Dec16

The Canaries: Lanzarote vs. Fuerteventura

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21025038As your mind comes around to the idea of escaping off on holiday, whether you just landed from your last holiday yesterday, or you’ve been waiting a while for a getaway, you want it to provide everything that you hold dear.

One such place that can tick all the boxes, holidays in Fuerteventura have a great long list of activities on hand, from dolphin spotting or kite surfing to deep sea fishing and shopping. The beaches are some of the best in Europe with vast expanses of white, silky soft sand that is just perfect to lay on. The sea is irresistible with its cool and crystal clear waves that gently lap the beach. It’s fair to say that this quiet island is perfect for a family getaway.

Fuerteventura is not the only great family holiday that the Canaries can offer, however. Lanzarote holiday deals make this Island a hot bargain for last-minute holiday hunters. Whether you’re sneaking off for a week away or it’s your long-awaited annual vacation, Lanzarote is a slightly more lively island compared to Fuerteventura. The beaches are more reminiscent of its volcanic past and rock formations create interesting walks, often appearing lunar or martian! Although the black sandy beaches of Lanzarote are dominant, there are several white sandy beaches on the North side that give a more luxurious feel to your sun bathing escapades.EUROPE__MEDITERRANEAN_SPAINCONESP_FUERTEVENTURA_CORRALEJO

As with all of the Canaries, there is plenty to see and do. With lovely towns steeped in history and tradition, offering little shops and restaurants with freshly-cooked menu items, it can make for a memorable holiday even before you have been tempted by the activities on offer.

Needless to say, the Canaries have become massively popular thanks to the time and attention the Spanish have lavished on the tourist trade, while keeping the quaint feel to its towns. A family holiday to any of these Islands will keep you coming back year after year.

Dec4

Festive Shopping: Christmas in London

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Prepare yourself for the onslaught of Christmas shopping and be organized by buying gifts now rather than at the last minute. Beat the crowds in the weeks leading up to the big day and use a weekend in the city to break the back of your festive shopping list.

A city escape, particularly our capital, can prove to fulfil any shopping list, with all the wares available at your fingertips. Whether you’re on a strict budget and being frugal this year, or can afford to splash the cash on your loved ones, London can provide something for everyone. Spend a weekend in the city and stick within your budget with an affordable hotel. With a multitude of accommodation options located within the inner city limits, you never have to be too far away from your stores of choice. For more information, visit Travelodge and grab some fabulous early bird deals.

If your budget can stretch to the high street stores, look no further than Oxford Street. Home to every store you can think of, it’s a fashionista’s paradise. Grab the latest threads for the trendsetter in your life; with chains ranging from TopShop to H&M, they are all here, ideally located along one stretch. Pop into the massive HMV for a gadget, DVD new release or latest computer game. Peruse the music section and pick up something by your loved one’s favourite artist. Treat your spouse to a funky gadget or some up-to-the-minute technology.

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If you’re shopping for children, the Disney Store is a must. Set over two levels, it has to be one of the largest of its kind and offers everything from princess goodies to the latest Disney film merchandise. With Selfridges, John Lewis, and Debenhams department stores all centrally located, there is plenty to be browsing to ensure you cross off items from the wish lists.

Take a detour around Covent Garden and there are some brilliant little finds to be bought. From international candy in Cyber Candy, making ideal stocking fillers, to a variety of independent toy stores to visit, it’s a super area for festive shopping.

If you’re hoping, instead, for something a little more unique, London is the place to find it. For the alternative wears, head for Camden. From the clustered markets to the Stables, it’s hard not to find something quirky here. Particularly popular with young rockers and vintage lovers, brands such as Hell Bunny, PunkyFish and New Rocks can be easily found. Stop by the impressive Cyberdog store, right in the middle of the Stables market for some psychedelic wear and paraphernalia – if only to see the imposing futuristic giants that guard its doorway.

oxford-street-london-1The Christmas markets are an excellent place to visit if you’re looking for something unique, independently made and affordable. Providing a vast array of stocking filler ideas, handmade items and delectable culinary goods, you could wile away hours perusing the wooden chalet-style stalls. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland offers a beautiful market that you can enjoy whilst basking in the festivities and Christmas spirit. Alternatively, the markets that line the South Bank provide some excellent hand crafted trinkets and festive gifts.

If you want to take a little break and are feeling lucky, treat yourself to a fabulous lunch at one of London’s high-end casinos. Gourmet prepared food and extensive wine lists will surely hit the spot while playing a few hands. It you’re a little rusty, get some practice in a partycasino.com. You may even win some extra shopping money!

Whatever your budget, there’s something that can be found in our bustling capital for everyone. A city break here will not be a waste and you will return with your arms full of tidbits for all of the family.

Nov27

Dreaming of Our Majestic Mountain Wedding

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Marc and I fell off the face  of the earth, or so it seems. We have been traveling, but not as frequently or as lavishly. We’ve made a few trips this year to some of our favorite getaways … specifically Asheville. We’ve also crossed the country, but I won’t give details of all of our getaways in case I decide to make posts about them. However, it’s guaranteed that when we have the means to travel (money and time) … honey, we do it!

So, this post is really supposed to be about what we tweeted earlier this afternoon! We are the happiest we have ever been and we are currently planning our dream wedding in the Canadian Rockies! We fell in love with the emerald lakes, the terrain, wildlife, and the idea of a majestic mountain wedding. It’s truly going to be an unforgettable wedding!

We still have no idea where we are going to honeymoon. Do you have any recommendations? We definitely love the mountains which is why we’re getting married there, but we really want a tropical honeymoon! We’re thinking Maldives, Bora Bora, or maybe even St. Lucia.

Let us know your thoughts!

~ Lyndsi

Aug28

A Guide to Hawaii’s Natural Parks

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By Roxanne Bichard

If you’ve ever been to Hawaii, you know how tempting it can be to spend the majority of your time on the beach. Though Hawaii’s beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world, these amazing islands have so much more to offer! If you don’t want to miss out on unforgettable sights and attractions, Hawaii’s national parks are a great place to start.

Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park, Big Island

This tranquil park is a great place to discover the way of life of the early inhabitants of the island. A sacred site, it once was a place of refuge for lawbreakers and defeated warriors. Here you will learn all about Hawaii’s strict ancient laws (kapu), priests (kahunas), gods and ceremonies. Spend the day among ancient ruins, sacred temples and royal grounds and come home with a greater understanding of Hawaii’s fascinating culture.

Must-Do: Watch demonstrations of ancient canoe-building and traditional Hawaiian games such as spear-throwing. The Annual Cultural Festival is held on the last weekend of June and offers lei-making, lahaula weaving, and hula demonstrations.

Tactful Tip: If you want to take a break from the monuments, you can always turtle watch, as the park’s tidal pools are crawling with these gentle sea creatures.

Haleakala National Park, Maui

Home to the dormant Haleakala volcano, this otherworldly park’s greatest feature is its 10,023 foot summit, the highest peak in Hawaii. Drive up past the clouds and into an otherworldly atmosphere and visit the famous crater that last spewed lava in 1790. The barren landscape is made up for by the clear stargazing and breathtaking views over a sea of fluffy clouds. Many describe the early morning sunrise here as “a spiritual experience” that transcends words.

Must-Do: The hike to the 400-foot Waimoku Falls, one of Hawaii’s most spectacular waterfalls.

Tactful Tip: Go early — SUPER early, in order to avoid crowds and get there before the sun. Make sure to dress warmly; it gets quite chilly up there in the mornings.

Waimea Canyon State Park, Kauai

Nicknamed “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” the Waimea Canyon may not be as big as the Grand Canyon, but it rivals it in beauty. Created by volcanic collapse and 4 million years of rainwater erosion, this geological wonder is 3,600 feet deep and 10 miles long. Numerous lookout points reveal amazing vistas of Kauai’s mountain ranges and the Pacific Ocean.

Must-Do: Pack some Hawaiian pulled-pork sandwiches and have yourself a picnic! At the main lookout point vendors sell fresh pineapple, coconut and guava to munch on.

Tips: The road is long and windy, and it’s a steep climb. If you get motion sickness, you may want to bring some Gravol, just in case.

Kalaupapa National Historic Park, Molokai

This national park may be one of Hawaii’s most intriguing, as on top of boasting the highest sea cliffs in the world, it has a bizarre, interesting history. In the nineteenth century until 1969, Hawaiians with Hansen’s disease (leprosy) were exiled to this isolated peninsula. Father Damien, a Belgian missionary, dedicated his life to assisting patients and was later canonized as a Catholic Saint. Now cured by modern medicine, the few former sufferers of this terrible disease that still reside here have shared their incredible story.

Must-Do: Take a hike through lush tropical rainforest with a knowledgeable guide who will entrance you with stories of the island.

Tactful Tip: Though you can fly into the park, you may want to hike in in order not to miss out on the unforgettable scenery. If hiking is too strenuous, there is a third transportation option — mule ride!

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Big Island

While Haleakala has lied dormant for over 200 years, volcanoes at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park are still unleashing their fury. Constantly monitored for its every-changing lava flow, this volcanic park is home to one of the most active volcanoes on earth, Kilauea. As the state’s largest park, it is the place to go if you want to encounter the processes at the origin of the creation of the Hawaiian Islands.

Must-Do: Follow along a portion of the caldera on Crater Rim Drive, or hike across lava fields from the end of Chain of Craters Road.

Depending on the length of your visit and how much time you want to spend at each park, you may not have time for all of these. But don’t worry! Hawaii is known to pull people back to its shores time and time again. Don’t feel rushed through these amazing landmarks, but take the time to appreciate as many details as you can. After all, if you don’t get them all into one visit, you can always come back for your next fix!

About Roxanne Bichard: A Montreal-based travel blogger, Roxanne regularly writes about the villas in Hawaii from Luxury Retreats. A world traveler, she has glimpsed everything from camels to belugas in the warmest and coldest of climates.

Jun27

Top Casinos to Visit When Traveling in Asia

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Asia is the place where many of the world’s largest casinos can be found, and here is a selection of some of the top ones.

No list of Asian casinos could be compiled without mentioning the most famous casino in Asia and possibly the most famous in the world (it certainly it is the largest casino in the world). The Venetian Macao is a vast casino hotel resort right in the heart of Macau. Macau itself is a fascinating city. It has many ancient churches and fortresses that tell of its one time Portuguese rulers, and it is also the casino capital of the East, but the Venetian Macao stands out from the rest of them.

While you are in Macau, there are a number of other casinos that are worth visiting. The MGM is somewhat smaller than the Venetian and more conventional in style, some might say more tasteful, but if you are interested in some serious casino sports, you might well prefer it. A favorite amongst the high rollers, it is also famous for its excellent restaurants.

Singapore is perhaps surprisingly another casino hot spot. Currently there are just two casinos there, but others are in the planning stage. The two that are currently in existence are the Marina Bay Sands and the Resorts World Sentosa.

The former of these is the most expensive casino ever built. It cost over $8 billion dollars and includes a hotel with 2,600 rooms. There are 500 gaming tables and 1,600 slot games offering many of the same games as when you play casino online and when you feel like some fresh air, you can visit the Sky Park on the roof and take a dip in its infinity swimming pool while viewing the Singapore skyline.

In addition to its casino, the Resorts World Sentosa has a marine life park that includes the largest oceanarium in the world and a Universal Studios. The casino occupies around 15,000 square meters. Enjoy!

May17

Weekend Roadtrip to Outer Banks

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Marc and I finally made it to the Outerbanks (OBX), which allowed us to cross it off our “30 places before 30 bucket list.” We left Charlotte on a Friday morning and managed to make it to OBX by mid-afternoon. Here’s the mixed review.

The stay. Oasis Suites is a charming little boutique hotel with panoramic waterfront views. I truly enjoyed my stay, but there’s practically a rolling list of reasons why we’d never write an “excellent” review for the hotel. Here it goes:

  • Its proximity to a really busy road makes traffic noise slightly annoying. The website actually says, “Welcome to the Oasis Suites, located on the Nags Head Causeway.” They’re not kidding; it’s truly on the causeway. It’s also right on the water, so it’s an awful/awesome location.
  • We weren’t big fans of the actual town of Nags Head and the touristy feel that penetrated it.
  • We waited in the lobby for 5-10 minutes before we were greeted.
  • We felt a bit jaded that the amenities mentioned on the website weren’t available to us. The hot tub wasn’t operating, which was quite disappointing. They also mentioned the availability of grills on the website, which either don’t exist or we overlooked them.
  • We had to call to ask for another toilet paper roll since the “accommodating housekeeping team” didn’t bother to restock it.
  • Water flooded the bathroom floor every time we took a shower.

There were also good things about our stay so, to be fair, here’s the list of things we liked:

  • Gorgeous waterfront view and small private balcony.
  • Gazebo.
  • Spotless room.
  • Full kitchen.
  • Staff mailed me the clothes I left behind and I received them within a few days (I, of course, paid for the postage). It was still good customer service, though.

The meal. After we settled into Oasis Suites, Marc and I headed out to dinner. We didn’t research where to eat, which landed us at Ocean Boulevard Bistro and Martini Bar. We were the first patrons to arrive and since we were the only couple dining, we assumed the service would be stellar. We were let down in a huge way. The waitress had a nasty attitude toward us (we felt like age discrimination was at play) and she simply never made us feel like appreciated patrons. For that reason, I tipped her something like 10-15% which I absolutely never do. She rubbed me the wrong way. Also, for being a white table cloth restaurant, I was disappointed with my meal, as well.

The fun. Marc and I woke up on Saturday and drove South toward Cape Hatteras. We climbed the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in America, which was approximately 12 stories high. The view from the top was stunning, so I’m definitely glad we paid the money and took the time to climb it. We also did some other sightseeing, but nothing too noteworthy.

The big let down. After admiring the lighthouse and surrounding area, we headed further South to check out the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” I hate to be negative, but I truly felt like this attraction wasn’t worth the drive and I doubt I could even get a history buff disagree with me.  Marc and I were deeply disappointed. It was basically a small museum with little to see.

The fitness. The whole reason why we went on a weekend getaway to the OBX was so I could run in my first half marathon, the Flying Pirate Half Marathon. We woke up on Sunday to pouring down rain. I almost backed out of the race due to the rain and a small injury, but Marc provided me with the encouragement I needed to to accomplish the goal I had set out to reach. I completed my first half marathon in 2:12:24 and enjoyed experiencing OBX by foot. The course was a mixture of residential neighborhoods, pathways, roads, and muddy trails. It was great to have the support of the locals during the run. Their cheerleading seriously gave me the energy to keep running.

The lessons learned. We won’t stay in Nags Head if we visit OBX again. Instead, we’ll opt for a hotel or beach house in Duck since that was our favorite area and its more suitable for two yuppies. We’ll still drive, because it’s doubtful we’ll find cheap tickets for air travel.

The missed experience. Due to less than perfect weather for most of the weekend, we weren’t able to drive to Corolla to see the wild horses. We also missed out on the beautiful Currituck Lighthouse. I also felt like I was missing out on all the wind surfing and kite boarding fun.

~ Lyndsi

May13

Attending the 138th Running of the Kentucky Derby

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I’m a native Kentuckian, so the first Saturday in May has always been a special day for me. When the horns play before the big race, I still get chills down my body. When you watch the event on TV, perhaps its perfection is what gives me chills; the perfectly manicured grass and track, picturesque steeples, and gorgeous horses. This year, Lyndsi and I were able to attend; this was her first Derby. What we found was the serenity you see on TV is very different in person.

The Good

  • Mint juleps really are a seasonal drink that live up to the hype. Though at $11 each, they should. Even if you’re not a bourbon lover (like Lyndsi), you’ll become a fan. Crisp, refreshing, and sweet. Bring cash, they don’t take credit cards.
  • The Derby did not disappoint when it came to the people-watching and circus of it all. People really do go all out for this, and it makes for an amusing and entertaining day. Seersucker suits, bow ties, crazy hats, nothing is out of bounds.
  • The race itself is truly exciting and captivating. Even if you don’t have a horse in the race (no pun intended), you can’t help but feel your adrenaline rushing as they come down the stretch.

The Bad

  • Long lines, expensive food/drinks (is that a surprise) make the day less enjoyable.
  • They say the Derby weather is either cold or hot, there is no in-between. That proved itself true this year, as the 85-degree sunny weather became unbearable at times.
  • Churchhill Downs is beautiful, but once you get into it, it shows its age. It could definitely use some renovations and fresh coats of paint.
  • We had grandstands seats, which sounds luxurious, but it was literally uncovered bleachers without seat-backs. You had to stand on them to see the track, and being in direct sunlight made it rather uncomfortable.
  • We were desperately looking for a cool place to sit in the hours leading up the race. Instead, there were crowds, lines, and people everywhere I looked. It would be nice if there were some air-conditioned lounges to more of the general public. We were so uncomfortable that we went back to our car to sit in the AC for a while.

The Bottom Line

  • Everyone should attend the Derby at least once. It’s a fun experience and there’s nothing else like it. I love the traditions behind it, and its importance to my home state is enormous. But unless you have tons of money to spend to be on Millionaire’s Row, I think I’ll be watching from home at a Derby party. The enormous crowds, belligerent drunks, unbearable heat, inflated prices, and traffic nightmares will be hard to forget.

~ Marc