MY SECRET WEAPON FOR PLANNING THE BEST BACHELORETTE WEEKEND IN VEGAS & HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR TRIP!

I. Was. Soaked! My clothes were dripping wet! And yet, I couldn’t stop dancing!

It was July and I was in Las Vegas celebrating my girlfriend’s bachelorette. It had been excruciatingly hot all weekend long and going out during the day when the sun was at its highest was almost painful. Thankfully today I had planned for us to go to Encore Beach Club for the Chainsmokers pool party and the jets of water being sprayed over the crowd were an absolute godsend! A momentary break from the heat that I welcomed with open arms!

This trip to Vegas had been months in the making and as maid of honour it was my duty to plan and put it all together. The bride-to-be had invited a small group of people along and even though the numbers were manageable I didn’t know any of the other girls. As someone who doesn’t go to Vegas often I was also a little worried that I: 1) wasn’t up-to-date on what the best parties and restaurants in Vegas were, and 2) didn’t know if the girls were big partiers and would be into what I planned for us. Overwhelmed and nervous, I reached out to a friend who I knew had either planned or attended her fair share of Vegas bachelorette parties and she let me in on one of Vegas’ best kept secret.

Enter the Venetian Resort’s Celebration Team, an in-house concierge service available to guests of the hotel who need help planning the perfect Vegas trip itinerary. My contact Kylie not only helped me secure two Bella Suites next door to one another (ensuring we were all together), but also helped me arrange dinner reservations, provided pricing for show tickets, put me in contact with club promoters, and decorated our room with balloons and champagne for an unexpected dazzling arrival! Within a week of contacting The Celebration Team, our entire weekend itinerary was planned and I started to feel way more confident the girls were going to enjoy themselves - and I was right!

The entire weekend went off without a hitch. The girls and I danced at some of the best clubs, ate at some of the best restaurants, and celebrated the bride-to-be all weekend long. Fast forward to the end of the weekend, the girls and I huddled around in a circle at the Vegas airport laughing as we recapped the events of the past couple days. Together we made a list of highlights from our weekend so that anyone planning a trip to Vegas would have a great place to start. Here is what rose to the top:

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The first of many interior design decisions to come! Now that we are half way through the last phase of our interior renovations (the basement) I am getting really excited about shifting my focus from renoing our Toronto Victorian home to styling a
No more scary basement! 🏡 Here is a little before and after of our basement underpin by @icy.reno We went from 6 foot ceilings to just under 8.5 and installed new drains, waterproofing and a radiant floor! DYK that doing an underpin and finishing

Parties, Restaurants and Bars!

When it comes to partying in Las Vegas everyone knows there is no shortage of mega clubs and amazing pool parties to choose from. Although the girls and I did go out pretty much every night our favourite ‘night out’ or should I say ‘day out’,  was definitely the Sunday we spent at the Chainsmokers pool party at Encore Beach Club. Little did we know, Kylie had totally hooked us up. The promoter she had put us in contact with made sure we got a great booth in front of the stage and even a free bottle to get us on our way. I don’t think the day could of gone any better. We had our own little private area to put our stuff down, dance till our feet hurt, and let go of any inhibitions we may have had. We stayed in that booth for over 5 hours, dancing despite being completely soaked from being sprayed by the water jets overhead. This was a Vegas party for the books and we were all here for it!  

While in Vegas the girls and I splurged on some pretty extravagant dinners but none was more delightful than our dinner at Rivea. Located on the 64th floor of the Delano Hotel, Rivea is Vegas fine dining at its best. Chef Alain Ducasse uses bold flavours and inventive approaches to add new life to classic French and Italian dishes. As an added extra bonus, the restaurant’s patio also offers the most breathtaking view of the Vegas strip during sunset - a perfect backdrop to an incredible meal. The girls and I got to sample the majority of items on the menu by way of the tasting menu and both the Ricotta Ravioli with Swiss chard and Mint, and Lobster Risotto were two table favourites. If you have cause for celebration like us, dining at Rivea is a must!

Further, I would be remiss if I didn’t also recommend doing some pre-dinner drinks at Skyfall Lounge, a laid back lounge club that offers the same amazing panoramic views as Rivea. The girls and I enjoyed a couple cocktails and glasses of champagne here before heading into dinner at Rivea and in hindsight it was probably the perfect place for us to kick off our trip and get acquainted. Since the atmosphere was relaxing and the music wasn’t overbearing, carrying on conversation and getting to know one another was super easy. Having a couple drinks here before dinner not only helped set the mood for the evening but was also the perfect way for us all to get to know each other and ease into a Bachelorette party weekend in Vegas.

Another crowd-pleaser I was happy to see made the list was our dinner at TAO! This Pan Asian bistro is not only one of my favourite restaurants in Vegas but also happen to be conveniently located in our hotel. The restaurant’s menu and atmosphere never fails to impress and since the girls and I decided to share everything family-style we really got to explore the menu. Although the Crispy Orange Chicken and spicy Lobster Kim Chi Fried Rice were originally ordered for the table I definitely took the lion’s share - sorry not sorry. The fact that the bride-to-be told me later that it was one of the best meals of her life was just the icing on the cake.

If you are as obsessed with the roaring 20’s, art deco interiors, or just have an appreciation for delicious hand-crafted cocktails, Rosina is definitely worth seeking out. Nestled into a corner of the Palazzo casino floor, Rosina is where class and cocktails intertwine. The girls and I had a couple rounds of drinks in the intimate space before dinner and we just loved it. We actually ended up being late for our dinner reservation that night because we were having so much fun taking cute photos by the bar and enjoying delicious libations we completely lost track of time. Considering how close it was to the Venetian and TAO, if you are staying or dining at either you should definetly add in a quick (or not so quick in our case) drink at Rosina to your itinerary.

So there you have it! Our Vegas top 5! If you have any questions or are looking for more insight/want to know more about our trip or how to contact the Celebration Team at the Venetian, just hit me up in the comments below and I will be happy to help answer any questions you have.

Until then, safe travels!

xx

-Soheila

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NUEVO HAVANA - A CITY NO LONGER FROZEN IN TIME

Posing by the beautiful staircase at La Guarida

The first time I went to Havana I was broken hearted. One evening, in my final year of high school nearing March break, my high school sweetheart broke up with me. At the time we had plans to go on grad trip together to Cuba and I had been anticipating our trip for MONTHS. Devastated - at the breakup not the change in trip plans, although I wouldn’t put it past me - I went crying to my best friend. Little did I know that in doing so I would actually come to also make a new bestie. When I arrived I was stunned to learn that I was not the only one visiting my friend with a bag of ‘broken heart woes’. Another girl, an acquaintance I had only met once or twice previously, had also been dumped by her boyfriend and both of us went crying to our dearest friend. Fast forward to a week later, I proposed to my new friend that she come to Cuba with me. The plan was to go down to Cuba with my dad and stay on his boat in Havana for a couple days before ditching the parental unit and spending 4 glorious solo days on the beaches of Varadero. Finding it hard to say no to such an enticing plan, she agreed to join me. In the end, although broken hearted when we arrived, our trip to Havana revived us and helped us shake off our heartache. Between the sun, the parties, the new eye candy and each others' company we both came home feeling stronger and better about our ‘single life’ situation.

I told Adam (my now boyfriend) this story many years later after he asked how my girlfriend and I had met. It was during this recounting that he also confessed his love for Cuba. Unlike my story of heartbreak Adam’s visit to Havana a decade ago was for New Years with his family. At the time there wasn’t that many streets lights in Havana but as his cousins and family roamed through old Havana after dinner they heard cheers coming from a nearby street. When they reached the top of the street they saw people sprinting down the street, ducking under balconies trying to avoid buckets of water being thrown upon them from the apartments above. People on either end of the street would cheer the runners on while the people armed with buckets of water on the balconies would erupt into laughter and cheer every time they hit their moving targets. At the time his cousins were all between 18-24 and they decided to test their luck. The first cousin, a girl, made it to the end of the street unscathed. The four boys that followed (Adam included) did not. Adam’s recount of this story, the 100 yard dash he had left and the wall of water he saw come down on him at the last second, gave me instant FOMO! To this day I can’t think of another New Years Eve travel experience that I have heard of that can beat that story! SERIOUSLY!

Local Life - A fruit stand in Old Havana

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The first of many interior design decisions to come! Now that we are half way through the last phase of our interior renovations (the basement) I am getting really excited about shifting my focus from renoing our Toronto Victorian home to styling a
No more scary basement! 🏡 Here is a little before and after of our basement underpin by @icy.reno We went from 6 foot ceilings to just under 8.5 and installed new drains, waterproofing and a radiant floor! DYK that doing an underpin and finishing

So when it came to picking what destinations we wanted to travel to in 2019, Havana was at the top of the list. It had been a decade since our last visits and we figured it was about time we go back. We knew Havana would make for a great short-haul trip that we could easily do over an extended long weekend and so this past April over the easter long weekend we ventured back to Havana determined to make some great Cuba memories together.

Although a lot has changed since our last visits, there was so much that we experienced this time around that we wanted to highlight. For example, 3 weeks prior to our arrival mobile data became available making it easier to stay connected. In addition, two new luxury hotels had also opened in Havana in the last year, now providing a level of hospitality that was not available previously. Lastly, government’s stronghold on independent businesses had seemed to have lessened since we were both there last, giving way to many new restaurants (referred to as ‘Paladars’ in Cuba) being opened by young Cuban entrepreneurs. Cuba was on the rise and we were experiencing the destination at the beginning of its economic revival.

Rooftop pool hangs at the Iberostar Grand Packard

While in Havana, Adam and I had the chance to preview both of the new luxury hotel properties.The first three nights were spent at the Iberostar Grand Packard and the last two nights were at the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski. Both hotels have great rooftop pools, are equipped with gorgeous spas, fitness facilities, and lobby cigar lounges, but if I have to recommend one I would definitely lean towards the Iberostar Grand Packard. My experience with service at the Iberostar was top notch. One day my feet had started to bleed from the 3-4 blisters I had got wearing new sandals and the hotel’s medical centre disinfected my wounds, patched me up and sent me on my way, at no cost, within 10 minutes. Also the table service at brunch was great!. The staff were so attentive and observant, remembering my coffee preferences from the morning before. Not to say the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski was not good - they have a brilliant view overlooking the city from the rooftop view and the location is smack dab in the centre of old Havana, but it’s the little touches from Iberostar, when it came to service, that pushed the needle in their favour.

Iberostar Grand Packard

Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski

While in Havana Adam and I discovered a few new restaurants that we loved including Mas Habana and Cafe El Dandy. Mas Habana we had stumbled upon while walking around Old Havana and recognized it from a list of recommendations we received from a local expat blogger. We had originally planned to grab dinner there but once we heard the lunch special was a seafood paella with clams, crab, lobster, and shrimp, we could not help ourselves.

Our lunch at Mas Habana was definitely my favourite meal of the trip where as Cafe El Dandy was Adam’s. Another recommendation from our friendly local expat friend, Cafe El Dandy was first recommended to us as a cheap breakfast option. Since Iberostar had an amazing breakfast buffet that was complimentary with our stay we never quite made it to Cafe El Dandy for breakfast but we did go there for lunch. Adam had the pork tacos while I enjoyed a traditional Cuban sandwich. Although my sandwich was great, it was Adam’s tacos that made Cafe El Dandy his favourite restaurant of our trip and the best part - IT’S SO DELICIOUS AND CHEAP!

Besides exploring Old Havana, which we did for the first two days, there were also two activities that I would definitely recommend you do on your next visit to Havana. One, wake up early and go check out Fusterlandia, a mosaic garden made by a local Cuban artist by the name of Jose Fuster. Fusterlandia is located about a 20 minute drive from downtown Havana so you will need to take a car to get there, which I understand sounds like a lot of effort but when you see how cool this place looks on Instagram you will want to go. Surrounding the garden are a few different stores belonging to local artists selling their work and it was so cool to just spend a couple hours there exploring and taking in some local flavours and culture. There is no entrance free into Fusterlandia so the crowd does get big by midday which is why I recommend getting up early and doing it first thing in the morning.

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The second activity that you must do while in Havana is check out Fábrica de Arte Cubano for a party night out. Fabrica is an interesting place and it wasn’t until our second attempt at going that Adam and I finally got in. Located about a 10 minute drive from Old Havana, you want to get to Fabrica early (around 8PM), otherwise the line will be around the block and you will be waiting all night to get in. Essentially, Fabrica is an old factory that has been turned into a mixed-use gallery and art space. Each room in ‘the club’ offers different music genres with its own vibe - whether it’s a DJ mixing, old school music videos on a projector, or a live band. As you move from room to room you also notice lots of different art on the walls with each room feeling quite unique compared to the last and deserving of 10-15 minutes of your attention. Another cool thing about Fabrica is that there are no cash bars! Instead, when you walk in, you pay a small amount (2-4 pesos) for a small card which the bartenders inside will stamp with each of your drink orders. At the end of the night you return your card to the attendant on the way out and only then have to pay. I think our bill came out to the equivalent of $10 CAD which I felt was pretty ridiculously cheap considering how much we drank and how much fun we had. Lines to get drinks were never very long and I feel like this card/payment system had a lot to do with it. Walking away from our Fabrica experience Adam and I were both amazed that a place this cool existed in Havana. It felt so underground and perhaps even sort of ‘counter-culture' to our previous perceptions of what life in Cuba was like that it kind of blew our nightlife expectations out of the water. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Fabrica De Arte Cubano

Needless to say Adam and I came back from Havana with many amazing new memories but I can’t help but feel a cringe of worry that with its revived economy, Havana will start to lose some of the characteristics that charmed us in the first place. Don’t get me wrong, development is good and change is inevitable but now that the gateway to America has been opened the crowds of tourists in Havana are noticeably bigger than before, not to mention the prices for both hotels and food has gone up. Havana is still a great place to visit and I would 100% recommend going, but I implore you to do it sooner than later as I worry it will no longer be a cheap destination to travel to in a couple years. Also take note to avoid peek periods so as not feel overwhelmed by the growing crowds and get out and explore the neighbourhoods surrounding Old Havana to get more even of an authentic feel. You’re gonna love it, I just know it!

OTHER VIDEOS & PHOTOS FROM MY TRIP

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PICTURE PERFECT SAN ANTONIO: A TRAVEL GUIDE

Exploring the San Antonio Botanical Gardens

The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and the farmers market in the Historic Pearl District was in full swing. Kids playing in the nearby fountains filling the courtyard with laughter and joy. A band started to play in the distance and like many others I paused and turned my head in their direction. To the locals walking around me it was just another beautiful Sunday in San Antonio, but to me it was one of those magical moments that makes travelling and discovering new places so wonderful.

It was only last year that San Antonio commemorated its Tricentennial. In true ‘larger than life’ Texas style the city celebrated their Mexican-American heritage with a yearlong fiesta. And why not? San Antonio is a city on the rise with a lot to celebrate! Not only is it the 7th largest city in the US but it’s also the fastest growing. It is a city that in recent years has seen a boom in economic investment and has poured lots of energy into redeveloping not only the downtown core but its surrounding neighbourhoods like the Pearl District. Today San Antonio is beating out every other major Texas city including Houston, Dallas and Austin for ‘most visited city’ and after spending a long weekend in San Antonio, I can see why.

It’s hard to pinpoint the moment during my trip that was the tipping point where I went from ‘liking’ to ‘loving’ San Antonio so I am not even going to try. We all know that when travelling there is no one draw to a destination – maybe you are a foodie who is also an adrenalin junkie or maybe you love history and are in desperate need of some sunshine and hot weather. Whatever your style or desire, San Antonio offers something for everyone and to prove it, I have put together a list of all my favourite discoveries from my recent trip!

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The first of many interior design decisions to come! Now that we are half way through the last phase of our interior renovations (the basement) I am getting really excited about shifting my focus from renoing our Toronto Victorian home to styling a
No more scary basement! 🏡 Here is a little before and after of our basement underpin by @icy.reno We went from 6 foot ceilings to just under 8.5 and installed new drains, waterproofing and a radiant floor! DYK that doing an underpin and finishing

- BEST PLACES TO EAT IN SAN ANTONIO -

Rib Eye at Botika in the Historic Pearl District

Botika - Calling all foodies! This Peruvian, Chinese and Japanese fusion restaurant in the Pearl District was THE MOST delicious meal that I had while in San Antonio. Having never tried a fusion of cuisine like this before, I was not sure what to expect. Chef Geronimo Lopez surprised me with his uniquely crafted dishes enhanced by spectacular flavour combinations. The restaurant itself is spacious, trendy, and was quite packed on Friday night when we went. I will never forget the evening’s special of squid ink risotto with seared scallops, ahi Amarillo aioli and calamari. Even though it was originally ordered for the table, I couldn’t help myself from gobbling up the lion’s share it was just so good!

The evening’s special - a squid ink risotto with seared scallops, ahi Amarillo aioli and calamari.

Farmers Market at The Historic Pearl District - If you don’t want to just experience the city but actually get a real feel for what local life is like, head to The Historic Pearl District Farmers Market on Saturdays and Sundays. Vendors of all varieties flock to the Pearl District to show off some of Texas’ finest artisan products, freshly baked goods, and fresh produce. It is a great spot for families to take their kids and also a foodie wonderland for adults. I would recommend tying a couple hours here with weekend brunch plans in the Historic Pearl District as a lot of the restaurants are housed in gorgeous partially-resorted and redeveloped old spaces – a major draw of this part of town.

- PLAY -

Tejas Rodeo – What’s a trip to Texas without a little country music, tailgating, and a whole lot of bull riding? Incomplete, that’s what! Although considered one of the smaller rodeos in the San Antonio area, Tejas is definitely one of the best for an intimate and casual Texas cowboy experience. As a long-standing sport in Texas, bull riding is very much ingrained in San Antonio’s culture, and you don’t have to be a cowboy/girl to appreciate it. I was so surprised to see kids as young as 4 jump on the mechanical bull outside the arena and give it their all! And when I witnessed ‘Mutton Bustin’ (when little kids ride sheep into the middle of the arena and try not to fall off) I was instantly mesmerized by how even though there are rough parts to the sport , the whole experience is intended to be fun and playful.

Market Square - If you want to see how San Antonians celebrate their Mexican heritage you have to head to Market Square – the largest Mexican market in the US. The plaza that makes up Market Square features numerous specialty shops, restaurants, produce stands, and vendors. The area is entirely pedestrian-friendly and the pathways are lined with ‘papel picado’ flags which add further charm. Musicians, performers, and artists can also be found entertaining visitors who most likely are also enjoying delicious Mexican sweets like warm chocolate-filled churros!

- LEARN -

Mission San Jose  - So by now you may have figured out that what makes San Antonio so different from its other Texas counterparts is its Spanish heritage. Part of the draw to visit San Antonio is there 5 Missions. Although all beautiful, the one that caught my eye was the Mission San Jose, rightfully known as the "Queen of the Missions”.  The mission itself is gorgeous and features old stone archways, rusted iron gates, and sprawling grounds. Although I didn’t get too much time to explore the area I still thought The Mission San José was a beautiful place to visit, take photos and learn about how the city came to be.

San Antonio River Walk - Arguable one of the biggest draws to San Antonio is it’s Riverwalk. Considered a city park, the River Walk is actually a connection of waterways (originally a serpentine river the city was established beside) that link many surrounding neighbourhoods to downtown. Charming foot bridges and flagstone pathways provide easy pedestrian access to the numerous bars, restaurants, hotels, and stores that line the River Walk making it a fun afternoon activity and a great place to grab some drinks with friends.

Hanging along the Riverwalk in San Antonio

- STAY -

I love the Spanish inspired interiors of Hotel Valencia

Hotel Valencia - Really it should be called ‘Hacienda Valencia’ because they really know how to make you feel right at home (I literally walked around in my bathrobe in the morning LOL). This beautiful Spanish inspired hotel was the first luxury boutique hotel built in San Antonio 16 years ago. The hotel features 213 spacious and contemporary rooms, has Spanish guitar in the lobby Wednesday to Saturday, and has a delicious Argentinian restaurant with gorgeous terrace views of the River Walk. Wifi is complimentary with you stay as well as the morning coffee and pastry bar in the lobby (hence walking around in my bathrobe). Although they do not have a spa they can arrange in room massages and facials.  It also happens to be right in the action, nestled against the San Antonio Riverwalk making it the perfect place to stay downtown.

- RELAX -

Exploring the San Antonio Botanical Gardens

San Antonio Botanical Gardens - Perhaps not the first place you would think of when planning a trip to San Antonio but definitely a great one if you are interested in getting outside, enjoying some green space or even trying your hand at one of my favourite activities – photography! Prior to arriving I fully scoped out the Botanical Gardens on Instagram and became so obsessed with the idea of taking photos there I even planned an outfit ahead of time. They have a couple of enclosed gardens you can explore in addition to what’s outdoors, so there are lots of pretty photo opportunities to be had. In the end I walked away with one of my favourite fashion photos from the whole trip!

San Antonio: The Saga - One FREE activity I had planned to do while in San Antonio was check out renowned French Artist, Xavier de Richemont’s captivating video art installation on the facade of the San Fernando Cathedral. I had seen a glimpse of the show online and was dying to experience it live while in town. Although I did make it to the square in time for the show there were some technical issues with the projectors that night and the show was unable to go on. I would still highly recommend trying to go see it as it looks like a great evening activity, especially if you have an appreciation for the arts.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS FROM MY TRIP!

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MAGICAL SPOTS YOU NEED TO VISIT IN FLORIDA!

Selby Gardens in Sarasota

With this new age of social media has come a growing amount of travel envy. Travel bloggers post beautiful pictures from far away places you have never been to and maybe never even heard of before. The result: more people then ever are filled with the need to escape to see the world and discover their own slice of the globe.

To me traveling isn’t always about going to popular destination with a lot of hype. It's more about discovery and adventure of the unknown. That is why on my last trip to Florida I was determined to see a side of Florida I had yet to discover, and boy did I find some magical spots!

Sunset at Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota

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Having been to Florida many times before and only last year discovering Tampa (which I love) I was excited to visit the beautiful beach town of Sarasota. I had heard many great things (there are a lot of people in Tampa who live in/are from Sarasota), about this small, posh, Central Florida beach town and needed to find out for myself if the rumors were true! 

Sarasota is a small town with a population of approximately 53,000. Located on the southwest coast of Florida on the southern tip of the Tampa Bay area it's about an hour drive from the Tampa airport. Although you may not suspect it, Sarasota is known internationally for having the best beaches in the US! With their crystal blue water and white sand I can totally see why.

Hanging with @ToFoodies at the rooftop pool at the Westin Hotel in Sarasota

New to Sarasota (and where I stayed while in town) is the new Westin Sarasota. The rooms are clean, bright, and modern, and the hotel itself is an easy walk to many great attractions including Selby Gardens, downtown Sarasota restaurants, and their famous ‘Unconditional Surrender’ statue. I was so excited when I arrived I ran immediately up to their rooftop, which has both a great bar and a large pool, to check out their amazing view and enjoy a glass (or two) of rose during the sunset hours. 

When in Sarasota there are so many great places to eat. Even before I checked in I went to Columbia Restaurant- a small Cuban/Spanish cuisine chain that started in Tampa (it happens to also be the oldest Spanish restaurant in the US). For over 50 years Columbia has had their location in Sarasota and when you walk inside today its still packed with patrons. It may be their table side demonstration of how they make pitchers of mojito, their awesome food, or their wrap around patio that keeps people coming back.  Although I enjoyed all of those things for me it was also a great spot to hang out and people watch!

Pathway to Lido Beach in Sarasota

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After you are done eating at Columbia you have to walk to Lido beach. An entrance to the beach is located only a 5 minute walk from the Columbia restaurant and takes your through a nice stretch of town with plenty of clothing stores, ice cream shops, and restaurants. It's here that I really experienced that posh, quaint, beach town vibe Sarasota is known for.

A few other great activities I would definitely recommend include checking out the Ringling Brother Museum and Selby Gardens! The Ringling Brothers, if you are not familiar, owned the largest traveling circus company in the US during the 19-20th century which was a huge source of entertainment at the time. Although the Ringling Circus had its last show in May 2017 you can still see memorabilia about and from the circus at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota.

Pink Archways of the Museum Courtyard at the Ringling in Sarasota

The Ringling campus, which spans about 20 acres, also features Florida’s state art museums with over 10,000 pieces ranging from ancient antiques, paintings, and sculpture to more contemporary prints and photographs. While there you MUST also tour John and Mable Ringlings home, all of which was custom designed by Mable Ringling herself and features the most beautiful stain glass windows. Another MUST - a visit to the pink archways of the museum courtyard  - its a dream!

Selby Gardens is another beautiful spot to check out when in Sarasota. An easy walk through the manicured greenhouse and garden reveals a variety of beautiful plant species, artwork, and plenty of places to take photos. In the middle of the gardens there is also a giant tree jungle gym for the kids with multiple levels. It kinda made me wish I was five again so I could join in! It looked so fun!

Lifeguard Station at Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota

Before you leave town you have to visit the best beach (RANKED!) in the US - Siesta Key Beach. The sand at this beach is made up of mostly mineral quarts which causes the beach to appear a cool white and feel as fine as baby powder. To add even more appeal Siesta Key also features a really cute lifeguard station, which you are totally allowed to climb up on and watch the sunset from. I honestly wish I had brought a picnic because I didn't want to leave! The sand and water was so nice and the sunset that night was so purple, pink, and all kinds of beautiful.

If you happen to rent a car while in Central Florida I would also tell you to day trip (it's about an hour drive further south) to Englewood, Fl. One of the funnest activities I did on my last trip was a ‘Riding the Waves’ Barrier Island Eco Tour. Essentially, you are given a two person pontoon boat and get to drive up and down the bay with an instructor/leader. It was so fun to be out on the water, in the Florida sunshine, and to top it all off we saw an entire school of dolphins! A day and activity I will definitely never forget.

Pastel Building at the Fisherman's Village market pier in Punta Gorda

If you head out to Englewood there are two places close by in the town of Punta Gorda that I would also definitely recommend: Fisherman's Village - a market pier with numerous pastel colored building filled with numerous boutiques and restaurants, and Peace River Seafood and Crab Shack - a super popular and delicious crab shack with huge portions! YUM!

I had such a wonderful time discovering this new side of Florida and had one of the most magical trips yet. If you have any questions about any of the activities or spots mentioned above feel free to leave me message in the comments below! Until next time - Arrivederci!!

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10 THINGS TO DO, EAT AND SEE IN PHILLY - RECOMMENDED BY LOCALS

If you follow me on Instagram you would have noticed that this last month has been a whirlwind of traveling for me. One of the most entertaining and interesting cities that I recently visited (and for the first time) was Pennsylvania largest city Philadelphia. While there discovering all the city had to offer I met some pretty cool locals that were more then happy to share their recommendations of places they would go if they had a friend coming to town - this is what they said:

Each * represents a repeated mention!

Dan

Martha - A really cool neighborhood bar with hoagies, house-made pickles, vegetable plates, cheeses & charcuterie, craft beer, cocktails, and wine.
Keystone Mini Golf - Indoor BYOB Miniature Golf Course and Arcade
* South Bowl - Retro bowling alley with 26 bowling lanes, billiards, arcade games, food and delicious cocktails. They also have a great happy hour

Pub + Kitchen - A lively restaurants for quality dishes, craft beers, cocktails, and elevated brunch offerings.
Cafe La Maude - French-Lebanese cafe serving breakfast, lunch & pastries
* Zahav - a modern Israeli restaurant
Helm - a contemporary American BYOB with great food and locally farmed produce
Gaul and Company - a malt house that does their Philly Cheesesteak with kielbasa!!! So good my friend!
**** The Fillmore - the best spot in Philly for live music hands down!
Beiler's Donuts - get the apple fritters - trust me.

Amber

Delaware River Waterfront - Parks, outdoor concert venue, museums, an outdoor skating rink in the winter, restaurants, and breweries all with an excellent view of Benjamin Franklin Bridge and the Delaware River
Rittenhouse Sq Park - A family friendly park that hosts many events throughout the year including Rittenhouse Square Spring Festival (typically in may) that attracts tens of thousands and boosts food, shopping, live entertainment and more.
Metropolitan Bakery - Makes the best fresh bread - I could make a meal out of just their bread!
African American Museum - America's history through the lens of an African American experience
Philly Museum of Art - One of Philly's most popular museum
National Constitutions Center - America's most hands on history museum
* La Colombe in Fish Town - Super trendy coffee shop serving their own brand of artisan coffee and pastries
Reading Terminal Market - Philly's famous indoor market offering diverse fare, housewares & area specialties since 1892.

Jinx Furniture Store - one of the best furniture/antique stores in Philly
Bar-Ly - A sports bar in Chinatown with happy hour 7 days a week!

Matt

Santuciii’s - Best Pizza Eva!
Fat Salmon - Best sushi in Philly
*La Colombe - Try their coffee and rum! I never thought it would go together but it does and its delicious!
*Philadelphia Distilling - The first craft distillery in the state of Pennsylvania since prohibition.
Spruce St Harbord Park - A good summer spot with an urban beach in Penn's Landing that features a boardwalk along the Delaware River with a beachfront atmosphere.
Zavino - A tiny wine bar that likes to team its vintages with Italian small plates & Neapolitan pizzas
Lolita - Boutique Mexican food
Bar - My favorite grimy bar in midtown - its so grimy but its great
**** The Fillmore - Great live music
Howl At The Moon - A lively bar with dueling pianos, live music and lots of song covers

Alicia

South Philly Barbacoa - Tacos!!!
Talula’s Garden - Cute farm to table restaurant with a garden in the summer
*Philadelphia Distilling - Gin Distillery
Independence Beer Garden - Pop Up Seasonal outdoor beer garden with 40 taps, cocktails, snacks & projection TV screens.
* Zahav - A modern Israeli restaurant
Magic Gardens - Instagram worth spot to take awesome photos (and I agree, see my photos from the Magic Gardens below)

**** The Fillmore - they have a great dance night!
Race St Pier - A spot along the waterfront great for spending the day overlooking the water
Frankford Hall - German style beer garden
South Moon Under- Great store/boutique that I always shop at

Bill & Eric

John Rose Pork - Sandwich shop
**** The Fillmore - for live music

* South Bowl or North Bowl - Retro bowling alley with 26 bowling lanes, billiards, arcade games, food and delicious cocktails. They also have a great happy hour
Marra's - Authentic Italian pizza spot! I love their pizza.
Ristorante Pesto - A small family-run trattoria with great Southern Italian classics & neighborhood atmosphere. Its also BYOB!!!
Helium Comedy Club
Noto - The only place we have close to an EDM/ Trap music club in Philly
McGillians - One of my favorite grimy Irish bars
Tony Luke's - Their Philly Cheesesteaks are the best!
Liscio Bakery - Bakery with great bread

Have suggestions of your own? Leave them in the comments below!