Great Subscription Boxes for Travelers

You all know how much I love subscription boxes.  I do a little happy dance when I get to my mailbox and see a mysterious package in there. Each box feels like a gift you can unwrap and enjoy each month or each quarter, so it is the gift that keeps giving.  I recently had the pleasure of experiencing three boxes that I fell in love with.

Take a peek at these 3 subscription boxes that make great gifts for travelers…

EXPLORE LOCAL BOX

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WHY TRAVELERS WILL LOVE THIS SUBSCRIPTION BOX

One of the most important reasons to travel is to learn about the culture of the area.  Most of us would love to see more states, but we don’t have the time or funds to hop around the country.  Explore Local Box lets you “travel” around the country without leaving your home. It’s great that you get to learn about the artisans and small business owners who creates them.  The box also comes with a card that tells you lots of facts about the city, lets you know why the state is important, and what a tourist can do there.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX?

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Product Roundup: November

As the holidays approach, I wanted to share three products that I tested out last month and I think are really great.  I brought all of these items to Barcelona, Spain last month so I could tell you all about traveling with them. Enjoy the November Product Roundup!

Arcopedico Shoe: VEGAS

WHY TRAVELERS WILL LOVE THEM:

Arcopedico makes the best shoes for travel because they have a twin arch support system that allows you to spend lots of time on your feet.  I wore these shoes when I was walking around Barcelona and my feet never hurt at the end of the day.  They are even comfortable on cobblestone streets.

WHAT ELSE I LOVE ABOUT THEM:

They are lined with a soft interior so you don’t even have to wear socks with them.  You can use these shoes with casual clothes and can also dress up an outfit with them, so you can pack less shoes. They are easy to take off when going through security, and are light weight so I can throw them in my travel bag.

COST:

$145

WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFO? https://arcopedicousa.com/

GIVE THEM A FOLLOW!

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ArcopedicoUSA/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/arcopedicousa/

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Blog Collaboration on HuffPost

Hey everyone!  Check out this HuffPost article written by Caroline Bologna, that I contributed to.

How to Travel with Friends on Different Budgets

Enjoy!!!

5 Best Things to Do in Jamaica with Kids

Photo Credit: Kimberly of Stuffed Suitcases

Last Christmas, we decided to leave our freezing town in New England and head to the gorgeous island of Jamaica.  It was the perfect place to have some fun in the sun and create some memories together.  The island has powder white sand and crystal-clear water. The best thing about the island are the wonderful, kind locals that want to share their love of Jamaica with you.  So, what can you do with your family while you’re there? Here are five of the best things to do with kids in Jamaica.

Mystic Mountain

This outdoor park offers families the chance to do a few different adventures while visiting. All guests start their adventure with a ride 700 feet up the mountain aboard the sky explorer chair lift. Along the way you’ll coast over a forest and get a gorgeous view of the Caribbean Sea and the Ocho Rios cruise port.

 

One of the most popular attractions on the mountain is the bobsled. You’ll sit into a specially made bobsled and hold on as it plunges through 3280 feet of twists and turns down the mountain. Head back up the mountain to try out the zipline tour that sends you flying along five ziplines through the forest. Keep in mind that kids need to be 48 inches tall for the bobsleds and 6 years old for the ziplines.

At the top of the mountain kids can tackle the new ropes course, Annancy’s Web, or try to climb to the top of Reggae Rock. And if you’re looking for some relaxation, they have an infinity pool and waterslide, that look out over the sea and Ocho Rios.  It is the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation!

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Exploring the Gothic Quarters in Barcelona

My absolute favorite thing we did in Barcelona, Spain, was exploring the Gothic Quarters.  The architecture and ambiance will make you feel transported back in time. As you stroll through the maze of cobblestone streets, stop to do some shopping, have a cocktail, eat some tapas, and of course…people watching!  It is an absolute must when visiting the city and have your camera out because there are endless photo opportunities!

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10 Tips for Visiting La Boqueria in Barcelona

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If you want a delicious place to learn about the culture and cuisine of Barcelona, head on over to the famous La Boqueria, located off Las Ramblas, and be prepared for all your senses to go into overdrive! As you pass through the iron entrance, you will head into a world full of tempting aromas, colorful treats, and mouthwatering sights.  I would recommend coming with an empty stomach because there is lots to experience.  I admit that it can be a bit overwhelming, so here are 10 tips for visiting La Boqueria.

GET AN EARLY START

The market draws a crowd every day, so if possible, head there early to avoid the mobs of tourists that show up at around 11:00.  The market is open from 8:00 am until 8:30 pm, Monday through Saturday.  It is closed on Sundays.  Some people suggest going later in the day, but I think the vendors are sometimes too busy cleaning up and putting things away that they will not pay much attention to you.  Early morning is best!

LOOK FOR THE BEST PRICE

Don’t buy the first thing you see.  Lots of vendors sell the same items and there can be a big price difference.  Walk around the market and look for the best quality and the best value before buying something.

DON’T SHOP AT THE FRONT OF THE MARKET

Vendors at the front of the market have a higher rent than those in the back, so they will most likely sell their food at a higher price.  Head deeper inside to find a good deal.

BE POLITE TO VENDORS

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Ultimate Gifts for Teenage Girls

Christmas is the time for giving, so let me help you cross some items off your list!  The holiday season can be hectic, so I’ve come to love the ease of online shopping! I can put on my favorite PJ’s, pour a glass of wine, sit by the fire, and avoid the mobs of people at the mall. Here are Ultimate Gifts for Teenage Girls.

First up are the teen girls in your life.

Are you wondering what is popular with teenage girls for Christmas gifts this year?  They can be tough to shop for, but these items may be the perfect presents to put under your tree.  Here are 15 ultimate gifts for your tween/teenage girl.  Each one was approved by my girls!

Happy Shopping!

15 Perfect Gifts for the Teen Girl that Loves Travel:

PORTABLE SPEAKER:

Teens love their music and now they can bring it anywhere with this portable speaker.  It  uses a wireless, easy-to-connect Bluetooth.  It has crisp, clear sound and the mic can be used with several devices.  Girls will go nuts over the rose-gold color.

 SMARTPHONE LENS by MACTREM:

Most teens take pictures using their phone, and these lenses will let them capture their memories even better.  They connect easily and are perfect for landscapes, detailed close-ups, or unique selfies.  It’s a great value! I want them for myself!!

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Tips About the Cabaret at the Barcelona Edition

One of the best meals we had in Spain was at the Cabaret show at the Barcelona Edition.  This was such a unique way to spend the night eating delicious local cuisine and drinking cava while watching some talented dancers. This sexy show is perfect for a romantic night out!  Read on for tips about the Cabaret Show at the Barcelona Edition, in Spain.

TAKE A PEEK INTO THIS ROMANTIC RESTAURANT…

The Cabaret restaurant is tucked away on the basement floor, and feels like no other restaurant I’ve ever been in.

Dim lighting sets the mood and dark red velvet curtains hang throughout the room and drape around the bar.

THE CHEF’S TASTING MENU IS A MUST!

We had the Chef’s Tasting Menu (100 EUR per person) that consisted of about a 10-course meal (I lost count after a while…lol).

Take a peek at this amazing meal…

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Picasso Museum, A Gem in Barcelona, Spain


The Picasso Museum, which opened in 1963, is another must-see attraction while in Barcelona.  The museum shows the deep connection Picasso had to the city, and you will learn all about what made Picasso one of the most famous artist in history. Let me tell you all about it…

Where is this fabulous building located?

Getting to the museum is a delight, because you will weave through small dark alleyways in a gorgeous section of Barcelona.  The building itself is a work of art, and it fits in well with the Gothic architecture of the city.

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All about museum tickets…

The Picasso Museum is one of the most popular attractions in Barcelona, so I would suggest buying tickets online before you go.  They like to keep crowds to a minimum, so they only allow a certain number of people in at a time. As with most attractions, the tickets are timed and you will need to arrive during your window or you will not be allowed to enter.

 

Ticket costs…

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15 Books that Make the Ultimate Christmas Gift

Christmas is the perfect time to share your favorite stories with friends and family.  Maybe it’s the former language arts teacher in me talking, but I think there’s nothing better than getting lost in a good book.   My favorite moments during summer are afternoons spent with the girls on the hammock as we each get lost in our own chapters. Looking for a good book for someone this Christmas?  Look no farther than this list of 15 books that make the ultimate Christmas gift. These books are full of characters you wish you could meet, lives you’re thankful you didn’t live, and endings that wish would never come.  Pick some up as gifts or as a gift for yourself that you can enjoy after the craziness of this holiday season.

Enjoy!  Happy shopping!!

Where the Crawdads Sing

By: Delia Owens

Where the Crawdads Sing: For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So, in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life – until the unthinkable happens. Click link to purchase.

That Night

By: Chevy Stevens

That Night: Toni Murphy was eighteen when she and her boyfriend, Ryan, were wrongly convicted of the murder of her younger sister. Now she is thirty-four and back in her hometown, working every day to forge and adjust to a new life on the outside. She’s doing everything in her power to avoid violating her parole and going back to prison. But nothing is making that easy – not Ryan, who is convinced he can figure out the truth; not her mother, who clearly doubts Toni’s innocence; and certainly not the group of women who made Toni’s life miserable in high school and who may have darker secrets than anyone realizes. Before Toni can truly move on, she must risk everything to find out the truth and clear her name. Click link to purchase.

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