2018 Travel Goals & Then Some...

Hi Friends! Happy Thursday! I hope that you are having a lovely week! The weather here is ALL over the place.. and my allergies are feeling it. Otherwise it's a decent week, if not a bit busy!

This year may be kind of an odd one. We are planning to buy a house, or at least look for one. We're not in a hurry to move, so we'll see how it goes. Things at my office seem more unstable than ever, so you never know how that will go... Not to mention some lingering things from last year, and some continued medical stuff for me. Bleh! 

BUT I am trying to focus on fun things.. like reading, scrapbooking, and TRAVEL! :) 

KC and I discussed our ideal amounts of travel in a year, and within that the ideal range of trips, it's yielded these ideas, but no real plans have been made just yet. I'm hopeful to travel more than last year, but less than 2016.

Here's what we have "planned":

Winter Road Trip:

image via Pinterest

We like being able to travel within the first few months of the year, it gives us something to look forward to right off the bat. We typically aim for a road trip so we don't have to deal with the possible travel woes of cancelled flights, etc. Plus it is cheaper to take a long weekend somewhere close!

This year we are considering Bentonville, Arkansas. Sounds random, but I have wanted to go for ages and check out their art museum! They also have so many lovely shops there and in nearby Fayetteville! Another option is to make the quick trip to Pioneer Woman's Mercantile in Oklahoma OR an old favorite of ours: Elves Manor in St. Louis. So we'll see how it goes! :) 

See our trips to St. Louis April 2011 & February 2014 - we love staying at Elves Manor! (that 2011 post has BABY pictures of me and KC! :P)

Summer Cruise:

image via Pinterest

Ever since our cruise to Canada in 2013, KC has really wanted to take another cruise. I know that my in-laws love the heat and being near the water. We asked KC's sister and her husband if they'd like to go on a cruise... and they did want to! SO we are working to get something planned for this summer! This time we will be going somewhere in the Caribbean, which will be new for me. Likely much too hot, but that's ok! I really do love being in and near the ocean when it is actually warm enough to get in. Right now my top choice is Cuba... because you guys, CUBA! But I'd be happy getting to be in the ocean just about anywhere. The draw of Cuba is definitely the cultural element. I don't want to go somewhere that feels like a resort, or like I'm just there to have a good time in a cheaper country... if that makes sense. I'd like to explore the culture with local guides, and learn things as well! If we do go to Cuba, Airbnb has a lot of "Experiences" in Havana. I'd be interested in doing those vs. cruise line excursions. Cooking in a Cuban kitchen? Yes, please! Salsa with local dancers? Sign me up! :) A tour with a local? So much better than a tour bus!

If we go, I will definitely brush up on my (rusty) Spanish and do a lot of reading on Cuba's history. I find doing (even a little) research before travel really helps me understand places we are visiting, and I firmly believe that that is what travel is all about: learning about the world, it's history, and the people living within it.

I also have a soft spot for Dirty Dancing Havana Nights. (I have no illusions that the trip will be like the movie, I just enjoy watching it.)  :) 

Late Summer Road Trip:

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This may depend on the possibility of moving into/purchasing a house not long before this... but we've been talking about a September road trip out to Charleston, SC. We LOVE NOLA (obviously!), we really liked Savannah so we've been wanting to go to Charleston for a few years! We also haven't been a ton of the places in between. I've never been to Kentucky (we've driven through...), we've never been to North Carolina. Etc. I'd LOVE to meet up with a few of you in Louisville if it works out, and then spend a bit of time in Asheville, NC, and visiting our friend Emy in Columbia, SC before making it to Charleston. It should still be warm enough for getting into the ocean in September, so that is the main reason behind the time of year. Of course since things are not planned yet, we could end up doing this in April, or just flying. You never know! Our friends Brittany & Tyler, that went to NOLA with us last spring, said that they (and their sweet baby Ada!) would like to go to Charleston too, so we may meet them there!

Visiting Friends!

We try to visit our far away friends on our travels. We visited Mariana & Eric in California in 2016, and they now live in Seattle. Though we've been to Seattle, it could be fun to go again, and certainly to see them. If the stars aligned I'd love to visit British Columbia again while we're up there. Maybe go up to Vancouver or back to Victoria. Or maybe South to Portland, OR. We've got options.

Also depending on time and budget, it could be fun to visit Brittany and Tyler (& Ada!) in Boston. We've been meaning to for such a long time! Fall would be the ideal time of year to go!

We've also talked about visiting Juliet & Dustin in Taiwan. Which is more of a time and money commitment, but would be such a great opportunity.

Further into the Future!

We are definitely still hoping to make it to Europe, but it will likely just depending on timing and budget. So much of travel is dependent upon flight deals and days that can be taken off work, so we try to be more and more flexible every year!

What are your travel plans this year?

Have you been to any of these places? If so, I'd love your recommendations!

XO,

Alexandra

What Should We Do In NYC? // Calling All Travelers

Update: if you are not outraged by what happened in Charlottesville over the weekend, you are not paying attention. We cannot allow white supremacy in this country. We cannot allow this kind of hate in this country. My heart is so broken over this system of ours and what we allow. If any other group of people (gays, Hispanics, blacks, etc.) "marched" or "rallied" the way those people did in Virginia, they would have been brought down physically by the police. I have no doubt in my mind. Please take a step back this week and consider how you can spread love where you are, and how you can call out those who think their racism (etc. etc.) is ok. We have got to make it clear that this kind of hate will not be tolerated in America. After the president had insufficient things to say about the "rally", I was glad to see what the Governor of VA said. And also, glad to see that KY is pushing to take down confederate statues. *all the broken heart emojis*

Happy Monday Friends! I hope that you had a great weekend!

Last week we FINALLY booked our flight to NYC! :) We found a great price on tickets, and pulled the trigger! We will be there in the early fall, and are looking for recommendations and tips! We've never been!

Here's what we have in mind so far!

Central Park (duh)
Anastasia on Broadway
Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty
The Met
Lots of bookstores

Looking for ideas for hotels, other can't-miss places to visit, cute little districts to walk around, restaurant recommendations, and pretty much any tips for navigating the city! I would kind of like to see another show... but I'm not sure what to pick... too many good options! So let me know if you've seen any shows on Broadway that were great! :)

We want to do a mix of touristy/non-touristy things, and try lots of great food!

I know a few of you live there or near, so if you want to meet up, just shoot me an email! :)

Thank you in advance, sweet blog friends!

XO,

Alexandra

2017 Travel Goals

Hi Friends! Happy Wednesday! (I hope that you had a lovely Valentine's day if you enjoy such things, if not I hope that you had a lovely Tuesday!)

This year is kind of an odd one. Obviously things were off with a bang, and we've since moved into my in-laws house for part of the year to save for a home. We usually travel 4-6 times in a year, but this year it will be a bit different. We'll be traveling less to save more money, but I hope to still fit in a few little getaways.

Here's what we have planned:

NOLA (take 3)

If you read this blog... you probably know that my love for NOLA knows no bounds. So we were jazzed (har) when our friends Brittany and Tyler suggested a trip there (after all 4 of us deliberating and changing our minds on where we should go... heheh). Warm and lively NOLA sounded like just the ticket for the spring. I can't wait to 1) travel with them, they're so much fun, and good friends even since they're move to Boston! and 2) visit NOLA again! Of course!

This time I hope to do a jazz brunch, see some old favorites, visit the Frenchman night market, and catch some live music. :)

See NOLA Trip 1 and NOLA Trip 2.

NYC 

photo via pinterest

We're so excited to be headed to NYC this fall! We've never been, and are so excited to see what the city has to offer! I'm admittedly not a lover of BIG cities, but I am hoping to love NYC anyhow. We don't even have our flight booked, but I cannot wait!

We bought tickets to see Anastasia on broadway! YAYAYAYAY! - a childhood favorite comes to life! I would like to see at least one more show too... but there are so many options and it's a bit too far out right now to see tickets. I definitely want to hit the Met! But it is overwhelmingly huge! I'd love to do a food tour, and hit a lot of bookstores too. I'm sure we'll do the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island, even though we are not usually fans of touristy stops. :) If you've been I'd love to see your posts and hear you favorites and recommendations!

What I hope to slip in... if I'm sneaky and extra budgety.... 

Short Summer road trip.... 

We have three weddings this summer, and two are huge! My SIL's and one of my BFF's. This will be awesome, but I am sure that we will want a bit of a unwind afterward. I'm hoping that we can take a quick road trip in late July or sometime in August. I'd love to visit the great lakes again, or maybe go down to Gulf Shores, AL. I've never been to Alabama!

Geeky Tag-along Trip

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KC is into MTG, and sometimes he and his guy friends like to travel for tournaments. There are some fun locations this year... so if it works out... I'd love to tag along (perhaps with some of the other ladies...) if it works out. If not, that's ok too... but I'd be really excited to go. Portland... I have my eye on you!

Further into the Future!

image via pinterest

Before the move and the big plans we had hoped to go to Europe or possibly Taiwan this year... along with a few US trips... so we'll see how things go post 2017.

image via pinterest

But I'm always excited to see what will happen! I'd love to visit at least one of these places in 2018! :)

What are your travel plans this year?

Have you been to any of these places? If so, I'd love your recommendations!

XO,

Alexandra

What Should We Do in San Francisco? // Calling All Travelers

In April, KC and I head to San Francisco for a fun week exploring, seeing friends, and a little bit of conference-ing (on KC's part!).

We have never been to San Francisco, or California (outside of LAX) and are super excited!

Obviously San Francisco is full of mini cultural meccas and delicious food ... but what should we make sure not to miss?! What are the off-the-beaten-path places to see?!

What should we make sure to see/do/eat?!?!

Thank you in advance sweet blog friends!

XO,

Alexandra

June + July = #AllTheTravel // HELP!

Hi Guys! I hope that May is still treating you well! 

Here things continue to be busy.... but manageable. We've been filling in our calendars with concerts, trips, visiting friends and family... and it's just hitting me... we are going to be going non-stop until August 1st! - Wow.

I need your travel recommendations and tips!!

I love to travel (duh) and I love to plan it out as well.... but this time I definitely need some ideas! There is a lot to plan in a short period of time! Please share in the comments if you have recommendations!

In June we are headed to Indianapolis for just about 24 hours for a concert. What's there to do in Indianapolis? Where should we eat and get our coffee? Wishing we could spend longer... maybe next time!

In July, magical July, we found out we are heading to Alaska for work. FOR WORK*! But, we will also get to leave a little bit early and spend my birthday weekend having fun before we're on the clock! We'll be spending a week in Anchorage, and need your recommendations on places to eat, shop, and get out and about. (preferably without driving too far, my goal is to not over-plan) Alaska has been my dream destination since the 5th grade, so I can't wait to get there, and can't believe it's for my birthday!! :) *Business travel tips oh, so welcome. It's my first time travelling for work!

Also in July we head to Florida for a wedding and following family vacation. We are spending time near Tampa and Clearwater. We'll spending lots of time with KC's family, but will also be planning our own stuff to do while we are there. I'll be the only Florida newbie in the bunch. What's there to do? Where do we need to eat and what should we see? Any tips on vacationing in a hot climate when that isn't your thing?!?!?! 

I'm so excited about each of these trips for totally different reasons, and I can't believe that we will be so far on opposite ends of the country in July alone! 

Do you have any recommendation for me?!

What are your upcoming travel plans? (real or imagined. . .I'm not picky) :)

Thanks in Advance!

XO,

Alexandra

What Should We Do In Nashville? // Calling All Travelers

Happy Friday all! I hope that you have had a fantastic week. :)

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Next week KC and I are driving down to Nashville to see Jack White (again!) with LORETTA LYNN!!!!! - slightly excited.

While we're there we will spend a few days exploring. We've never been and are super excited!

So, here's my question: What should we make sure to see/do/eat?!?!

Thank you in advance sweet blog friends!

XO,

Alexandra

Have you Been To the Pacific Northwest? // Trip Planning

Hello everyone! KC and I are planning a fall trip to the Pacific Northwest! This trip has been a long time coming, and we are REALLY excited. We are looking to spend time in Seattle, Victoria, and Vancouver. 

Have you ever been to any of these places? We would love recommendations on accommodations, restaurants, transportation, shopping, attractions, activities etc. from anyone and everyone!

Our travel style:

-keep it eclectic (variety is the spice of our travel life)
-we are foodies, but budget foodies
-coffee is essential
-thrift & local shopping, bookstores, and art for me
-anything nerdy, impressive desserts, and outdoorsy spots for him

We are planning on spending about a week between these three destinations (it is never long enough, I know!) in the early part of October!

Thank you in advance, we are excited to read about your favorites and experiences in the region! 

Thank you for reading,

Alexandra