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48 hours in Paris
I am in love with Paris and I can’t wait to plan a trip back. I only really had two full days to explore (which is why I’m only wearing one outfit in most of my pics) but I definitely made the most of it. I booked at room at Le Parisis Hotel and it did not disappoint. The room had a view of the Eiffel tower from my window! Even the little bathroom amenities were high quality. The location was within walking distance to the Eiffel tower and there were plenty of restaurants nearby. Prior to arriving in Paris I booked a hop on hop off bus pass with Big Bus Paris. I went on this trip with my…
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Understanding VAT Refunds
Paris is full of amazing food, delicious pastries, historic architecture and mesmerizing works of art. All of these things will launch Paris to the top of any wanderer’s travel list but there’s one thing that makes the city of lights an inevitable destination for fashionistas….the shopping of course! For years I was buying all of my European designer handbags and shoes in the US at full price. Then I learned about the one small thing that has had the biggest impact on my closet in the last two years. VAT refunds! Here’s the beginner’s guide to saving hundreds on designer items. What is a VAT refund? VAT stands for “Value Added Tax” and it is a tax that is…
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Havana
If you’re heading to Havana make sure you read my previous post about things to do before you travel. We booked an Airbnb that had stunning views of the city. Carmen was an amazing host and she also helped with transportation and recommendations on sights to see. For $6 a day she also provided us with this delicious breakfast spread. The area that we stayed in is called Vedado. Its a quieter area and not quite as bustling as Old Havana. Vedado has its own charm with restaurants, parks and the Malecon just a short walk away. If you want to be closer to the night life I would recommend staying in Old Havana. Top Spots to Visit Fabrica…
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Americans in Cuba
Is travel to Cuba still allowed from the US? I traveled to Cuba in May of 2017 which was luckily right before the new travel restrictions were put in place in June. You can still travel to Cuba but you won’t be able to do it under the “people to people” category or as a solo educational trip. Traveling for tourism is illegal but you can still travel under 12 other categories. The 12 categories of authorized travel to Cuba are: Family visits Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations Journalistic activity Professional research and professional meetings Educational activities Religious activities Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions Support for the Cuban people…
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7 days in New Zealand
I’ll be honest with you guys, I did absolutely no research when I planned my trip to New Zealand. I booked a flight to Auckland and had nothing else planned. Luckily New Zealand is the perfect travel destination for this type of procrastination. The first thing we did was book a rental car. They drive on the left side of the road over there but don’t worry, they are used to Americans attempting to navigate the roads and have huge arrow signs at every turn reminding you which lane to stay in. Half of the fun of traveling through New Zealand was experiencing the breathtaking views while getting to our destinations. Get ready for some winding roads along the mountain…
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Cairns, Australia
Cairns is considered the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia so it was only natural that I head there to find Nemo. Hotel I stayed at the Doubletree in Cairns. The main reasoning behind this is that I’m an HHonors member and I wanted the points. The room was ok, we had a major leak from the AC unit the first night and I almost face planted a few times… so not exactly the best experience. The main redeeming quality was the location. There were so many options for dining within walking distance. The peer was also nearby which made getting to our excursions much easier. Food Oasis Kebab– This place has the most amazing Kebab rolls I…
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Sydney, Australia
For years if anyone ever asked me to describe my dream vacation the answer would always be the same, Australia and New Zealand. I’m not sure where the obsession with these two destinations started although I’m pretty sure the Lord of the Rings movies had some major influence. Who doesn’t want to see middle earth?? So when I discovered that a good friend of mine also wants to see these two places we decided to book our flights. Getting there I currently live in Dallas and Qantas flies non stop to Sydney! I know what you’re thinking, “why would I want to be stuck on an airplane for 18 hours?!” Honestly I was a little wary of the long flight…
