Travel

Maui- All I Dreamed It Would Be & More.

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I don’t even know where to begin. This trip had been planned and canceled so many times over the pandemic that I could hardly believe it was here. Covid took me out 5 days before we were supposed to leave so we re-planned it for September for our 10 year anniversary. 

There is truly no where else I have been quite like Hawaii. The diversity in the climate and the variety in the landscape is an out of this world experience. I remember saying multiple times on the trip that I felt like I was in a movie. I have been to a lot of gorgeous places and while they all have their own beauty, this was by far the most surreal. 

Arriving in Maui was like a dream; the airport is quaint and reminded me of the 70’s. The luggage pickup is an open air outdoor area and from there the cutest trolley picks you up to take you to the car rentals.  

Due to the pandemic, I had plenty of time to plan this trip out so check out my favorite spots to eat/drink, stay, how to save some $$, and things to see/do!

Short and sweet tip: Shoulder season in Hawaii is in fall and spring meaning cheap prices and less crowds. 

The early spring allows opportunities to see the whales migrate and bigger surf while September allows for calmer surf and better snorkeling.  Late October in Maui can lead to bigger crowds so consider this if you want a quieter vacation. In September/early October, I didn’t find anywhere overly crowded—post pandemic travel has been full of crowds so it was a breath of fresh air. 

Maui has so much natural beauty to offer that doesn’t cost a dime to see. Consider staying at an airbnb to cook some a few meals; we chose breakfast-it’s easy and allows for quick mornings on the go. Buy a 6 pack and watch the sunset vs. fancy dinner/drinks on the water, jump in your car and drive the coast, etc. Find happy hours, utilize food trucks, etc.

We splurged in certain areas like the flight home for extra leg room and a few fancy dinners but choose what works for your budget- some planning goes a long way! 

How Long to Stay:

At least 12 days if you live on the East coast! We like to stay busy and most days were packed from 7 am until dinner. If you don’t like life in the fast lane, you may want to stay longer. My suggestion is to plan your must-sees and go from there to figure out how long you’ll need-my list was long 🙂 

Traveling between islands does take up some time due especially if you happen to run into a delay like we did– Luckily, they alerted us before we left for the airport so we hung out in Maui a little longer-there are worse places to get stuck. 

Short and sweet tip- most breakfast spots don’t open until 7 or 8 on Front Street so if you are an early riser, you may want to hit up Foodland for some grub to hold you over.  

Where To Stay:

Depends greatly on the vibe you want and your price range. We stayed in downtown Lahaina- the beach, shops, restaurants, bars, tours, Luaus etc are all within walking distance or a VERY short uber drive if you stay near Front Street. It is a small, local town vibe.If you are looking for a fancy resort like you see in the movies, then you will want to stay in Kannapali. Hotel chains line the beach, high end shopping,  fancy restaurants, golf courses, etc. We visited the Sheraton to see Black Rock (a popular spot to cliff jump) and it was a work of art. You cannot go wrong with either option but if you want more of a local feel, I would opt for Lahaina and save the resort stay for a place where you don’t want to leave the resort- like Mexico. 

Do I need a car? 

We rented a car that we ended up using far more than I anticipated. While there is a lot to do in town, it was nice to have a car when we wanted to snorkel in Kaanapali, cruise the road to Hana, and climb to the summit of Haleakala. There are buses but a car saves time and allows you to follow your own schedule. The airport is about a 40 minute drive and while there are shuttles/ubers, roundtrip ends up being around the same amount for a 2 days worth of a car rental. If you want to stay at the resort, no car necessary but if you want to explore, rent a vehicle. 

The Eats:

Down the Hatch- as seen on diners drive ins and dives but it was none of those things. The atmosphere was a tropical paradise situated in the middle of a shopping arena. We went for breakfast and had the loco poco- (it fed both of us for less than $12!) and we ordered the Lahaina sunrise pitcher for a nice morning buzz. Great for late night bites too- it was one of the few places that’s open late on a weeknight in town. I got the shrimp appetizer and it was big enough for me to save for a shrimp omelet the next morning. 

The Plantation House- I booked a reservation for this place about 3 weeks before my trip (books up quickly!) The restaurant is lined with opened windows allowing a cool breeze that works its way through the restaurant. Most of the tables lead to a gorgeous view of mountains and the Pacific in the distance; if you are lucky, you will get a spot right next to the window- I suggest putting this request in your notes when you reserve it. This place was on the pricier side but it was worth the splurge between the views and catch of the day- I had the halibut. Also worth noting that of the many mai tais I had throughout the trip, this one was the best. 

Captain Jacks- a casual, open rooftop spot for dinner. We ordered our first mai tais and seafood here- nothing fancy but big portions and the food was fresh. 

Drift Coffee– We started our day with coffee and chai lattes here after our first morning in Maui when we arose at about 4:45 AM (thanks jetlag) but it was the perfect way to begin our vacation. We sipped our coffees while walking around the quiet, peaceful town with nothing much more than a few roosters roaming the streets ringing in the morning with their cock-a-doodle-doos. We strolled over to the waterfront to watch the early surfers catch a few waves while we sipped our iced beverages, and listened to the waves crash along the rock wall. It was a great way to start our mornings until the rest of the town awoke and breakfast spots began to open. 

Bad ass coffee:  Right on Front Street– they make a great chai latte and sell bags of coffee/chai if you prefer to brew your own in your room 🙂 

Fleetwoods on Front Street- I had to book about 3 weeks in advance but it was well worth it! We opted for happy hour that included food & drinks on the rooftop from 3-5 with views of the ocean on one side and mountains on the other. We were lucky enough to get a corner table with a view of the ocean to our left and the mountains to our right. The BEST poke bowl I had in Hawaii was here! It was so fresh, not fishy, and the handcrafted cocktails paired great with the meal. 

Mountain View
Poke Bowl
Waterfront View

Things To Do:

Old Lahaina Luau-– Book at least 2 months in advance-it’s one of the best! The Luau sat along the shimmering Pacific and took place around sunset for beautiful shades of pink and purple skies.  The beginning of the evening allows for you to walk around to explore the property, get some pictures, and have a pre-dinner cocktail. Next up is a ceremony around the underground oven that houses the main course. The luau serves a 5 course meal with drinks in between each, and entertainment that immerses you in Hawaiian culture. You will put your dancing skills to the test with a short hula lesson and later on a slow dance under the stars. It’s truly a night to remember in Maui. To close the evening, they send you home with a gift which I enjoyed the next morning. Oh and the fresh leis had to be one of my favorite parts! 

Short and sweet tip- If you want to go to Mama’s Fish House-I  think they are currently booking 4+months out. Bar seats are first come first serve but we didn’t luck out-parking lot was packed at 3 PM! 

Haleakala – I was nervous about the windy roads as I do tend to get motion sickness but there was no way I was missing this spot! I wore motion sickness patches and took some Dramamine and no issues! I suggest driving it yourself vs a tour bus if you tend to get motion sickness. The drive itself, while windy, isn’t as scary as I anticipated as there aren’t big cliffs like the road to Hana, it’s just a bunch of volcanic rock lining the road. The views on the way up are breathtaking and there are a couple of places you can stop to really take in the views. 

Short and sweet tip- bring WARM clothes if you are planning to take the journey to the top of the summit. Bring snacks too-there is nothing to eat once you begin your journey upward. Get up there early if you want a spot in the lot closest to the top or else you will be taking about a 15 minute hike to/from the lot. We ended up getting to the lot around 3:30 PM.   

Sunset or Sunrise? We did the sunset so we didn’t have to get up at 2:00 AM and you also don’t need to book in advance like you do with the sunrise. It was about a 45 minute drive from our hotel and another 45 minutes to the top. The sunset was truly magical and like nothing I had ever seen.  Being atop the clouds while you watch the sun sink behind them is breathtaking from atop the volcano.  Once it gets completely dark, the night sky lights up with the most stars I have ever seen. The Milky Way was as clear as day along with a ton of other constellations. Even though I couldn’t identify many (shoulda paid more attention in astrology class),  it was a beautiful, unique experience and only cost the park entry fee of $30.  

Short & sweet tip: If you have time, eat at Kula Lodge (the last place to get food before you begin the summit climb). We went for lunch and the views were absolutely amazing. If we went again, we would probably book a night here for less travel time in order to do the sunrise. 

If you plan to do the sunrise vs. sunset, you will need to purchase your tickets 60 days in advance 7 am HST. They do tend to sell out quickly but if you miss the 60 day mark, there is another chance as they release additional tickets 48 hours in advance.

Road to Hana- We headed out early for the Road to Hana–again, there are guided tours but with my motion sickness, we opted to drive ourselves. You can also purchase the Shaka Guide App for a self-guided tour. We opted to do it on our own and still saw a ton! 

Our stops: 

Papawai Scenic Lookout was our first stop and the views just kept getting better with each stop.

 Paia at the Ho’okipa Lookout- a great place to start and one of many turquoise blue views of the ocean. Mama’s Beach House is located nearby and I can only imagine the views from there. 

Twin Falls- My favorite stop was Twin Falls where we had our first cliff jumping experience! It was a short walk to the watering hole/waterfall. It’ll only cost ya a $10 fee to park. The water was refreshing to take a dip in but also very rocky so enter with caution! 

Short & sweet tip: Bring water shoes for the rocky water falls! 

The Garden of Eden Arboretum ($20 entry fee per person)- a botanical garden where you’ll find  a 100 year old mango tree, wildlife, waterfalls, the Pacific, and views of the rock seen in the opening scene of Jurassic Park- a must for movie buffs! 

Short & sweet- wear good shoes here and not flip flops like me(I wiped out twice on the gravel path in my $1 old navy flops) 

Kaumahina State Wayside Park-black sand beach. we did not make it here as I didn’t realize you needed reservations and there were none available for this day but plan a little ahead and add this to your list because where else can you see a black sand beach?! 

We spent about a half day on Road to Hana and didn’t complete the whole thing but got pretty close-definitely save a whole day and leave early in the AM if you want to complete the entire trip. 

Short and sweet tip- don’t leave any valuables in your car, you’ll see warning signs most places but even if it doesn’t seem like a dangerous area. 

Snorkeling–There wasn’t a ton of snorkeling on the Lahaina beaches due to the rougher surf but there were tours that took you to spots where you could snorkel.

Kannapali– Kaalua bay beach/Napili. I rented snorkel gear and fins for 12.50 for 2 hrs and that was plenty of time. A pretty easy place to snorkel on your own and there were lifeguards. The coral reef was visible as soon as you got in-be careful not to step on it to prevent damage to the coral. We saw a sea turtle, an eel, and beautiful multi-colored fish. It literally looked like Ariel’s grotto in The Little Mermaid. 

Honolua Bay- a remote snorkeling spot. We got up early to make the drive up to the bay to avoid the crowds and find a spot  in the limited parking areas plus there is the chance to see dolphins early on. While we didn’t see dolphins, we weren’t disappointed. The path to the bay is  through a beautiful, tropical forest. Once you arrive, the locals are there monitoring the bay making sure you don’t bring any spray sunscreen and that it is reef safe. It’s a rock beach so bring water shoes as it’s a slippery entrance into the water-think slow and steady. I crab walked my way in—I’m not the most graceful creature. Oh yeah and there is a food truck across the street from the Bay– stop here and get the banana bread- we were lucky enough to get it right out of the oven! 

Short & sweet tip- rent snorkel gear at Boss Frogs for 24 hrs for $12.50. Snorkel conditions are listed in the shop for the day as a bonus if you don’t know where to go 🙂

Well there you have it, 5 days spent in Maui. Please feel free to leave me a comment below- would love to hear from you with any questions/comments or to hear about your experience in Maui!

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Travel

Sanibel Island-No Passport Required.

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So, at this point, y’all probably think all I do is travel to Florida, but there’s a good reason I make the sunshine state my (almost) second home. 

Florida is the closest destination from Philly to offer warm weather and an affordable price tag. Every time I go to a new Florida town, I fall in love with the state all over again. Each stop is unique and has so much to offer.

For my latest trip, my goal was to find a place to decompress after my trip to Hawaii was postponed for the 3rd time. Thanks, covid. It was so expensive to fly anywhere, even states that were closer to Philly, so a big factor that determined my decision was the price for airfare to Ft. Myers, which was less than $300 per person (which is still high, but post-pandemic travel and gas prices are partly to blame there). 

And so my journey to plan a trip to Sanibel began.

I spent my time soaking up the sun, healing my soul, and exploring all the tiny island has to offer.

Sanibel was everything I hoped for and more. It is by no means a party town but instead is a quaint, laid-back beach town with a true island vibe. Everyone was SO friendly there and I don’t think one person passed by us without saying hello. We went before Memorial Day and it was a ghost town; every time we went out to eat there were only a few other people at the restaurant/bar. Apparently, had we chosen to visit a week later, that wouldn’t have been the case. Not surprisingly, according to the locals,  the bridge to get to Sanibel in the summer months is packed with traffic and the island is bustling. If you are looking for a quieter time on the island, then I definitely recommend mid-May. I can’t vouch for other times of the year, but my May visit was nice and quiet. Locals say the winter is a bit busier too, due to travelers looking to escape the winter blues up north.

Getting to and around the Island

We flew into Ft. Myers and took an uber to our hotel. On our way home, our ride kept getting dropped even though we booked the night before, so I’d suggest booking a taxi instead, as I feel they are a bit more reliable. We did end up getting an uber ride to the airport from the island, but the driver told us it tends to be a turn-off for uber drivers to come to Sanibel, since most drivers come from Ft. Myers and it’s a long ride for them. Make sure you leave yourself plenty of time for traffic if you are heading there in the busier months because the bridge can get really backed up. As it turned out, once we arrived and settled in, I didn’t feel the need for a car and we ended up biking or walking everywhere. We also saw people getting around with golf carts, so that’s a fun option too, especially if you visit during the hotter months of the year. If you plan to visit Captiva, the island next to Sanibel, a car would most likely be necessary unless you plan to uber. 

Staying on track with fitness and healthy eating routines: 

It’s important to me to stay on track with my health and fitness while away from home, and Sanibel made it such an easy task. Every restaurant had plenty of health-conscious seafood options, and we biked everywhere, so any vacation weight I may have gained, I biked right off. There are bike paths everywhere, tons of crosswalks, and commuting by bike is a cooler way to move about the island, since you get a nice breeze. Another plus? You also get to your destination quicker.

Thankfully, our hotel had a full kitchen, so I packed a box of Kodiak Cakes in my carry-on for a protein-rich breakfast, and brought some peanut butter in a squeezable, resealable pouch for easy, on-the-go travel. I also went out one morning for breakfast and that kept me full until happy hour time. Staying active and making healthy food choices throughout my visit made it easier to allow myself to indulge without the guilt. Vacation is definitely time to indulge! I’m all about striking a balance, which I’m not always able to achieve when I travel, but with this trip, I did!

Where to Stay

Short and sweet tip: Stay in Sanibel instead of Ft. Myers. It is the cheaper option to stay in Ft. Myers and commute over to the island each day, but during busy season, you will lose a lot of time sitting in traffic.

I stayed on Donax Street because I wanted to be close to the beach, and Palmview Inn advertised a 6 minute walk to the beach. It was a cute inn with cottages—a very small, intimate setting, which I loved. There was an outside grill, chairs to lounge on, and even a hammock. Our room also came with Tommy Bahama beach chairs, an umbrella, and beach towels. I stayed in Clearwater in a small inn last year for the same price and it didn’t include any of these perks, so I definitely think that this place is a steal, especially for only about $215 a night. The room had a bedroom with a large king bed and a separate room with a kitchen, dining table, and pull out couch. There were TVs in both rooms as well. Out front, we had a small porch with a table and Adirondack chairs, which was also covered—definitely loved this, as we watched a storm out here one night and listened to the rain with a drink in hand.

A 5 minute bike (included in your stay) ride down the road from Palmview will lead you to an ice cream shop, market/deli, liquor store, and the Tipsy Turtle, which happens to be one of the only bars/restaurants that stays open late on the island. Cielo is in the same area too if you are looking for a bit of a more modern place for dinner/drinks.

Happy Hour

So I did a lot of the guess work for y’all in regards to happy hours. A lot of places had happy hours on their online website, but when we called to confirm, they stated that they didn’t offer a happy hour. This is a quite common thing I run into post-pandemic, so don’t dock Sanibel points for this one! 🙂 HH is definitely the way to go on the island, since everything seems to die down between 8 and 9pm.

The Blue Giraffe – They have 2 locations. I went to the one on Periwinkle Way, so I cannot vouch for the other location, but this one is near a cute shopping district, so if you want to make a day of it, shop until you drop and then walk on over to happy hour. All the shops close around 6 pm during the week, so keep that in mind. There is an ice cream shop, Pinocchio’s, within the shopping district, that you must save room for after apps/drinks. They are pet friendly too if you are lucky enough to have your furry friend with you. 🙂

The Blue Giraffe
The Blue Giraffe patio

For happy hour, they had a few discounted apps, like nachos, chicken wings, squid, and a few others, as well as discounted beers/specialty cocktails. The patio had umbrellas at the tables to keep you cool and also a TV outside if you want to watch a sporting event. Happy hour is from 4-6.

Tipsy Turtle- Happy Hour from 4-8 with tons of discounted drinks as well as a happy hour food menu. We didn’t make it for happy hour but went for lunch our first day in town and the fish tacos were fresh and paired perfectly with my Mojito.

Cips- Another cute spot with outdoor seating was Cips. They had full meals on their happy hour, not just apps. I had salmon, veggies, and rice, all for $12! They offered $6 apps as well. For happy hour they had specialty cocktails (including a Mojito which is my go-to) martinis/etc. The happy hour was 3-5 for food specials and 3-6 for drinks.

Dinner

We technically only had one dinner while there and that was at The Fish House. I couldn’t go to the Fish House and not get fish, so I tried something new: grouper. It was offered about 4 or 5 different ways on the menu so I figured it must be good, and it was! This place was a bit pricey but the food and portions were good. They offer outdoor seating if that is your thing, like it is mine, but note that on off-season Sundays, it’s closed.

I never go somewhere without an adventure to share, so here is the adventure of the trip: We walked to Donax Street but left after dark. We did try to get an uber back, as it was a long, dark walk back, but our ride kept getting dropped so we decided to brave the wilderness and walk to the inn. It was our first night there before we discovered the wonder of the bikes of Sanibel, so we walked 15-20 minutes by flashlight on the bike path. Not going to lie, it was a bit creepy; it wasn’t lit and I was convinced a snake or alligator was going to sneak up and eat me, but luckily we made it through in one piece with no wildlife encounters (at least that we could see). Sanibel, we were told, is a very safe island in regards to crime, etc., but I’m not sure the wildlife count. 🙂 Moral of the story: if you need to walk/bike, I suggest limiting those activities to the day time hours, as it gets very desolate down near Donax Street. If you stay farther up Periwinkle, it is a bit more populated, so you’ll be fine, but our neck of the woods was pitch black and quiet.

My Go-to Coffee & Ice Cream Spot:

Sanibel Bean- A ton of options for coffee which includes iced coffee- not all coffee shops offered a cold brew so if that is your thing, this place will be your go-to like me. They had food and indoor/outdoor seating as well and the best saying I ever did see in their shop.

Pinnochios- Best. Ice cream. Ever. They have unique flavors, one of them being “Gator Tracks,” and that is exactly what I ordered 🙂  

Things to do:

While it is a small, quaint beach town, we still found a ton to do on our 4 day/3 night trip. Of course, you need to spend some time on the beach and if you stayed where I did, it makes it easy to access and you have all your beach essentials with you.

If you ask me, beach-combing/sea shelling is considered a sport in Sanibel, so hit the beach and bring home some free souvenirs; just make sure there is nothing living in them as live shelling is not allowed. We did this at night to beat the heat and the crowds, plus who doesn’t love the Gulf views at dusk?

The Light House-bike down here and see it up close and personal. There is beach access, picnic benches in the shade, and great views of the main event, the Lighthouse. On your way there or on the way back, stop at The Light House Cafe and get the seafood omelet, so fresh! 

J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife- we also biked here from our place- it was a long, hot bike ride but it was worth it. $1 to get in if you are biking or walking the trail and $10 a car. If you are biking/walking, you have the option of doing a 4 mile vs 8 mile loop- it is one way only so you have to make a decision and no turning back. We oped for the 4 mile bike ride since we had already biked miles to get here. the refuge offers fishing spots, huge lakes, places for you to stop off and read about the wildlife etc, and pathways that lead to more scenic views/wildlife. We saw crabs, snakes (eeek not my favorite), birds, and a few fish as well. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are gators either but we did not encounter any along our journey.  

CROW- Located across the way from the wildlife refuge trail, is an animal hospital that rehabs injured wildlife. For $12 you can walk through and receive a ton of info about the wildlife in Florida and their mission to rehab as many hurt animals as possible. The goal is to release but they do have some full time residents that weren’t able to be fully rehabbed and released back into the wild. CROW offers a behind the scenes tour of the actual animal hospital facility at 11 and 2 that includes a lecture on different topics regarding wildlife. You can look online for their schedule. It was booked up by the time we got there so book in advance if interested and if anyone has been, please let me know how it is as I would love to go back. 

Biking- We spent a lot of our days biking around town. I really enjoyed this part. There are tons of shops, places to stop for food/coffee- so hop on your bike and go exploring! The earlier you start, the better it’ll be if the heat bothers you, esp in the summer months. We found our breakfast place this way- the trails make it easy to get around without having to share the roads with cars. Along the trails there is plenty of wildlife and little plaques with information the wildlife/nature. We saw tiny lizards (which are everywhere), a chipmunk, and an iguana in the treetops on our bike ride all in one day.

Short and sweet tip- It rains almost daily in Florida., The one day it said there was a 20% chance and we got caught in a storm on the way home from dinner. Luckily we made it home before the heavy downpour but just be aware of that. Can’t hurt to pack a poncho just in case! The storms usually don’t last long and it’s an excuse to stop for a drink or some ice cream. 🙂

Have you ever been to Sanibel? I’d love for you to comment below and share your favorite spots! If there is anything else you would like to know or questions that you would like me to answer, please feel free to comment below.

Until my next adventure…

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San Antonio- A Weekend of Huge Margaritas, Caverns, & More :)

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San Antonio was never really top on my travel list but I am so glad I ended up there! My brother does EMT work and was working there for a few months so I decided to go visit with my best friend. We went in mid-February which is a great time to go if you aren’t into the summer heat but are also in need of a break from the cold… which is this girl 100%. 

There is a TON to do in San Antonio and we were on the go non-stop. I’ll fill you in on my favorite spots and things to do in the area 🙂 This trip was taken pre-pandemic FYI.

We flew out of Philly and landed in San Antonio airport. It is small compared to Philly’s airport and very easy to navigate. Our Saturday evening flight to San Antonio was actually pretty empty so that was an added bonus 🙂 The uber ride to out hotel was only about 10-15 minutes- the airport is super close to the heart of town.

Short & Sweet Tip- the TSA does not accept the yellow change of information card at the security checkpoint and if you changed your name and it doesn’t match your boarding pass, it will be a huge issue unless you have two other forms of ID that match that yellow card such as an insurance card/credit card etc. The other option is when you purchase the ticket, use the name that is on your ID.   

Lodging/Location:

Lodging/location: In San Antonio, we stayed at the Hilton Homewood Suites right in the middle of town and a block away from one of the Riverwalk entrances. Our stay included a continental breakfast, and the dining area looked right over the river–providing us with beautiful scenery while we ate breakfast. During the weeknights they also had different free theme nights in the dining area. The night we attended, they had free small appetizers, margaritas, sangria, and draft beer which was really nice. They also had the standard coffee and water sitting out throughout the day in case you needed an afternoon pick me up or to re-hydrate from a long night out. 

Lunch, Dinner, Late Night Eats & drinks 🙂

The Esquire Tavern- known for having the longest bar in Texas and the first place we visited. It was pretty big but we still couldn’t find a seat on a busy Saturday night during Mardi Gras weekend. The restaurant had a very romantic/date night vibe and was very dark inside so if you have issues with night-time seeing, I wouldn’t suggest it–I had to use my phone to light up the menu. I got a burger and a margarita which were really good. The food was on the fancier side and more exotic; nothing too plain on the menu so if you aren’t an adventurous eater, be prepared to try something new.

*Shipley Donuts- This is the go-to place in Texas for a sugar-filled breakfast. We grabbed one one the way out of town because it was highly suggested by a few people when we mentioned we were going to San Antonio.

Merkaba- fun place to grab drinks with an open layout, couches to get comfy, and more live music. They also offer line dancing on Sunday nights- I would love to try this next time I’m in San Antonio. 

*Mash’d- moonshine and great food- what else could you ask for? They had a huge variety of different moonshine cocktails here. They also had a really fun menu from quinoa bowls, to tacos, to burgers, to southern style food. This is about a 20 minute drive from San Antonio but it is in a shopping center with plenty to do so you could make an afternoon out of it. It’s also right by Six Flags.

*These places are not on the Riverwalk

The County Line: love, love, love this place for some southern bbq. It was right on the river so we sat outside for the gorgeous view on a 70 degree day in February. We ordered brisket, mac & cheese, corn bread, and beans along with a margarita because why not? After all, San Antonio is known for their margaritas and when in Rome. It was SO good and I would definitely recommend going there for some really good bbq. 

Views from The County Line Restaurant on the Riverwalk

Late night eats: After closing time at 2 AM one night, we were ready to grub. Very limited options during the week at night but we wound up at The Original Mexican Restaurant. It is 24 hours and on the Riverwalk. We were among 2 people in there, but it was a Sunday night. The menu was pretty big with a ton of different Mexican food options available. They also give you free chips and dip while you await your meal. Their food wasn’t the best Mexican I ever had but it hit the spot at 2 AM.

Things to do:

Sea World- We went here because my brother was working as an EMT there. Typically, I don’t support large animals in captivity but SeaWorld has done a lot to change the way they operate. They do still have whales there but they will be the last generation and Sea World appears to now be more focused on rescuing/rehabbing animals that either can’t live in the wild or who need rehabilitation before they can return. They still have some work to do but are changing so that’s all I can ask for. Sea life absolutely fascinates me. I wanted to be a whale trainer when I was a kid 🙂 The park was empty in February, in the 60s, and we didn’t have to wait in any lines. They only have a few roller coasters but we didn’t wait more than a few minutes to board any of them so that was really nice. We watched the otter show and the whale exploration while we were there and fed the sea otters. It was really amazing to see them so up close and personal.  You can also swim with the dolphins and have other close interactions with other sea life but it was a chillier day in San Antonio so we opted to skip that. 

The Riverwalk: To get to the riverwalk you walk down steps and the river is right there with walkways on both sides. You take steps down to it and it is literally a river that goes through a bunch of restaurants, bars, and shops. During the day they have vendors that sell handmade items if you want to do some shopping. There are a ton of restaurants with a bunch of different cuisines and a lot of the restaurants have happy hours and different specials. We went to Mad Dogs British Pub riverwalk for dinner and I had some southern chicken and waffles for the first time ever and they were absolutely amazing! I definitely would recommend this place. We wanted to sit outside on the river but it was a little chilly so we requested one of the heat lamps they had outside so they brought it over and set it up right next us; they were so nice and super accommodating. The view of the walk lit up at night was so pretty and it was just such a fun atmosphere. Inside, they had a live band playing as well which we went in to listen to after dinner. 

Short & Sweet Tip: at night during the week, it gets pretty desolate after 10 and most of the restaurants close down (at least in the winter months when we were there). We didn’t have any issues but were told by locals to just be careful down at the walk when there are less people around. Also, if you are looking to eat on the later side during the week, just know that your options are limited. There are a few restaurants that you will find and one that is open 24 hours but they are far and few between. 

Take a hike: The next day we went on a 2 mile hike at Government Canyon State Natural Area park; it cost $7 per person to enter. It was an easy trail but it brought you up to the top of a mountain and it had some pretty views. There were a few trails to pick from if you want something a bit more difficult. 

The Alamo: I am not much of a history buff, but we came here for a picture. It seemed wrong not to visit the Alamo while here. We didn’t do a tour or anything but walked by to see what it looked like since it wasn’t far from the Riverwalk.

Natural Bridge Caverns: A unique tour of a underground caverns; not something I would think to do, but it was amazing and well worth the time spent! It cost $40 for a ticket at the door to do the tour of the underground caverns. There is also a maze, rope/zip line course, a few activities for kids such as gem mining, and places to grab food/shop. We only took part in the caverns. The tour took about an hour and fifteen minutes. A tour guide takes you through ¾ of a mile of caverns. Its a comfortable but humid 70 degrees underground. They are just so beautiful and unique so add it to your list 🙂 

Japanese Garden: This place is full of gardens, waterfalls, ponds, and beautiful flowers. 

Riverwalk Boat Tour: We did the basic tour without food and drinks but if you’re feeling fancy, you can take a different tour with food and drinks. There was a place to buy your own wine/beer before you boarded so we brought some along for the ride. The tour guide took you throughout the entire Riverwalk and pointed out all of the important landmarks with the history behind them along the way. It is a great way to fully experience the river and take a lot of great pics. Tickets were $13.50.

The Pearl: An upscale district with hotels, restaurants, and some shopping. During the week We went later in the evening so most places were closed and the restaurant we picked served mostly seafood (which we didn’t realize) which none of us were in the mood for so we just got a drink and moved on to the next place. It is definitely worth checking out though as long as you go earlier and here is a lot to do/see here in regards to shopping and grubbin 🙂 

Short & Sweet tip- it seems like the alcohol policy is pretty relaxed here as far as walking around with a drink as long as it is in a plastic cup/container. They sell wine/beer in cans and as long as you have a can or a plastic cup, most establishments didn’t seem to care that you walked in and out with them. It kind of reminded me of Key West in that regard. I would still be careful, but there were several places that offered to go beers so I think it was permitted–so long as you didn’t get too rowdy. 






All in all, I really liked San Antonio. You can definitely hit most of the major spots in a long weekend as it is a small town.  We also could have done tours of the Alamo, but history just isn’t my thing and taking a picture in front of the Alamo was just as good to me!

			


			

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				Clearwater Beach, FL-sunshine, baseball, & good times :)
			


							

					
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Clearwater was booked with the intention of being budget friendly, a ton of beach time to get a head start on my tan, some spring training baseball, and a place to crash within walking distance of the beach–mission accomplished! I’ll fill you in on some tips and tricks to cut down and costs and share some of my favorite places to grub, drink, and catch a beach sunset. 










I flew Spirit Airlines for the first time because ROUND TRIP was only $60! Now, with Spirit, you do pay for your bags and they only allow for one free personal item; so, I shoved that carry on full of clothes until it could barely zip and wore my bulkier clothes (sweatshirt, sneakers) on the plane. 





Short & sweet tip: If you pre-pay for luggage when you book your flight, it’s cheaper. I paid around $39 for my carry on bag but it would have been $10 more if I waited until later. 





We flew from Philly International into Tampa because that was the cheapest airport to fly into at the time. Clearwater is about a 20-30 minute ride from the Tampa airport but traffic will add some additional time as I believe there is only one way in and one way out and both times we entered the island, there was traffic so just plan accordingly.





The Beach: Clearwater beach is on the Fulf and the difference between the Gulf and Atlantic is significant. The Gulf has beautiful shades of blue water and you can see your feet through it and I definitely prefer it over the East coast.  The beach is free but the beach gear rentals will cost you. 





short & sweet tip: do yourself a favor and buy your own beach chair and umbrellas. They are $25 a piece per day to rent on the beach if you aren’t staying at a fancy hotel on the beach that provides their own.





If you fly into Tampa, buy them before you get into Clearwater beach. Beach towels were 2 for $20 in Clearwater beach at CVS but only 2 for $10 outside of town for reference. When we were done with the chairs and umbrellas at the end of our trip, we gave them to people on the beach who didn’t have them. 





Places to Grub & Grab Drinks: 







My favorite place hands down was Frenchy’s. There are multiple locations but the two we visited were Rockaway which is right on the North beach and Frenchy’s South Beach which is farther down the strip but not right on the beach. I would suggest the Rockaway location. We went straight here from the hotel and it was just what I was looking for after leaving the cold weather behind me. We walked in and could feel the warm ocean breeze and smell the salty air. The tropical, beach vibe at this place just drew me in; I immediately went into vacation mode. The vibe was warm, inviting, and in the distance I could see the crystal blue ocean and white, sandy beach.   The hostess asked us if we wanted to sit outside, a HELL YES, and she offered us the covered patio or the beach where they had tables set up with umbrellas. We picked the covered patio which was perfect. I had a basil berry cooler and fresh Mahi mahi with coconut rice and veggies which was as good as it sounds. A great place to enjoy a tropical drink with some fresh seafood 🙂 







Clearsky Cafe: We came here on a Saturday night and ended up sitting inside since outside was full. There is a GREAT PHOTO-OPP out front in the largest beach chair in Clearwater. They have live music and a quaint outside spot to sit;  you can see the beach from the restaurant so if you’d like to take a nice stroll after a meal, it’s right there 🙂 I finally tried the grouper tacos which is “the food to try” in Clearwater. There is grouper everything! It was good to try but didn’t have a ton of flavor so I could take it or leave it.  This restaurant is also known for their BRUNCH! Every uber driver we rode with suggested it but we did not make it for their famous brunch so if you happen to catch it, let me know if it adds up to the hype! 







Palm Pavilion- This place, like Frenchy’s, is right on the beach. It’s a great view and has an outdoor, covered patio with seating as well as live music 🙂 We went during covid so there was no happy hour but typically they have one from 4-6. Try the GATOR BITES! They taste like popcorn chicken 🙂 












CoCo’s Crush Bar: They sell any flavor crush (fresh fruit and vodka) you could probably think of! Anyway, great drinks, an indoor and outdoor bar, and a cute, beachy feel in a courtyard to hang out in while you enjoy a fresh squeezed spiked drink. It isn’t on the beach though-just a heads up. We walked there from Frenchy’s South Beach. They also have games and some live music some nights so check their website to make sure you catch it!  





Brown Boxer, North Beach location-We went on a Tuesday night and they had $7 burgers with fries, $4 three olive vodka cocktails, and live music. It was very lively and a fun vibe for a Tuesday night. They had indoor and outdoor seating (outdoor was dog friendly!) and two floors.  it was right on the main strip in Clearwater near a lot of other bars and restaurants so it’s easy to find and easy to hop around from here. It’s not on the water but only a block or two away. 





For the BEST place to catch the SUNSET: 





Photo cred: Samantha Koterba 





Jimmy’s crows nest Clearwater beach: This place is a great spot to watch the SUNSET! It’s atop Pier House 60 Hotel and is completely outside. Get there early to grab a spot as it is seat yourself and fills up quick. There is a bar and tables but it is a small space hence the tip to get there early and pregame the sunset. Jimmy’s offers a free shot just before the sunsets and a countdown so you don’t miss it. The best seats are at the front of the bar as it gives you a clear view of the beach. Don’t worry if you can’t get a seat because at sunset, everyone runs up to the front of the bar anyway to catch the best view. Everyone was so sweet about taking turns to get a clear view which someone who is five feet tall, can definitely appreciate 🙂 







The pier: definitely something cool to check out! We didn’t go out on the pier due to limited time but we did walk down near there and they do shows at night and there are shops, shows, etc to check out. It reminded me of Key West where they do shows on the pier at sunset. 





















Phillies Spring Training: This was the purpose of the trip–to see a spring training game. It was about a 20 minute ride from our hotel in Clearwater. It was a beautiful, palm-tree filled baseball stadium, such a perfect way to watch a game. We had seats but there was also a lawn option. The prices for food and drinks were better than a typical major league baseball game so that will save you a few bucks! They had cute little tiki huts throughout the stadium for your beverage needs and food at the concession stands.  Also offered was a Phillies shop to grab all of your Phillies souvenir swag. It was a fun day at the ballpark!









Where to stay: 





I had never been to Clearwater beach before so I didn’t really know what to expect/look for when booking a hotel. We were going around spring break so prices were elevated so we contemplated staying about 15-20 minutes away and ubering/renting a car to get to the beach, restaurants etc. There is one bridge into Clearwater and every time we drove in or out of the actual town of Clearwater, there was traffic. Also, I am not sure if it was due to covid or not but it was very hard to get an uber/lyft etc so please to save yourself time and money,  and take my tip below. 





Short & sweet tip: Stay in Clearwater Beach and not “Clearwater” or outside of it. You may pay more upfront per night at a hotel, but in the long run it will save you time and money on transportation. 





We stayed at Camelot Suites. If you are a college kid, aren’t looking for any type of housekeeping/room service, and want to save a buck but still be close to the beach, this is your hotel. I can tell you that I would probably not stay here again. 





The good, the bad, and the ugly:





The good: It’s a block from the beach and has a mini kitchen, so you can save a buck by cooking breakfast/heating up food/storing a ton of beer in the full sized fridge. If you like late night swimming, the pool is open pretty much all night. 





The bad: There is no daily housekeeping/turn down service, we were told they only exchange towels every other day, and the pool doesn’t have much sunlight throughout the day because it is right in the middle of all of the rooms. This also leads to it being pretty loud because the pool is open until pretty much whenever. This didn’t really bother me but if noise bothers you, well, good luck. 





The ugly: 





There is only staff there from 10-4 so if you don’t catch the owner or her employees by then, you are pretty much out of luck if you need anything. We called the after hours number one night because we needed fresh towels. The woman on- call questioned if we were drunk and said she was 2 hours away and there were no staff on site. She ended up giving us a code to get into a supply closet that had some clean towels, although the one had a huge ass hole in it. The shower is SO small (and I am a petite 5 ft) and water pressure isn’t great. When I got home I felt like I had to scrub 5 days worth of sunblock and sand off of me. The rooftop that was advertised, consists of rusty old lounge chairs that I wouldn’t sit on without a current tetanus shot, and grills. Again, this was an old inn on the beach at a lower price point than most other places, so I guess you get what you pay for BUT I still think it was WAY overpriced for what you got at $200 a night. 





So there you have it! Another warm sea-breeze, palm tree filled place to vacation to so you can escape to a warm climate, catch a spring training game, or just enjoy some fun in the sun anytime of year 🙂 

			


			

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				Orlando, Florida: Covid-19 & Budget Friendly Edition
			


							

					
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When I checked the weather for the weekend of my birthday, I found out that the HIGH TEMP was going to be 33 degrees..uhhhh no thanks. I am a warm weather girl, and while I expect my January birthday to be somewhat cold, a high of 33 degrees is crossing the line. I got an email from Southwest advertising $50 flights, found one to Orlando for $100 round trip, and then rushed to my Hilton app to see if I could find a deal as good as my flight. **Fingers crossed!**  I found a Hampton Inn right by Universal Studios for around $50 a night with tax/fees. By Monday night, I booked the flight and hotel and started dreaming about the 78 degree weather that was in the forecast. Our flight left PHL at 5:20 PM  Friday afternoon, but we arrived at the airport two hours before takeoff because getting through security quickly and easily is always a gamble. Luckily, we made it through security in 10 minutes, had time to grab some food and drinks at Chickie’s & Pete’s (right next to the Southwest terminal) and then we were off to sunny Florida. The flight was half empty so the middle seat of my row was open–which who doesn’t love that, especially in a pandemic. The airplane was clean, the flight attendants offered water & a snack (modified in-flight service due to covid-19), and we arrived about 30 minutes early, so I couldn’t complain. The hotel was 20 minutes from the airport. 





Short & Sweet Tip: They did not serve in flight alcoholic beverages. I am not sure if this is just a Southwest thing and/or has to do with the length of the flight–but just a head’s up in case you look forward to that in-flight beverage to calm the nerves. It was definitely an unpleasant surprise for me!!





Once we were checked in to the hotel, we headed to Ole Red (owned by Blake Shelton for my country fans out there). It was only about a mile or two away–definitely within walking distance, but we were hangry so we Ubered there (about a $10 ride including tip). Florida sometimes gets a bad rep regarding Covid protocol, but everyone who was not seated was wearing a mask and socially distancing. You can sit at a bar in Florida, and the tables aren’t all 6 feet apart like in PA, but I still felt pretty safe. Being that it was a Friday night, they had a live band on a big stage in the center of the bar/restaurant; they took requests if you Venmo’d them, which I also saw bands do in Nashville.  The bar was two stories with an outdoor area as well. Pre-pandemic, I would assume the area in front of the stage is used as a dance floor. The bar was located in ICON Park, along with a few other restaurants, bars, and stores, and a couple thrill rides. It was a fun area to explore and so close to the hotel–a nice win and definitely an area you should check out! ICON Park also has a couple amusement rides if you don’t mind heights (they made me dizzy just looking up at them). One was a 400 foot tall ferris wheel, and another was a set of swings that takes riders 450 feet up. COUNT ME OUT!! But if you’re into that type of thrill, enjoy and I’ll live vicariously through you! 







The next day it was a sunny 73 degrees, so I went to the Universal City Walk where you can find a movie theatre, restaurants, shopping, and bars. They have nightclubs but they were all closed, pre-pandemic life they looked like a fun place to hang! The walk wasn’t huge and I was in and out in about an hour mainly because I wasn’t hungry or in need of a drink..yet. This trip was planned last minute as well so I was also trying to do it on a budget which meant limiting my time spent in stores where I’d be tempted to buy all the things.







Next up was Disney Springs. This place was twice the size of Universal City Walk & there were a TON of shops, bars, bowling alley, and unique restaurants like one that was on a boat. Part of Disney Springs sits on a lake with a lego dragon in the water which makes for a great selfie 😉 A few stores in, thirst set in and I opted for a $16 margarita, a little overpriced but expected as it is Disney territory. We continued to walk through and found a cute coffee shop called Joffery’s that had a spiked tea for $12 and the kid working there offered me an extra shot for $2 so I obliged. It was actually really good and $2 cheaper than my earlier beverage with more bang for my buck. Each place I found after the $16 margarita was a little less $ than the last. The next place on the impromtu bar crawl through Disney Springs was a bar called Paradiso with a $7 margarita during happy hour! It was only around 2 pm so a nice option for an early Happy Hour on a Saturday, a rare finding in itself. We had a few margaritas here (domestic beers were also included in the $7 special) and split the poutine which was around $18 but really filling. Next up we headed to the boat launch and watched boats, that looked like cars, launch into the lake. Everyone on the boat seemed to have a blast and it makes for a good selfie and story to bring back home if you decide to take a ride. As far as shopping, I went into the Love Pop store and bought a really cool card; these cards are expensive but are more like a piece of art, worth a google search if you aren’t near a store front! After this, we went to Terralina for a 4-6 happy hour that offered take out beer at a small, outdoor bar for $5 so happy hour number 2 was a success! They are an Italian restaurant that have more to offer than $5 beer, but we had already eaten and grabbed a cupcake at a CUPCAKE ATM. Yes you read that right; you freakin order a CUPCAKE from an ATM and out it pops out 3 seconds later, it’s legit magic.  





Saturday evening was uneventful as we had a nice buzz going so we ended up ordering pizza from PAC pizza and grabbing a 12 pack. The pizza was way too cheesy for my liking and not enough sauce; it was good but just not my style. 






























Downtown Disney- in front of the lego store on the left and $7 margarita on the right from Paradiso 🙂






























Short & sweet tip for beverages:  While the margarita’s at the beginning of Downtown Disney are delicious, save yourself $9 and opt for the margaritas at Parardiso during Happy Hour or Terralina’s for $5 beers. 





Sunday was the warmest day yet with a high of 78 degrees so we opted for a budget-friendly pool day. I had leftover beer from the night before so I filled up an ice bucket from my room and filled it up with my beer (pro tip right there!) This afternoon, we found out the flight home was cancelled due to a major snowstorm at home which was great news! In the evening, we went back to ICON park to a bar called Tin Roof. They had two sides to the bar/restaurant, one side was a piano bar (think Howl of the Moon) and the other side had a live band. There were outdoor and indoor bars but it was a warm night so we sat outside and were able to watch the show from outdoors. The drinks were good and strong and the bartenders were friendly; they were also able to make my go-to cocktail, a Mojito, so brownie points for that. 



















The next day we decided to go to Universal Studios-Islands of Adventure with the extra time in Florida which was a bit of a splurge. I was checking the wait times the day prior and some rides were up to 80 minutes on the weekend  but today they were all within 30 minutes so I was hopeful. The park hours were short (10-6),  so you’ll want to get an early start on the day if you are going in January. I was SO impressed with the way the park was run. Park staff were constantly cleaning hand rails, they helped to make sure everyone stayed 6 feet apart, pumped hand sanitizer into each guests hands right before boarding a ride, and also had sanitizer machines when you exited each ride. I’m pretty sure I had a coat of sanitizer on my hands that day that was 20 coats thick, but it was totally worth it. I didn’t wait more than 15 minutes for a ride and most of the time spent in line was actually walking to the ride. The lines are scenic with the movie theme throughout them; I was terrified in the Kong ride, I felt like a toddler but it was dark and scary music was playing loudly. For reference, I have to mute scary movie commercials so I may not be a great point of reference but I think any kid would be a little scared; or at least that is what I tell myself to make myself feel a little better. I got through all of the major rides that I wanted to go on within 3ish hours! Most of the wait times were less than they estimated; the park was THAT empty.  It was a chillier day for Florida at a brisk 63 degrees as well as a weekday, sothat is something to consider when picking a day to attend if you want to avoid long wait times.                                                                                                    

















The next day we decided to go to Universal Studios-Islands of Adventure with the extra time in Florida which was a bit of a splurge. I was checking the wait times the day prior and some rides were up to 80 minutes on the weekend but today they were all within 30 minutes so I was hopeful. The park hours were short (10-6),  so you’ll want to get an early start on the day if you are going in January. I was SO impressed with the way the park was run. Park staff were constantly cleaning hand rails, they helped to make sure everyone stayed 6 feet apart, pumped hand sanitizer into each guests hands right before boarding a ride, and also had sanitizer machines when you exited each ride. I’m pretty sure I had a coat of sanitizer on my hands that day that was 20 coats thick, but it was totally worth it. I didn’t wait more than 15 minutes for a ride and most of the time spent in line was actually walking to the ride. The lines are scenic with the movie theme throughout them; I was terrified in the Kong ride, I felt like a toddler but it was dark and scary music was playing loudly. For reference, I have to mute scary movie commercials so I may not be a great point of reference but I think any kid would be a little scared; or at least that is what I tell myself to make myself feel a little better. I got through all of the major rides that I wanted to go on within 3ish hours! Most of the wait times were less than they estimated; the park was THAT empty. It was a chillier day for Florida at a brisk 63 degrees as well as a weekday, so that is something to consider when picking a day to attend if you want to avoid long wait times.



















For dinner that night, we went to Bar Louie for a happy hour that had a happy hour from 4-7 with food and drinks which is always a win. Needless to say, I went ham on martinis and beer, and was in bed by 8pm to watch the bachelor.





Hampton Inn lodging tip: Ask for a room on the opposite side of I-4. When I found out I was staying an additional two days I asked to change rooms because the noise from the highway was really getting to me. They upgraded me to a suite free of charge because it was the only room available with the same bed setup that I currently had; so nice of them! This hotel was really nice and accommodating. The water fountains were shut down and they gave me water bottles on two occasions which as a Hilton rewards member, is only supposed to be given at check in. They also had a hot breakfast which they served due to covid; this was great because other Hilton’s I have stayed at during the pandemic only offered pastries and yogurt. They were also really great about cleaning and wiping down the eating area during the morning. 





My final day in Orlando was another budget friendly day. We went to Eola park which was about a 20 minute drive from the hotel near Universal. It was in the city of Orlando and there was a gorgeous large lake with huge, beautiful swans, various birds, and a walkway around the whole lake with photo opt areas everywhere. There were also restaurants and bars surrounding the lake, they were closed while I was there but it was a weekday and also a chillier day for Flordians so I am guessing that is why. 

















I wanted to warm up a bit after walking around the lake so we found a cute, small, hipster coffee shop named Deeply and I got a flat white; it was delicious and they made a pretty design in it;  I’ve always wanted a coffee like that and it didn’t disappoint. 







Next up we opted for another budget-friendly activity and headed to Disney to ride the monorail and take a couple boat rides; one from the transportation center to Magic Kingdom and another one from Magic Kingdom to Fort Wilderness. I used to come to Disney as a kid every couple months for my parents’ business trips and we would always camp at Fort Wilderness so I took a trip down memory hill. It was a fun, free way to spend the afternoon. The boats were at limited capacity due to covid and it was nice to have more space for myself. That night we went to Bar Louie again for a $5 burger night and another few cheap drinks. Afterwards, we went back to Tin Roof for their $4 Tuesday night white claw special and to check out their free comedy show. Typically you need a reservation but since it was a chilly night, the bartender said we could come in without one as the cold would probably deter people from coming out. The comedians were actually pretty funny and we had a great time!





That concluded my 3 day turned 5 day stay, (thanks snowstorm Orlena) in Orlando, Florida.  The next morning we caught an uber back to Orlando international for about $30 and made it through security in about 15-20 minutes, still not bad for getting through security during a pandemic. For reference, it was a Wednesday afternoon so definitely not prime travel time. 





All in all I was pleased with my last minute (mostly budget-friendly) trip to Orlando. I did splurge on the $16 margarita and a day at Universal, but that was only because my trip was extended. If you need a quick winter getaway from the cold, I would definitely suggest Orlando at the end of January. It may not be 80 degrees everyday but but a few days in the 70’s beats 30 degrees and snowy any day in my book!

			


			

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