Breakfast at Tiffany's and Charade) has so much charm that you can't help but imagine what your life would be like in her shoes.
DESPERADO (Mexico)
"A gunslinger is embroiled in a war with a local drug runner."
This movie made me feel things I didn't know I could feel when I was younger. Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek's steamy on-set chemistry was so hot it made Mexico seem cold.
EAT PRAY LOVE (ITALY, INDIA, & INDONESIA)
"A married woman realizes how unhappy her marriage really is, and that her life needs to go in a different direction. After a painful divorce, she takes off on a round-the-world journey to "find herself"."
I think everyone can relate to this movie in some way; whether it is using travel to find yourself, escape to get a fresh start, or just to eat some amazing food... We've all been there.
HARRY POTTER SERIES (Great Britain)
"Rescued from the outrageous neglect of his aunt and uncle, a young boy with a great destiny proves his worth while attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
Give me Harry Potter all day/any day and I'll be happy. I want to leave this muggle world behind and just live in Harry's world at all times.
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA (Kyoto, Japan)
"Nitta Sayuri reveals how she transcended her fishing-village roots and became one of Japan's most celebrated geisha."
This beautiful rendition of a Cinderella story makes you want to hop on a plane right away and escape to Kyoto.
BRIDGET JONES DIARY 1&2 (ENGLAND & THAILAND)
"A British woman is determined to improve herself while she looks for love in a year in which she keeps a personal diary."
Aren't we all Bridget Jones in a way? She is quirky, awkward, and incredibly honest. Can't help but root for her all the way through...and then head to Thailand or London to join her for some shenanigans.
LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY (NEW ZEALAND)
"A meek Hobbit and eight companions set out on a journey to destroy the One Ring and the Dark Lord Sauron."
New Zealand makes the most magnificent setting for this fantasy tale. Watching it makes you want to run away into the hills of NZ and never come back.
FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF (Chicago, USA)
"A high school wise guy is determined to have a day off from school, despite what the principal thinks of that."
If this movie does not make you want to skip out on whatever you're doing and hit the great city of Chicago, I don't know what will. Probably one of the best Chi-town movies ever and makes me so proud to call this place home :)
HOME ALONE 2 (New York City, USA)
"One year after Kevin was left home alone and had to defeat a pair of bumbling burglars, he accidentally finds himself in New York City, and the same criminals are not far behind."
I'm pretty sure we've all wanted to be Kevin McCallister at some point in our lives. Who wouldn't want to stay at a suite at The Plaza Hotel in Manhattan? *Plus I'm pretty sure that all parents secretly want to leave their kids home alone so they can get away and vacation without them...
CASABLANCA (Casablanca, Morocco)
"Set in Casablanca, Morocco during the early days of World War II: An American expatriate meets a former lover, with unforeseen complications."
I don't care how many times I see Casablanca, I will always tear up when Bogart looks at Bergman and says "We'll always have Paris...Here's looking at you kid." OMG, I think I'm starting to cry right now...
FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL (Oahu, USA)
"Devastated Peter takes a Hawaiian vacation in order to deal with the recent break-up with his TV star girlfriend, Sarah. Little does he know, Sarah's traveling to the same resort as her ex - and she's bringing along her new boyfriend."
I don't know how many times I've seen this movie, but I keep laughing every time I see it. Every character is hilarious and has killer moments. Plus, who wouldn't want to go to Hawaii to mend a broken heart? (50 First Dates is also another feel-good movie I love that is set in Hawaii)
TROY (Greece)
"An adaptaion of Homer's great epic, the film follows the assault on Troy by the united Greek forces and chronicles the fates of the men involved."
There's something to love about Ancient Greek movies (I'm going to add in the movie 300 as another great one along with this) for all involved. I think this movie equally pleases the guys and the ladies. Men-you have war and action. Ladies-you have Brad Pitt in his prime. Win-Win.
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN COLLECTION (Islands of the Caribbean)
"Blacksmith Will Turner teams up with eccentric pirate "Captain" Jack Sparrow to save his love, the governor's daughter, from Jack's former pirate allies, who are now undead."
I love the entire Pirates of the Caribbean collection. Jack Sparrow and Will Turner, pirates, mermaids, and obviously the islands of the Caribbean. Can't get enough.
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (Budapest, Hungary)
"The adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous hotel from the fictional Republic of Zubrowka between the first and second World Wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend."
I don't care that this hotel is basically in the middle of nowhere. After watching this movie, I want to be in Budapest and I want to be in it's grand hotel. I think the eclectic cast of characters really helps make this movie one to love.
JAMES BOND COLLECTION (Europe, Americas, Asia, and Africa)
Bond...James Bond. There is no arguing that 007 is the ultimate world traveler. He's been to more countries than I can list, and I want to go to all of them.
From Connery to Brosnan to Craig...all of the Bonds offer something special and unique with amazing places in each story. These movies are great for a weekend binge!
THE ENDLESS SUMMER (Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Hawaii, and California)
"The crown jewel to ten years of Bruce Brown surfing documentaries. Brown follows two young surfers around the world in search of the perfect wave, and ends up finding quite a few in addition to some colorful local characters."
I'm no surfing pro, but I would say that this movie is probably one of the best in it's category. All of the beaches and sick waves make me want to get in the water right now.
IN BRUGES (Bruges, Belgium)
"Guilt-stricken after a job gone wrong, hitman Ray and his partner await orders from their ruthless boss in Bruges, Belgium, the last place in the world Ray wants to be.
The main character of this movie makes his disdain for Bruges known from the get-go; but you can't help but end up having a soft spot for Bruges. The historic beauty and charm make it hard not to love.
THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY
"In late 1950s New York, Tom Ripley, a young underachiever, is sent to Italy to retrieve Dickie Greenleaf, a rich and spoiled millionaire playboy. But when the errand fails, Ripley takes extreme measures."
Sure, the movie is creepy as hell...But it makes Italy look like the most glorious place on earth! The movie takes you all around Italy to some of the best places the country has to offer. You see Sicily, Rome, Naples, and so much more.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Salzburg, AUSTRIA)
"A woman leaves an Austrian convent to become a governess to the children of a Naval officer widower."
Julie Andrews is basically my spirit animal when she is twirling in the hills of Austria. She is everything and this movie is everything. Does it get any better than this amazing musical classic and beautiful Salzburg, Austria?!
OTHER Great Travel Movies
- An Affair to Remember - New York City, USA
- Before Sunrise Collection - Austria
- Catch Me If You Can - USA
- Cleopatra - Egypt
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - China
- Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - Las Vegas, USA
- Indiana Jones Collection - Venice, Italy; Utah, USA; more locations here
- L'Auberge Espagnole - Barcelona, Spain
- Lost in Translation - Tokyo, Japan
- Love Actually - London, England
- Mamma Mia - Greece
- Manhattan - New York City, USA
- Planes, Trains, and Automobiles - USA
- P.S. I Love You - Ireland
- Sex and the City 2 - Abu Dhabi/Morocco
- Sideways - California, USA
- Slumdog Millionaire - India
- The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - India
- The Darjeeling Limited - India
- The Holiday - Los Angeles, Godalming, Surrey, & other UK locations
- The Proposal - Alaska, USA
- Under the Tuscan Sun - Cortona, Tuscany, Italy
- Up - Paradise Falls
- When Harry Met Sally - New York City, USA
- Y Tu Mamá También - Mexico
The list could go on and on! What are your favorite travel movies to binge on?
*All movie descriptions come from IMDB.com. All opinions are my own.
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How To Spend A Holiday Weekend In New York City
In NYC for the holiday? Here are 10 things to do to get you in the holiday spirit!
How To Spend A Holiday Weekend in New York City: 10 Things To Do To Get You in the Holiday Spirit
I still have yet to see another city that does the holidays better than New York City. I mean...it’s practically iconic to be in NYC during the Christmas and New Years season. Isn’t it?
If you find yourself lucky enough to be in the Big Apple during the holidays, here is how you can spend your weekend to make sure you’re seeing the best holiday goodness NYC has to offer.
Christmas Themed Bars
Almost every bar in New York City will throw up a few decorations for the holiday season and call it a day. THEY ARE AMATEURS.
If you want a real holiday experience, head straight to a Christmas themed bar and see what real Christmas bar decor looks like.
MY FAVORITE: Rolf’s German Restaurant (281 3rd Ave.). Try the boozy eggnog! Be aware that it gets very crowded during the holidays; so either make a reservation or just know that you’ll be standing shoulder to shoulder at the bar.
GREAT SPOTS: Pete’s Tavern (129 E. 18th St.), Lillie’s Victorian Establishment (13 E. 17th St.), Molly’s (287 3rd Ave.), and Colicchio and Sons (85 10th Ave.).
Rockefeller Center
The ambiance around Rockefeller Center is spectacular during the holidays. You can see the gorgeous tree, head up to the Top of the Rock, Ice Skate, see St. Patrick’s Cathedral, shop around the area, and see the Saks Fifth Avenue music and light show (this is a must see)!
A FEW TIPS:
1. If you can manage to go to the tree late at night or when it is raining, GO! Seriously, you will beat the crowds, get better pictures, and get around easier.
2. The tree is lit up until 11:35pm; so plan your trip accordingly. Go late, but not too late!
3. You can ice skate in the plaza, which is a wonderful experience...But there are other spots in the city that ice skating is free and the lines are shorter... Just sayin’!
4. Another perk of going at night: Turn around and look at the music and light show that Saks Fifth Avenue puts on. It is so cute!
Holiday Markets
I don’t know if it gets any cuter than the little holiday kiosks at the markets around town. Around the holiday season, small pop-up shops begin to open up around the city at these holiday markets. You can find anything from local goods, to food, to drinks, to art, to clothing, and so much more! It is really amazing to see, even if you don’t buy anything.
MY FAVORITE: The Holiday Market in Union Square. They have really done this place up and it is so amazing to walk through. Be prepared to see local vendors with fabulous things, hear live music, and smell delicious goodies. *For an amazing view, head to the southeast corner of the market and look north. You will catch an amazing view of the Empire State Building!*
GREAT SPOTS: Bryant Park Holiday Market, Columbus Circle Holiday Market, Chelsea Market, and Grand Central Station.
Go Ice Skating
Ice skating in NYC during the holiday is just as iconic as anything else in the city. There are multiple places around the city to enjoy this activity, but I prefer the places that don’t cost an arm and a leg to get in.
MY FAVORITE: Winter Village at Bryant Park. General admission is FREE! If you need to rent skates, it costs $19 during the peak season ($15 otherwise). You can rent a locker for free, purchase a lock for $9 if you need (bring your own if you can), or you can check your bag for $8-10 as well. FASTPASS is available for purchase both online and on-site (around $22-28) so you can skip the lines.
GREAT SPOTS: The Rink at Rockefeller Center ($32/ ticket + $12 skate rental) and Wollman Rink at Central Park ($11.25/ticket + $8 skate rental + $11 lock rental—cash only!). Ticket prices will vary depending on peak seasons and if you have children or seniors with you.
Window Shopping
No one does holiday windows like New York City. There are so many great places in the city to see festive holiday decor. The hardest part is looking without wanting to buy everything!
MY FAVORITE: The windows at Bergdorf Goodman. Hands Down. If I had to crown a winner of all the windows, it would probably be Bergdorf’s (although the music/light show at Saks is definitely amazing...). Their window displays never cease to amaze and you will not be disappointed.
GREAT SPOTS: Anywhere along 5th Avenue (Saks, Tiffany’s, etc.), Macy’s in Herald Square, and anywhere down in SoHo (start around Broadway and Houston and work your way around).
See the Christmas Trees Around NYC
There are tons of beautifully decorated (and giant) trees around the city. If you want to skip out on the crowds at Rockefeller Center, consider going to some of the other ones to catch the view.
MY FAVORITE: The Madison Square Park tree. It is right next to the Flatiron Building, so if you hit the right angle, you can get both beauties in a photo. I love to grab goodies at Eataly across the street and eat them in the park here!
GREAT SPOTS: The tree at Washington Square Park, the tree inside The Met, the tree in front of The Palace Hotel, and obviously the tree at Rockefeller Center
Step Inside The Plaza Hotel
Channel your inner Kevin McCallister and hang out at The Plaza Hotel (768 5th Ave.). You can “oooh” and “awww” at the beautiful lobby, or make a reservation to eat at one of the dining establishments there.
If you’re really brave and you have deep pockets, try booking a stay there. Rooms usually start around $550+ per night, but it’s luxury all the way! One day I’ll get there...
See a Show
A holiday visit to New York isn’t complete without catching a spectacular show. There are so many options in the Big Apple, so just find one that fits your budget!
MY FAVORITE: The Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. The Rockettes just totally embody the holidays and the shows are consistently amazing. You have to see it at least once in your life!
GREAT SPOTS: The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center, Broadway shows near Times Square, Off Broadway shows around the city, Sleep No More at The McKittrick Hotel (ok, not fully holiday-ish...but it is so amazing & there is a cute Ski Chalet style bar on the roof in the winter!), and the taping of any talk show (Good Morning America, The Tonight Show with Fallon, The Late Show with Colbert, Today Show, Kelly & Michael, etc.)
Check Out the Giant Decor Around NYC
There is gorgeous holiday decor all over the city, so you really can’t go wrong with whatever you choose. Most places have lovely lights, displays, and music to put you in the holiday mood.
MY FAVORITE: The giant red Christmas ornaments outside of Radio City Music Hall. Go late at night for less people and better pictures!
GREAT SPOTS: The huge trees around the city, window displays through 5th avenue, the giant snowflake above Tiffany’s & Co., and the Macy’s displays.
See the Ball Drop in Times Square on New Year’s Eve
Ok, so I know this is incredibly touristy, but really...isn’t it secretly on all of our bucket lists?! So I’m ending my NYC holiday list with this final thing.
Seeing the ball drop in Times Square is just about as iconic as the location itself. It is something to try out at least once in your lifetime. The energy, the lights, and the spirit in the air! Why not?!
_____
As long as you are with people you love and care about this holiday season, whatever you do (especially in New York City) is bound to be a blast!
Have a wonderful holiday season! xoxo-Ana
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How To Find Cheap Flights: 15 Tips To Get You The Best Airfare Without Signing Up For Credit Cards
Finding cheap flights is easier than you think--and you don't have to sign up for all those credit cards! Here are 15 tips I use every day to find affordable flights.
How To Find Cheap Flights: 15 Tips To Get You The Best Airfare Without Signing Up For Credit Cards
Shopping for flights is probably my favorite AND least favorite part of travel (actually I take that back...packing and unpacking is definitely my least favorite thing). The thrill of finding a cheap flight and feeling like you’ve beat the system is the best feeling a traveler can have. Having been an avid traveler for most of my life, I’ve put a lot of these airfare tricks to the test and come up with a system that gets me great prices every time. Lucky for you, I’m going to share that system now!
While I understand how great opening a bunch of different credit cards to get the points and use those is, that is not what this article is about. If you want to try that route, go ahead! But these are the tips I use without having to sign up for any cards and still find cheap flights.
Quick note before reading: Finding cheap airfare takes time. You need to be committed to doing a bit of research over a few weeks (or months sometimes), so don’t think it is a one-and-done deal. But rest assured, the time you spend will be soooo worth it when you find that awesome deal that makes your friends jealous.
Let’s get started from the beginning!
1. Utilize Private or Incognito Browsers
It’s no secret that the travel and airline industries are out to make as much money as possible from you. In an effort to pull every last penny out of your pocket, some travel websites will drop cookies in your browser to see that you have been there before.
So what does that mean? Well, when you search a site for the first time you will see one price. Then let’s say you don’t move forward and buy just yet. You return later to buy it and BOOM! PRICE INCREASE! They know that you’ve been there before and want that specific itinerary, so they’ll increase the price a little or a lot.
To avoid this, just do all of your travel searches in a private browser to ensure that no tracking is done and you can get the best price.
2. Shop on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
The rumors are true: Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the best days to look at flights.
In my experience, I have found that airfares tend to be cheaper when you are looking on these days (in a private browser, of course). Airlines sometimes release their weekly prices after the weekend, so these days are usually the best to find those cheaper prices.
The general public is saving their travel planning for the weekend when they “have more time,” so naturally the prices tend to increase when more people are going to be looking. Friday-Sunday tends to be the worst days to look at tickets because of the typical price flux. Follow the money...
3. Timing IS Everything
The time of day when you look at flights ABSOLUTELY matters. I just tested this theory out twice this week and it proved correct both times. I needed a flight from Chicago to New York and looked 2 days in a row at night and the price was $270 both nights. I looked again the next mornings and it was $150 both days. WTF?!
Flight prices will almost always increase in the evening and be cheaper during the morning/day. Why? Follow the money (do you see a trend here yet?). Look constantly throughout the day—from early morning through later afternoon—to make sure you are getting the best price.
The general public is searching for flights in the evening and late at night when they are home, so prices can definitely change. Look the next morning to make sure!
4. Consult Multiple Sources
Everyone has his or her go-to websites for booking travel. I have many. (I’m probably an airline’s worst nightmare because I’m not loyal to any one over the other—I just pick the cheapest one!)
My first go-to website when I travel is Kayak.com. I love Kayak because it is the easiest to search flexible dates (use the flexible dates search) and it aggregates a ton of great airlines in one platform.
Once I go to Kayak and find a great looking deal, I open up a few other websites (Skiplagged, Skyscanner, and actual airline websites) to confirm that I got the best deal. Sometimes you’ll find a cheaper deal on the other websites, so I never just use a one-and-done method.
5. Travel With Flexible Days and Times
The best way to get an awesome deal is to be flexible with your travel schedule. If you are able to leave at any time on any day, use this to your advantage! Kayak, Southwest, and Skyscanner are my 3 favorite websites that allow you to see flexible dates and what tickets will cost.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays tend to be great days to find the price differences. People tend to travel most on the weekends, so use these days to find better prices.
Early morning, late night, and red-eye flights are usually the cheapest because less people want to be on these. I actually love (and prefer) these times because it helps you maximize your time in your destination. For example: I’ll leave Chicago at 6am, get to my destination early and have all day to check it out, leave at 9pm to go home, and have all day to explore on my final day.
6. Travel With Flexible Destinations and Layovers
My favorite thing about urban travel is that big cities often have more than 1 airport. If this is the case for your destination, consider traveling to the lesser-known airport in order to get a cheaper price, and sometimes even fewer crowds! Make sure you include all surrounding airports in your searches.
Kayak Explore is a really awesome tool to utilize if you’re truly flexible with wherever you want to go. It will show you cheap flights from your origin all over the world!
If you’re flexible to do a layover, consider doing an extended layover (15+ hours) and utilize the time to explore an extra city! Instead of booking a direct flight home from Italy to Chicago this summer, I booked a flight that had a 24-hour layover in Istanbul and the whole airfare cost me $600 instead of $1500. I was able to see a little bit of Istanbul on the way home and it saved me money! Win-Win!
7. Have A Budget In Mind
Once you start traveling more, you’ll start to notice prices that are good and prices that are a rip-off. I know that anything under $200 for a round-trip flight from Chicago to New York City is pretty good, and if it is under $150 I need to buy ASAP.
Do a little research to find out what the average cost of tickets to your destination is. There are plenty of online forums and sources to find this information by doing a Google search (i.e. Chicago to Paris average flight price).
When you have a budget, you’ll know what you’re looking for and when to strike. However, don’t get too hard headed and wait too long because you could pass up a really awesome price thinking that it is going to go down.
8. Look On The Airline’s Website
From time-to-time, the prices on the airline’s website will be different than those on the aggregators because of secret sales. I always consult these websites at the time of booking just to confirm I am getting the best price. I’ve sometimes saved 10-30% just by doing this.
Looking on the airline’s website also helps you look at more time options than the aggregators sometimes lead on. So if you’re flexible with your travel time, do this!
9. Utilize Multiple Airlines Instead Of One Round-Trip Carrier
While I am a huge fan of the airline aggregators like Kayak, they are not always the end-all-be-all when finding the best routes. They don’t list every airline out there, which means you could be missing out on the best prices out there.
Consider flying multiple airlines for your trip instead of one carrier all the way through. To do this, search individual one-way prices on multiple airline websites (like Southwest, United, American, Virgin, etc.) or aggregators and then add the 2 one-way prices up to see if it is more or less than what you had in mind.
For instance, I flew to Los Angeles in November 2015 and flew Virgin America ($89) going there and United Airlines ($130) coming back. Together, these prices were significantly less than the $500 round-trip tickets I was seeing all over the web with only utilizing 1 airline.
Like I said in the beginning, this takes time, but it is so worth it when you find those deals!
10. Consider Additional Fees (Like Luggage)
If you are going to use Tip #9, don’t forget to factor in extra costs that are not added until the end. Additional fees can be luggage, processing, check-ins, etc. You can generally find them on the airline’s website.
Spirit Airlines is so good at tricking people into thinking that they are a “budget airline” when they see the price; but what consumers forget is that the baggage fees are an additional $30-35 for just 1 way (+$60-70 if you are going round-trip with them). So don’t forget to mentally add in these things before you move forward with the purchase!
11. Consider International Carriers
Have you ever flown an international carrier like Scandinavian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Porter, Cathay, Emirates, etc.? THEY ARE AMAZING!!! Better service, quality, food, price, entertainment, basically EVERYTHING. My dream for the United States airline industry is that one day they will wake up and realize how stupid they are being compared to every airline outside of the U.S. When you make your customers happy, they buy more! Ok, end rant...
But seriously, use international carriers every chance you get! You have a great chance of getting a better price if you are flying internationally and you are going to get wayyyy better service than most U.S.-based airlines (cough cough American Airlines...). I once found a round trip on New Years from Chicago to Paris for $800 because I flew an international carrier instead of a domestic-based airline AND got upgraded to Business Class because of a simple computer glitch on their end.
12. Consider Connecting Alternatives Like Buses, Trains, or Budget Airlines
Don’t forget about cheap planes, trains, and automobiles! Just see what’s available before you travel.
Sometimes it’s worth it to check out bus services like Megabus to get from a (cheaper) surrounding city to your end destination. For example, I have family in Indiana and instead of flying to see them for $200, I’ll take the Megabus for $10-30 instead.
In Europe, there are plenty of budget airlines (like Easy Jet or Ryanair) that can get you from city to city on the cheap. Trains are also a great, less expensive way to get around when traveling abroad. You can find them by doing simple Google searches.
*BIG TIP*: READ THE DETAILS! Sometimes these budget airlines will also charge for luggage and charge extra for the weight/height. So make sure you read the fine print to see if it is really the best choice.
13. Use Frequent Flyer Miles or Credit Card Points
OK... So I said that this article is not about signing up for a ton of credit cards to get miles, but most people have at least 1 card already open. You might as well use the points you already get from there to go towards airfare if you can! I personally use the Capital One Venture card for my travels and expenses.
While I’m not loyal to 1 airline over the other (don’t get me wrong, I have my preferences...), I still sign up for all of their Frequent Flyer programs. That way, I can rack up miles over time and then occasionally get a free flight here and there.
The other benefit of signing up for FF programs with groups like Star Alliance or One World is that you can utilize and collect points from all of the airlines that are part of that group. This comes in handy when you’re using those international carriers and still want to rack up points.
14. Get Price Differences Refunded
One of the airline industry’s best-kept secrets is that you can get prices refunded if there is a change from when you bought it. This varies from airline to airline, but the best policies are with Southwest, JetBlue, Virgin, and Alaska. They will usually refund most, if not all, of the difference.
Other carriers such as United, American, Delta, etc. only offer the change within a small 24-hour/close of next business day period, and it has to be a significant price drop for it to be worth your while. They usually wrap up the whole process with a bunch of additional fees that cost even more than what you’d be getting back, so it’s important to read the policy or call and speak with an agent.
Sometimes if it is within a 24-hour period, you can just cancel the ticket, get refunded, and re-book the ticket for the new price. Just check into it and see if it is worth it. Websites like Yapta.com are great for this!
15. Sign Up For Alerts
If you know you are traveling somewhere in the next year or you frequently visit a city, set up a travel alert! These alerts, which you can sign up for on Kayak or many other websites, will let you know when the prices are at their best.
Airfarewatchdog.com is another really great tool to use to monitor prices! They even suggest signing up for their Twitter feed to see what great deals come up.
_____
There are so many great travel hacking, money-saving, thrifty ways to find cheap flights these days. These are all the tips I use every day without having to spend the time in opening, using, and closing credit cards. Simple and effective if you’re willing to put in a little effort!
What are your favorite tips for saving money on travel?
Holiday Gift Guide For Travelers: Health and Beauty
Do you have a health and beauty travel-fanatic on your gift list this year? Check out these 20 health and beauty gift ideas for this year's holiday season!
Holiday Gift Guide For Travelers: Health and Beauty
The holidays are upon us! It's a time to spend with loved ones--both near and far.
Thinking about what to get that special person in your life who loves travel and looking good? Here are 20 gift ideas that healthy, beautiful travel junkie in your life!
FILTERING WATER BOTTLE
DRY SHAMPOO
TRAVEL SHAVE KIT
SUNLESS TANNING WIPES
SUNGLASSES
TRAVEL TOILETRIES
ESSENTIAL OILS
MAKEUP BAG
LIP BALM WITH SPF
Happy Holidays! What are other health and beauty travel gift items that you love? Comment below with more ideas!
Check out our other Holiday Gift Guides for Travelers:
Technology Gift Guide
Home Goods Gift Guide
Budget Gift Guide
Travel Gear GIft Guide
Health and Beauty Gift Guide
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Holiday Gift Guide For Travelers: Travel Gear
Make sure the traveler on your holiday list is ready with all the proper gear they need! Here are 20 travel gear ideas to gift this year.
Holiday Gift Guide For Travelers: Travel Gear
The holidays are upon us! It's a time to spend with loved ones--both near and far.
Thinking about what to get that special person in your life who loves travel? Here are 20 travel gear gift ideas for that travel junkie in your life!
OSPREY PORTER 46 BACKPACK
GARMENT BAG
YETI TUMBLER
TRAVEL STEAMER
TRAVEL JACKET
DRY BAG
CARRY ON COCKTAIL
SMART BACKPACK WITH SPEAKERS/COOLER
WEEKEND BAG
LIGHT WEIGHT DAY BACKPACK
Happy Holidays! What are other travel gear gift items that you love? Comment below with more ideas!
Check out our other Holiday Gift Guides for Travelers:
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Holiday Gift Guide For Travelers: Home Goods
Looking for a perfect gift for the traveler on your list who loves their home? Here are 20 gift ideas for the traveler who loves home goods!
Holiday Gift Guide For Travelers: Home Goods
The holidays are upon us! It's time to spend with loved ones--both near and far.
Thinking about what to get that special person in your life who loves travel and home decor? Here are 20 home gift ideas for that travel junkie in your life!
GLOBE BAR
SCRATCH OFF MAP
AROMA DIFFUSER
LUCKY ELEPHANT DECOR
REVERSIBLE PILLOW COVER
COFFEE TABLE BOOK
GLOBE
3-PANEL CANVAS ART
MAGNIFYING GLASS DECOR
PICTURE COLLAGE FRAME
Happy Holidays! What are other home goods travel gift items that you love? Comment below with more ideas!
Check out our other Holiday Gift Guides for Travelers:
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Holiday Gift Guide For Travelers: Technology
Have a friend on your holiday list who is a travel techie? Check out these 20 gift ideas for that Travel & Tech-Loving person in your life!
Holiday Gift Guide For Travelers: Technology
The holidays are upon us! It's a time to spend with loved ones--both near and far.
Thinking about what to get that special person in your life who loves travel and technology? Here are 20 technology gift ideas for that travel junkie in your life!
MOPHIE JUICE PACK
SELFIE STICK
MIRRORLESS CAMERA BUNDLE
NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES
LIFEPROOF PHONE CASE
ROSETTA STONE
EARBUDS
IPAD AIR 2
USB POWER STRIP
ELECTRONICS TRAVEL ORGANIZER
Happy Holidays! What are other technology travel gift items that you love? Comment below with more ideas!
Check out our other Holiday Gift Guides for Travelers:
Technology Gift Guide
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Holiday Gift Guide For Travelers: 20 Gifts Under $20
Looking for a perfect gift on a budget for that traveler in your life? Here are 20 ideas under $20!
Holiday Gift Guide For Travelers: 20 Gifts Under $20
The holidays are upon us! It's a time to spend with loved ones--both near and far.
Thinking about what to get that special person in your life who loves travel but don't want to break the bank? Here are 20 gift ideas under $20 for that travel junkie in your life!
USB POWER STRIP
SELFIE STICK
PHONE CASE
WRINKLE RELEASER
EYE MASK WITH EAR PLUGS
TRAVEL BRUSH SET
WORLD NECKLACE
PASSPORT COVER
WATERPROOF CASE
FINGERLESS TEXTING GLOVES/MITTENS
Happy Holidays! What are other low-budget travel gift items that you love? Comment below with more ideas!
Check out our other Holiday Gift Guides for Travelers:
Technology Gift Guide
Home Goods Gift Guide
Budget Gift Guide
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How To Spend A Day In Venice
Want to know how to spend a day in Venice, California? I've got you covered with a full day's itinerary!
How To Spend A Day In Venice
Street art, local performers, meatheads, artsy folk, skateboarders, weird pets, live music, weed shops... You see it all in Venice!
Venice is a fabulous beachfront neighborhood surrounding Los Angeles and is known for being super funky and unique. The minute you step foot in this quirky town, you’ll instantly feel the eclectic vibes that surround you.
But what happens if you’re only passing through for a day or staying for a quick weekend trip? No worries! I got you covered. I’ve planned a full day’s itinerary to get you seeing Venice (and more) in just 1 day! Here we go!
Step 1: Wake up early and rent a bike
This is hands down the best way to get around Venice for the day. Plus, if you are up early enough (I recommend getting up early enough to be there when the bike shops open), you can take advantage of the full day discounted price that most bike shops advertise.
I rented my bike (with a lock and basket!) from Jay’s Rentals (1501 Ocean Front Walk) for a discounted rate of $18 for the entire day. And it is right on the Venice Boardwalk near the iconic Venice sign, so you can’t help but take a couple snaps while you’re there...
Step 2: Bike the surrounding area to the Venice Canals Walkway
Once you get your bike, take it around the block a few times and then head straight to the Venice Canals. Once you’re there, hop off the bike and take a walk through the canals to check out the beautiful area and gorgeous homes.
The reason I suggest renting a bike early and heading straight to the canals is because people are either just starting their day or (if it’s the weekend) not even awake yet. You’ll have a great chance of having a quiet, peaceful stroll around the canals without any hustle and bustle.
Step 3: Bike down Abbot Kinney Boulevard
From the canals, take your bike and head towards Abbot Kinney Boulevard. There is a reason why they say that Abbot Kinney is one of the trendiest streets in the world, and you’ll get why once you see it.
Abbot Kinney is a posh street that is full of boutiques and restaurants that are each cooler than the next. I suggest parking your bike along the sidewalk and taking a walk up and down the road to take in the scenery. Window shop, eat, drink, people watch, purchase clothes you can’t afford... Do it all!
Step 4: Bike down towards Main Street in Santa Monica
Abbot Kinney will eventually lead you to Main Street that is in the heart of Santa Monica. From here, I suggest exploring Santa Monica for the afternoon and using Main Street or Pacific Avenue as your main paths to get from one end to the other.
Explore the area, have lunch, walk around, and do whatever you wish! This is an awesome area filled with boutiques, bars, and local spots to check out for the afternoon. But wherever you go, I suggest ending your trip biking towards the Santa Monica Pier. If you want, hop off the bike and walk down the pier to check out the views.
Step 5: Bike from Santa Monica Pier back towards Venice
By now, you will be ending your day and will have hopefully reached the Santa Monica Pier before sunset. Once you’re at the pier, bike back south towards Venice to take in the amazing beachfront views.
*OR* if you want an even better experience, you can walk your bike down the boardwalk and be part of the action. If you don’t want to take all that time walking, then maybe consider doing half biking and half walking. Either way, you’re not going to be disappointed with ending your day right on the oceanfront.
Step 6: Enjoy the sunset along the Venice Boardwalk
If there is one thing that California does right, it’s sunsets. If you haven’t seen a true California sunset, you are really missing out.
After you have had your wonderful day taking in Venice, treat yourself to the breathtaking views of the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean. *If you really want a special view, head to the roof top bar of the Hotel Erwin!
The pretty much sums up the best way to spend a quick trip to Venice, California. You’ll see some of the best that Venice has to offer, plus more along the streets of Santa Monica! Oh, and make sure you return your bike at the end of the day! :)
What are your favorite spots to see in Venice on a fast trip?
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Squarespace vs Wordpress
Squarespace vs WordPress: Which one to choose? Here I'll uncover 6 comparisons of each platform to help you choose which one is best for your website.
Squarespace vs WordPress
Squarespace vs WordPress is a tricky subject just like McDonalds vs Burger King or Apple vs Android. Which one do you choose? Is one really better than the other?
When it comes to Squarespace vs WordPress, I really don’t think that one is better than the other. There are certainly pros and cons to each platform, which I’ll cover in this article, but at the end of the day they do the same thing. Everyone has their own personal preferences on what works best for them, so it really depends on the person creating the website to decide which platform they want to go with.
In this guide, I’ll uncover the following comparisons to Squarespace vs WordPress:
- Ease of Use
- Design
- Customization and Flexibility
- Maintenance
- Customer Support
- Pricing
*Want to learn how to start a blog? Just click HERE*
1. Squarespace vs WordPress: Ease of Use
Squarespace: Have you ever designed a website before? Unless you are a trained professional in web development, it’s not easy... Thankfully, Squarespace basically does all the hard work for you and makes it EXTREMELY user friendly and easy to use.
I like to compare the ease of using Squarespace to the ease of using any Apple product. You buy it and it sets itself up. It’s that easy. If you’re not tech savvy (or you just don’t want to spend the time on coding) and you want a really beautiful website, Squarespace is perfect for that. *I set up this entire blog in less than 1 day on Squarespace because it was so easy!
WordPress: There is a very steep learning curve to using WordPress. Unless you are comfortable with coding, HTML, and all that other fun tech stuff, it will probably take you quite a bit of time to get your WordPress site up and running (unless you hire a developer to set it up for you).
Once you are up and running on WordPress, there is still a bit of a learning curve to know it’s best practices. It is not much of a “plug-and-chug” model for people who are not tech savvy.
Summary: Squarespace definitely takes the win for being easier to use. However, if you don’t mind working the back-ends of your site from scratch (or hiring someone to do it), then take on WordPress.
2. Squarespace vs WordPress: Design
Squarespace: Squarespace’s slogan is “Build It Beautiful.” It is the simplest way to build a truly beautiful site. That being said, they only have a certain number of templates to choose from. But you can be confident that the design will be aesthetically pleasing! And they are all mobile responsive, which is a huge plus!
WordPress: WordPress has an almost endless amount of template designs that you can choose from. Chances are very likely that you will find at least 1 that fits your style. The only caveat is that you have to install them yourself or hire someone to do it for you. Some designs may or may not include mobile responsiveness, which is another added cost that you would have to pay for.
Summary: Squarespace templates are a click away from installation and look very beautiful, mobile responsive, and cohesive. They are also easy to swap in and out with each other if you change your mind at any point. On the other hand, WordPress has a massive library of templates that users can choose from. They do require self-installation, which can be difficult if that is not a skill you possess.
3. Squarespace vs WordPress: Customization and Flexibility
Squarespace: The customization tools with Squarespace are limited to what is already on the platform. You can easily drag and drop things around to make your website look how you want, fonts and colors are interchangeable, and you can even use some code if you’d like. However, there are not hundreds of widgets, plugins, or tools that you can download for the site.
WordPress: Since WordPress is an open platform, there are literally hundreds of ways you can customize your site. There are plenty of widgets, plugins, and tools that you can use on your website. The possibilities for customization are endless. Again, if coding is your thing, then you will love the flexibility that you have with WordPress.
Summary: WordPress definitely wins for being more customizable and flexible for it’s users. However, because Squarespace is limited to the choices already on the platform, it makes it much easier for newbies to figure out what they are doing.
4. Squarespace vs WordPress: Maintenance
Squarespace: Thankfully for its users, Squarespace automatically tests and updates all necessary changes, which frees up time spent doing this. Users never have to worry about updating to a new version or swapping out old features.
WordPress: Anyone who has used WordPress can attest to its annoyingly frequent messages of new updates that are required from plugins to the overall platform. You almost always have to check these maintenance messages on a weekly basis to keep up with changes.
Summary: Squarespace offers a much more convenient model of maintenance with automatically pushing out the newest version each time it changes.
5. Squarespace vs WordPress: Customer Support
Squarespace: Squarespace has a rule that their support team will get back to any inquiry within 1 hour via email. There is also a forum, live chat option, and tons of informational videos making it easy to find the answer to almost any question you have.
WordPress: Although there is no direct contact number or email address to reach someone at WordPress, there are loads of resourceful forums and videos all over the web from other WordPress experts. You will have to research on your own in order to find them though.
Summary: Because Squarespace has less users, their customer support is much more organized and easy to access. However, because there are so many users of WordPress, you can probably find whatever information by doing a simple Google search.
6. Squarespace vs WordPress: Pricing
Squarespace: There is no free version of Squarespace, but they do include your domain name, hosting, and all the website tools you need to build your site. For all of these things, they offer 3 main packages: Standard ($8-10/month), Unlimited ($16-20/month), and Business ($24-30/month), with each package dropping in price when you pay upfront for the entire year.
WordPress: To start your site, you will have to pay separately for your domain name and hosting through whichever service you choose (I use Bluehost and you can click here for a special discount!). Once you’re up and running there, other expenses that can rack up are templates, plugins, developers, and much more. There are also additional charges depending on what type of WordPress service you want to use (they offer Premium/Business accounts). You could easily spend $200+ just on setting up your site.
Summary: At the end of the day, pricing ends up being the same for both platforms. If you are more skilled with back-end stuff, then WordPress will be a cheaper and more customizable option.
SQUARESPACE VS WORDPRESS: FINAL SUMMARY
Choosing between these platforms is a completely personal decision that all comes down to what you are capable and willing to do in order to create a stellar website. Squarespace is best for people who just want something beautiful, quick, and easy to set up. WordPress is best for people who are experienced with putting together websites, or who want to learn how to do it and don’t mind the learning curve.
My blog has been on both Wordpress and Squarespace, and I ultimately chose Squarespace to be where The City Sidewalks lives. I am not a techy person and did not want to dish out the funds to pay for the constant upkeep from a developer. I found it much easier to manage and maintain my Squarespace website than it was on WordPress and I’ve been very happy with my choice to move over.
*Want to learn how to start a blog? Just click HERE*
If you're looking for additional help to set up your blog or business, I offer all new clients a FREE 30-minute consultation! Please use the form below to get in contact with me if you would like to set up your appointment.
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3 Reasons You Need To Do A Segway Tour Now
Seriously, stop everything you're doing and find a Segway tour to hop on. Read on to find out why!
3 Reasons You Need To Do A Segway Tour Now
For many travelers out there, time is of the essence when visiting a new city. You want to see it all, do it all, and eat it all in a short amount of time.
It is for this reason that I’ve been on the constant hunt for what is the best way to get around a city and see the sights. Walking, double decker bus, bike...which one to pick?!?!
Although my #1 favorite way to see a city will always be on the back of a scooter, I recently explored the joys of seeing a city by a new set of wheels: A SEGWAY! I had never done one before and jumped at the opportunity when it came to me recently in Florida. Thanks to the guys at Segway Fort Lauderdale, we were able to take in the sunny Fort Lauderdale streets in just 2 hours while learning a lot and having a great time.
Have you ever been on a Segway? It’s a blast! I know, I know... Many of you are probably thinking I’m crazy/nerdy/weird, but I’m being totally serious! Here are 3 reasons why I think Segways are an amazing way to see a city.
It's Fast
Since you’re on wheels, you’re obviously going much faster than you would by walking. You are guaranteed to cover a greater amount of space in a shorter amount of time, thus being able to see more of the sights you wanted to see in the first place!
If you’re really pressed for time, consider telling your local tour guides the specific places you want to see so you can customize your tour in a shorter period of time.
It's Knowledgeable
Speaking of local tour guides... Having a really awesome local to take you around on the Segway makes the entire experience so much better. They give you facts and tidbits of information about the area that you might have not known by just looking in a guidebook.
The guys at Segway Fort Lauderdale were absolutely amazing with this! They had fun and silly trivia that they were telling us along the entire tour. I definitely walked away knowing a little bit more about Fort Lauderdale after their tour!
It's Fun
If you haven’t been on a Segway yet, GO DO IT NOW! Seriously—Segways are so fun! Just hopping on them for the first time and cruising around (and going all the way up to a whopping top speed of 12MPH) is such a blast.
Combine the fun technology with the joys of traveling and you’ve got a perfect recipe for fun, efficient sightseeing!
This post was sponsored by Segway Fort Lauderdale. All opinions are my own.
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The Five Towns of Cinque Terre: A High School Clique Travel Guide
Each town of Cinque Terre hosts it's own unique personality, which reminds me of high school cliques. Read on to see which one suits you best: Preps, Homecoming Queens, Rebel Punks, Artists, Class President...
The Five Towns of Cinque Terre: A High School Clique Travel Guide
Spoiler Alert: Cinque Terre is not just 1 city in Italy, but rather 5 distinct towns (or villages) along the coastline! Don't be confused by this when people tell you to book your trip to Cinque Terre to see how amazing it is. You will not find a "train to Cinque Terre" or "hotels in Cinque Terre," but rather trains and hotels for each individual town.
If you are visiting for more than just a day trip (which I highly recommend doing), you will need to know which town you want to stay in, visit, etc. After visiting each of the towns this summer, I noticed that each village had it's own distinct personality that was different from the next. Some were steep on the mountain side, some were more photogenic, and some just had more to offer.
It reminded me a lot of the different cliques we used to see in high school: the jocks, the beauty queens, the drama kids, etc. So because of this, I decided to spice up this guide a bit and give you a "High School Clique" travel guide to the five towns of Cinque Terre so you can easily understand each one's personality!
*In order from North to South*
1) Monterosso al Mare: The Class President
Monterosso al Mare, often referred to as simply Monterosso, is the Class President of the five towns. Everyone likes the Class President because she always has a lot to offer in order to please the masses. Here you will find the most "resort" type vibe of all the towns. Monterosso is a combination of old and new with many hotels/B&Bs, restaurants, streets to walk and drive, easy access to sandy beaches, and local shops.
If you want to have a more relaxed experience without all the hiking and climbing, I would suggest Monterosso. You can even take an amazing boat tour from here that will show you all of the five towns by sea. I highly recommend this tour when visiting Cinque Terre, especially if you only have a day or two to see the area.
2) Vernazza: The Homecoming Queen
Vernazza is the girl that all the girls want to be and all the guys want to be with. She is the Homecoming Queen and easily the most picturesque of all the towns (a lot of pictures you may have seen of Cinque Terre are likely from Vernazza). Her beautiful waterfront comes complete with a castle, a tiny beach, and a colorful piazza. Just like the Homecoming Queen, it is impossible not to fall in love with Vernazza.
Come here to explore the exquisite one-street town that is filled with little wine bars, delicious restaurants, shops, and gorgeous views. I honestly recommend Vernazza for everyone because it is easily walkable and it is just too gorgeous to miss. **This is where I stayed when I visited!**
3) Corniglia: The Rebel Punk
Corniglia is the Rebel Punk of the group because she makes her own rules and doesn't care if you don't like it. Located high along the cliffs, Corniglia is the only town that is not directly on the waterfront and has a pretty steep walk to get there (the Lardarina staircase to get there is 33 flights and 337 steps!). However, once you do get to the town, you will find a lovely, quieter village that boasts some amazing views.
If you want a more quiet stay and are willing to brave the trek up (although I have been told that there are shuttles that can take you to the town--not sure if that's true), then Corniglia will be a good place for you. There is even a nude beach named Guvano Beach along the side of the town! Such a rebel, Corniglia...
4) Manarola: The Artist
Manarola is a little rough around the edges (literally with all the rocky exterior), but so creative and colorful under the surface. She is like the Artist of the group. Another extremely photogenic town of Cinque Terre, she boasts a beautiful coastline with areas and coves to swim, rocks to jump off of (I did this! And yes, it hurt like hell), vibrant architecture, and winding paths to walk along. The famous path Via dell'Amore, aka "The Way of Love", connects this town and Riomaggiore. It is historically known as a walking path for lovers (and tourists, hikers, etc.).
I would recommend Manarola for anyone who wants the same picturesque sites as Vernazza but is looking for a quieter option. It is also a nice spot to stop in for the day because there are some great shops and restaurants along the road.
5) Riomaggiore: The Prep
Riomaggiore is the clean-cut, beautiful Prep girl that we all know. She's not necessarily the most stunning or most popular, but everyone still knows her and likes her. Riomaggiore is another one-street town that has a lovely harbor, plenty of restaurants, a pharmacy, a castle, and great wine that is produced by the local vineyards.
The town is a bit more modern than some of the others, but still holds the same charm. It is fairly walkable with a few steep areas that are very manageable. I would recommend Riomaggiore to anyone who wants a nice, modern stay that is not as resort-y as Monterosso. *It is also the town that is closest to the train station that connects to La Spezia.
So there you have it! All of the five towns of Cinque Terre with their different personalities. Each of them are amazing in their own way, so you really can't go wrong when deciding on where to go. What's your favorite town of Cinque Terre? Comment below with feedback!
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How To Start A Travel Blog
Ever wonder how to start a travel blog? I'll walk you through it in just 5 simple steps--with 3 bonus tips at the end to take your blog from a hobby to a career!
How To Start A Travel Blog With 5 Easy Steps
So you've decided you want to start a travel blog? Hooray! The good news is that it's pretty easy to do. Whether you want to create your own business out of it or just use it as a platform to keep all your travel memories, starting a travel blog can be a really fun thing to do!
Some people out there will warn you that it is a waste of time or that there are already too many people in the market doing it. My opinion?? FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!! If you want to start a travel blog--THEN DO IT and don't listen to anyone else! Lucky for you, I've created 5 easy steps (with a few bonus tips at the end) on how to start your travel blog today! (*Note: This is a tutorial on starting a WordPress travel blog, which is how I started out. Click HERE for a comparison to WordPress vs Squarespace.)
Overview - How To Start A Travel Blog With 5 Easy Steps:
Choose A Name
Domain/Hosting
WordPress Install
Theme/Modify
Plugins
3 Bonus Tips to Take Your Blog from Hobby to Career!
Step 1: How To Start A Travel Blog - Choose A Name
Probably the most important step of the blogging process: pick your name. This is going to be your identity as a blogger. If you already have an idea for one--that's great! If not, I suggest brainstorming or webbing out ideas for what feels right to you. It took me a few days to come up with a name that I really felt that I loved, so don't worry if it doesn't come right away.
Three Recommendations:
(1) Check to see if your name is available on social media if you want to go that route.
(2) Don't pigeonhole yourself into something you might not be agreeable with later like "Becky Abroad For Six Months" or "Travel In Your Thirties." Think long term!
(3) Make sure it is something that is easy to search and find.
Step 2: How To Start A Travel Blog - Domain/Hosting
Once you have your fabulous name picked out, it is time to buy that domain name! I have been using Bluehost since I started blogging and am very happy with the service they provide (consistent support and pretty inexpensive). You can go to their website to register your new website name, or check to see if the one you want is available or not!
Once you know your name is available, it's time to set up your hosting. You can use this link to setup your account, check the current discounts or packages, and select a free domain: CLICK HERE. Follow the steps below to get your account setup. Please keep in mind that prices listed below may change depending on current promotions Bluehost has running.
Step 3: How To Start A Travel Blog - WordPress Install
So you've got your domain, your hosting, and you're ready to go! Next step is to do a simple install of WordPress on your Bluehost account. **FYI for everyone who is like me and not a techie person, this step is setting up a self-hosted WordPress.org account. If you want to be serious about your blog, this is better than the free WordPress.com account because you have more control over your site, the name, ads you want to put on, plugins, tracking, etc.**
Once you log in to your new Bluehost account, go to your main home panel and select "Install WordPress."
Once you select that icon, follow the steps to start installing WordPress onto your account. Select your new website domain when choosing which one to install it to. Once you've filled in your details and finished the install, you're ready to log in and get going!
Step 4: How To Start A Travel Blog - Theme/Modify
If you are into design and aesthetic, this is going to be your favorite part... Choosing the theme of your website is basically like choosing the outfit that your blog is going to wear. It is how your blog will look with all the content put together.
There are tons of themes to shop around and choose if you are serious about making your blog look great (I recommend doing this over settling for the free ones). You can filter them out by styles or categories through the MOJO Marketplace, which is on your Bluehost account. Once you select your theme, you can install it yourself or hire someone to do it. Sometimes the theme provider/creator will offer to install it for you at an additional cost if you don't know how to do it yourself (I had to do this because I had no clue what I was doing!).
After your theme is installed, it is time to start modifying and tweaking your blog. What are the fonts you want? The colors? The pictures and shapes? Social media icons? Play around with this until you feel happy with what is in front of you!
Step 5: How To Start A Travel Blog - Plugins
Plugins are the final step to setting up your blog before you are ready to write and roll. Think of plugins as the "accessories" to your blog's "outfit." They help make your blog a little more functional. But keep in mind, sometimes less is more. Too many plugins can slow down your site speed or make it look clunky, so don't go too crazy.
My 5 Favorite Plugins:
(1) WordPress SEO by Yoast: enables you to make sure your SEO is fully optimized on each blog post.
(2) Akismet: keeps your spam under control.
(3) Contact Form 7: allows people to directly contact you from your blog to your inbox.
(4) Google Analytics for WordPress: makes you be able to keep your website analytics on check.
(5) Easy Social Share Buttons: there are a ton of options for this, so make sure you choose what you like best.
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SO THERE YOU HAVE IT! You're ready to travel blog!
Now that you have your blog all setup, your theme looking fresh, and your plugins up and running, it's time to decide if you want to treat this new blog as a hobby or a career. If your blog is just meant to be a place to share photos and stories with family and friends--that's wonderful! But if you want to take it to the next level and turn it into a career, below are 3 BONUS TIPS to help take your travel blog to a professional level.
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BONUS 1: How To Start A Travel Blog - Social Media
This should be an obvious step from the get-go, but just in case... Make sure you snag up your social media handles! Personally, I recommend being on all the main platforms--Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest--but let that be up to you! You should be checking for them at the same time you're picking your blog's name.
Once you've activated your social accounts, be sure to stay frequently engaged with your audience in order to grow your presence online. Respond to comments, reach out to other people in your niche, like other posts, etc. It is so important to do that so that people see who you are! Posting really solid content (and often) also helps growing those numbers... Practice makes perfect!
BONUS 2: How To Start A Travel Blog - Join Travel Blog Success
Want to start learning how to make money from your travel blog? Join this amazing group called Travel Blog Success. To be honest, I wish I had done it from the start, but I'm glad that I'm part of the community now.
Click HERE or on the TBS icon for access to Travel Blog Success.
The group offers exclusive content on how to build and monetize your site, a private Facebook group with top travel bloggers from all over the world contributing advice, private webinars, and so much more. I literally utilize this site and it's resources on a daily basis and it's been amazing.
BONUS 3: How To Start A Travel Blog - WRITE CONSTANTLY
This is a huge mistake I made in the beginning... Since I wasn't writing frequently from the get-go, I didn't develop my "blogging voice" until way further down the road. It really hurt me in the long run because I could be much farther along in my career if I had started writing constantly from the beginning. When I started treating my blog as a business, I quickly learned how important it was to write as much as possible in the beginning stages.
As you start blogging, you begin to cultivate a relationship with your audience and develop your voice as a writer. You'll discover who you are and how you want to come across to your readers. By blogging frequently in the beginning, you'll have time to decide what your writing style is and how much time you want to spend on posting. Practice makes perfect, so you'll also get all of the junk out of the way much faster.
If you commit to blogging frequently in the beginning (maybe around 3 posts per week), you'll be much happier a year from now when you're wayyy ahead of all the other people who weren't writing consistently. You'll have stronger content, higher traffic, and maybe even a loyal following!
Now it's time for you to get your travel blog up and running! YAY!
If you're looking for additional help to set up your blog or business, I offer all new clients a FREE 15-minute consultation! Please use the form below to get in contact with me with questions.
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Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. However, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.
Hi, I'm Ana Rebeca! Welcome to The City Sidewalks. Here you’ll find tips on Travel, Lifestyle, and Wellness.
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