Admittedly I am a bit of an over packer so you definitely do not need all the items here but hopefully some of them are useful to you and the destination you are visiting!

Here are my favourite travel essentials for women that are tried, tested and true:

Luggage’s and Weekend Getaway Bags For Women- My Favourite Travel Essential for Women is my Backpack

Carry On Back Pack

This travel essential for women is my absolute favourite! It comes on every trip with me. It also doubles as my diaper bag when I am home. I’m obsessed with all the compartments it has and it helps to keep me so organized. If you have a quick overnight trip, you probably could make use with just this.

I also use it when I am on a trip and want to pack some items with me for the day.

It has a charger within it, area for snacks that help to keep them cold and even a compartment for shoes ( I use this compartment for a wet bathing suit on day trips). It is only $56 CAD and also comes in so many awesome colours!

Weekender Bag

This Weekender Bag is a travel essential for the stylish traveler! It literally looks identical to the Beis Weekend Bag but instead of a bigger price tag, it is only $59!!! I love the different compartments and longer strap available.

It also comes in a variety of colours to choose from!

Carry On Luggage

We may or may not have 3 of these ( one for each of the girls!) and then I also bought one my mom too. If you are looking for a rolling option as a carry on and want a traditional luggage, this one is perfect. It is compact and also fits overhead without any issues and the hard shell makes it very durable.

If pink isn’t your thing, it also comes in navy and black!

LOOKING FOR OTHER TRAVEL TIPS? You Might Like These Posts Below:

• 27 Dream Destinations Perfect for any Women
• An Affordable Online Travel Agent That You Should Use for your next Trip!
• Travelling with Kids? 20 Toddler Toys You Need To Pack
• Sayulita, Mexico: The Perfect Destination For A Girls Trip

Packing Essentials For Women

Packing Cubes

I feel like people either swear by packing cubes or find them pointless. I am a BIG fan of them…especially when I travel with the kids! I label all of mine (ie: Bathing suits, tops, underwear etc) and find them incredibly useful when we are staying at several hotels in one single trip. I place the packing cubes in the hotel drawers and take out what I need versus fully unpacking everything. If you are doing a trip with 1-2 night stops here and there, you can easily “unpack” and also stay super organized!

These packing cubes are are my fav and come in a few sizes and colours.

Sunglass Organizer

If you follow me on Instagram, you likely have seen me bragging about this travel essential for women – my sunglass holder! I honestly cannot travel without all my favourite sunnies so I love this sunglass organizer for keeping that all safe and compact. I often hang it right in the closet!

Travel Pouches- The Most Aesthetically Pleasing Travel Essential for Women

Honestly if packing cubes aren’t your thing, maybe these cute travel pouches are for you instead. I use these to place inside my carry on so I am organized when I have a long haul flight OR if I am using my backpack for a day trip from the hotel.

Make Up Bag

This is Amazon make up bag went viral and for good reason! It is hella good looking and super functionable. I have had mine for 4 years and it still looks amazing! I bought one for home use and one for strictly travelling.

Hanging Toiletry Bag

This hanging toiletry bag has done me wonders. I love just pulling it out from my suitcase straight into the bathroom. Also if you are like me and have forgot to tighten a lid or two, this has saved me from a full on explosion since there are compartments.

I convinced all my girlfriends to buy one too after they saw how amazing it was when we were on a girls trip! 10/10 recommend!

Portable Hangers

Is there anything worse than wanting to hang all of your clothes up in the hotel but you are left with only 5-6 hangers? Worse is when you have to share those said hangers with your travel companion. These portable hangers are so useful when you have a lot of dresses or items that need to be hung!

Mini Jewelry Organizer

Keep your necklaces from tangling into a big ball with this mini travel jewelry organizer! It’s cute, compact and can help you see all the options you have very easily!

Passport Holder

I love this for helping me to easily spot my passport in my bag and to keep it safe and protected. I actually have this for each of my family members in different colours so I know whose is whose when we get asked for specific ones from the border agents.

In Flight Travel Essentials for Women

Being comfortable on a flight is super important to me. I don’t fly first class and we all know those economy seats can be VERY snug. To make myself as comfortable as possible, I always bring along these plane travel essentials. If I forget one ( its happened), I seriously am a mess!

Reusable Water Bottle

I feel like this is a given but maybe it’s not for some people. Once you start travelling with a reusable water bottle, you can never go back. Plastic water bottles are a: so terrible for the planet and b: are SO expensive in the airport and on a flight so this travel essential for women is one you should get on as soon as possible

All of these are available for purchase by clicking on the photos, I am recommending this one HERE as it’s a best seller ( and the one I own!)

Hand Sanitizer

The mention of Hand Sanitizer does make me experience PTSD from COVID times if I am speaking honestly here but it truly is an essential- Covid or not.

I have always loved this travel size option that is also vegan, cruelty free and smells like lemon.

Neck Pillow + Blanket

The best way to get cozy on a flight is by busting out a fuzzy blanket and using a neck pillow. Game changers! I love this set because it comes with both and comes with a little bag to carry them in that you can clip to your luggage or carry on!

Women’s Travel Essentials-Eye Mask

I am going to recommend the ultimate luxury travel accessory for her and that is the SLIP silk sleep mask. I sleep with a mask every night at home so you better believe I travel everywhere with one- especially planes where I need extra help getting to sleep

Portable Phone Charger

Nothing more important when travelling ( especially as a women) than to have a fully charged phone. I love this one as it has multiple inputs. I also sometimes find certain low budget airlines do not have a power option so it’s great to have this in your carry on.

Cozy Plane Socks

I like raising my comfort level on a plane to the maximum capacity. With that being said, I pack socks specially for the plane. I get SO cold on planes and I love bringing fleece ones with me.

You can’t beat these UGG ones here. They feel like your feet are wrapped in a warm cloud.

Iphone Holder

Want to watch something your downloaded on your phone but don’t want to hold it the entire flight? This Iphone Holder is the perfect solution

Hat Clip-Travel Essential That You Never Knew You NEEDED!

If you love a good large rimmed sunhat, you definitely know the struggle that comes with transporting it. Do you wear it? Do you pack it? It was always the biggest dilemma for me!

After finding about this viral hat clip, I knew I had to get it! And I am so glad I did. It works amazing and once we get on board, I just place my hat under the seat! It never falls off throughout the airport.

Beauty Travel Essentials for Women & Accessories

Make up Wipes

 My skin care routine stops for nothing- not even travelling! I love my make up wipes for getting the job done quick. I use these ones to get even waterproof mascara off. They are WAY better than “official make up” removers. TRUST!

Facial Mist

This stuff is like a mini facial on the road…and the best part is that it is only $10 CAD! Spray some of this towards the end of your flight or after a long day exploring and you will feel like a brand new person!

Key Skin Products

This is the whole grail of keeping your skin in check when you travel! I am a big fan of all Supergoop products and these SPF lip balm and bronzer moisturizer are the best ones in my opinion!

I also always bring one and only one expensive face serum and it’s always my Vivier Radiance Serum. I pack it in the travel size beauty container below so I don’t have to bring the whole bottle

When it comes to make up, I normally don’t pack a whole lot. I have my mascara, bronzer, eye liner, some blush but NEVER do I forget my CC Full Coverage Cream. YOU GUYS THIS STUFF IS the best product you can honestly buy as it smooths your skin right out, covers any blemishes and has SPF 50+ protection to boot. I always get compliments on my skin when I use this ( which is everyday now haha)

Travel Size Beauty Containers

These TSA approved travel containers are the perfect solution for you to bring all your favorites from home without having to worry about space. They even come with labels to make sure you stay organized.

LED Travel Compact Mirror

Let’s face it- hotel lighting can sometimes be awful! I keep this LED Travel Mirror with me at all times- not just travelling! It’s for when you are on the go even at home!

Under Eye Mask Patches

There are many ways that you can make yourself feel like a new person after a long day: showering, having a coffee, taking a quick nap but my most favourite way to rejuvenate myself is doing a little home spa session and these under eye patches are just the way to do it!

I use them on every flight ( despite the stares) and every time after I shower on vacation! Love them.

Tech Travel Essentials for Women & Accessories

Compact Clothing Steamer

Little steamer…big results! It sucks when you unpack and notice all of your clothes are wrinkled beyond repair. While some nice hotels have ironing boards and irons, it is a hassle to set it all up! This portable steamer is AMAZING and works super fast.

Tripod

I use this tripod at home for all my content and family photos but if you are travelling you will be happy with this as well! It is super small and can expand up to 6 feet in height. It even comes with a little clicker that attaches to the pole so you never lose it

If you are travelling solo it is definitely a must to capture yourself in amazing spots you will never forgt!

Electronics Organizer

I love having all the tech gadgets but I hate having them all in different places. This cord/tech holder keeps all your cords and plugs in one easy to find spot! It even fits a travel power bank.

Universal Plug Converter

File under boring travel essentials that you need but are not exciting to purchase. Trust me though this little guy has come in clutch when visiting countries with different power outlets!

Air Tag Holder

Travelling with Air tags has become second nature to us over the last few years. These air tag keychains are great for making sure you never lose the important end of them! While travel insurance is important especially for lost items, these are the next best things.

Track your luggage and belongings at any time and have peace of mind when you see they have arrived at the arrival airport!

Health and Safety Travel Essentials for Women

Key Chain Alarm

If you are a women who is doing solo travelling, you will want to buy this personal key chain alarm. While pepper spray would be a good option, it doesn’t get through security! This device is super tiny yet very powerful.

I bring this even when I travel with my husband as it could be useful in any dangerous situation!

Mosquito Repellant

The best way to ruin a vacation or trip is to get eaten alive by Mosquitos. I feel like I used to only pack mosquito repellant based on the destinations I was going to but now I always just pack it in case because you never know when those buggers will show up!

Key Chain Whistle

I not only use these for myself but also with my kids. I have one attached to my back pack and their packs as well. My 5 year old knows to blow it if she can’t find us, is scared or is with a stranger she doesn’t feel comfortable with.

Mini Umbrella

This mini umbrella is so small and easy to pack. Stay dry if the weather takes a turn as it can easily fit in a purse. I used this during my trip to Vancouver and it was so key

Portable Fan

Beat the heat with this mini portable fan. It easily can attach to your backpack or purse so you can bust it out anytime you need it!

Intruder Spray

Ok well this is technically dog spray LOL but a friend of mine bought this and used it during her travels to South East Asia. Unfortunately she had to use it at a bar one night and the guy buzzed right off after she sprayed him.

Pill Organizer

Stay healthy and keep up with your medications and supplements even when you are on the go. I love this pill organizer ( it’s only $8) as it’s compact, stylish and has 8 compartments!

First Aid Kit

Buying a first aid kit isn’t the most exciting purchase obviously but it is probably one of the most necessary ones! Between the mini aloe gel to the bandits, this travel first aid kit has come in handy more times than I wish!

Travel Essentials for Women – Clothing and Accessories

My three things that I always need for travelling as a women are a good pair of tights for the airports, comfortable shoes, a good anti theft or convenient style purse and a boat load of sunglasses! Of course I love some good vacation dresses and bathing suits but these are the key travel essentials list when it comes to clothing!

Comfortable Walking Shoes

These are my go to comfortable walking shoes when I travel! I love that they are lace free and can easily be slipped on. They come in a few shades if white is not your thing and have over 175 stellar reviews!

An Assortment of Sunglasses

If you click on any of the pictures above, it will take you directly to these sunglasses. These sunglasses are all from Amazon and are under $30.00. My kind of shades!

I am so rough on my sunglasses especially when I am travelling and on a beach. If something happens to them I never feel bad as I can easily replace them at a very reasonable cost!

Anti Theft Travel Purse

What did I do without my anti theft belt bag?! This bag is the absolute best bag to travel with! It stays close to your body, you can wear it around your waist or shoulder and it’s adjustable! Wins all around

I carry my essentials in here and there is even a little side zipper where you can place a credit card to keep it extra safe! This is a women’s travel essential that should be on everyone’s list.

Biker Shorts or Leggings

These shorts are a Lululemon Dupe and are only $25.00 Cad! I love me some Lulu but the price sometimes is a bit much- especially for items that I am bringing travelling.

These shorts come in a lot of colours and the brand also has full on leggings too. I love these biker shorts for quick plane rides paired with a long sleeve shirt and jean jacket!

One Piece Bathing Suit

This bathing suit comes in so many colours and it is so flattering. I think every women should have a good one piece suit and this one in particular is a fav because it doubles as something you can wear with jean shorts and it’s a full outfit!

Viral Amazon Beach Bag

This beach bag went viral on all of the things because it was that good. It’s only $20 CAD and comes in a bunch of colours! I have the pink and it’s a great bag to toss all our sunscreen and necessities to head to the pool!

Bonus: It’s easy to pack and doesn’t take up much room at all! My kind of travel essential

The Best Wide Brim Beach Hat

I am OBSESSED with this Lack of Colour Hat. I have a few of their hats and while they are not cheap, the quality is amazing and I’ve had mine for years! The straw one is my favorite and it offers a ton of sun coverage. I also just love the look of them!

Wrinkle Free Fabric Spray

The reviews on this item don’t lie. I have one of these in my travel backpack, my car and even in my clutch sometimes when I go out for dinners. It is MAGIC! It get’s rid of your wrinkles so easily and after packing and rolling some dresses or shirts, it’s a quick fix to making everything look nicer!

I hope you enjoyed this travel essentials list and that your next vacation is a breeze because of some of these items!

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They fly out of many airports including our hometown airport of Hamilton which is 15 minutes from our house. The Hamilton Airport is a DREAM to fly out of. It is small, less busy and overall just very charming ( They have a Detour Coffee Kiosk in there and if you KNOW- you know.) Checking in there and getting through security has been hassle free and seamless.

Having been on a few flights now with Swoop ( our most recent one being a direct flight to Vegas!), I wanted to share my experience and give a full Swoop Airlines Review!

There is a lot of online chatter about delays with them, cancellations and so forth but in all of my 7 flights, I haven’t experienced any of this. Lucky? Maybe- considering how often you hear of MANY airlines being in tough situations right now after COVID but even before the pandemic, I never experienced a cancellation or had any issues. We did have one plane take off 20 minutes late from Toronto Pearson but that had nothing to do with Swoop and everything to do with the Pearson customs line holding the majority of passengers back.

So what should you know about Swoop Airlines, the Ultra Low Cost Carrier?

Well first of all- on a superficial level- the plane itself is pretty cute. The pink accents on the plane and the staff uniforms had me from the get go. My daughter’s favourite colour is pink so she was equally excited to hop on board and called it the “Barbie” plane. But let’s get to the nitty gritty stuff!

I thought I would give my full Swoop Airlines review by answering some questions that I had in my DM’S about them from my most recent Hamilton to Vegas flight that I took!

Are the flights really cheaper than other Airlines?

One hundred percent yes. Even if you add in extra bag fees, taxes etc, their fares are REALLY reasonable. Have you filled up your car lately? My SUV costs $120 to fill up as of last week ( that’s a rant for a different day!) but I’ve seen some fares on Swoop Airlines for as low as $99.00 each way. This is a base fare but STILL! I would choose to get on a flight over filling up my car to do a road trip all day everyday.

I also would like to note that before Swoop Airlines was on the scene, flight costs to fly within Canada in particular were not cheap. I remember looking up flights to British Colombia and was floored when I realized I could fly to Europe for cheaper. It was disappointing because it differed so many Canadians from exploring their own country. Now though? Swoop offers some SERIOUS low cost deals within Canada that makes it much easier to explore our own stomping ground. We flew to Calgary last summer for such a good price and with the US exchange rate being high right now, it is a win win all around to stay in Canada if you want to try to stick to a more reasonable budget.

How much does it cost to Check a Bag? Are you charged for Carry on Items? Baby Items?

If you fly with Swoop Airlines, you get one free personal item regardless of the destination you travel to. Examples can be purses, backpacks etc. You can see the backpack I travelled with below. It is actually one of my favourites by the way and can be purchased off Amazon HERE!

I had no issues from staff with carrying this along. I also threw on my fanny pack for money/ids etc! My husband brought on a larger duffle as a personal item and also had no problems. You can see the exact measurement allowances for all bags below. I think if you have someone who is a little more lenient checking you in that this certainly helps! I think it’s safe to say we have all experienced that ticket person who makes you take out items because your luggage is a pound or two over. Obviously if your luggage is way over, this is a safety concern for weight levels on the plane but overall most ticket clerks are nice and I especially found the staff at Swoop very pleasant.

Both Carry on and Checked Bags or Checked Luggage on Swoop are cheaper if you purchase them when you book your tickets! The closer you get to your departure date, the higher the price shoots up. Prices range from $35-$56 when booking ahead of time. If you wait until you get to the Airport to pay for a checked or carry on bag, prices range from $55-$79 dollars.

Another thing to note is that Luggage prices are different depending on the distance of your trip. You can see the full breakdown under the Checked Baggage section HERE

If you are travelling with a baby, you get to bring a Car seat and diaper bag free of charge! To add on a stroller, it is about $25.00! If you purchase an actual seat for your baby or toddler ( not just carrying them on your lap), then you get to check a Car seat AND stroller free of charge. Fun fact: Chloe’s first flight was with Swoop! If you are a parent who has travelled, you probably remember those first flight jitters that come along when you are travelling with your new baby and I’ll never forget how accommodating everyone was with us on that flight. Praise be!

How often do they fly from Hamilton Airport?

Now that COVID is behind us, their flight schedule is ramping back up. Routes within Canada have started to resume and you can find direct flights to destinations in Canada like Charlottetown, Moncton, and Edmonton to name a few ( from Hamilton Airport). If you are flying from Toronto, they have more routes!

Their routes to the Caribbean are normally seasonal and are offered from both Hamilton and Toronto! I am eyeing their direct flights from Hamilton to Puerto Vallarta for November and would be over the moon to fly to freaking MEXICO from the Hamilton Airport.

The Vegas route we took was from Thursday ( Direct flight leaving at 2PM) to Sunday ( Direct flight leaving Vegas at 5PM) and felt it was the PERFECT itinerary. You arrive just in time to settle, relax and get ready for a fun night out in Vegas and then on the Sunday you have the entire day pretty much to soak up that Vegas sun if you want ( or recover from the previous night haha). If you want to stay for longer, they have return flights on Thursdays and also Saturdays!

Are there food and drink options on board Swoop Airlines?

Yes, there are food and beverage options on board but it will cost you! There are no free drink options like coffee, tea, water etc. so plan accordingly. I personally hate airline coffee so never take up this free option that is available on some other airlines.

Swoop Airlines is like any other airline though in terms of food where if you want to eat, you have to pay for it. When was the last time you went on a flight and got free food though? Maybe in 1995? haha. They have options like sandwiches, wraps, snacks and like most Airlines- the items are not cheap.

We packed snacks and filled up our water bottles at the airport so this never bothered us at all!

If you want wine, beer or liquor, you can purchase this on board at a cost that is pretty standard! On the Hamilton- Vegas route it seemed that many people were excited about this option! haha

Does Swoop have an In Flight Entertainment system?

No they do not. You can download their app though and watch some entertainment on there if you really need to though! You can also purchase WIFI through the app which I believe is about $10 Canadian!

I downloaded the Swoop App on my daughter’s Ipad which worked great. I prefer to listen to Podcasts and read so I had made sure I had all my episodes downloaded before we took off!

My husband on the other hand usually only watches the flight maps when there is an entertainment system. Hahahah yes really- even on long haul flights. So with that being said, he was perfectly content staring out the window

Do you have to pay to use the washrooms?

This was an actual question I got from someone and it honestly made me laugh! NO- you do not need to use the washrooms. Although such a silly question, I wanted to add it in there as she did say she read it somewhere. It’s a friendly reminder that sometimes people online can make up some ridiculous things.

I hope you found this review of Swoop Airlines helpful and that you are already on their website scooping out a future travel destination!! As always if you have more questions, feel free to DM me on Instagram

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Situated about 2 hours from the Liberia Airport, you feel like you are worlds away from civilization and immersed in the heart and soul of Costa Rica. The minute we arrived, I felt myself immediately relax ( and I was travelling with two kids so that says a lot!). The calming energy of the resort itself was felt in every corner- at check in ( super easy and quick process), in the rooms, at the pool and above all, was ingrained in all of the staff that we met. Every person welcomed us with a smile and went above and beyond for anything we needed.

THE GROUNDS AT HOTEL PUNTA ISLITA

Hotel Punta Islita is a sprawling property.

The main house features the famous infinity-edge freshwater pool and main restaurant. This is where we had breakfast every morning and where dinner takes place. It is hands down the best vantage point on the resort and I could very easily set up shop on one of the sun loungers and never leave. It offers a mesmerizing view and makes you feel like you are in the most luxurious of settings. While this was tempting, we did explore all of the property and we are sure glad we did because it kept wow’ing us the more we saw.

In addition to this area, Hotel Punta Islita has a full service spa, jungle side gym, a full restaurant and kid friendly pool at the beach. The beach area really impressed us with multiple cabanas to lounge at, Instagram worthy tipi stations perfect for families, beach chairs and ton of white hammocks. There was never a shortage of places to hang out at and though the resort was at 75% capacity, we still felt like we had many areas to ourselves!

One of our favourites draws of our time at Hotel Punta Islita was the food though! If you are after a gastronomy experience that is unique, you have come to the right place! Breakfast was included in our rate so we really got to work our way though the menu. All items were thoughtfully crafted with local ingredients and menu items were creatively named! Instead of calling the smoothie bowl on their menu a “smoothie bowl”, they referred to it as “healthy ice cream”. This had our 3 year old pretty excited. Each dish featured rich textures, intense flavours and presentation wise- they were just beautiful! Breakfast and Dinner were served at Aura and lunch options were available at the beachside Alma which offered a more casual fare.

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Looking for things to do when you are there? Hotel Punta Islita has a ton of amenities should you wish to use them. For starters, they offer free shuttles into the main little town. We took these when we decided to dine at the local restaurant 2 of the 6 nights we were there. It was so nice to not have to get into our car once during our stay! The shuttle also makes trips back and forth to the beach area so you don’t have to walk. Going from the main casita house to the beach does require some walking and steps so if you are at all dealing with accessibility issues- it is an amazing service to have. With the kids, it was too much to walk so this was great for us.

Other amenities they have that are totally free: Ceviche Making Class, Mixology Class, Arts and Crafts for the kids, and Guided Hikes. For an A La Carte experience that is additional, you can do Yoga Sessions, Horseback Riding, Monkey Quests, Kayak Excursions and more. We added on Horseback Riding which was about $50 per person and SO worth it. We went through various trails on the property ( making us realize how big it is) and landed on the beach which honestly felt like a dream. Highly recommend it! They offer tours in the morning at 8:00AM or later afternoon at 4:00PM!

REVIEW OF THE ROOMS AT HOTEL PUNTA ISLITA

Hotel Punta Islita keeps the Costa Rican style and charm throughout the property and the guest rooms were no exception. With terra cotta tiles, natural wood bed frames and rustic décor sprinkled throughout, you very much feel like you are somewhere unique. This however is balanced out with high quality mattresses ( seriously the most comfortable beds throughout our entire visit in the country), high tread count linens and in room amenities such as robes and beautiful toiletries. We stayed in Room 21 which after checking out a few of the rooms, I can firmly say this view is one of the best on the resort.

Room categories at Hotel Punta Islita include standard, deluxe, junior suite, premium junior suite casitas, and private villas. All rooms are air-conditioned with flat-screen satellite TVs, in-room safe, minibar and complimentary wi-fi.

If you want extra space, the casita rooms are a great idea. They feature canopy king beds, their own plunge pool, private gardens and beautiful bamboo lined ceilings The Villa room categories are a good match for bigger families with 2 or 3 bedroom options that may want to cook or make some dinners in the comfort of their own space.

IMPORTANT TIDBITS ABOUT HOTEL PUNTA ISLITA, AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION

• If you are a Marriot Bonvoy member, you can redeem points at this hotel!
• I would get a rate at Hotel Punta Islita that includes Breakfast. You get so much more value to the experience being able to try out more than one dish each morning. We often would each get a dish and then split the pancakes for the table.
• While the main restaurant’s dinner menu is exquisite, we really enjoyed checking out the local restaurant town the street called Kimbute! The hotel even offers free shuttle service there. It is also much more reasonable priced and the portions were big.
• Overall, we felt Hotel Punta Islita was perfect for both honeymooners, couples AND families. With the different areas, it really is the best of both worlds. The infinity pool on the main level is for adults only. Even though I have kids, I actually liked this rule. The vibe would have been ruined with kids yelling and screaming!
• If you want to add some extra days to your Hotel Punta Islita Stay, I recommend checking out Nosara

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Being in the travel blogging space, I never thought I would use a travel agent or service to help plan a trip. I am good at researching and if you add in my Type A personality, trip planning is something that I very much enjoy! I know that I am of the minority though and for most, it can feel overwhelming.

It used to be easy, peasy for me to whip together an itinerary for a destination and find a hotel……that was until COVID. During the pandemic I got to know that feeling of being overwhelmed with travel planning and feeling “planning pains”. What are the restrictions? Does the hotel require proof of vaccine? How do I get back to Canada safely? What if something happens when I am away? Justin Trudeau just announced what?

I came across  The Travelogist– a Canadian travel concierge service- just in time for our month long trip to Costa Rica and am so, so thankful I did! It alleviated a huge amount of stress planning this extensive trip. With a new baby in the house and Chloe being the busy body that she is, I didn’t have time to research all of the things I needed to research. As we know, post-pandemic travel is not business as usual anymore.

This service is like having a cooler, more hands on jetsetter bestie that can be available to you 24/7. Seriously- you can get in touch with a live human at any part of your trip at any time.

There are 3 packages that you can choose from depending on what your travel needs/wishes are and the best part about it, is that it is beyond reasonable! Plans range from $299 per trip to $459 per trip and includes up to 6 people.

Here are some of the things that got sorted for us through the package we had:

• Flights booked! They found us an unbelievable fare and added on our frequent flyer benefits/miles. I also wasn’t aware we could add on a Bassinet option for Gemma and they did it for both routes
• Car rental booked with their preferred rates ( When I was looking online prices were almost double but they managed to find us an industry rate). We also got a 2nd driver added on for free!
• Full travel insurance options ( pretty much a must now with COVID). They also advised on protocols and entry requirements, including connecting points
• Created a tailored travel itinerary with some curated activities and excursions that reflect our vacation style
• Restaurant reservations for some of the areas we will be visiting ( Very cool ones may I add!)
• Information on all of nearest hospitals ( Key when travelling with kids)
• Priority airport check ins, fast lanes through security and immigration, escorted gate to gate transfers
• Hotel Upgrades ( From a standard garden room to an ocean view room at one of our hotels!)

These are just some of the favourite things we had included but the list of things that we had taken care of was really quite extensive.

Let me backtrack a bit and explain the process of how this all went down…

Pre-Travel

After choosing the package that worked best for us, we were emailed over a questionnaire to help our agent understand our travel style. The questions went through our needs and wants for the trip and after submitting it, there was a few additional exchanges between us and their team to make sure they truly understood what we wanted. We also filled out a Travel Request form that gathered all of our frequent flyer numbers, passport documents and vaccine information so that they could even check in for us if we wanted them to ( Spoiler alert: we wanted them to!)

It was not long after that were given a personalized itinerary where every “I” was dotted and every “T” was crossed. Literally no page was left unturned and this was even before take off!

Two weeks before our trip, I was able to log into The Travelogist App  and see a FULL breakdown of our trip! I am talking flight info, hotel info, transportation tickets, restaurant reservations, COVID test sites, nearest  hospitals, embassies, currency converter, tipping protocol, local SIM card info, local weather details, and EVEN places to breastfeed in the airport that catered to nursing mamas!! Revisions are added and accessible in real time and are shared with your travel specialist so you both have access to it!

Don’t have wifi? No problem! You can access it offline at anytime. If you still have questions, you can literally chat with someone from their end at any time you want! Prior to leaving on our trip, we would just scroll through all of it because it was so exciting to look through!

On the day we departed, we got a message on the app letting us know that our flight was on time and that the flight conditions looked good but warned us there may be some turbulence en route. Yes, actually. I couldn’t believe we were getting these kind of details.

From that point on, we basically just showed up to the airport and dropped off our luggage as the team checked us in already and uploaded our boarding passes into the app. I am normally breaking into a mild sweat after checking in and instead I was beyond relaxed.

The Man behind The Travelogist

So who brewed up this 5 star travel app?

Based out of Montreal, Alain Robert is the brains behind this incredible service. He has worked in the travel industry for over 27 years and his resume includes working for Celebrity Cruises, Aeroplan Groupe Accor and organizing, managing and building a travel program for Cirque du Soleil. He even worked as a flight attendant for Westjet so he has worn many hats within the industry!

 He launched the The Travelogist with the goal of bringing the magic back into travelling. Any client of his will be given a five star travel experience where you can enjoy your trip safely and have a curated, top notch experience as well. Alain has been given the preferred partner status at luxury hotels around the world, including Four Seasons Preferred, Belmond Bellini Club, Shangri-La Luxury Circle, Ritz Carlton Stars , Marriott Luminous, Hilton Impresario and Hyatt Prive to name a few.

I thought I was special because I was a Marriott Bonvoy member (lol) but the perks I thought I had were not the same as Alain’s. Having the extensive background under his belt has allowed for special relationships in the travel industry, with perks that are not available to an average travel agent.

Peace of Mind when Travelling with The Travelogist

Besides the enhancements like getting our room upgraded at one of the hotels or having a free breakfast added on at another one of our accommodations, I think the best benefit of planning our trip with The Travelogist is feeling at ease when we are here. I know that if anything was to pop up, I could reach out and have someone from the team help me. A few days ago, I even messaged them and asked where we could find a waterfall to visit and I got an answer just a few hours later. It included a list of thoughtful suggestions and narrowed it down to one specifically that would be the best fit for us with the kids.

For the price, it is worth it on so many levels and I am so glad that I took the plunge and went through with it. If you have an upcoming trip, I highly recommend trying out a package so you can focus on packing your favourite bikinis, sunscreen and passport and let everything else fall into place with their help!

BOOK THE TRAVELOGIST HERE

2020/2021: The year of staycations! The year of realizing that there are so many amazing spots to hit up that are super close to home! White Oaks Resort and Spa was definitely this place for me. Driving to Buffalo for shopping trips ( Hi, Target!) or to leave from the Buffalo Airport, always had me passing by this remarkable property.

Just 8 miles from Niagara Falls, minutes from Niagara on the Lake and 45 minutes from Hamilton where I live, makes it the perfect place to do a mini getaway.

It is also situated RIGHT beside the Niagara outlet mall so you can plan a Christmas shopping trip- get all your gifts sorted and then treat yourself with a spa day. Doesn’t that sound perfect? Well I can confirm it was perfect because that’s pretty much the trip we just had!

Looking to do a trip to Niagara or Buffalo? You Might Want to Check Out These Other Posts!

• 8 Fun Things to Do in Crystal Beach, Ontario ( an hour from Buffalo)
• Niagara Bike Wine Tour That You Must Check Out
• How To Spend A Day in Niagara On The Lake
• Peach Picking In Niagara

THE GROUNDS AT WHITE OAKS RESORT

The property at The White Oaks Resort and Spa spans over 13 acres of the Niagara wine belt and is 15 minutes from downtown Niagara on the Lake aka prime real estate. While pairing your trip with a wine tour or shopping trip is recommended, you can also just stay put at the hotel itself. Between the spa, the indoor pool, the 100,000 square foot fitness center, you will not be bored and can spend time at each of these amenities to fill up your day. In addition to all of these offerings, I found myself enjoying the outdoor garden area with my book several times throughout the 2 nights there. It was so peaceful and charming and I felt like I was transported to England.

The interior of the resort is also very cozy. You can fully walk around the hallways or to the spa in your robe and slippers and let me tell you- I did just that. It adds to the level of relaxation and made me fully unwind. We spent the first morning there indulging in room service breakfast and then made our way to the spa. Their 5 star spa features an assortment of treatments to choose from.

While I was tempted to get a Prenatal Massage, I opted for the Oxygen Facial and my girlfriend got the Coconut Beach Wrap. We loved our treatments so much that we tried to book another of their signature treatments for later that day. Unfortunately the place was hopping and they were booked up for the next few days ( definitely book some treatments ahead of time when planning your visit). You do not want to miss getting pampered here. The lounge room is so soothing and after our treatment we laid there taking in the mood lighting, comfy couches and fireplace that outfits the space. So much yes!

The next “activity” we very much enjoyed was eating at the on site restaurants! In addition to the room service we had, we also ate at PLAY bar + grill 2 of the nights we were there. Niagara does have some incredible dining options around but the caliber of the restaurants on site are on par with anything you will find around. We wanted to stay put and not leave the hotel and enjoyed the laid-back and relaxed atmosphere that PLAY offers. While we enjoyed a perfectly cooked Striploin steak one of the nights, we actually found the Burger we had the next night to be our favourite. IT WAS MOUTH WATERING!

Pro tip: Get the sweet potato fries with it. I also very much recommend the Skor Cheesecake. My friend and I made a dumb decision to split a piece and we were playing fork hockey after taking 1 bite haha!

The White Oaks Resort and Spa also has 2 other options on site: LIV- an award winning, 5 star restaurant and Grow Kitchen and Cafe- a casual, grab and go spot with Starbucks on site. LIV is closed for dinner at this time on Mondays and Tuesdays so we didn’t eat there at night but enjoyed breakfast there one morning. The modern and chic atmosphere is enough to make you love the place but the food really gets rave reviews as well. The chef uses locally produced ingredients and changes the menu to reflect the current seasons. A lot of people visit the resort just to have a dining experience here which is pretty cool.

Our breakfast table at the restaurant overlooked the beautiful gardens ( pictured below) and featured some delicious breakfast options. I opted for waffles, my friend got the lox and caper bagel and we shared the granola plate which was presented so beautifully!

THE ROOMS AT WHITE OAKS

The White Oaks Resort and Spa has many room options. We stayed in the beautiful “Parkview” suite which was located in a separate wing from some of the standard room options. The rooms in this wing have been recently renovated and offer up more room and space than a traditional hotel room. So much room that it had me wondering if the suite was bigger than my condo when I lived in Toronto. I am pretty sure it was bigger!

We had a king size bed with a separate living area ( that could be divided by a sliding door) and a MASSIVE bathroom that included a large/jacuzzi style soaking tub and a shower. The bathroom even had a tv in it! I would have been happy to set up shop in there for the weekend! haha.

Some of the in room amenities include:

• Nespresso Maker ( one of my fav features that a hotel can offer!)
• Frette Linens
• Bath Robes
• 37 inch TVS ( our room had 2!)
• Personal Fridge
• Hairdryer/ Iron/ Safe
• Bedside USB ports
• Individual Heat/AC
• On-Command Movies
• Soaking Tub

IMPORTANT TIDBITS ABOUT THIS NIAGARA ON THE LAKE HOTEL

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The White Oaks Resort and Spa, The White Oaks Resort and Spa, The White Oaks Resort and Spa, The White Oaks Resort and Spa, The White Oaks Resort and Spa, The White Oaks Resort and Spa, The White Oaks Resort and Spa

Located in a prime spot – just in front of the Oak Creek river,  the Amara Resort & Spa features a modern and contemporary atmosphere with added bonuses like an infinity pool, 5 star restaurant and on site spa. Check, check, check!! 

Looking to visit similar places? Check out some of these posts!

• The Ultimate Guide to Banff, Alberta
• 7 Things To Do in Vegas Besides Gambling
• Travel Guide to Samara, Costa Rica
• 72 Hours in Tempe, Arizona ( A Hidden Gem!)
• Unique Hikes in LA

THE GROUNDS AT THE AMARA RESORT & SPA

The Amara Resort & Spa sits directly in front of a beautiful red rock…meaning you really don’t even need to leave the resort to take in Sedona. I mean, I suggest you do but you really can feel the energy of the mountains right from the hotel pool! Despite having a bit of rain during our time there, we still enjoyed the heated infinity pool which is the focal point of the resort. The outdoor temperatures were a bit on the colder side and because of that the pool let off a good amount of steam and it added to the beauty of it all. So inviting!

Another reason you don’t need to leave the resort is because they have an onsite restaurant called Salt Rock which features breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Our stay included daily breakfast and omg- it was certainly some of my favourite meals I had on our entire trip.

Dishes I highly recommend: the Acai bowl, the Steel cut Oatmeal bowl, the Waffles and the Huevos Rancheros Breakfast. They also have a delicious smoothie menu which I indulged in each day. The restaurant has an indoor dining section along with an expansive al fresco patio area attached. We enjoyed breakfast in our robes one morning outside and it felt so cozy.

We also hung out in this area at nighttime and the ambience was just incredible. Picture string lights, bonfire pits and Muskoka chairs all situated in front of the infamous Sedona red rock…all while the sun was going down-so dreamy!

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The Amara spa facilities are directly across from The Amara Resort’s main building and I was lucky enough to receive one of their signature facials. It did not disappoint. Make sure if you go, to book your treatment ahead of time as they often book up well in advance and you do not want to miss out on it let me tell you! The Amara Spa features lots of salt rocks, dim lighting and relaxation chairs for you to rest on pre-treatment

In addition to the stunning grounds, Amara also has a ton of amenities should you wish to use them. For starters, it is super pet friendly! There is a sign at the front of the lobby that welcomes each and every furry friend that is staying there. They have dog treats and water bowls too.

Amenities we took advantage of: the daily valet service as we were often in and out for some hikes. One morning I set out at 5AM and was shocked that they even had someone at that hour! They also have a shuttle that brings you into town. My daughter especially loved zooming up the hill in the golf cart ( she thought it was a ride) and my mom- who has some hip issues- most definitely appreciated this too.

THE ROOMS AT THE AMARA RESORT & SPA

The Amara Resort & Spa, as of May 2021, embarked on a multi million dollar renovation project. The new concept of the hotel is set to have a “tree lodge” aesthetic to reflect the area’s natural surroundings. We were lucky enough to get a newly renovated room that definitely brought that concept to life.

The wooden headboards are made and crafted from local trees in the area while modern decor accents still give you that contemporary design element that the Amara has always been known for! It also featured leather dresser handles, eclectic artwork from Sedona itself and a HUGE closet ( pretty much like a walk in closet) for all your stuff. We put all our luggages in here and it was so nice because it felt like the room was bigger!

My favourite part of the room though was the bathroom. The sleek marble in the shower and the black finishes throughout made me feel like I was pretty fancy. Having a beautiful bathroom like this after a long day of hiking was so enjoyable. I think I took a 20 minute shower one day. The room also comes with Robes so you can slip right into one afterwards and continue to relax.

Lastly, the views from the rooms can not be beat here. We opted for a ground level floor since we were travelling with Chloe and were lucky to be right by the pool! Requesting a room that faces the courtyard/pool, will give you the views of the stunning red rocks each day.

IMPORTANT TIDBITS ABOUT THE AMARA SPA + RESORT

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Though I still LOVE travelling with our daughter and feel it is still very much worth it, I have to acknowledge that it can be exhausting, grueling and it can certainly test your patience at times!  

To make things a little easier ( and to save your sanity mid flight or car ride)- I have come up with a list of toys or items that help make the journey a bit smoother. You’ll be kissing the ground when you arrive even if the flight/journey was relatively smooth and hopefully with the help of these items- you can at least breathe a bit!

Take a look at this incredible list and prepare to be mind blown by these toddler airplane activities.

Shop them here:

TODDLER TRAVEL TOYS- FAVOURITES OF THE BUNCH

Window Clings: Great for plane travel, these will also provide fun entertainment on long road trips, hotel windows and windows while waiting at the airport! They easily come off so you can play with them over and over!

Mess Free Coloring Book: The ultimate coloring activity that comes with ZERO stress. The marker is clear and the paper changes colour as they go aka NO mess at all! This was great for the hotel room too

OTHER ITEMS FOR TRAVEL EASE THAT WILL HELP YOUR TODDLER

Travel Tray: Sick of turning around from the front seat to get your toddler an item? This alleviates this!! Your littles can have everything all laid out infront of them and also gives them the ability to draw for longer car rides

Bento Boxes for Snacks: If there is one thing that will help your kid stay calm and stop them from whining, it is having 82349823 snacks on hand!!! I prepared our bento box with some key items before the flight, before the longer drives and even sometimes before we headed to a restaurant where we wanted to enjoy ourselves. My favourite travel snack is dried mangos as they take really long to eat!! We also love Welo Snacks as they have less sugar than most granola bars!! USE CODE: THEDAYDREAMDIARIES15 for 15% off!

While it is tempting to bring all of the toddler travel toys with you, just remember that a few KEY ones are better than a million little ones. Another toddler travel toy trick is to rotate them over the time you are away. Put one toy away for a few days and bring it back out when your toddler is getting sick of the ones they are currently playing with!

When I was 22, I first visited Lake Louise. We came for the day and ate at one of the Fairmont Lake Louise restaurants. I’ll never forget the emotions I felt when I saw the lake. HOW IS THIS REAL? I remember thinking..

I also vividly remember turning my head the opposite way of the lake and staring at the magical and enchanting building that is the Fairmont Lake Louise. Just like the lake, it had me feeling lots of things. At that moment, I officially added “Staying there” onto my bucket list.

Well- I am extremely happy to announce that I have officially checked off this item on my bucket list and it was everything I hoped and envisioned it would be.

The place is impossible not to fall in love with. Every corner of the Fairmont Lake Louise makes you feel like not only you are somewhere special but that YOU yourself are special. I pranced around the grand and very blue halls and felt like I was in a Disney movie. I wouldn’t have been shocked if chipmunks started following me…singing in happiness and helping me get dressed. I truly can’t remember a time where I felt so happy in a space!

THE GROUNDS AT THE FAIRMONT LAKE LOUISE

The hotel sits directly behind Lake Louise…meaning that you can get a prime time view of the Lake at breakfast, lunch, dinner, walking the halls, leaving the resort, checking in…. aka the grounds are in the most perfect settings. Each of the 12 foot arch windows on the lake side make the view of the turquoise water even more mesmerizing.

Like the Fairmont Banff, this Fairmont too features a grand staircase in the lobby. Although we didn’t need to use it to access our rooms, I still felt the need to walk up the stairs like I was someone important…because that’s the way the stairs and lobby make you feel.

While the Fairmont Banff is a bit bigger and sprawls out across a lot more space, the Fairmont Lake Louise is a bit easier to navigate. There are still tons of shops ( if you forget your sweater, they have plenty of Patagonia sweaters for sale in one of their amazing clothing stores), tons of restaurants, a fitness center and spa! They even have their own Roots store. Yes, you read that correctly!

FAIRMONT LAKE LOUISE RESTAURANTS

The restaurants at the Chateau Fairmont are what I really want to talk about though. My husband, who is literally hungry every 1-2 hours, said his favourite part of Lake Louise was the food. Given that we were situated RIGHT in front of one of the most beautiful sites in the world, to say the food was his favourite part says a lot!

Normally there are more than 5 functioning restaurants on the premise but due to Covid there were 3 opened. We had the pleasure of eating at the Lakeside Lounge for one night and at the newly renovated ( and a little more upscale) Fairview Diner the other night. Both were INSANELY delicious. I’m currently sitting here drinking a green smoothie so looking back at these photos is really making me dwell.

The Fairview Diner was so chic, had an insane cocktail list and the interior of it made me feel like I was on Pinterest. I wanted to save every mental picture I was taking in and file it under my board called “Home Decor goals”.

There isn’t a ton of restaurants in Lake Louise whatsoever so a big perk of staying here is that you do not need to leave the hotel after a long day of hiking or exploring. We loved having a drink or two then just moseying upstairs to our room to get cozy.

THE ROOMS AT THE FAIRMONT LAKE LOUISE

If you have the option to upgrade to a lakeview room while staying here- I would say do it. There is nothing better than opening the curtains in the morning to the epic view that is Lake Louise.

Our room was incredibly spacious and elegant. There was a lot of space for luggage, for lounging, and an occasional dance off ( obviously). Although the room decor was very traditional, it was equipped with all the modern conveniences, including Wi-Fi , flat-screen TVs, a Nespresso and my favourite add on- Le Labo bath products.

We had drinks from the Fairview diner sent to our room ( it came in the cutest packaging where the drink was premade in a bottle with a side garnish) and enjoyed these delicious hand crafted cocktails in the lounge area.

IMPORTANT TIDBITS

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While I did do some research before we left, I was still left pleasantly surprised by a few things! Each of these things made me appreciate the islands that much more.

Heading to French Polynesia or Maldives, you might like these other posts:

–Maldives VS French Polynesia: Comparing the two most exotic places on Earth!
–The #1 Hotel In The Maldives: Review
–The Ultimate Mo’orea Travel Guide: Everything you need to know!
–How To Travel to French Polynesia On a Budget

#1. THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE ON THE ISLANDS OF TAHITI IS FRENCH

While this may seem like an obvious thing since it is called the French Polynesia, I expected there to be more people speaking the native language of Tahitian! Most of the Tahitian people speak French and I was also surprised at how many actual French people lived on the islands! We met tons of people who picked up and left Europe for this perfect paradise. I would recommend having Google Translator downloaded on your phone as the language barrier can be real! With that being said, that means that a lot of the Tahiti food options are FRENCH! Which brings me to my next point..

#2. BAGUETTES ARE A TAHITI FOOD GROUP!

Morning, noon or night on the islands of Tahiti- you can expect baguettes to be on the menu! It is an island staple and we often would see locals riding their bikes while juggling loads of baguettes in the front basket! Not the typical food we were expecting in Tahiti!

We saw one man at the grocery store with over 5 in hand and we asked him “Are you having a big family feast tonight?”. He laughed and replied that the baguettes were actually for his dogs!! haha. Another time at a breakfast restaurant we ordered “toast”. Sure enough we were served a whole baguette! You also can expect Steak and Frites, Crepes and Croissants! Basically, it is worth travelling to for the food alone. The food in Tahiti also offers more budget options compared to places like the Maldives.

#3. TAHITI & FRENCH POLYNESIA IS VERY UNDERDEVELOPED! 

Given that the French Polynesia is one of the most tropical, romantic and luxurious places in the world, it is still incredibly untouched which is honestly amazing. Other tropical places like Thailand or destinations in the Caribbean where tourists flock to, have been victim of chains like Starbucks or Taco Bell buying up real estate! You will not find this here. It feels like it has only been discovered a few years ago and that you are really, really out there! 

#4. TAHITI IS NOT JUST FOR HONEYMOONERS

Since we were venturing there with our family, we expected to be the odd ones out! We figured our plane would be filled with girls wearing hats that said “Just Married” and couples who had that newlywed glow! While there was some people like this, we were surprised at how many other families we met…some of which were on their 2nd or 3rd trips to the islands! We also met some backpackers and some retired friends who decided to do a trip of a lifetime!

The people of Tahiti were SO SO incredibly accommodating to Chloe and were always willing to lend a hand. The Tahiti food options also cater to more families actually. They do more “family style” menu choices are local restaurants and fancy restaurants are few and fare in between!

#5. THERE ARE OVER 115 ISLANDS TO DISCOVER IN TAHITI

Before coming to Tahiti, I naively thought there was Bora Bora, Tahiti and Mo’orea. Once I researched a little more, I started to see how many different islands there are to visit. 115 to be exact. I also was surprised to see that a lot of them require getting on a plane! We had the opportunity to visit the lesser known island of Tahaa and we are SO glad we did! We stayed HERE if you want to check it out. SUCH A GOOD HOTEL!

Next on our list when we travel back here is definitely the island of Naku Hiva

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Key West is like going to the Caribbean without having to leave the USA! You feel like you are on an island with the hot weather, colourful houses everywhere and fish options on just about every menu! Yes please!

Regardless of your age or who you travel there with, there is something for everyone. It is perfect for honeymooners looking to enjoy a romantic sunset, for bachelorette parties looking to have a good time at all the cool bars and it is even perfect for older couples looking to have some fine dining and do some site seeing!

HOW TO GET THERE:

There is many ways to get to Key West! We were already vacationing in Boca Raton so we drove down from there which takes about 4 hours- give or take. You can flew into Key West directly though from any location or there are some small charter plans available from places like Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Orlando if you want to skip the roads! I would recommend flying into one of the major airports ( Fort Lauderdale or Miami) and renting a car as there is so much to see en route to Key West

AMOUNT OF DAYS NEEDED THERE:

• We stayed in Key West for 3 nights. We felt it was a great amount of time to see what we wanted to see in town and also relax by the pool/beach as well. I would definitely not stay less than 3 nights. There is too much to see and do to fit it all in! We could have likely stayed one additional night if we had the time to do so! I would recommend 3 or 4 nights and if you really want to take it easy by the beach- 5 nights!
• I would recommend spending one night in Islamorada before heading directly to the Keys!!! It breaks up the drive nicely and there is SO much beauty in that area. The water colors are actually a bit better than Key West itself so I would take a boat tour to snorkel in the surrounding areas.

GETTING AROUND:

-Walk: Key West is a very walkable city. You can get from one end of Duvall street to the other in about 45 minutes ( that’s if you are a fast walker like myself )

–Bike: This is the best way to get around in my opinion. Most of the hotels have cute, colourful bicycles included so take advantage of that! If your hotel doesn’t have rides, you can rent them on Duvall street

Uber: One night after our boat cruise, we didn’t want to walk down the main street to get to our dinner reso so we called an Uber. It came within two seconds. We also saw the Uber and Lyft sticker on so many cars!

–Key West Free Trolly: The city offers free trolly tours that take you through the town to the main sites. With the baby in tow, we didn’t do this but looked super fun

WHERE TO EAT

What I loved most about Key West was all of the drool worthy restaurants that filled every pocket of the city. I seriously could have just spent 3 days eating my way through town!! Here are some of the favs we tried:

 Morada Bay Beach Café. Ok so this is technically in Islamorada which is 2 hours from Key West but I HIGHLY recommend it for a lunch en route to the keys. The area is so free-spirited and relaxed, while curating an authentic vibe and experience. It also has a vintage airstream on site which would make me want to go to a restaurant strictly for this. There is a beautiful big house beside the restaurant which is where BLOODLINE was filmed. This had my mom in a tizzy!

Onlywood – This unassuming place is tucked down an alleyway off of Duval street. You can easily miss it if you don’t pay attention. The place has such a beautiful, cozy and romantic atmosphere with string lights and lush plants surrounding the outdoor patio. The food matches the beautiful decor with mouth watering pizzas and pastas that are made from scratch. The italian in me gives it a big thumbs up!

Thirsty Mermaid- This was our favourite place that we dined at. It is just off of Duval Street located on a tiny corner block but the dishes are filled with flavours the opposite of tiny. Everything we ate was SOO good that we almost sat in silence just taking it all in. We had the lobster and crab cakes, a snapper and risotto dish and finished it off with their homemade Key Lime Pie and Chocolate Bread Pudding. This place doesn’t take reservations so best to go a bit early if you can!

One Nine Five- Do not expect your typical Conch Fritters to be found at this place. The menu is filled with creative

Pepe’s- One of the oldest restaurants in Key West! It has that old charm and the patio makes you feel like you are sitting in a friend’s backyard. I had a Long Island Iced Tea there and a Mahi Mahi fish sandwich and it did not disappoint. The food is simple but there is just something about this place!

Cuban Coffee Queen – Ok most delicious coffee ever. Get the speciality Cuban coffee which is basically coffee and espresso together with a sweet little splash It is also home to the iconic “Key West” wall mural.

Blue Heaven: This is a must do for brunch but be prepared to wait for it! The wait IS worth the lobster eggs benny though and the breakfast band that plays! Very good vibe

WHERE TO STAY

Southern Most Key Resort: This is where we stayed! You can see my full break down on my experience there HERE ( ps: it’s a good one!) As the name suggests, it is located in the Southernmost Most of the Keys/US!

Markers Resort: The only newly built hotel in Old Town Key West in more than 20 years, the Marker is a modern, comfortable spot that feels like it’s been nestled behind the seaport all along. This is on the opposite side of Duval street where the Marina is!

Air BNB:  If you want a more local feel, I would DEFINITELY recommend an Air BNB here. All the houses are painted shades of pastels with the cutest front porches!!

THINGS TO DO

Sunset cruise: Key West are known for their sunsets and the best way to really take one in? A Sunset cruise! We toured with Sebago Watersports, and can’t say enough good things. With free-flowing drinks, a spacious boat and a great captain, we had the best time! It was 2 hours from start to finish-departing around 5PM and ending at 7PM! They also have a number of other tours during the day as well

Watching the sunset at Mallory square: While the Catamaran cruise was our favourite place to watch the sun go down, next up in line was watching it at Mallory square. This is where everyone in town comes together to watch the changing sky with some drinks. There is lots of happy hour specials close by too

Spending the night on Duval Street: We can’t even begin to describe how much fun taking a night stroll on Duval can be. You’ll find everything from live music, packed pubs, strip clubs, and drag shows. Not for the tame of heart!