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

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: Spa Retreat at Parrot Cay by COMO

Ahhh! Alas, Wanderlust Wednesday has returned and boy do we have a treat for you! After an extra day of work in February, how does a retreat to Parrot Cay by COMO in Turks and Caicos sound?? If you are looking to escape the fuss of work and focus on mind, body and soul this would be the perfect Spa Retreat for you.

Destination: Parrot Cay by COMO

Located on the beautiful island of Turks & Caicos, Parrot Cay by COMO offers beautiful villas & houses, and plenty of activities that are good for physical, mental and spiritual balance. All of the rooms, suites, and beach villas have great interiors, plenty of natural light and COMO's service ethic. Most of the villas and houses have their own private pools with most of them offering direct beach access!

What to do while at Parrot Cay?

The purpose of your visit to Parrot Cay is to relax and unwind! They offer holistic therapies, yoga, diving, bicycling and kayaking to name a few. 

They have a COMO Shambhala Retreat, that offers "Asian-inspired treatments, including Ayurveda, aromatherapy and Pilates."

Spa Reception Area at Parrot Cay

View from a villa at Parrot Cay

Well, doesn't this sound relaxing and inviting? Think about listening to the waves hit the shore as a cool breeze circulates throughout your villa.........Ahh. Okay time to get back to work!

-JSD

photo credit: Parrot Cay by COMO

Wanderlust Wednesday!!!

We are always looking for new places to visit--so what better way to fulfill our inherited wanderlust genes than to highlight our dream destinations. Every Wednesday, we will host Wanderlust Wednesday- where we highlight our dream vacations.

For our first installment, we are taking a virtual trip to the Maldives!

The Maldives is situated in the Indian Ocean and has ~1100 islands & sandbanks. This makes it the perfect location to get lost and explore with a group of friends or your significant other!

Where would we stay?

The Maldives are known for their luxury villas! So if we are going to dream about being in the Maldives, why not dream big!

Voted as one of the 10 best Luxury Resorts, staying at the Naladhu Resort would definitely be a treat!

These villas have bathrooms that have their own private outdoor area with a rainshower and infinity edge terrazzo bathtub.

What would we do in the Maldives?

The Maldives has something for everyone- the adventurer, relaxer, fisher, explorer etc.

We love a good adventure- so Snorkeling would definitely be on our list of excursions!

No trip would be complete without trying some traditional local food!

A trip to the Maldives would definitely be considered luxury travel. While resorts may be pricey, there are usually flight deals to these beautiful islands leaving from major hubs like Washington D.C.'s Dulles Airport. 

Please join us next week for another installment of Wanderlust Wednesday! What is your dream destination??

What to pack for a Romantic Getaway..

Are you going on a Romantic Getaway this weekend for Valentine's Day? Looking for fashionable items to pack to help make sure you look sweet & cute? Read along for JSD's suggestions on what to pack for your Baecation!

Are you headed somewhere warm or tropical? Don't forget to pack a statement swimsuit piece! Pick something that is sexy but also covers the right parts to leave some room for imagination and anticipation. Crochet swimsuits are cute, flirty and fun! Don't forget to pack some sunscreen as well--sunburn isn't a sexy accessory!

Nothing says sexy or "Kiss Me" like a pop from red lipstick! Don't have a favorite red shade yet? Check out MAC's Ruby Woo, Chanel's Classic Pirate Lipstick or a variety of NARS shades at Sephora. For an extra pop, use NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella.

Going out for a night on the town? Or to a fancy French restaurant? Throw on a sexy backless dress with a pair of strappy heels! Men love women who can rock a pair of heels confidently and it gives your legs super definition!

A Romantic Getaway What to Pack list would not be complete without the perfect cosmetic must haves! Dior's Pure Poison perfume is sure to grab the attention of your other half with its bold scent. Give your nails a pop similar to your lips with a red color like OPI's California Raspberry or Dutch Tulips. Finish off the look with a Shimmery Gold Smokey eye! Nothing says seductress like these beauty must-haves!

There you have it! Our list of What to Pack for a Romantic Getaway. What are some items you think are perfect for a romantic weekend getaway?

-JSD 

Dream Destination of the Week

Le Reve Hotel & Spa

♥ The weekend is almost here--and you have no plans. Wouldn't it be nice to escape to Le Reve Hotel & Spa in Playa de Carmen, Mexico for a few days to unwind from a long week? Well, no one never said we couldn't dream! This week's dream destinatino is the Le Reve Hotel & Spa. ♥

♥What makes this our dream destination is that is a private, adults-only (so sorry mommy, leave the kiddies at home for this one) resort. This allows you to get some much needed time to unwind & focus on self! Or focus on your significant other! ♥

♥ This resort sits along Mexico's Mayan Riveria where you can enjoy scube diving, snorkeling, sailing & swimming with dolphins. You can also enjoy fresh seafood! ♥

♥ You can then end your wonderful weekend with a quiet seaside massage!♥

♥ So does this sound good? Vactionist.com is offering suites for as low as $132 a night! Can't escape? Well you can dream all you want!

*all pics courtesy of vacationist.com

Dream Destination of the Week

We all have places we DREAM about vacationing to. This week's Dream Destination is Martinique. Located near the South American coastline, Martinique has lots to offer such as wonderful beaches, kayaking, shopping, and CARNIVAL. Carnival is a four-day holiday on the caribbean island which is sure to put the icing on the cake for any vacation! What's your dream destination?

Dear Santa

Well it's that time of year again--Christmas! Have you been naughty or nice? Do you deserve a lump of coal or a chunk of gold? If you could put ONE PLACE on your Christmas Wishlist to travel to where would it be? We know where Santa would vacation to....

The Beach!

-With Labor Day Weekend coming up, a lot of travelers will be heading out to the beach. Want to know what our picks are for great beaches? Read on our Diva Beach Guide for some great ideas!

1. South Beach, Fl

Located in Miami Beach Fl, it is no surprise that millions of people flock here any chance they get! There is a lot to do in South Beach--try any watersport to stay cool and grab some cool garments from local boutiques.

2. Pensacola Beach, Fl

Located in North Fl along the Gulf Coast, Pensacola Beach is ideal if you are looking for white pristine sand, summer concerts, and great food!

3. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Located along the Atlantic Coast in South Carolina, Myrtle Beach is becoming a top destinations for a lot of beach goers. Want to see other sites in Mytrle Beach? Try their amusement and water parks, or go shopping at Broadway on the Beach!

4. Galveston, TX

Located in the southern tip of Texas along the Gulf Coast, Galveston just may be Texas' best kept secret! With over 30 miles of beach to enjoy, head down to Texas to see it in a way you've never seen before!

5. New Smyrna Beach, FL

Located right outside of Daytona Beach Fl, New Smyrna Beach is definitely one of Florida's best kept secrets! Its a great location if you don't want all the hustle and bustle of busy Daytona Beach--you'll be able to catch some waves! After you're done with the waves, catch a bite to eat at Chase's on the Beach.

6. Virginia Beach, VA

Located along the Atlantic Coast, Virginia Beach has been a top destination among many beach goers for years. Why? There are miles of beaches which include the Chesapeake Bay Area, Resort Beaches, and Sandbridge. So if you are looking for a mini getaway have your way in VA!

7. Key West, Fl

Located at the southern most tip of Florida (past South Beach), Key West is great if you want to get away from the crowded beaches of South Florida, and just enjoy the picturesque views of beaches in Key West!

So now that you have our DIVA BEACH GUIDE, which one would you visit? While this list doesn't include beaches from places like Hawaii or the Hamptons, these are still some great beaches. We wanted to list beaches that are close to home. None of the above are in your vicinity? Tell us about some beaches in your area!

♥Happy Traveling! ♥

This past weekend, to celebrate the Memorial Weekend holiday we warmed up in beautiful Puerto Rico for a weekend getaway filled with adventure and fun!

Destination: San Juan, Puerto Rico

What to Do:

-Eat at J Taste a Japanese infusion restaurant, with a Hibachi grill

-Eat at Sofia's Kitchen in Old San Juan for an authentic Italian dinner. We ate here to celebrate Tiffanie's Birthday.

-Avoid the Ocean Front Hacienda Resaturant at all costs! We thought we could get an authentic meal, but the service was terrible, the waitress didn't understand any English, and the food was sub-par

-El Yunque Rainforest Tour Admire the waterfalls, nature, and the pure beauty of this rainforest. A must see! We utilized a tour guide, but it's not necessary.

-Tour the Forts. For those of you looking to learn some history as well as culture of Puerto Rico, be sure to visit the Colombus Forts.

-Spend a day shopping in Old San Juan. Old San Juan has a plethora of unique shops. Drop in to the Haitian Art Gallery which has African and Latin influenced jewelry and artwork. Check out the cute necklace Tiffanie picked up from there! And for those who love a good sale like us, check out the outlets--we spent too much time in the Coach outlet, but they were having a sale, so can you blame us?!

-Relax at the beach or poolside. Unfortunately for us, it was a rainy week in PR, so we didn't get to take advantage of the beach and pool as much as we would have liked to

-Nightlife is a plenty in Puerto Rico. Check out Senor Frogs and Brava for a fun night out. Since it was Memorial Day weekend, there were parties everywhere. We went to Lisa-Raye's All White Party.

What to See:

-The Bacardi Factory If you're a Bacardi fanatic or even if you're not, this tour is interesting to learn about the history of how Bacardi came about. And if all else fails, you can enjoy your complimentary mixed drink!

Where to Stay:

-Choose a hotel located on the beachfront, that way you'll have a great view and won't be too far from the beach

-Condado, Isla Verde, and Old San Juan are the major tourist areas to stay in

-We chose the Conrad at Condado and it was a great choice (clean, great location, restaurants inside and within walking distance)

Extra Tips

-Do your research! There is no need to pay for a tour to Bacardi Tour or the Christopher Columbus Forts. The Bacardi Tour is completely FREE and entry into the Forts is only $3.00.

-If you have a big group it is best to travel by taxi. Most taxis have a set rate and will allow you to split the cost between the group.

-You don't need a passport to travel to Puerto Rico and it is highly Americanized, so you will not have a problem communicating or getting around town.