Take Your Family to Costa Rica!

My family spent spring break in Costa Rica – and it was everything I dreamed it would be! Costa Rica has become a hot vacation spot for a good reason.

This small country, approximately the size of West Virginia, is home to white-sand beaches and tropical rainforests.

The beautiful country is excellent for families for many reasons, one of which is tourism. Tourism is the #1 industry in Costa Rica, so it is very easy to plan a family-friendly trip here.

Vibrant and Beautiful Scenery

Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. The lush forests and the gorgeous beaches are worth the trip itself. Everywhere you look is stunning. You can spend time on the beaches soaking up the sun or walking through a cloud forest.

Plus, the year-round tropical temperatures make it an ideal travel destination. However, given the tropical environment, you may want to plan your trip during the dry season to avoid too much rain. The dry season is from December to April.

Nature Front and Center

A huge part of the appeal of traveling to Costa Rica is the ability to view nature front and center. In addition to the tropical environment, you can also get up close and personal with tons of unique animals.

Costa Rica is crawling with wildlife – monkeys, sloths, frogs, and more. Additionally, there are tons of birds. More than 800 types can be found in Costa Rica, including toucans and macaws.

Amazing Resorts

Since tourism is the #1 industry in Costa Rica, you have your choice of excellent hotels.

My family stayed at W Hotel Costa Rica, and I highly recommend it. W Hotel is located in Guanacaste, W Costa Rica on Playa Conchal beach and a nature reserve.

This luxury resort offers impressive panoramic views, as well as fantastic amenities. The resort features a golf course, water sports, and a lavish spa.

We enjoyed our time spent at the pool and exploring the nature reserve. It was the perfect place for home base during our trip.

Dreamy Excursions

While we could have just stayed at the W Hotel every day, we did want to explore some of Costa Rica outside of the property.

We’d heard a lot about the hanging bridges in Costa Rica that allow you to walk through a forest canopy. For our handing bridge excursion, we headed to Heliconias Rainforest Lodge. It is located between Miravalles Volcano and Tenorio Volcano and offers spectacular rainforest views. There are trails and hanging bridges for you to explore.

Costa Rica is home to more than 25 stunning waterfalls, so you have plenty to choose from. We decided to visit Oropendola Waterfall, located in Rincon de la Vieja National Park. After you hike the short trail to see the waterfall, you can enjoy a swim in the beautiful blue waterfall waters.

Delicious Dining

As a foodie, dining is always a priority on my vacations. Costa Rica made this easy! Their delicious cuisine favors beans, rice, plantains, meat, and fish. In addition to the on-site restaurants at the W Hotel, we also visit popular local restaurants, Patagonia del Mar (seafood), Papaya Restaurant (Pacific Rim and Nuevo Latino fare), and Gracia La Vid (pizza).

Have you visited Costa Rica? What did you love? Tell me in the comments!

Tips for Avoiding Needing a Vacation After a Vacation

I love to travel, but I have had my fair share of times when I felt like I needed a vacation after a vacation.

It kind of takes all the wind out of your sails when you come home exhausted and stressed.

It’s taken me some time, but I have figured out some ways to ease the transition from vacation back to the real world.

Clean Before You Leave

I love coming home to a clean house.

But that means I have to do the work before I leave.

It is totally worth spending a little bit of time pre-trip to clean up the house.

That way, when we get back home, I can rest instead of feeling the urge to unpack and clean right away.

Be Healthy on Your Vacation

I have learned the hard way that if I treat a vacation like a vacation from eating healthy or exercising, I feel it when I return.

Now I make a point to continue using healthy habits while on vacation. I try to exercise and limit my alcohol intake.

With that being said, I still believe you should relax and indulge on vacation. I just don’t think you should stop exercising for an entire week.

Unplug

I will never forget the time I was on vacation, and I kept receiving work emails and texts about some sort of work-related disaster.

Not only did this make me feel stressed on my vacation, but it also made me feel super anxious to return to work.

Now I make a point to unplug from work. And I tell my coworkers that I will be unavailable and set up a vacation email signature.

Schedule Downtime on Your Vacation

We’ve all had those vacations where it was go-go-go, and we didn’t stop until the evening when our heads hit the pillows.

We might have done it all and seen everything, but we were exhausted.

Now, I always schedule some downtime on vacation, like a relaxing pool day after a day visiting multiple historical sites.

Be Realistic About What You Can Do

There is no shame in admitting you have limits (or that your kids have limits).

Self-awareness is essential on vacations.

Before you book up a bunch of tours or excursions, be realistic.

Is this an activity your family will actually love? Will it fill you with joy, or will it leave you completely drained?

Will it be more of a fight with your kids, or will it be something they talk about forever?

Use On-Site Laundry Services

One of the reasons I always felt like I needed a vacation from my vacation is because of the laundry.

There was just so much laundry to do after vacation, and it just added to my to-do list when I got home.

That was until I discovered on-site laundry services!

Now I always budget for laundry services. My family goes home with luggage packed with clean, folded clothes.

Order Grocery Delivery

On the day we are heading back home, I have learned to order grocery delivery.

When we get home, we’re going to want to eat. And I am not going to want to go out grocery shopping.

It’s one of my favorite tips for post-vacation.

Give Yourself a Day of Rest After You Return

As convenient as it seems to get home on Sunday, it is wiser to give yourself a day of rest before the work week begins.

We use Sundays to rest up and readjust to home. I need it, and my kids need it.

Do you have any post-vacation tips to share?

Why You Need to Book a Trip to The Ritz-Carlton Aruba

My family just returned from an amazing trip to The Ritz-Carlton Aruba. From the time we arrived on the property, I felt catered to and pampered. In other words, exactly what every mom needs!

The name Ritz-Carlton is synonymous with class and luxury, and the Ritz-Carlton Aruba lives up to its name. You can trust me on this. I have traveled the world, and I can tell you this resort is unforgettable.

Aruba is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with white sand and crystal clear water. It looks like a postcard! 

Visiting such a beautiful place and staying at such an amazing resort should go on your family’s bucket list ASAP. Let me tell you some of the reasons why. 

The Amazing Views

Aruba is beautiful. Full stop. 

Add in a glamourous resort with well-designed views and you have a winner. The Ritz-Carlton Aruba is a stunningly unique beachfront oasis that also exhibits the diverse influences of the vibrant culture and treasured history of Aruba.

The views from Palm Beach are stunning, and fortunately, we even had these views from our hotel room. 

I’m talking Instagram-worthy views for days!

We woke up to gorgeous beachy sunrises and went to bed listening to the ocean. 

We were also blessed with amazing weather during our trip. That is no surprise - Aruba has more sunny days than anywhere else in the Caribbean does! 

Delicious Dining

As a mom, nothing says vacation like not having to cook. 

At the Ritz-Carlton Aruba, not only did I get out of cooking, but I got to enjoy delicious food.

We ate at BLT Steak, which is a take on an American steakhouse. The steak and seafood there was to die for! 

We also enjoyed Solanio, which is where the resort hosts its breakfast buffet. This restaurant is ideal for families because there is something even for the pickiest eater. 

There are several other restaurants on-site, including a sushi bar: The Divi Sushi Bar & Lounge.

An Exciting Kids Club

In my family’s travels, we’ve found that advertised “Kids Clubs” are hit or miss.

I’m happy to report that Ritz Kids was a huge hit with my girls!

Ritz Kids is designed for kids 4 to 12 years old and offers a variety of themed games and activities, many of which teach kids about Aruba.

My girls loved getting to participate in fun hands-on learning activities and spend time crafting.

In fact, they begged us to go to Ritz Kids and were sad when we said we had to do some adults activities.

Pool and Beach Amenities – Including Luxury Cabanas

Another huge selling point was the swoon-worthy cabanas your family can reserve.

We did this and it was over-the-top amazing!

Not only did we protect our skin from the hot sun, but we also got to lounge around in a beautiful spot while dining on fresh food platters.

We all felt like celebrities. Personally, I would live in that cabana if I could. 

While you must reserve the cabanas, there are plenty of chairs for guests.

Plus, they offer a wide variety of non-motorized water sport activities, such as paddle boarding, snorkeling, and water hammocks.

A Dazzling Casino

I can’t talk about the Ritz-Carlton Aruba without mentioning its awesome casino. It is, by far, one of the nicest I have been to in a resort.

This sparkling space has 15 traditional table games, slot machines, and more!

Plus, they host live entertainment and complimentary beverages in the casino.

Our time spent in the casino was full of wins and fun.

Health and Safety

I’ll end by addressing the elephant in the room – the worldwide pandemic. Yes, my family traveled during the pandemic, and I am happy to report it is possible to do it safely. 

The Ritz-Carlton Aruba is currently open to international guests, but pay attention to government travel requirements before you book your visit. For example, all guests who enter Aruba are required to provide a certified negative PCR test.

As a mom, this actually made me feel better. Yes, it is an extra “thing to do,” but it ensures everyone at the resort is healthy. 

Truthfully, I felt safer at the Ritz-Carlton Aruba than I do in many places back home in the States!

Here are some of the other things the resort is doing to keep guests safe and healthy:

• Face coverings are required in all indoor locations

• Occupancy limits

• Contactless check-in and mobile service requests

• Enhanced cleaning protocols

• Hand sanitizing stations

• Electrostatic sprayers with hospital-grade disinfectants

• Temperature screenings

• On-site testing for guests who need a negative test to reenter their home country

The Ritz-Carlton Aruba was sparkly clean and everyone working there kept their distance while still making sure we had everything we needed to have a dream vacation.

As you plan your family’s vacations for 2021 and 2022, be sure to put the Ritz-Carlton Aruba at the top of your list! 

15 Travel Essentials That Have Made Flying SOOO Much Easier

As a frequent traveler, I am often asked about my favorite travel essentials. While what we pack will vary from one woman to the next, there are some items that I believe are travel essentials for all women. After giving it some thought, I have identified the 15 different items that have made flying so much easier!

A Fantastic Carry-On

Go ahead and invest in a fantastic carry-on! The best carry-ons will last for years, so they are worth every penny. Choose a carry-on that will fit all airport regulations because the whole point of using a carry-on nowadays is to avoid the additional luggage fee. Along those same lines, make sure you choose a carry-on that can fit everything you need for a short getaway.

Packing Dividers

If you always struggle with fitting everything in your suitcase, then you need to buy some packing dividers. You may think this will make it harder to pack or take up more space, but you’d be wrong. They help you fit more of what you actually need and help keep your luggage organized.

A Power Bank

While airports are getting better with providing outlets for charging, you never know when you will be stuck somewhere without the ability to charge your devices. Hence always traveling with a small power bank in my purse. It has saved me numerous times!

A Contoured Eye Mask

If you want to sleep (or just want to be left alone), then you need to pack a contoured eye mask. Unlike regular eye masks, a contoured eye mask is designed with deep spaces around the eyes and nose, so you don’t have a mask pressed uncomfortably against your eyes.

Noise-Canceling Earphones

You never know who you will be sitting by on a plan, so taking your noise-canceling earphones is a wise decision. In addition to blocking out talkative passengers, they also block the plane noises that bother people. For sleeping, these are an absolute must.

A Durable Toiletry Bag

Purchase a quality toiletry bag. Your toiletry bag will be opened and used more than anything else in your luggage, so it is a good idea to get one that will hold up against a lot of use. I always feel safer when my toiletry bag provides additional plastic separators, so even if one of my toiletries opens, everything else in my luggage is still safe.

Reusable Travel Bottles

If you find yourself always second-guessing if your travel shampoos are the right size for your carry-on, go ahead and invest in your own reusable travel bottles. Not only will this alleviate that worry, but you will also get to continue using the products you use at home rather than hotel soaps and shampoos.

My Favorite Facial Moisturizer

The air in planes can really dry out your skin. That’s why I always make sure to pack my favorite moisturizer to use before and during the flight.

Vaseline

Likewise, I’ve found traveling with a min-tub of Vaseline works wonders for dry, chapped lips that result from the air in the plane.

Shout Wipes

Accidents happen – even when you are trying to look your best for your travel destination. I like carrying a few Shout Wipes with me in case there is a spill. They work quickly and effectively to remove stains.

A Portable Hotspot Device

Where would we be without the internet? Just in case I am traveling somewhere that Wi-Fi may not be readily available, I like to travel with my personal portable hotspot device. That way, I can always have internet access when I need it.

My Favorite Reusable Water Bottle

It’s important to stay hydrated when you are flying. However, with the liquid rules, you can’t just take bottled water with you. But you can take an empty reusable water bottle with you and fill it once you get past security!

A Foldable Bag

If you are like me, you always come back from a trip with more than you took. It took me a few times, but I now know to pack a foldable bag and place it in my luggage just for the extras I pick up along the way.

A Laundry Bag

Keeping my dirty clothes separate from my clean clothes in my luggage is important to me. But with a carry-on, that is not always easy. That’s why I pack a small laundry bag. On my trip, as I wear clothing, it goes into the laundry bag. Then, at the end of the trip, I place the entire laundry bag in my carry-on, and it is ready to be washed as soon as I get home.

Wet Wipes

Finally, I like to travel with wet Wipes that have antibacterial on them. There are so many germs on airplanes, so I like to wipe down the lap tray and the armrests. I also find these easy to use to clean and sanitize my hands when needed.

Did I leave out your favorite travel essential? Let me know what it is in the comments!

Forget Cyber Monday. I’m All About Travel Tuesday.

While many of you may be reading this while you are trying to decide if you are going to go out in the shopping rush today. I have news for you. There is another big savings day right around the corner that you may want to save your money for.

Travel Tuesday is the Tuesday following Black Friday. It occurs on December 3, 2019, this year. Travel Tuesday is one day of the year when you can find huge discounts on travel – flights, hotels, cruises, and more. Since Travel Tuesday is a newer sales day, fewer people know about it, which means you will have an easier time scoring deals.

As someone who absolutely loves to travel both with my kids and kid-free, I’m telling you to save some of your money today so you can treat yourself on Tuesday. I’m here to help you get ready for the newest most exciting shopping day of the year.

Prepare Your Travel Bucket List

If you suffer from wanderlust, Travel Tuesday is your jam. However, you do want to have some places in mind that you’d like to visit rather than purchasing flights for an unknown destination at the spur of the moment. Instead, make a travel bucket list and start crossing your fingers that Travel Tuesday offers deals for these destinations.

Research Ahead of Time

While there are sure to be great deals on Travel Tuesday, you don’t want to get suckered. Take some time today to do a bit of light research on the destinations you have in mind, so you’ll know a good deal when you see one.

What to Expect

You should expect big discounts on travel – 70% off domestic and international bucket list destinations. Plus, Hopper found “more flights discounted on Travel Deal Tuesday than Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined.”

Good Morning America’s Think Travel Tuesday for the year's best vacation deals is already listing some of 2019’s Travel Tuesday deals such as luxury resorts at 50% to 70% off in destinations like the Grand Cayman, Mexico, Negril, and more.

Where to Check for Deals

In addition to following news sites like Good Morning America, you should also plan to check individual airlines, cruise lines, hotel chains, and travel company web pages (such as Cheap Caribbean) and social media sites for Travel Tuesday deals.  

Don’t Forget to Read the Fine Print

Finally, it is super (super) important to read the fine print when it comes to travel deals. While you can get an incredibly awesome deal, there may be some reasons for you to hesitate hitting the “Book It” button. For example, many Travel Tuesday deals are non-refundable. Also, many Travel Tuesday deals may wind up costing you significantly more than the sticker price due to baggage fees, resort fees, and parking charges.

After you book your trip on Travel Tuesday, be sure to comment to let me know where you are going and what kind of deal you received!

Traveling This Thanksgiving? Here’s How to Stay Safe and Sane on the Road.

Is your family planning hitting the road this Thanksgiving to visit family and friends? You are not alone! According to AAA, “More than 55 million travelers are making plans to kick off the holiday season with a trip of 50 miles or more away from home this Thanksgiving.” That means there will be millions of other drivers on the roads alongside you. That’s why I am sharing my best tips to stay safe and sane on the busy traffic-roads this Thanksgiving.

Leave at the Right Time

If it is at all possible, avoid driving on Wednesday (the day before Thanksgiving) and Sunday (the one immediately following Thanksgiving). These are the worst days to be on the road with the most traffic. The best day to travel is actually Thanksgiving morning, so opt for a Thanksgiving dinner over lunch if you can.

Have an Abundance of Patience

When it comes to holidays, my motto is always “lower your expectations.” If your expectations are too high, you are bound to be disappointed. This goes with meals, gifts, and traffic. So, when you pile in the family vehicle this Thanksgiving, expect traffic and a longer than normal drive. Then, you’ll be surprised when the trip goes better than expected.

Pack Snacks

As always, pack snacks. You don’t want to be stuck in a car with whiny kids. And you don’t want to be hangry yourself. Snacks can solve a whole lot of problems.

Load Up the Devices Ahead of Time

The day before your trip take some time to download your kid’s favorite movies onto their devices. Bonus tip – download a new movie to watch just for this trip. Your kids will be thrilled, and it will give you at least two hours of peace and quiet on the ride.

Plan Stops on Your Route

Since traffic is guaranteed, make plans to stop along the route to break up the trip. It’ll be good for the whole family to get out of the car and stretch their legs. And, if you can make it a fun stop to a cool location, even better!

Use Apps for Alternate Routes

A major perk of using apps like Google Maps or Waze is because they offer up-to-date traffic information and route optimization. This means as you drive that the apps will alert you to traffic issues and reroute you whenever possible. Travel game changer.

Don’t Drink and Drive

I don’t want to even have to write this one, but facts are facts. People like to drink during the holidays (either to be festive or because sometimes it is a little too much family time. Unfortunately, drunk driving accidents spike around holidays, including Thanksgiving. So much so that “AAA is warning the public of the hazards of drunk driving during Thanksgiving and the holiday weekend.”

Put Down Your Phone

Finally, don’t be a distracted driver. Your most precious cargo is traveling with you, so don’t risk an accident for a text. Plus, many states have now banned cell phone use in vehicles, so you don’t want to risk getting a ticket either.

Why Beaches Turks & Caicos is a Dream Family Vacation

Yes, summer is over. But, if you are already dreaming about your next family vacation, I have just the right place. Right before school, my family visited Beaches Turks and Caicos and IT. WAS. AMAZING. If you have never visited a Beaches resort, it needs to be put on your bucket list. For families, the Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort is a dream family vacation. It is 100% worth every penny.

Before I move on to telling you why it is so dreamy, you need to know upfront that Beaches Turks & Caicos is an all-inclusive resort. This means all your room, your meals, your drinks, and your fun activities are all included in the booking price. To put it clearly, Beaches tells guests food is “Always Included. Always Unlimited. All the Time.”

If that is not enough to get you ready to book your tickets, here are a few more reasons why Beaches Turks & Caicos is so fabulous.

Absolutely Beautiful Scenery

Turks & Caicos is absolutely beautiful with crystal clear water and white sand. Beaches Turks & Caicos takes advantage of its location by making sure the resort offers beautiful views of the beaches and gardens from rooms and restaurants. Additionally, the scenery of the resort is stunning. The resort is composed of five villages, including themes like Italy, France, Caribbean, and Key West.

Delicious Food and Drinks

On vacation, I do not want to worry about cooking or doing the dishes. At Beaches Turks & Caicos, not only do I not have to do these two things, but I also get to enjoy delicious meals whenever I want since they are all included in the booking price. Think all-inclusive means you have just a few, limited options? Wrong! Beaches Turks & Caicos has 21 restaurants with high-end cuisine and kid-friendly dishes, as well as food trucks by the waterpark.

A 12 Mile Beach and 10 Pools

I’ve already mentioned the beautiful scenery at Beaches Turks & Caicos. Let me explain further. Beaches Turks & Caicos includes a 12-mile beach. That’s 12 miles of stunning crystal-clear beaches and white sand. Plus, guests get to enjoy included water sports like scuba diving! Additionally, Beaches Turks & Caicos has ten pools and a giant waterpark.

Over-the-Top Kid-Friendly

Best of all, Beaches Turks & Caicos is designed with families in mind. There are so many fun things for kids to do at the resort that they will be begging you not to leave! You can easily fill your days and keep your kids entertained for your entire vacation. Here are some of the amazing kid-friendly features of Beaches Turks & Caicos:

• Sesame Street Fun – The resort features popular Sesame Street characters and interactive events including kid’s favorite characters from the show, such as dance parties, stage shows, Storytime with Elmo and Baking with Cookie Monster.

• Pirate Island Waterpark – The resort is home to a 45,000 square foot waterpark with eight waterslides, a lazy river, splash pads, a surf simulator, and a kids-only swim-up bar.

• Supervised Kids Programming – Beaches Turks & Caicos also offers daily Kids Camp programming, offering supervised activities from morning to sunset. Plus, they offer a special needs program including heading to a sensory-friendly location.

• Live Family-Friendly Shows – The resort is home to Voila, a set of family-friendly live shows featuring shows like The Jungle Book Live, Alice in Wonderland, and Treasure Island.

What are you waiting for? Go ahead and book your trip to Beaches Turks & Caicos for the next school break!