We heart New York!

New York, New York. The city that never sleeps. The Big Apple. The Fashion Capital. Ahhh. So many reasons to love New York. From the amazingly delicious pizza to the fabulous Broadway Shows- if you haven't been--you are missing out!

Set Up

This is important for planning your trip to NYC. There are 5 boroughs-each unique in their own way. There is: Manhattan (where the action is), The Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn (personal fave!), and Staten Island. Depending on your purpose that should lead in your decision on where you chose to stay in NYC. If you are looking to experience the lights, tourist attractions and shows stay in Manhattan. Manhattan is HUGE. There is an abundance of areas to chose to stay in, but it's easy to visit them all if you take the subway. If you are looking for a more artsy, eclectic area, Brooklyn has become a personal fave! It is not a far commute to Manhattan (can be done via Subways, Uber or taxi). 

What ever would you do in The Big Apple?

Catch a Broadway Play on Broadway! 

There are unlimited possibilities when it comes to what to do in NYC! There is truly something for everyone: the fashionista, foodie, socialite & history buff. Here are some things we did while in NYC:

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge! 

If you love southern food-head to Southern Comfort in Brooklyn! 

These are just some of the pics from the trips! You can visit:

*Madame Toussaud's

*Time Square to see the lights. There is also awesome pizza right off of Times Square visit Patzeria Perfect Pizza! Yum!

* Statue of Liberty

*SoHo for Shopping

*Harlem for great Soul Food

*Grand Central Station

*Empire State Building

and the list goes on......

When to visit NYC?

Anytime!! Having been in both December and May--going in December was just amazing! If you can stand the cold weather pack warm clothes and a coat and book your trip! We went in mid-December (before Christmas) and the city was just beautiful. Seeing the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center was a treat! Be warned- there was a high influx of travelers (guessing more than usual) due to the holidays. When visited in May- it was a pretty rainy trip and nights were still cool. So pack a light jacket and umbrella. But research shows the Spring time is probably the best time weather wise.

New York is definitely a place to visit more than once- each time you go, you are sure to find some new and exciting place to eat or shop! What are your favorite things to do in NYC?

Beach Vacation!

With summer quickly approaching, and some areas still experiencing winter like weather we all have one thing on our minds: Beach!! This Wanderlust Wednesday we have a treat for you: some of the top beaches in the US (and some of our favorites) along with what to pack for your ultimate beach vacation!

Best Beaches  

1. Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach, Fl

It's no secret- Florida has some of  THE best beaches. By going to school in Florida and having one of our members from a beach town in Central Fl, we have had the chance to experience some of the best. Clearwater Beach is located on the Gulf of Mexico right outside of Tampa. This pristine beach is known to be extremely family friendly and offers a more tranquil vibe for those looking to relax. 

 

2. Outer Banks, NC 

Photo Credit: Hilton Inn Outer Banks

Simply amazing is how some people describe the Outer Banks. Turns out if you are further north on the East Coast you don't have to trek down to South Florida-you have paradise in the Outer Banks. The outer banks is made up of several islands like Hatteras Island and Bodie Island. If you want a peaceful and serene vacation or maybe even a "Baecation" the Outer Banks needs to be on your list. There are ample Beach Rentals and Hotel Accommodations, making it easy to plan an extra long stay.

 

3. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

Photo Credit: vitz.com

Planning a trip to Oahu, Hawaii any time soon? Of course you are! Then you want to add visiting Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve to your itinerary! Fun for all ages, vacationers get to interact with various forms of marine life through snorkeling as well as take in the gorgeous views and warmth from the sun.

 

4. Destin, Fl

 Located in the Florida Panhandle along the Gulf of Mexico, Destin or "Emerald Coast" has so many factors that make is such a great beach location: 1) super soft white sand 2) Emerald hued water 3) plentiful resorts! Let's not forget the excellent shopping at the Silver Sands Premium Outlet Mall!

 

 5. Miami Beach, Fl 

 

We told you Florida has some of the best beaches! Our list wouldn't be the best if we didn't include Miami Beach, Fl. Known as paradise for Spring Breakers and Party Goers, if done right you can experience a less upbeat version of South Beach. While you're here, try parasailing and jet skiing-and don't forget to bring money to rent an umbrella. Miami heat can be brutal during peak seasons.

 

So now that you have an idea of what beaches you can check out this summer, what will you pack?

JSD's Beach Essentials
 

 Well, there you have it! Some of the best beaches along with our Beach Essentials. What are some of you beach essentials?

 

 

-JSD

JSD's Bucket List!

The best thing about having friends who love to travel is it just one of the many things that unites us! No we are not all the same, but when it comes to travel it's easy to agree or find common interest. So it was a pretty fun task when we decided to come up with our bucket list of places we would like to visit!

Joy

Thailand

"The photos I've seen of Thailand just take my breath away! Every traveler has had an amazing experience. Just to experience the culture, lifestyle and interact with locals would make this a good trip I'm sure!"

Activity- Sailing around Phuket or going to Chiang Mai for Lantern Festival

 

Rekia

Iceland

"With Iceland, you get good scenery making for gorgeous photos and the famous Blue Lagoon! To be able to just relax and enjoy my surroundings sounds like paradise."

Activity- In water Massage at the Blue Lagoon

 

Tiffanie

Philippines

"When I was in college, I had a coworker who was from the Philippines. She talked about how beautiful it was and it's plentiful beaches. Ever since, the Philippines has been on my list---history, culture, and of course beaches!"

Activity- Snorkeling at Boracay Beach

 

Vanessa

Bali

"Life can get hectic sometimes; that's when you need a good place to just unwind and relax. Bali is on my list because it would be the perfect retreat from everyday stresses!"

Activity- Boutique Shopping and Visiting Local Museums

 

 

Some other places on our list

*Cuba

*Amsterdam

*Morocco

*Hong Kong

*New Zealand

 

What are some top destinations that are on your bucket list? Do you have any tips on travel to the above destinations? We'd love to hear from you!

 

 

-JSD

 

Travelista Tuesday featuring Whitnee Boyd

It's Travelista Tuesday and we want the to introduce you to our friend, Whitnee Boyd!

Beaches of Montego Bay, Jamaica 

Victory after hiking and zip-lining in the beautiful country of Panama.

Nice and clearly hilarious walk with cousins following a wine tour in the Bay Area. 

"Road trip time! Travel with me. Picture a minimum of 10 vehicles loading up from rural Arkansas headed to Chicago for the weekend. Just like any good southern mother, my mom and aunts ordered all the girls three-piece luggage sets...of course with monogramming! Each year my parents would take my brothers and I on trips to visit family, for church conferences, and more. I knew then at a young age, I wanted to travel the globe. Those road trips, that luggage set, all of this sparked the interest for me early-on and now my travel and adventure bucket list is endless. My passion for travel is fulfilled through my own personal travel and operating my own travel business, Violet Voyage Travel! This opportunity allows me to help my clients realize their dreams of vacationing across the world and allows me to feed into my entrepreneurial spirit. It's been an amazing journey. I'm currently a full-time doctoral student studying Higher Education Leadership at TCU, so operating my own business and taking time to travel and explore have served as a method of relaxation and self-care. No time to wait for whatever is next to see the world and resist my inner wanderlust. I'm all about making it happen and creating memories now.  Back to that road trip, I'm still taking road trips with that same group of cousins and my siblings. But now we take flights and go on crazy adventures each year in various countries. Why wait? Travel now. Let me help you. You can contact me for any of your travel needs via email at whitnee.boyd@gmail.com or follow my next road trip via social media IG and Twitter: theTALENTED_10."

Whitnee D. Boyd

Violet Voyage Travel

Who is your Travelista Crush? Have you ever admired someone who is constantly traveling and going to the most exciting places? Wish you could trade places with them? We can totally relate! We love to travel and recognize there are some ladies out there racking up some serious airline points! They are jet setting to some of the most interesting places in the world! We want to highlight these travel divas in hopes you will connect with them! Contact us at jetsettingdivas@yahoo.com or send us a message on Facebook!

Travel With Purpose

Consider your next trip traveling with a purpose in mind. According to DiscoverCorps- The Volunteer Traveler you will be able to learn more about the culture. "Immersing yourself in a certain topic will open doors to experiences that you might not have been exposed to otherwise", says http://discovercorps.com/blog/author/andrew/

This past March the JetSetting Divas visited the Dominican Republic. We made it a point to visit the local schools and communities. Often times travelers want to stay in the "tourist" areas and not explore. We were fortunate to in Punta Cana to have a tour guide that took us off the "beaten path" to see and explore the country.  Learning about the educational system was a very eye opening experience. On your next trip, JSD encourages you take some time and explore beyond the tourist areas.  The pictures of us visiting a local school in the DR are below! #jetsettingdivas #travel #travelwithpurpose #volunteer #giveback #ttot

TGIF! Fun Findings

TGIF Jetsetters! Fun Findings is back!

This week, the inspiration to travel as been all around us! From cute sayings on shirts to notecards, we have gotten the message that it's time to plan a trip! Today, we want to spotlight one of JSD's favorite designers, Kate Spade! What's not to love about Kate Spade, Hunty?! The handbags, accessories, bold colors, classic colors… there is something for everyone at Kate Spade! I passed by these cute cards at the mall and had to stop and take a picture! These, " Have Diploma. Will Travel." cards would be cute for a recent graduate!

 Check out, Kate Spade's Travel Shop here: https://www.katespade.com/collections/the-travel-shop/?cm_sp=dropdowncollection-_-dropdown-_-travel

Kate's travel shop will have you planning for your next trip in no time!

Travelista Tuesday!

Travelista Tuesday is back! We are so excited to introduce you to Susan Marteeny!

 Susan Marteeny is a 3rd generation Florida native and have lived in the Greater Daytona Beach area since 1974.  She has been a travel consultant since 2005 after winning a honeymoon at a bridal show.  She unofficially served as a travel agent for friends, family and former employers for many years before making the official leap into the exciting world of travel.
She is a CLIA, Cruise Lines International Association, certified Master Cruise Counsellor and just completed her training to obtain Elite Cruise Counsellor status. She has no plans of not stopping here.  Susan plans to become a Cruise Lines International Scholar.  Travel is her passion and she is eager to learn more each year.
Susan's Other Certifications are:
•    Certified Sandals and Beaches Specialist
•    Disney Resorts and Cruise Line Specialist
•    Universal Studios Specialist
•    Sea World Specialist
•    Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Specialist with Executive Training
•    Carnival Cruise Lines Specialist with Executive Training
•    Princess Cruise Lines Specialist
•    Norwegian Cruise Lines Specialist
•    Many Destination specialties
She has always loved to travel and enjoy helping others do the same.  She can assist you in planning and booking all types of travel, although Cruises are her personal favorite.  She offesr honeymoon registries and love to book group travel.  She only charges a fee only when booking airline travel alone.  Allow Susan to be your personal travel agent, she will arrange all your travel needs for no fee.  She can save you time and money, don’t waste your time searching the internet.
Sky Cruise and Travel was formed in 2008 in New Smyrna Beach, FL as travel consulting business.  Her home based business was named after her daughter, Isabella Sky.  At the young age of 9, she already has a passion for travel which she learned from Susan. 
Contact Info:
Susan@SkyCruiseAndTravel.com
(855) 759-2464
www.SkyCruiseAndTravel.com
www.facebook.com/SkyCruiseAndTravel

Who is your Travelista Crush? Have you ever admired someone who is constantly traveling and going to the most exciting places? Wish you could trade places with them? We can totally relate! We love to travel and recognize there are some ladies out there racking up some serious airline points! They are jet setting to some of the most interesting places in the world! We want to highlight these travel divas in hopes you will connect with them! Contact us at jetsettingdivas@yahoo.com or send us a message on Facebook!

TGIF! Let's talk shoes!

Hey Jetsetters! TGIF! It's Fun Findings Friday!

We recently travelled to Orlando for Spring Break! Standing in lines for up to 2 hours on rides can be brutal on your feet! While in line, we spotted a group of friends what all had on the same sandals in different colors! The inner shoe diva in us prompted us to ask, where did they get those shoes! They were called Solillas. The girls told us the shoes were so comfy!  Comfortable doesn't always equal cute, but these shoes are so cute! These shoes will definitely be on our Christmas lists this year!

For more information on Solillas, click here: http://www.solillas.com

What's your favorite shoe to travel in? Let us know in the comments below!

7 Reasons why you should travel internationally in your 20s

Congratulations- You made it to your 20s. Whether you are a junior in college trying to figure out the meaning of life, recent college grad with your first real job or in your late 20s still trying to figure out the meaning of life, travel is something you should be looking at. Not just traveling a few miles to visit your grandparents but perhaps international traveling. Here are 10 reasons why you should experience international travel during this impressionable time period.

1. Everything else will seem achievable

Kind of like when you were in college and had a 22 page thesis paper to write and afterwards you felt invincible? Well the same rush you got then, you will experience after your first international trip. There are so many stress factors and fears involved when some people travel internationally. It may be the fear of an unknown place or stress about how you will concur your first 12- hr flight. Once it's done you will realize it wasn't that bad! If you could handle your first solo trip to Africa you should be able to talk to your boss about a promotion!

2. You've made it across the stage

You worked hard the last few years- congrats! What reward would be better than taking time to visit a new place. Maybe you had class with a cool Parisian and it has sparked your interest in all things Paris! Take a few months and see the world before you make it into the real world.

3. Makes you well-rounded

Yes sure there are a lot of things you can do without ever leaving your hometown that could make you a well-rounded person. What fun would that be? International travel is a fun way to becoming that well-rounded individual everyone knows!

4. Not in your career yet

Depending on where you are in your journey through your 20s you may not be in your career yet. This is the perfect time to see the world. You don't have any work obligations that will interfere with you enjoying yourself.

5. No real adult obligations

We all know that the older you get the more "obligations" you acquire. International travel can be expensive, which makes it harder with the more obligations you have. You may get a house, buy a car, start a family-these are all some serious obligations! Not saying that once you acquire all of these fabulous things you can't travel. However, you should enjoy a little world traveling before fully committing to adulting.

6.The world is no longer a mystery (or scary)

Let's face it, often times you will read, see or hear things about places and think "Oh God, I'm never going there." Don't let the world (or media) determine where you will and will not go. Do your research. Take the trip. Explore other lands and learn more about the world so you can make an informed decision when it comes to world history, news culture etc.

7. Add character to your Resume/CV

You may have taken a break after college to apply to a professional program (medical/dental school, business program etc.), so a mission trip to Haiti or taking business classes abroad in Shanghai would make you a competitive applicant! Putting on your application that you spent a year or 2 in Barcelona improving your Spanish screams driven, motivated, cultured, and independent!

Of course there are a ton of reasons why anyone should travel abroad, but if you need a short list of reasons to convince your parents just give them ours! What are some other reasons 20somethings should travel abroad?

-JSD

TBT: Travel Mad Libs

In honor of Throwback Thursday, we are highlighting one of our fun + older post: Travel Mad Libs. Hope this Mad Lib adds a touch of humor to a rather long work week!

From March 16, 2011:

March Madness: Travel Mad Lib!

Do you remember the word game MAD LIBS? Well, I don't know if many of you remember or have ever played--but you are first asked to list a series of words (nouns,verbs, and adjectives etc) and plug them into a story! Well in keeping up with the MADNESS of MARCH, here is a Travel Mad Lib (that I found on a travel blog).Enjoy!
 

My travels began a year ago when I was __biking_____ and praying to ____God_______ in the washroom. Because of my ___dog_____, I realized how much I hated my life and decided right then and there to quit my job as a __rockstar_____ and travel on a journey to ____London_____, ___Thailand_____, and _China____ by _____jet______.In __London__ I learned to speak ___Creole____ which came in use when I had to escape a mob of angry ___Puerto Ricans____. Then I met this cute guy/girl who kept hitting on me but I was too busy eating _____pizza___ to care. In fact, I ate so much that I can't fit into my _____underwear___ anymore!
Next I traveled to ____Thailand_______ where I decided to get in touch with my spiritual side. I visited the ___Cathedral______ daily but all I could really think about was what I'm going to do now that I can't fit into my clothes anymore. Luckily I bumped into ____Obama___ one day and we spent a day bonding together by shopping at ____H&M______.Lastly, my travels took me to _____China_____ where I raised $_____3______ by selling ____table___ to buy a house for a friend. I was also invited to a party where I met a lot of expats from ____Kenya___ . It was there when I met a really attractive ____Australian___ and fell madly in love. As a result, I don't have time to write anymore because I haven't been out of the bedroom in days....
If you wish to know what I've been doing in said bedroom (*wink wink*), buy my sequel - it comes out in

____2012____ !

 

Mad libs are easy to create- and if you are real creative, you can use this as an invitation for a destination wedding, bachelorette party, or even planning a romantic getaway!

 

 

 

-JSD

Wanderlust Wednesday: Malawi

My my do we have a treat for you- today's Wanderlust Wednesday takes us to Malawi!

Malawi

Landlocked in southeastern Africa, Malawi is home to some of the best natural wonders including Mount Mulanje and Nyika Plateau. If you want to get lost in wildlife and culture, pursue a mission trip-enjoy a romantic adventure with a loved one, Malawi is just for you!

Where to stay?

It wouldn't be right if we went to Malawi, and did not stay at one of their top resorts! Since opening in 2000, Kaya Mawa, has received several notable awards. From the top 10 Most Romantic Places in the Word to the 3rd Best Beach Property in Africa (2013), Kaya Mawa has a lot of appeal to attract any traveler. You can partake in water activities, enjoy beautiful views, spend a day at the spa or relax on the beach. And the food? Well if you're a foodie, there is something for you too- freshly prepared food that is sure to soothe the soul! It is no wonder this resort has received so many awards!

What should we see?

Glad you asked! As mentioned before, Malawi is known for it's beautiful landscape and wildlife! While you are there, get beautiful pictures of Mount Mulanje. Towering at almost 3,000 meters, it is the highest mountain in central Africa. Get your cameras ready!

Next stop is Nyika Plateau National Park! This is Malawi's largest park. It also has one of the highest densities of leopards in central Africa! You can explore Nyika with conventional 4x4 excursions.

Last but certainly not least, is Lake Malawi. Also known as "Lake of Stars", this is one of the largest lakes in the world. This picture above doesn't do it any justice!

What are some other activities?

Just like any other place where this water, beach and wildlife, you can enjoy other activities like Safaris (try Vwaza Wildlife Reserve), snorkeling, water skiing, boat trips etc. If you are into culture, get into the arts! There are plenty of music, dance and theatre shows to see. Or if you want to travel with a purpose like JSD's Joy, you can always visit Malawi for a mission trip!

JSD's Joy in Malawi September 2015

Malawi truly has something for everyone! Well, we hope you have enjoyed this edition of Wanderlust Wednesday!

Photo credit for Kaya Mawa- official website.

Wanderlust Wednesday! Festival Edition

Spring is finally in session and that usually means an abundance of festivals! Who doesn't love a good festival?! With the beginning of spring there will be tons of festivals to attend between now and later on in the year, so let's dedicate this Wanderlust Wednesday to Festivals!

I could festival everyday!



Holi Festival

Known as the Festival of Colors, this ancient Hindu religious festival is primarily observed in India and Nepal. Depending on how you want to celebrate Holi (from traditional rituals to modern day dance parties) that would determine where in India you could celebrate Holi. What is so great about Holi, is that while it is a religious festival, it has been celebrated by people of all religious backgrounds, uniting people from all over the world. JSD would head to Delhi, so we could attend the Holi Moo Festival!

Afropunk Paris

Afropunk is not only an annual music festival but it has been noted as a cultural movement. New York times has described it as one of the "most multicultural festivals in the US"! Since 2008 it has been traditionally held in Brooklyn. As of 2015 it had expanded to Atlanta and for 2016 it is heading to Paris, France. What a way to experience all this festival has to offer- music, culture, empowerment and fashion! Most of all, you get to enjoy it this year in one of the most visited cities in the world.

Afropunk Fashion

Coachella

 The Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival (Coachella) is sure to be on any ultimate festival lover's bucket list. Held annually in April in California, this music festival features several genres such as rock, indie, hip hop, and r&b. You can expect to hear performances from major artist and see some hip fashions from the attendees. Where to stay for Coachella? If you want the ultimate post-college living experience, you can choose on-site camping!

Love a good matching set!

Essence Festival

The Essence Music Festival is an annual music festival held every year in New Orleans. Essence has announced that it is expanding the festival to Durban, South Africa! Talk about amazing! Durban is South Africa's third largest city and has some beautiful beaches along what is called the Golden Mile. While you're not attending the festival, you can take a stroll along the beach or visit some of Durban's many attractions like the uShaka Marine World or one of their many museums and local restaurants. A stay at the Beverly Hills Sun Intercontinental wouldn't be bad either!

Beverly Hills Sun Intercontinental Durban

 Festivals are an adults playground---we never want them to end! What festivals do you have your radar for 2016?

-JSD