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!

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @ISTHATSOH

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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SKIING THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS IN ASPEN, COLORADO

Life in a snow globe - My trip to Aspen, Colorado with Adam - At the top of Buttermilk Mountain (Pyramid Peak in the background)

I sat in silence staring out the window at the snow-capped mountains trying to recall the last time I was on a snowboard. Growing up in Canada you learn to make the most of winter. My mom, in an effort to get us out of the house, repeatedly signed us up for Snowhawks Raven Ski & Snowboard School every year. This meant my brother and I would be up early on Saturdays trying to catch the Snowhawks bus so we could spend the day at different ski resorts snowboarding and hanging with friends. It was during these weekend that I fell in love with winter.

Now though, sitting in my window seat 30,000 feet in the air on my way to Aspen, I couldn’t even recall when I had last touched my snowboard. Somewhere along the way life pulled me away from the one thing that made me love winter, but now as I drew closer to my final destination, that was all about to change. 

Rocky Mountain Range in Aspen Colorado

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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

Although I’ve heard people rave about how amazing skiing in Aspen is, I have never been. In truth I wasn’t really sure where it sat on the spectrum of ‘extremely pretentious to completely approachable’ but I was super excited to find out. Thankfully I had Adam with me who was equally excited about the trip and itching to get on the slopes, so I knew no matter what it was going to be fun.

While in town, Adam and I would be staying at the Limelight Hotel, a contemporary hotel located right in Aspen Village that came with many perks including complimentary breakfast, ski shuttle service, 2 hours car loans and airport car service! Once we landed at Aspen Airport and gathered our bags, we were greeted warmly by a Limelight driver who was ready and waiting. He ushered us into our very own private Audi Q7 (part of the hotel fleet) and within 15 minutes we were at the hotel.

Eager to check out the area Adam and I quickly dropped our bags in our room before heading out to explore. The room was large and had, wait, two queen beds? LOL! Adam and I had to laugh at this because he always complains that I am like sleeping next to an inferno and having his own bed would be the icing on the cake for him… and my needy nightmare. Regardless of the sleeping situation we were on a mission to find ski gear because Adam and I kind of showed up to Aspen with no outerwear and no gear… That’s right, NOTHING!

Thankfully a stones-throw from the hotel was 4 Mountain Sports, a full service retail and rental shop that offered an array of premium ski and snowboard gear starting as low as US $60 per day. It took Adam and I less than an hour to get fully fitted with all our gear – snowboard for me, skis and polls for him, boots and helmets for both – which, besides our helmet and boots, we didn’t even need to take back to the hotel because they deliver your gear to the slopes. Whaaatttttt!?

Now that we had our gear sorted all we had to do was get fitted for outwear. To help us overcome this challenge we turned to Lorenzo at Suit Yourself – a local skiwear outfitter who brings jackets, pants, gloves, and goggles to your hotel room so you don’t have to freeze your butt off on the slopes. He hooked us up with premium Helly Hansen outerwear for an average of US $50 a day and just like that, Adam and I were ready to hit the slopes!

Enjoyed a charcuterie board at Meat & Cheese in Aspen, CO

By the time we finished all our errands it was nearing 3pm and, considering the 7-hour travel day we just endured, a drink was much needed! Enter Meat and Cheese, a cute eatery and marketplace where you can sit down and enjoy an array of artisanal breads, meats and surprise, surprise, cheese! This place came highly recommended by the hotel as well as the folks at Four Mountain and we were not disappointed. Their menu consists of a variety of charcuterie boards and featured mostly locally sources ingredients that were completely up our alley. Knowing very well that we were going to sit down and have dinner in a couple hours Adam and I decided to grab a couple drinks and share a couple charcuterie boards to save some room for dinner.

Two things I quickly learned about Aspen, Colorado was that 1) altitude can really affect your tolerance when it comes to alcohol, and 2) eating out can quickly become expensive. Thankfully one of the reasons why Meat and Cheese came so highly recommended was because their lunch specials are pretty affordable in comparison to other restaurants located on ‘restaurant row’ in Aspen Village. Also since it only took me one glass of Prosecco to start feeling buzzed, Adam and I were also able to save a little money there. LOL!

Enjoying and authentic Italian meal at L’Hostaria in Aspen, CO.

That night’s dinner was at another local favourite and one of the oldest restaurants in Aspen, L’Hostaria. Located less than a 10-minute walk from the hotel L’Hostaria is an authentic Italian restaurant that was described by many locals as their ‘go-to date night spot’, and upon walking in we could see why. The traditional, cozy, white table cloth, candle-lit Italian restaurant ambiance was in full effect and not only was the dining room completely packed with patrons but so was the bar. Having essentially saved ourselves for this meal Adam and I were starving so we started with a selection of appetizers including their eggplant parmesan which was phenomenal! For our mains Adam and I shared the mixed seafood pasta and the lamb chops only to politely fight over who would get the last bites. By the time we left we were both stuffed to the gills and ripe and ready for bed.

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Eager to seize the day on the slopes Adam and I got up early and made our way down to the restaurant for breakfast. It wasn’t until we sat that we remembered we had forgotten to sign up for the hotel’s complementary ski shuttle service the night before and were faced with the hard truth that it was fully booked up. Thankfully the hotel informed us that the Aspen bus station was only a 5 minute walk up the street and RFTA buses to the slopes were not only free but they departed every 30 minutes. The only downfall we learned to taking the bus was that your commute takes an extra 20 minutes but, alas, beggars can’t be choosers and a free ride is a free ride!

View from the chairlift at Snowmass Mountain

One thing you should know about Aspen is that there are four mountains to choose from; Aspen, Highlands, Snowmass, and Buttermilk. Aspen and Highlands are the hardest of the four mountains and have the most single and double black diamond runs. Snowmass offers more of a variety of terrain while Buttermilk is great for novice skiers and beginners. Since our trip was early in the ski season all the mountains except Buttermilk were open (it would open on our second day), and since I hadn’t snowboarded in ages we decided on start on Snowmass Mountain.

Once we finally got to the base of Snowmass, grabbing our gear and lift tickets (you can order them ahead of time online) was easy! Before Adam and I knew it we were at the top, strapped in, and ready for our first run. Although I was feeling slightly nervous about not having snowboarded in nearly a decade, it really only took me a couple of runs for the muscle memory to kick in and before I knew it I was carving confidently down the hill, whizzing by people and cutting through trees without any problems. Sure I may of wiped out half a dozen times but I was having so much fun! By the end of the day I was back to my old ‘winter loving’ self again.

Après sangria at Venga Venga Cantina!

After a full day of skiing, Adam and I were looking forward to getting some much deserved  drinks at one of Aspen’s best après-ski spots, Venga Venga. Weeks earlier, while researching the destination I had seen quite a few mentions of the Mexican cantina and tequila bar, and since it was at the Snowmass Mall close to where we drop off our gear, we thought we would give it a try. Turns out Venga Venga is quite the perch! With panoramic views of the slopes and fire pits on the patio to keep you warm, people gather to drink cold brews and unwind after a big ski day. Soon after we showed up a DJ arrived, followed by even more people and before you knew it we were in the midst of a full on aprés party! If we didn’t have dinner plans at Crêperie du Village that night we would have probably stayed there drinking sangria and eating tacos well into the night.

Much like Venga Venga, I first came across Crêperie du Village while researching Aspen and instantly became smitten with its French Alpine Bistro aesthetic. With its cozy, candle lit corners, and sheep skin covered chairs I knew I was just going to love this place. The restaurant was quite busy when we arrived for our dinner reservation, a great sign that the food was going to be equally as good as the ambiance. In no rush, Adam and I ordered a cocktail followed by the escargot (my fav), foie gras (Adam’s fav) and the steak tartar (both our favs). It was easily my most treasured meal of the entire trip and the perfect restaurant for a romantic evening. Adam and I wined and dined like Aspen royalty and deemed Crêperie du Village definitely worth the splurge.

After dinner Adam and I stopped by J-Bar at Hotel Jerome for a quick nightcap. The recently renovated hotel is actually one of Aspen’s most beloved historic landmarks and is often referred to as Aspen’s crown jewel. The bar inside, which is said to be haunted, has for years been the favoured watering hole for many who visit Aspen. Expectedly, the cocktails were on the pricier side but that didn’t stop Adam and I from getting cozy in front of the roaring fireplace and cheering to a perfect day in Aspen.

Enjoying a nightcap at J-Bar in Hotel Jerome

Having thoroughly enjoyed our day of skiing at Snowmass, Adam and I decided to yet again get up early and hit the slopes. This time though we had remembered to book the shuttle the night before and instead of having to wait the 30 minutes for the bus we were at the slopes in a speedy 15 minutes. Since we had plans to go snowmobiling in the afternoon and were only going to spend half the day skiing we decided to check out Buttermilk Mountain as it was opening day and apparently had the best views of Pyramid Peak – a choice we did not regret. For someone who hasn’t skied in a while I would even recommend going to Buttermilk before Snowmass as I felt their green and blue runs were easier than Snowmass’.

Adam and I doing a snowmobiling tour with T-Lazy Z Ranch in Aspen

After another amazing morning Adam and I headed straight to T-Lazy 7 Ranch for our snowmobiling tour. T-Lazy 7 Ranch has been an active ranch and lodge in Aspen for 80 years. About 50 years ago they started offering 2-4 hour snowmobile tours and Adam and I were told their tours were the best way to see the Maroon Bells – the most photographed peaks in North America. Having never snowmobiled before, we didn’t know what to expect but once we arrived and checked in we were quickly escorted over to the shed to be fitted with helmets and boots. Once we were fully decked out and ready to go, we were paired with a snowmobile and given a short safety lesson before heading out. The tour took us through the picturesque Maroon Creek Valley (the road is closed to cars in the winter making snowmobiling or cross country skiing the only way in or out) all the way to the base of Maroon Lake where we enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate and took in the beautiful view of the Maroon Bells. Once we got all our pictures we headed back to the ranch where our instructor guided us to their designated track where we got to open up the snowmobile and go as fast as we wanted! So fun!

By the time we finished snowmobiling it was time to après! Adam and I headed back to Aspen Village to check out Shlomo’s Deli & Grill, who’s après ski session is apparently best on Saturdays. By the time we arrived the bar was packed and the party was in full swing. There were girls on the bar dancing to old school hip hop like House of Pain and the whole crowd was going wild. It was definitely the youngest and rowdiest après ski party we encountered while in Aspen. Adam and I loved all the music the DJ was spinning and stayed there partying and dancing for hours until we started to get tipsy and needed to eat. Craving some pizza, Adam and I decided to headed back to the Limelight Hotel for their famous oven fired pizza which totally hit the spot – yum!

Après Ski gets rowdy at Shlomo’s Deli and Grill - *Now Closed

Although Aspen can be expensive there are definitely ways to get around paying premium prices and spending and arm and a leg. For example, rates for accommodations are lower at the very beginning of the ski season (late November early December) as well as later (early April) for closing parties. If you stay at the Limelight you can also save some money on food and drinks by using the hotel’s car loan service (complementary with your stay) to stop by the grocery store as some of the rooms have kitchenettes. Alternatively, some restaurants do offer lunch/après specials like Meat & Cheese and the Limelight Hotel or even try the bar menu for dinner at L’Hostaria. If you are willing to splurge and spend some dough, dinner at Crêperie du Village and snowmobiling with T-Lazy 7 Ranch were amazing, quality experiences that added great value to my overall trip.

Unfortunately our weekend of fun in Aspen came to a close and although short it sure was sweet. We both agreed to come back again, next time for at least a week, and perhaps with a group of friends in tow. In the end our trip to Aspen reignited our love for winter and we both walked away promising to plan more ski vacations together in the future.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS FROM THE TRIP

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ALOHA FROM KAILUA - KONA (THE BIG ISLAND), HAWAII!

Had the perfect Little Mermaid moment in Kona during sunset.

It was early December and things were still very much business as usual. Like most mornings, I was up early and had already brewed a large pot of coffee. Sipping slowly on my first cup I sat down at my desk and opened my laptop - It dinged almost immediately. My eyes darted to the top right corner of my screen to see an email notification. I smiled as I read the subject line “Mele Kalikimaka” - I clicked on it. It was from Adam’s cousin Nashlyn and read “See you in Hawaii soon family!!”. Below, a link to Bing Crosby’s Mele Kalikimaka, the Hawaiian Christmas Song.

Up to this point planning our family Christmas vacation to Hawaii hadn’t been easy. Finding accommodations for all 13 of us was nothing short of grueling and had already led to two failed VRBO booking attempts. Now, being only a week out until the trip, things were looking up and I couldn’t have been more excited for what was to come.

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @ISTHATSOH

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

Prior to takeoff and in my usual ‘type-a’ style I had tried to do some research about the destination only to find out quickly that unlike popular Hawaiian destinations like Oahu and Maui, there wasn’t much out there to go on. Regardless, having spent Christmas with Adam’s extended family before, I knew this trip was going to be fun and of course I was right. From boozing on the beach, to checking out some great snorkeling spots, to finding the most amazing classic rock cover band I have ever heard, our trip to Kona was one of the best Christmases I have ever had. If you are heading to The Big Island and want some recommendations, you can find what topped my list for best beaches, restaurants and nightlife activities below.

Most beaches have lifeguard stations that make for a great photo prop!

- Beaches + Snorkeling Spots -

It was our first day in Kona and we were off to a late start. Eager to get to the beach we decided to hit up one close by. After a quick google search we found out that there was a beach literally down the street from our VRBO. Magic Sands, a small, popular, local beach just outside the downtown strip of Kailua-Kona. When we arrived the beach was packed with locals and tourist alike and there was even a net (free to the public to use) where people were playing volleyball. I absolutely loved this beach and we ended up coming back here twice. It had such a great energy/vibe and even though it was small, it had some wicked strong waves and made you feel like you were really in the thick of it all. I didn’t submerge myself in the water here because the waves were a little too crazy for me, but the boys did and had lots of fun boogie boarding. As for me, I preferred to spend my time sitting on the side lines drinking rose, people watching, and basking in the ‘magic’ of Magic Sands.

Climbing the lava rock in Makalawena

Besides Adam losing his wallet at this next beach, spending the day at Makalawena was definitely a highlight of the trip. A 30 minute drive outside of Kailua-Kona, Makalwaena is a secluded beach that you can only get to by hiking through the lava fields. Before you even get to the beach path to begin the hike in, you first have to drive 10 minutes into a park on a long, unpaved road. Go slow because the road is bumpy and rough. Once you get to the parking lot, you will see the entrance which is where you will begin the first leg of your journey through the lava fields. All in all you are looking at a 25-30 minute trek but believe me when I say its a totally surreal experience. Walking through the lava fields is beautiful with black riggid rock all around you. Make sure to wear some good comfy shoes - you will thank me later. The lava fields are perfect for taking photos and Adam and I did just that - it was too epic to pass on. Getting to the beach felt long and a bit tough but when we finally got there it was so worth it. When we arrived there was maybe only 20 or so people on the beach (if that) and as soon as I dug my feet into the soft white sand I knew it was going to be one of my favorite spots. The best part about our day as Makalawena was that since the beach only had a slight incline and wasn’t insanely packed with people we had tons of room to play our annual game of family football.

Up to this point I hadn’t really wanted to go into the water - all the beaches we had gone to had big crashing waves and felt a little to crazy for me. I honestly vividly remember on multiple occasions looking out at the water as a big wave was coming in and people were running away, LOL. Yeah… not for me. It wasn’t until we spent a day at Kua Bay Beach that I finally had the urge to really get in and completely submerged myself. The beach was a 35 minute drive outside Kona and had just the right amount of people, not as busy as Magic Sands but not as quiet or crazy to get to as Makalawena. The waves were perfect for boogie boarding and I spent over an hour playing in the water and catching waves. It may of been the people I was with, the fact that I finally felt that it was safe enough to get in the water, or the epic ‘shade fort’ that I built that day, but this beach definitely took top spot in my books.

On Christmas Day, after we had all gotten up and had a nice breakfast together, Louis (Nashlyn’s fiance) suggested we head to Honaunau for snorkeling, and what a brilliant suggestion it was. Two Step (Honaunau) which literally refers to the two rocks that act like steps to help you get in and out of the water easily, is a small popular snorkeling spot about a 30 minute drive from Kuilua-Kona. Not to be confused as a beach, there isn’t really anything else going on here besides some flat rocks and some amazing snorkeling. Still though, having now gone, it’s pretty kick ass and I definitely recommend you add it to your list of things to do while in Kona. When we arrived it was pretty busy but we still managed to claim a spot on the rocks to leave our stuff while we discovered the beautiful underwater world of colorful coral and vibrant schools of fishes native to the area. A perfect way to spend Christmas Day if you ask me.

- Restaurants -

On our last day in Kona and on the way back from Kua Bay beach Adam and I stopped off at a local poké shop called Umekes that Adam’s cousin’s girlfriend Erica had heard about. Up to this point in the trip I had yet to try authentic Hawaiian poké and even though we had plans to have a big family dinner together back at the house, I needed to make this experience happen. As soon as we stepped inside I knew it was going to be good. The place was packed and the lineup was pretty much out the door. The poke was a little on the expensive side ($15) but they gave you a big, delicious helping and it was totally worth the chance to have a true Hawaiian poké experience. The only thing that I would say was a down fall to this place is that there isn’t much ambiance and it’s definitely not a place you would sit down and enjoy a meal. The only ‘seating’ you will find are some benches outside in the plaza where its located, but at least there’s free parking....

Since we were such a big group, it was usually easier and less expensive for us to just take turns cooking dinner at the house, but the one night we did go out as a group for dinner we went to Kona Brewery and Pub. The boys had been drinking a lot of Kona Brewery beer up to this point in the trip and Adam’s cousing Leiland had taken his girlfriend to their pub on her birthday for a little solo date night. When they got back to the house Leiland reported that their pizzas were amazing, and I think that’s all the real convincing it took to seal the deal haha. The restaurant is super casual and was easily able to accommodate all of is. We ended up sitting outside enjoying freshly made pizzas and cold brews before hitting up some bars in downtown Kona - a great start to an evening out.

Having arrived in Kona a couple days after Adam’s cousins, we had some catching up to do. They had already ventured to the other side of the island to see Volcano park and check out Hilo, but we were still due for that adventure. The drive from Kona to Hilo takes about 1.5-2 hours and with sightseeing/hiking and visiting Volcano Park its a full day activity. If you are up for it though, I definitely recommend stopping off for some cocktails and delicious island fare at Pineapples while in Hilo. I had their fish tacos which were amazing and tried a glass of their sangria, a perfect blend of wine and fresh tropical fruit. Adam’s cousin who was going crazy for Mai Tai’s said the one she had at Pineapples was the best she had on the entire island. The restaurant itself is an open-air concept and features a lineup of local musicians Tuesday through Sunday. The place was pretty busy when we arrived but the food, service, and vibe was great and worth the 20-minute wait.

- Nightlife -

On our first night in Kona, Adam and I joined his cousin and girlfriend for a night out exploring the town. None of us had any idea of what downtown Kona had to offer in terms of nightlife and only after walking down the main strip did we hear echoes of live music coming from a second floor bar. Enter Gertrude’s Jazz Bar, a fun cocktail bar with panoramic views of the ocean, and live music nightly. On that particular night we stumbled into the last set of a family band called ‘The Lucky Tongue’ and although it was the sound of their music that initially drew us in, it wasn’t till we settled in and ordered a drink at the bar that our heads cranked back around to see where the great music was coming from. They were captivating - dressed in vintage 70’s bell bottoms and played classic rock covers from The Guess Who, Billy Idol, and The Mamas & the Papas - it was amazing! We had so much fun we ended up staying there the entire night and completely took over the dance floor singing and dancing to all the songs. 

After our first day at Magic Sands the entire Christmas crew took over Huggo’s On The Rocks for happy hour (3-5PM daily) and to watch the sunset. Huggo’s, as it is fondly referred to by locals, is a casual ‘toes in the sand’ restaurant that gives you the illusion of being at a beach bar while enjoying ocean front views. The food was okay but we stayed mostly for the drinks and live music. We ended up coming back to Huggo’s on the Sunday night because Lucky Tongue was playing again and we wanted to catch more of their set since we only got to hear a couple of songs at Gertrude’s a couple days earlier. If you are looking to spend a night out in downtown Kona, Huggo’s On The Rocks makes a great starting point (they close at 10PM during the week and 11PM on weekends) because it’s close to the main restaurant strip in Kona and you can easily walk to other spots.

- MORE PHOTOS FROM THE TRIP -

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THE ULTIMATE TRAVEL GUIDE TO CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA

One of the many beautiful door ways in Cartagena, Colombia

If you are lucky you will one day find a place that fills you with wonder and happiness. A place that presents beauty around every new corner, can inspire you, and can make you feel a connection. For me, this place was Cartagena, Colombia.

Located on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, Cartagena is truly Colombia’s hidden jewel. It is a vibrant city full of colonial history, beautiful architecture, and warm, friendly people. It is a city that can both charm and surprise you. A place that feels so real, so well preserved, and so authentic to its history and culture. It is a place that I dreamed for many years to one day visit, but no matter how much research or prep I did prior to going, I could never of imagined how truly beautiful and wonderful my experience would be.

This past October I spent four amazing days in Cartagena with Copa Airlines and wished I could of stayed on longer. If you are planning a trip to Cartagena, I am both super jealous and excited for you! If I ever have the opportunity to organize and curate a trip back with a group of my friends, here is a list of places, activities, and restaurants that I discovered and would want to share with them.

Things To Do In Cartagena, Colombia

Entrance to The Walled City

The Walled City (or the Old City) - One of the most beautiful and historic parts of Cartagena is the walled city (essentially a city within the city). During the colonial era a wall was built around the wealthy area of the city to protect the homes of Spanish aristocrats and wealthy businessman from Caribbean pirates. Today the wall still stands and is an important symbol of not just the city but of the entire country. Most of the architecture in the walled city has been well preserved or restored and features bright colourful building facades with large beautiful doors and sprawling bougainvillea trees. It is completely walkable, pedestrian-friendly and is where you will find some of the most beautiful boutique hotels, restaurants, and shops.

If you can afford to stay in one of the many beautiful boutique hotels located in the walled city I definitely recommend it. If you can not, I would still try and jump on a walking tour or take time over the course of you trip to explore and hang out in the area. If you are a photography lover there are endless opportunities to capture beautiful photos in this area and you will absolutely love it!

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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

Getsemani Neighbourhood - Once a predominantly poor neighbourhood, Getsemani was the epicentre for the Colombian independent revolution in Cartagena. Today it is known as the trendy, bohemian part of town where you can find lots of hostels, bars, cafes, and young people hanging out. Located only a ten minute walk from the Walled City, the Gatsemani neighbourhood also features numerous beautiful, vibrant, murals that add further charm to the area. Since the area is both smaller and cheaper than the walled city, it is a perfect option for those money conscious travellers.

Cartagena Restaurants

While not entirely sure what to expect, the quality of dining options in Cartagena was definitely a pleasant surprise for me. Since the city is located on the Caribbean coast menus are full of fresh seafood options as well as meat, but prices for delicious, creatively executed dishes felt quiet reasonable.

Carmen - this was the first restaurant we went to during our four days in Cartagena and it may have spoiled me in terms of setting the bar for all other dining experiences while in town. The restaurant itself had beautiful tile floors, a small outside courtyards with tables and chairs, an enclosed bar area, and another enclosed and air conditioned seating area (a refuge for us from Cartagena’s heat and humidity). The restaurant offered contemporary cuisine inspired by local flavours, executed using modern preparations. The meal we had here was unbelievable and the presentation was amazing. If you are looking for a truly elevated dining experience while in Cartagena - this is it! After lunch I read over the menu once more and noticed that a five course tasting menu was available with wine pairing for the equivalent of approximately $110 CAD! For the quality of food and service you are getting that felt like a steal!

Restaurante Candé - Although Carmen was an amazing meal my favourite dish while in Cartagena was actually at a restaurant called Candé. Like Carmen, the cuisine at the restaurant was inspired by traditional Colombian flavours and both the service and presentation were amazing. Here I had the fresh fish cooked in coconut milk and served on a bed of veggies, which was so delicious I couldn’t stop eating it even after I was already full.

Alquimico - While in Cartagena I went out to a bar in the walled city called Alquimico that made delicious cocktails. I absolutely loved the vibe here and they had a DJ spinning everything from Calvin Harris to Lauren Hill. The bar spans over three floors with a rooftop patio at the very top. If you are looking for a cool place to go out at night where both visiting and local young professionals hang out - this is it! I will definitely be taking my friends here when we go, it’s just that cool.

Amazing Hotels In Cartagena

Rooftop Cabana’s at Tcherassi Hotel and Spa

Tcherassi Hotel and Spa - I had the pleasure of staying at this beautiful boutique hotel and spa for the first couple nights of my trip in Cartagena and absolute loved it. Located in a restored colonial building within Cartagena’s walled city the hotel is owned and designed by famous Colombian clothing designer Silvia Tcherasii. Tcherassi Hotel and Spa perfectly combines casual luxury and modern design together to create a beautiful, bright and spacious 42 room boutique hotel. I absolutely loved staying here and I totally recommend it to anyone looking for contemporary accommodations while in Cartagena. The hotel also has a great rooftop pool with a handful of cabanas as well as a bar and restaurant area - all of which offer incredible views of the city, so make sure to check those out. Also breakfast is complimentary with your stay making it even more worth the price tag (starts around $230 CAD a night for a Superior Room).

Hotel Casa San Agustin - On my final night in Cartagena I moved to another hotel called Hotel Casa San Agustin that was actually jaw-droppingly beautiful! Also located in the heart of the walled city this boutique hotel is the ultimate place to stay for those looking for luxury accommodations while in Cartagena. The hotel spread across three exquisitely restored 17th century Colonial homes and is comprised of only 31 rooms. The hotel has a Hammam Spa on site and offers complimentary bicycles, mini bar (replenished daily), breakfast, and cocktails and coffee in the library every day. My room was large and decorated in an authentic Colombian style, which being able to experience even for just one night, made me fall further in love with Colombia, its culture, and all it’s charm. Room rates start at around $500 CAD a night which seems like a pretty hefty price tag if you are travelling solo, but if you are going with a group of 4-5 people you can get a suite for $800-900 CAD a night which can be a more palatable alternative.

Things To Try in Cartagena

Coffee Tasting - Colombia is a huge exporter of Coffee which is why when you are visiting Cartagena (or really anywhere in Colombia) you HAVE TO do a coffee tasting. I did a tasting at Cafe San Alberto which is a satellite store front and cafe for the San Alberto coffee farm located in Buenavista, in the Quindío province of Colombia. During the 40 minute coffee tasting I learned about Colombia’s coffee regions, growing cycle, different coffee taste profiles, and brewing methods. Coffee tastings at Cafe San Alberto cost approximately $50 CAD per person and was definitely a culture experience I was happy I did not skip out on.

Salsa Dancing - One of the funnest activities I did while in Cartagena was Salsa dancing! I am not an experienced dancer but doing a 90 minute beginners class at Crazy Salsa was so fun and went by so fast! They have drop-in classes (schedule available online) for a variety of dances, available at all different levels, and intro classes start at the equivalent of only $11 CAD. The dance studio can accommodate up to 20 people in the largest room, but if you are a beginner looking for a more private lesson or travelling with a group of people, they offer packages to easily accommodated your group’s needs and/or individual skill level.

Sailing - Since you are on the Caribbean coast, getting out on the water is a must. While there we took a boat to checking out one of the islands off the coast of Cartagena called Baru and it was so nice to be on the water. Sunset Sailing Cartagena is a boat rental company I got to experience while in Cartagena and they offer everything from day tours to weekly rentals on beautiful sail boats.

Flying to Cartagena

With flights out of both Montreal Trudeau and Toronto Pearson, Copa Airlines makes travelling to South America easy and affordable for Canadians. I flew Copa Airlines to Colombia via Toronto Pearson and thoroughly enjoyed my inflight experience. The staff were friendly, the plane was on time, the seats were big and comfortable, and the food that was served was actually really good! The best part about flying with Copa Airlines though is their ‘24-hour layover in Panama’ offer that is available at no extra cost - an offer I completely took them up on. If like me, you are interested in visiting not just one but two countries on your next trip to South America, this is the perfect bonus offer for you. Panama has some beautifully renovated boutique hotels and I definitely recommend checking out the old city - a perfectly walkable area with lots of cafe’s, stores and restaurants to keep you entertained during your quick 24 hours visit.

Lady dancing outside the entrance to The Walled City, Cartagena

One thing I am also very happy to report is that Cartagena is very LGBT friendly. If you are traveling with friends who are gay, there are gay bars scattered throughout the city of Cartagena.

In terms of safety, I never felt scared, or threatened, or unsafe while in Cartagena in any way, even at night while out partying.

If you have any questions regarding my trip, please feel free to hit me up in the comment section below. If you are heading to Colombia I hope you have an amazing time and I’d love to hear your feedback on any of the experiences/places I recommend if you do end up trying them yourself! Safe travels!

LOOKING FOR A GREAT SUN DESTINATION? CHECK OUT THESE OTHER TRAVEL GUIDES!

Additional Photos From My Trip

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A GUIDE TO NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, SPONSORED BY BUICK CANADA

Check out my sweet ride! The Buick Encore!

Check out my sweet ride! The Buick Encore!

At the beginning of the summer, I made a pact with myself to explore and promote as much of my home province as I could. I distinctly remember as the days started to get longer and the warm weather returned, having an epiphany and kicking myself because of how little I have written and promoted this beautiful place I call home. Even though I travel all over the world for work, have explored many different countries, I still walk away from those experiences feeling like Canada doesn’t get enough credit - and it’s true! There is so much to see and do in this beautiful country and I will be the first to admit I take my proximity to so many amazing destinations in Ontario for granted. You don’t need to book two weeks off from work and spend three months of savings to have a great getaway, you can drive there on a weekend in an hour and a half - and that’s exactly what Krystle and I did!

We knew off the bat that planning a road trip to Beamsville and Niagara-On-The-Lake wouldn’t be complete without a couple key essentials: 1) a Winemakers Selections Tasting Pass; 2) a reservation at Kitchen 76; 3) a cute place to stay for the night; and 4) the perfect vehicle to get us there. Thankfully getting these items in order was a breeze and before you could say ‘Happy 30th VQA’ we were hitting the road in our Buick Encore.

A quick stop in the cute town of Jordan, ON on our way to Niagara-On-The-Lake

A quick stop in the cute town of Jordan, ON on our way to Niagara-On-The-Lake

Now before I dive into the amazing adventure that ensued there are a couple things about this vehicle that I need to point out because frankly they completely elevated our entire weekend. Having never driven a Buick Encore before I was surprised right off-the-bat at how spacious the compact SUV was. Krystle and I are known to travel with way too much stuff (content creation props, outfit changes, computer and camera equipment, etc.) and the Buick Encore accommodated us perfectly. That said it was actually the keyless entry feature that was the lifesaver! If I had my hands full – say with luggage or purchases – I didn't have to put my stuff down and search through my purse to find the keys to unlock the vehicle door. As long as I had the keys on me the car would unlock at the press of a button on the door handle - it was that easy! Also, being unfamiliar with the area, the ‘real time traffic’ data available through the navigation system along with the 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot (which can connect up to 7 devices) made traveling in rural, unfamiliar territory so easy. We never had to worry about being stuck in traffic or getting lost, which made sticking to our fun filled weekend plans even easier! There were also a couple extra bonus features like the heated steering wheel, which definitely came in handy (pun intended) on the last day when the temperature dropped, and safety features like the back up camera, blind spot alert, and forward collision alert that gave us that extra cushion of comfort and made driving the Buick Encore a dream.

It was a beautiful day to walk around the town of Niagra-On-The-Lake!

It was a beautiful day to walk around the town of Niagra-On-The-Lake!

Circling back to our Niagara and Beamsville road trip, Krystle and I were warriors when it came to ticking things off our ‘to see/do’ list. Although all the places we visited were amazing and a lot of fun there were a few special places that really rose to the top for me. So without further ado - here is a list of things to do in Niagara On The Lake!

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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

Niagara On The Lake Wineries

Krystle (@DineAndFash) and I living our best lives in the Buick Encore! A quick stop for a photo at Peninsula Ridge Winery!

Krystle (@DineAndFash) and I living our best lives in the Buick Encore! A quick stop for a photo at Peninsula Ridge Winery!

With our Winemakers Selections Pass ($25 + Tax) Krystle and I were able to get a tasting at numerous wineries including a couple of the ones I am going to list below (I will indicate them with a ‘*’). The pass gets you one tasting at each winery and the head winemaker at each vineyard has selected the wine you get to taste. Krystle and I didn’t have time to hit even a fraction of the wineries that were on the list because we were on bikes while visiting the participating wineries and part of the fun for us is also creating content along the way (which as you can imagine also slows our pace down significantly). That said the pass is still a great option to consider.

*Although I am promoting getting the Wine Makers Selection Pass and visiting niagara on the lake wineries I do not condone drinking and driving. Krystle and I made sure to visit the majority of the niagara on the lake wineries while on bike and in the instances we were driving, one of us was appointed the designated driver for the day and abstained from consuming ANY alcohol what so ever.

Tasting room at Angels Gate Winery!

Tasting room at Angels Gate Winery!

Angels Gate (Beamsville) - Of course my favourite Ontario winery made the list! Not going to lie, I usually buy three or four bottles of their Pinot Gris ($14.99 + Tax) from the LCBO at a time (it’s a staple in my house), and visiting the winery just made my love for their wine grow even stronger. Visiting Angels Gate also gave me a chance to try wines that aren’t available at the LCBO and walk away with some new bottles. The winery itself has only been around for about 20 years (the first grapes were planted in 1999, production started in 2000, and the winery only opened on 2002), but they have already carved out a name for themselves among VQA wineries having won numerous awards already.

Made it to Reif Estate Winery in Niagara-On-The-Lake!

Made it to Reif Estate Winery in Niagara-On-The-Lake!

*Reif Estate Winery (NOTL) - Reif Estate Winery is one of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s founding family wineries and has been in operation for almost 40 years. A very popular pick (there was literally a bus load of people that showed up while we were there) and still family owned, Reif is notable for their delicious full-bodied reds. It came as no surprise then when our ‘Winemakers Selection’ tasting was just that. Surrounding the tasting room is a beautiful fountain and garden with lots of chairs so you can bring a picnic and enjoy a bottle outside. There is also a large old Victorian mansion on the property that has been converted to a bed and breakfast, making this winery a NOTL heritage beauty you don’t want to miss.

Checking out the Grand Victorian Bed and Breakfast next door to Reif Estate Winery

Checking out the Grand Victorian Bed and Breakfast next door to Reif Estate Winery

*Stratus Vineyards (NOTL) - I had never been to Stratus Vineyard until this adventure, but had seen pictures of its big, gorgeous, modern tasting room with massive windows and a great patio. I had heard they throw some really great parties during harvest and take a more scientific approach to wine production by incorporating gravity flow methods. What I didn’t know was how amazing their wines were, how they are a LEED certified winery, and how they are committed to producing sustainable and outstanding wines. At Stratus it’s about quality over quantity and that really shines through in everything they do. This winery not only makes amazing wines that I would happily enjoy drinking, but also exceeded my expectations in innovation and sustainability in every way.

Stratus Vineyards tasting room! Time to get our tasting on!

Stratus Vineyards tasting room! Time to get our tasting on!

Two Sisters Vineyards (NOTL) – Talk about being transported into another time and place. To me, Two Sisters Vinery is NOTL’s adult version of a Disney fairytale land. Once you pass through the gates of the property a long road lined with trees and rows of vines leads you to a large building resembling a mansion which houses their amazing restaurant Kitchen 76 and tasting room. Everything about this winery feels super opulent and magical. They have a grand terrace in the back with lots of outdoor seating where people can spend the afternoon drinking exquisite wine and feeling like the Lords and Ladies of the vine-lands below.

We made it to Two Sisters Vineyards - NOTL’s adult version of Disney Land!

We made it to Two Sisters Vineyards - NOTL’s adult version of Disney Land!

Local Distilleries

Tasting room at Dillion’s Small Batch Distillers

Tasting room at Dillion’s Small Batch Distillers

Dillion’s Small Batch Distillers (Beamsville) - This small batch Gin distillery was born out of necessity for Geoff Dillion (Distiller) and has the cutest love story. Geoff who was desperate to marry founder Gary Huggins’ daughter, was only going to be accepted into the family if he made a name for himself, thus Dillion’s Small Batch Distillery was born! With the help of Geoff’s father Peter, an engineer and spirit lover, they started producing some great gin using quality ingredients found only in Niagara and scaled the business quickly. If you aren’t really a gin person like myself, no need to worry. They are producing more than just gin these days and also offer tasting of their Limoncello, Rye Whisky, Peach Schnapps (which I grabbed), Vodka, and a variety of flavoured gins. They also started making pre-bottled Negroni’s and a variety of bitters, all of which are on display and available to try in their tasting room (which is also très mignon by the way).

Niagara On The Lake Restaurants

Loitering outside Tide and Vine Sandwich Shop in the town of Niagara-On-The-Lake.

Loitering outside Tide and Vine Sandwich Shop in the town of Niagara-On-The-Lake.

When it comes to Niagara on the lake restaurants, many of them, especially those with patios, seem to be a bit of a tourist trap in the summer. Not only are the restaurants usually super packed making it hard to get a table, but the food itself is over priced. With that being said we did find two places, one sandwich place that was great for dining on a budget and a winery restaurant that offered phenomenal food, ambiance and wine!

Tide and Vine Sandwich Shop (NOTL) - Krystle and I just happened to walk by this cute sandwich shop in NOTL and literally stopped in our tracks. It was a small, cute, sea foam green, casual shop with a couple seats and a cute bench nook by the window that we quickly occupied. Feeling a little hungry I was keen on trying their food and since you could opt into having any of the sandwiches made into a salad, I did just that. In the end the food was really good, the place was super cute and compared to all the other overpriced ‘tourist trap’ restaurants on the NOTL town strip, this one’s cute east coast vibe really jived with me.

Kitchen 76 at Two Sisters Vineyards (NOTL) - When Krystle told me about the wood burning pizza oven at Kitchen 76 I was automatically sold. When we arrived I was taken back at how grand the entire estate and winery was, but once we sat done for our late lunch in the restaurant and actually got to experience the food, I knew this was going to have to be on my list. Our meal was hands down the best we had our entire time in Niagara and the restaurant felt so cozy with its massive fire place and large windows, which provided a view of the terrace and vineyard in the distance. The pizza here was of course amazing but I would be doing you a disservice if I didn’t also recommend their burrata and orecchiette.

Things To Do in Niagara On The Lake

Krystle and I got our bikes from Grape Escape! They were so great!

Krystle and I got our bikes from Grape Escape! They were so great!

Grape Escape Wine Tours – By now it should come as no surprise that this bicycle tour and rental company is another family run and owned establishment in Niagara-On-The-Lake. We got to meet Richard Mell, the owner’s son, when we came in to grab our bikes and he was very accommodating in helping us plan a route for our skill level and time requirements. He also adjusted the bike to our measurements and provided helmets so we didn’t have to worry about bringing our own. I actually really enjoyed experiencing the area via bike and since the shop was located very close to 3-4 wineries you really don’t need to bike far to start enjoying yourself. Richard also mentioned that wine tours were available and they do provide group tours however they are known to run out of bikes (they had around 200 bikes) on weekends so it is important to make a reservation ahead of time. If you are looking for things to do in Niagara on the lake, renting a bike or joining a tour is a great way to get in a lot of wine tasting in Niagara on the lake.

Had such a great time this weekend in the Buick Encore!


Unfortunately this time around I don’t have any recommended accommodations for you. I would never recommend a place to you that I have never stayed at and even though there were a lot of cute looking Niagara on the lake accommodation, the place Krystle and I stayed was going through renovations and updates and just didn’t hit the mark. That being said I wouldn’t recommend staying there until the updates and renovations are over. For now it felt a little too expensive for the value you were getting as well as a little far from things to do in niagara on the lake on the downtown strip for my liking. Next time I will look at something more closer/in town and come back to provide you with a solid recommendation.

Thanks for following along on Krystle and I’s adventure to NOTL! If you have any questions or recommendations for hings to do in Niagara on the lake, Niagara on the lake wineries or Niagara on the lake restaurants, please feel free to leave them in the comments below and share about your experience

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