Iceland Recap: The Blue Lagoon & Silica Hotel

Since we were celebrating a milestone wedding anniversary, we decided to end our trip in a pretty big way and go out with a bang. We knew during our Iceland adventures, we would definitely make it a point to visit the Blue Lagoon, but we decided to splurge and spend our last night at one of the lagoon's two on-site hotels: the Silica Hotel. And guys, it was was a pretty magical experience.

The Blue Lagoon might be the most popular thing to do in all of Iceland. We read so many reports online that were conflicted: many people said that they loved it and thought it was amazing, and others said that it had become so popular and overrun with people that it wasn't relaxing at all. We're both happy to report that we enjoyed every second of it, and felt the experience was worth our time and the cost.

Iceland Recap: Solheimajokull Glacier, Waterfalls, Efstidalur Farm Stay

As we began to make our way back to the Western part of Iceland to our final destination, we spend one of our last days exploring Solheimajokull glacier, all the famous waterfalls along the Southern coast and ended our day by staying the night on a farm.

We started our morning back in Vik, and going back to Dyrholaey Viewpoint. The last time we visited this destination, it was raining, so windy we could barely stand, and the views were pretty cloudy. We woke up on a bright, sunshiny morning and decided it was worth going back to take in the views. We were definitely so glad we went back, and take a peek for yourselves why.

Iceland Recap: Seydisfjordur, Eastern Fjords & Jokulsarlon

Deciding to visit the Eastern fjords of Iceland was a bit of a risky move simply because our time in Iceland was fleeting. Squeezing in the excursion was something we debated quite a bit because we knew we'd be in the car for a good chunk of two days. We both decided to go for it because we really wanted to see Seydisfjordur (where parts of Walter Mitty were filmed) and also, we wanted to drive the coastline through the fjords because we had read that they were incredible, and also, far less crowded. And so, we were off!

Iceland Recap: Golden Circle & Vik | Black Sand Beach

I haven't always known a lot about Iceland, but Josh and I went to see The Secret Life of Walter Mitty in theaters around New Year's when it was released in theaters, and much of it was filmed in Iceland. Since then, the sense of adventure that movie gave me, and scenery that it showcased have stuck with me. Fast-forward a bit to us planning a trip for our 10-year wedding anniversary. We debated a few locations that were more relaxing and pampering, never really getting super excited about any of them. Josh turned to me one day and said, if you could go anywhere for this trip, where would you want to go? Without missing a beat, I just said Iceland. He liked the idea of doing something adventurous and before we knew it, we were planning to celebrate 10 years of marriage in the land of fire and ice. We booked the trip in December, and every night I would turn to Josh in bed as he was trying to fall asleep and say, "Babe, I can't sleep, I'm too excited for Iceland," to which he would respond, "You know it's February, right?" We were going in September.

My Solo Trip to Santa Barbara, CA | Day Trips to Solvang, Santa Ynez, Los Olivos

Summer is so fleeting in the Northeast, and over time, I’ve learned to do whatever I can to soak up every second of it. Recently, I’ve been setting aside a few extra days off in August to be ocean-side, since that’s my favorite place to be in the warmer months. This year, my plan was to take a long weekend on the Cape, but Josh told me that with all our traveling this year, he was out of vacation days, and I would be flying solo this time around. I was just about to hit “Book Room” for a hotel on the Cape when I thought to myself, Why not go somewhere you haven’t been before? Lately, I’ve had an itch to go somewhere in California, and I began to search for a coastal town that would make for a perfect long-weekend getaway from New York.

Nantucket Day Trip Itinerary & Travel Guide

Nantucket is definitely one of the top things we both love about Cape Cod, and our weekly Summer vacation just isn't complete without spending a day here. We were also lucky enough to go for a few nights last September since it was off-season (meaning we could actually afford a hotel!), and honestly, it was one of my favorite getaways. It's a place that still seems stuck in time, but also provides modern amenities like amazing shopping and restaurants, and has some of the absolute best coastal scenery you can see. To me, Nantucket is magical, and I feel like everyone should visit.

Where to Stay on Cape Cod: A Guide to the Towns and Regions of The Cape

You've decided to visit Cape Cod, and friends, you're in for a real treat. You're excited to walk the amazing coastlines, indulge in lobster rolls, take in beautiful scenery, stop to smell the hydrangeas and witness some stunning sunsets. But you have absolutely no idea where to even begin when it comes to selecting where to stay. I'm hoping to help you out with that today.

I know it can be daunting because the Cape is actually bigger than most people think. It could take you two hours if you base yourself in Falmouth and want to get to Provincetown, which are pretty much the two furthest destination from one another on the Cape. Not that two hours is a huge chunk of time, but when you want to maximize every second of your trip, it could be a bit of a hassle.

The good news is, there really isn't a bad town to stay in on the Cape. Each town has its own charm and atmosphere, and it's really all about deciding on your priorities. And, you really can drive to most places depending on where you stay, so you certainly won't be tied down to just your local surroundings once you settle in. 

Our Typical Cape Cod Itinerary: 1 Week in the Summer

Since starting to visit the Cape years ago, we've kept much of our week-long itinerary the same. When I first took Josh to the Cape after moving back to New York, he just fell in love with it like I did when I was a kid, and we created so many great memories during our first trip together. So we continue to repeat a lot of the same things each year.

My Solo Trip to Whistler, BC

After spending three nights in Vancouver, I was off to Whistler. While researching all the must-see things in Vancouver, taking a drive on the Sea to Sky highway popped up with a suggestion to spend the day in Whistler. The more I looked into Whistler, the more I knew I wanted to spend way more than just an afternoon here, so I decided to split my trip into two parts, and spend half of it in this amazing alpine town.

My Solo Trip to Vancouver, BC

Vancouver hasn't been a destination on my mind for very long, but a few years ago, I saw photos of the Capilano Suspension Bridge on Instagram and immediately had to know where it was. It just seemed magical. I, of course, quickly found out it was in Vancouver, and the more I researched the Canadian Pacific Northwest, the more I was drawn to it. I was so curious about this diverse city that also seemed to have endless possibilities for hiking, waterfalls and suspension bridges - I just had to see and experience it for myself. It all worked out so serendipitously because I wanted to go during off-peak season, and I happened to have a relatively slower schedule at work in early June. Before I knew it, I was booking flights to the other side of North America for my very first solo adventure. 

At Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Photo by Dylaina Gollub Photography

Day Trip to Charleston, SC (& How it Compares to Savannah)

On our very last day of our Bahamas/the South vacation, we spent a day wandering through Charleston. We debated quite a bit if we should have cut our time in Savannah short to spend at least a night (or two) in Charleston. But when it was all said and done, with the time we had for our trip, we planned everything perfectly. Three nights in Savannah was just what we needed for a more relaxing getaway, and tackling Charleston in one day made for the perfect end to a rather amazing vacation.

Tybee Island, GA Day Trip Travel Guide

With Tybee Island only being about 30 minutes from Savannah, we knew we wanted to spend an afternoon there since, you know, we love our coastal towns! The drive was a very easy 30 minutes from our hotel in Savannah, and we really enjoyed our time on Tybee. It was so nice to get a taste of a Southern East Coast destination because it felt a little more like home to us, while also giving us a taste of its own unique flair. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but I'd sum up Tybee by saying it's a mix of Eastern Coastal and the South with a touch of Atlantic City or Jersey Shore mixed it? I'm not even sure if I'm hitting the nail on the head, but we loved the bright colors, the serene shoreline and laid-back beach vibe. And the palm trees reminded us we weren't quite home. It was so fun to experience the atmosphere, and if you're in Savannah, it's definitely worth a visit.

Savannah, GA Travel Guide

It's no secret that I'm in love with New England, but I will tell you, Savannah gave it a run for its money. We immediately fell in love with it after a few minutes of walking around. Everything from the architecture, the Spanish moss trees, the little parks everywhere, the cobblestones, the restaurants, the vibe - it all amazed us so much, and we always had a smile on our faces. Our time in Savannah was nothing short of perfect, which is saying a lot because we had just come from the Bahamas!