Stronger: More Than Just Attractive Activewear

It was basically love at fight sight when I came across Stronger’s activewear and athleisure mix and match sets. I just had to have the hero set in Zinfandel. Not only does the name sound super fancy, but the color is also a stunning deep red. My initial thoughts were “it matches my hair” It’s the little things. Ladies, am I right?

I was stoked when I was able to partner with Stronger and create a campaign and content centered around their stylish activewear. I placed my order and I anxiously stalked the UPS tracking number.

When the package finally arrived, I couldn’t wait to open the box. The bra and legging set that lay inside exceeded my expectations, which is all too often not the case when ordering clothing offline.

I was pleasantly surprised that the size chart was true to size so I didn’t have to embarrassingly return anything for a larger size- a girl’s worst nightmare! This set is both fitted and stretchy to fit a woman’s body, making this two-piece set the perfect combination of stylish and comfortable.

I also love all the mix and match pieces available in the Hero line. I am eyeing the matching hoodie!

Stronger boasts their sets are made for movement, which is fantastic because here in Florida, it’s hiking season, baby!

I wore this set around the house and while practicing yoga and finally debuted it on a ten-mile cave hopping adventure. All trails warned of overgrown paths and chiggers, but I felt confident in my Stronger outfit. It held up perfectly in and out of caves, overgrown brush, and both ducking and crouching positions.

With Stronger, it is not just about the clothes, but the mission. I think in the past two years a lot of us have had to be stronger than we ever anticipated. Strong for ourselves, strong for our friends, our family, our kids, and the world. I love the gentle reminder that the days that challenge us only make us stronger.

I guarantee you will feel like a badass babe in anything you order from Stronger. If you’re not convinced to order, here are a few more highlights of Stronger as a brand:

• Eco Delivery

• Made from Sustainable Materials

• Handmade Prints

• Worldwide Shipping

One more thing- please feel free to take advantage of the coupon code provided by Stronger just for my followers:

Use Code: w0nderland20 for 20% off your order

What would you order?

10 Non-obvious Safety Tips for The Solo Traveler

It’s no secret that I love traveling solo. I have previously written 7 Tips for Managing Loneliness While Traveling Solo and 10 Reasons to Love Solo Travel and How I Ended Up Alone!.

One of the biggest fears people have when considering solo travel is safety. This is especially true for international and solo female travel. Believe it or not, adventuring on your own does not have to be any more dangerous than grabbing dinner in your own city.

I think we all know to avoid walking alone down dark alleys and getting intoxicated with strangers. These are just basic tips for staying safe in life in general.

Today, I want to share with you some non-obvious steps you can take to stay safe while traveling solo.

1.      Avoid looking like an easy target or traveler: My other tips will cover this more in-depth, but avoid wearing revealing clothing,  jewelry, advertising expensive goods, flashing your cash, or anything else that will catch a predator or thief’s attention. You really want to just blend in and look like a local.

2.      Stay Connected: Have someone, or multiple someones, know where you are and where you are heading at all times. I always print a detailed itinerary with general times and addresses of where I will be to my partner, my family, and my son’s dad. I tell them when I get somewhere and I tell them when I leave. This way, If anything ever happens they have a good chance of being able to track me down. 

You can also take it a step further and turn your location tracker on in messages so your closest friends and family members can keep even closer tabs on your location.

3.      Avoid getting lost at all costs: You do not want to appear to be a lost tourist about as much as you don’t want to get lost while traveling I have the worst memory so I even take photos of where I park, parking meters, and parking tickets even in parking garages. Again, you don’t want to be caught vulnerable so prepare as much as you can.

4.      Mind your money: Avoid having to get cash while you’re out, like at an ATM. Separate your passport, ID, and money into different pockets, wallets, and bags. This way, in the slim event that you fall victim to thievery or lose something ALL of your cash and documents are less likely to be missing.

5.      Know before you go: Do a little bit of research on your destination ahead of time. If the area you are traveling to has a history of pick-pockets you should know and be prepared. Don’t scare yourself, but prepare yourself as each city has a darker side.

6.    Learn the Lingo: This circles back to what I was talking about earlier regarding aiming to look like a local. If the language if it’s not a dialect you’re familiar with, learn a few key phrases by googling travel phrases and the name of the language. Downloading a translation application would also be helpful in his situation.

7.      Familiarize yourself with the city prior to arriving. Download Google Maps and do your best to get a good idea of how to get around the city without looking at your map and directions every few minutes. This will calm some of your nerves, help you avoid getting lost, and help you blend in like a local who knows where they are going.

8.      Join a group: If you feel unsafe or don’t want to stand out, consider linking up with a group of other travelers. This will come with its own set of safety cautions, but can really help you not stand out and meet a fun group of people. If you’re not sure where to find a group, consider joining a photo walk or guided tour.

 9.       Pay attention and be mindful: It is so hard to get lost in sightseeing or your phone while traveling, but do your best to be present. Be aware of the conditions of your lodging, surroundings, and belongings at all times. Pay attention to who is around you. No one else is there to keep an eye out to see if you’re being followed, if someone has slipped something in your drink, or if the guys on the train have been eyeing you. Don’t keep your earbuds in the whole time and make sure you can hear people talking and horns honking.

10.   Trust your instinct: At the end of the day, If something seems off, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

 I hope you found this list helpful. Feel free to leave a comment below if you would like to add any non-obvious safety tips to my list. Stay safe!

 

15 Ways to Minimize Stress on a Family Vacation

Sometimes, traveling with kids can feel like it’s not even a vacation at all. As an autism parent, I feel this in my core! Over the years, I have learned a few tricks to minimize stress while away from home to insure a more fun and relaxing family vacation for everyone.

Let’s get into the tips!

Carefully plan your packing list ahead of time. Before a trip, I always make a note on my phone and plan out outfits and a list of things I will need for each day and activity. I make sure to include my travel must-haves and any odds and ends I think we might need, like a plastic bag for wet clothes. I suggest you google a few packing lists and make your own list from those , then actually check it off to avoid missing anything. Also, since you’re traveling with children who are often prone to messes and losing things, bring a few extras of your necessities - outfits, pacifiers, blankets, etc.

Make a special trip box/bag. I have done this using square collapsible cloth bins from the dollar tree, but reusable shopping bags also work. Fill the bag/box with different activities, toys and snacks for your kids to enjoy on the trip. Most of these items can be purchased over time prior to your trip from affordable places like Big Lots, Target Dollar Spot or Dollar Tree. Some examples of toys and activities you can include are slime, stickers, coloring books, fun pens, scented/glitter crayons, road trip games and sticker activity sets. You could also include a small blanket or reusable water bottle.

Snacks - Mix up your kid’s snack options with special treats and tried and true favorites. I like to include trail mix, granola bars, and peanut butter crackers along with sweeter treats. When packing a cooler, I like to pack apple sauce, yogurt, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or fruit and veggies with dipping sauces. You can buy pre-portioned servings or set up your kiddo’s goodies in a bento box for a fun presentation.

Timing is everything. It’s really fun to present a whole bag of fun goodies to your child, but the key is to hand them one item at a time or else they will get overwhelmed with the choices and become bored much more quickly. I also would suggest not giving them snacks until they express they or hungry or else those will all be eaten in the first hour.

Pack the electronics and headphones. Our children have tablets, Nintendo switches and we also have a DVD player. They are entertained for hours with their electronics. This should not be your only option, but I can’t imagine our kids not having their electronics.

Get and stay really organized. This is crucial for everyone. Organize your vehicle and bags. Know where the extra change of clothes, pacifiers, tissues and chargers are located. Put things back in their designated spots. Make a packing list and check it twice. The less stressed out you are, the less stressed out your kids will be.

Get them their own gear. The littles will be much more interested in visiting historical sights and hiking until their feet are sore if they have a cool backpack, binoculars or their own kid camera. It’s all about keeping them engaged and having fun so you can too.

Play Games. Along the lines of keeping your kids engaged, consider playing games such as a scavenger hunt or license plate game.

Set clear rules and expectations. Let your children know ahead of time what the plan is, how long you will be at a destination, how long the travel time will be and what activity is next. Let them know the rules and what you expect from them as well as what they can expect from the day.

Give them something to look forward to and earn. While traveling, you really what your kids to behave so everyone has fun. So, you may have to bribe them. So many times I have traveled with parents who let their kids do what they wanted right as soon as we got to a destination. This often resulted in the adults not getting to do what they planned. My best example of this is at the springs or anywhere with swimming or a playground. I always do what I want to do first, which is usually hiking and taking photos. If the kids are good, we can play after. After swimming and running around, kids are less likely and motivated to participate in other activities that aren’t their favorite.

Let the kids choose some activities. Kids are just like any one else. They don’t like to be told what to do and like to feel that they are included. To cut down on some rebellious feedback, let the kids make some choices on your trip. Giving them ‘this or that’ options might be the best way to do this. You can let them choose the order of some things such a rides at a park or what they want to eat for breakfast.

Avoid long stretches of car rides. Aim to schedule in regular breaks if you plan to be traveling for long stretches of time. Look for parks or rest stops with interesting amenities like small museums, to get your kids out of the car for regular fun breaks

Aim to travel at night or around nap time. I’m sure as a parent, you already do this. If you’re kids can sleep in the car, it will be easier on everyone. I try to leave for trips early in the morning so the kids can fall right back to sleep in the car or in the evening. If your child still naps, make sure they can still do so and keep them on their regular schedule. Don’t schedule a walking tour at noon if they normally nap at noon. You will be setting everyone up for a miserable time.

Plan for downtime and don’t overbook your kids. Plan in their naps, time for them to run around and stretch their legs, but also time for them to relax and unwind during an otherwise busy travel day.

Accept that sh!t happens. I found this gem on my camera roll while looking for photos of the kids to add to this post and I knew I had to include it. For context, Marco somehow kneed himself in the face and knocked his loose tooth out on the way to the flea market half an hour away from our home. Things like this are bound to happen when traveling, especially with children. Therefore, I stress being organized and prepared to avoid scrambling and added stress in moments of chaos. Being prepared and having the mindset that I can handle whatever life throws at me helps me roll with the less savory parts of life, parenting and travel. Whatever happens, hopefully you will be able to look back on it and laugh.  

I hope you enjoyed this post that my tips help you have enjoyable adventures with your children.

7 Tips for Managing Loneliness While Traveling Solo

I’ve already written a post about why I love traveling solo and I recommend everyone try it at least once. When considering traveling solo, the feelings of anticipated loneliness can be discouraging.  This is usually the first place I get resistance. Go Alone? No Way! Look, I’ve done it and I promise it’s better than not going at all. Although I do enjoy traveling solo, human connection is important and how I’ve made some of my best travel memories. Not wanting to be alone is a normal part of being human, but it should not deter your travel plans. The good news is, even if you do head out on your own, you don’t have to spend your entire solo trip completely alone. You can manage loneliness while traveling solo by using some of these tips I’ve learned along the way.

1. It’s all about your attitude. Be friendly and approachable and people will naturally gravitate towards you. Make eye contact, smile at strangers, don’t walk around with your headphones in, go out of your way to make small talk with those around you, be it other travelers, shop owners, or waitstaff. Get comfortable enough to strike up conversation with anyone anywhere you go and then do it! Even just a few sentences here and there with others can help you feel less lonely and you never know where that could lead.

2. Eat at the bar. Eating alone can intensify your feelings of loneliness and isolation. It can be a little uncomfortable since dining alone in public is so uncommon in our culture. Sometimes, I do just want to sit down, eat, and catch up on social media but sometimes, sitting down to share a meal and some conversation sounds like a better time. During those times, I recommend sitting at the bar. I did this through Savannah and not only did I not stand out as a vulnerable solo female traveler, I was seated quicker and I was able to interact directly with others since we were seated so closely. There ended up being a group of three of us solo travelers sharing our food and discussing our travel plans at the bar at The Olde Pink House. It turns out that one of the people I met was doing the same trip I was but in reverse and she had just come from where I was headed. So, don’t be shy and sit at the bar or communal tables for your meals and have a chat while you wait for your food.

3. Stay in a hostel or rent a room in a shared home. I haven’t been comfortable enough to sleep in a shared dorm room, but I will stay in hostels with private rooms or rent a room in an Airbnb. Your room will be private but you will share a bathroom and all common spaces such as the living room, kitchen and any outdoor areas. I really love the communal aspect of shared spaces and the opportunities to interact with like-minded people.  Additionally, your hosts, if you are lucky enough to meet them, are usually also friendly and very passionate about their home and city. They do save some secrets from their guidebooks so feel free to have a chat with them if you happen to cross paths. 

4. Join group tours, activities, classes or photo walks. Sometimes, just being with a group is all you need to cure any feelings of loneliness that may arise while traveling solo. You don’t have to be in constant conversation with others, but shared experiences might ease some of your loneliness. Just tagging along and not having to roam about alone really helped me to not feel as secluded over a multi-day trip. Why not learn to cook the local cuisine, take a dance, cultural jewelry or painting class? I have done a private yoga class in Forsyth Park, and many photo walks and ghost tours. Classes and tours are also great ways to learn more about your current location and its culture, learn a new skill and make friends all in one.

5. Take public transportation or Uber. Staying silent all day does become quite monotonous especially during transportation. I personally love and use Uber and usually enjoy chatting with my drivers or other passengers. In New Orleans, I broke away from my group for a day and one of my drivers was a former NOLA police officer who had three heart attacks before finally retiring, changing his lifestyle and building his business. He was a fascinating guy and taught me all about NOLA and the city’s homeless community. I have a major soft spot for the homeless community and was shocked to learn about those on NOLA’s streets. Just that one conversation added so much value to my trip so I always recommend striking up conversation with those you’re sharing transport with or your driver.

6. Get your friends and family on the line or face-to-face. If time differences and WIFI allow, call your friends and family while you are traveling. Calling goes a lot further than texting when you are looking for a cure for loneliness. You can call your favorite people back home in the morning or before bed to recap your day but you can also video chat with them from your destinations. I’m sure they would love to experience them with you and you would be happy to see a familiar face.

7. Remember why you are traveling alone. This is a big one. I am leaving for a one-night trip out of town to embark on a bucket list adventure by myself this weekend. I have to remind myself why I am traveling solo and that it is simply because I want to have this experience and I don’t want to wait for someone else to have the availability and finances to join me. This trip is important to me and one I do not want to miss. Remembering this, usually lifts my spirits just a bit if I happen to have any low thoughts surrounding traveling alone. A lot of people feel bad about traveling alone but it should not bring up any negative feelings. If you take life by the horns, don’t let anything hold you back and travel alone you are a bad ass! Remember that.

I hope you have found these tips helpful. It was fun to reflect on some of the things I’ve done to connect and feel less lonely while traveling solo. How do you ease your feelings of loneliness while traveling alone? 

Get Your PADI Freediver Certification with Me!

Enter the underwater world with me by your side - for as long as we can hold our breaths! Summer is coming, the weather is warming up and it’s time wiggle into our wet suits and dive in!

We are getting our freediving certifications!

Do you want to cultivate the ability to reach abysmal underwater depths, swim through undersea wrecks and explore caves without the limitations of a snorkel or the hassle of expensive and cumbersome scuba equipment? Freediving is the solution for you! Freediving is an underwater diving activity that relies on a strategic breath hold verses breathing assistance from a snorkel or scuba gear.

Photo provided by Live Free Diving and edited by me

I am forever amazed at freediving adventures. It’s an understatement to say that I’m excited to learn how to do this for myself. I’m envisioning the photo opportunities now! The underwater landscape is basically another world entirely and there’s so much to explore beneath the surface here in Florida. The first time I gave my son a mask he flapped around in excitement and screamed through his snorkel “I have never seen this before”. I will cherish that memory forever and he was only at the surface! I’d love for everyone to have that experience.

Check out high_on_hypoxia exploring Devil’s Eye at Ginnie Springs. Does that not make you want to dive right on in?

It’s more important now more than ever to have your freediving certification. As you may have noticed, some springs and popular dive spots do not allow uncertified freedivers to enter the water and others have been giving us divers a bit of a hard time. Most of this resistance seems to stem from recent bad experiences of those not properly trained or certified. No one wants be on the receiving end of a call from a diver in distress, which I think we can all sympathize with. This serves as even more motivation to know the rules and regulations for yourself and have your proof of certification available.

Photo provided by Live Free Diving and edited by me

In this PADI Freediver Certification course Live Free Diving will provide the following tools and guidance:

• An e-learning platform to cover the basics and familiarize the content to be practiced during the course

• Breathing techniques to promote relaxation and confidence both in the water and on dry land

• How to train your mind to improve focus, reduce distractions and overcome anxiety

• How to increase mindfulness through guided meditation techniques used by world class freedivers

• Educate you on how your body naturally adjusts to water pressure and breath hold diving under the supervision of licensed and insured professionals

• Learn to maximize your Mammalian Dive Reflex - the holy grail of freediving

• Experience depths of up to 55 feet and breath holds up to 2:30 (yes, that’s minutes!)

• The opportunity to explore some local underwater scenery

• AND most importantly learn how to do this all safely on your own!

  Bonuses for this class only!

• I will be be taking your photos and videos if you would like to be my underwater model

• I will be bringing a special guest with me. You might be able to guess who it is. Let’s call him the old god of the woods and waters. We will have a blast!

Photo provided by Live Free Diving and edited by me

Live Free Diving hosts a variety of freediving, scuba diving and snorkeling classes, tours, retreats and events but the following information is for the freediving class I will be attending on April 25 & 26, 2020. You can check out their current calendar here for other opportunities!

The details:

• Company: Live Free Diving

• Course Name: PADI Freediver Course

• Dates: April 25-26, 2020

• Location: Boca Raton and surrounding cities depending on weather conditions and tides

• What is included: Course Fees, E-learning, Pool fee, boat fee, unlimited fun and skills you will have for a lifetime

• Price: $399 -PAYMENT PLANS ARE AVAILABLE

• The catch: There are only 7 (Seven) remaining open spots. I urge you to book early!

So, you’re joining us? Great!

What to bring or rent from the shop:

• Water (preferably not in single use plastic)

• Sun protection (preferably reef safe)

• A towel

• Notepad and pen/pencil for optional note taking

• Dive Gear. A freediving mask, fins and snorkel are recommended, however, standard SCUBA/Snorkel gear will work

• Your wetsuit

• Weight belt and weights

• An open mind and an adventurous spirit

  
  Let’s get wet! I hope to see you at the bottom!

2020 Bucket List ✅

It’s official – I made a 2020 Bucket list! I have an Excel spreadsheet organized by city of places to visit, but I decided to make a list of my top ten adventures I wanted to have in these next 10 months of 2020. I thought I would share it here to not only hold myself accountable, but also to possibly inspire you to check out these incredible places too!

1. Devil’s Den - completed June 2020

Photo credit: Vaney_moon

One of North America's most prehistoric places, Devil’s Den is an underground spring inside a dry cave. It’s clear to see why it is such a popular snorkel and dive spot. Plus, the drone shots from where the ground has caved in and exposed the spring from above are legendary!

2. Swim with a Manatee - completed March 2020. Read about it here!

Photo credit: z_cook10d

I have yet to do this, but I love these mermaids and getting to experience their magic up close and personal is high on my bucket list. I dream of capturing a photo like this. - I did this in March 2020!

3. Paddle board at Ginnie Springs/Devil’s Eye - swam over Devils Eye in March 2020

Photo credit: katjamons

Ginnie Springs is one of the most beautiful springs I’ve visited both above and below the water. There are several incredible spots here, but devil’s eye/ear always takes my breathe away and I really want a photo floating or paddle boarding directly above it. I haven’t tried paddle boarding yet, but this looks like a fun place to test it out.

4. Kayak King’s Landing /Emerald Cut - completed June 2020. Read about it here!

Photo credit: nomadic_movement

Photos of King’s Landing and Emerald Cut have me experiencing serious FOMO every time I see them. This paddle run looks like a different country and the drone shots here are beautiful.

5. Spring hop around the the Santa Fe River

Photo credit: High_on_hypoxia by Naturekristin

Doug always seems to be enjoying himself in some of the lesser-known spots around Florida, creating some of my favorite quirky photos. He is also an Airbnb experience host in case you are also interested in snorkeling Florida’s hidden springs.

6.  Everglades National Park

Photo credit: adventuresofaplusk

Since this is so up my alley, it may be surprising that I haven’t visited any part of the everglades yet. The air boat rides and gators have been calling my name loud and clear since my son visited last summer.

7. Florida Caverns State Park - completed November 2020. Read about it here!

Photo credit: pbates_gallery

This state park had been closed due to damage sustained after a recent hurricane so I’m excited to see most of it reopening because – um, rainbow caves.

8. Falling Waters State Park -completed November 2020. Read about it here!

Photo credit: dwhike

This state park is home to a 100-foot deep sink and Florida’s largest waterfall. There are also some hiking trails and a butterfly garden. Enough said.

9. Oregon Tide Pool Adventure

Photo credit: girlinwaterphotography

Oregon is on the west coast, which I haven’t visited. The nature scene here looks so completely different from Florida’s east coast beaches and palm trees. The tide pools filled with starfish and anemones along with the lush forests and adorable amanitas (mushrooms!) are beautifully captured by Jamie. She is the most darling person EVER and she is hosting two photography retreats this year. I wont be attending those, but I will be making it out to Yachats in August.

10. Wildlife & Water ~ Completed April 2021. Read about it here!

Photo credit: gatorboys_chris

I saved this one for last as I think it might be the hardest to accomplish, but I want to swim with the sharks, stingrays, alligators or pigs. I’m thinking somewhere in the Bahamas or with Chris. I need to practice my free diving a bit before I embark on this one, but it’s on my list.

And that concludes my bucket list for 2020! Thank you again to everyone who allowed me to use their photos. Each one is absolutely beautiful. Have you explored any of these locations? What’s on your bucket list for 2020?  

How to Find & Choose the Perfect Airbnb

 Airbnb has really taken off in the last few years with more and more rental options being added. There are many search features on the Airbnb site that can help you narrow down your results and find properties that fit your specific criteria, however it can be hard to know what to look for. Finding the perfect Airbnb property requires a little bit more than just finding the right amount of bedrooms for the lowest price, especially if you want to ensure you have a great time with minimal hiccups. Want to know what I take into consideration prior to booking? Read on to find out how to find and chose the perfect Airbnb for your next trip.

The Basics & Your Nonnegotiables: Make sure you fully utilize the search filters when you first search for a property. You can choose the number of bathrooms, beds, bedrooms as well as other specific amenities such as a pool or gym access. Whatever you NEED, make sure it’s provided. Not all listings will have WIFI and central air, especially those in remote locations or outside of the country, so keep this in mind before you book!

Tip: If you’ve found the perfect Airbnb, but it’s short a bed, you can always ask if there’s any additional sleeping spaces or if your hosts will allow or provide an air mattress. It never hurts to ask!

Budget: You can sort listings by price or price range. If you aren’t looking for a budget place, adjust your search range to fit what you are looking to spend. Just keep in mind there are numerous fees added on so when you see a $47  listing, remember that this can easily become $100/night. So, if you want a place under $200, you can set your search for $1-$150. I always sort high to low after selecting the features I want and look for the most interesting for the best deal.

Location, Location, Location: I like to choose locations that are centrally located to where I want to go so I can Uber or drive as quickly and affordably as possible. I tend to use Uber as much as I can to avoid having to find and pay for parking, so I do like to stay as centrally located as possible without having to pay an arm and a leg for accommodations. When searching a big city it will often bring up listings for surrounding areas which might be less expensive per night compared to staying in town. You might have to do some calculations to see which is more cost and time effective.

Tip: Exact addresses are not provided in the listings until after you book. If you want to know how far away a listing is from a specific location, you can always contact the host for these estimates prior to booking. I use this feature a lot when I want to be at a location to shoot at 7 am but don’t want to wake up extremely early in order to get the shot before the light changes and the crowds arrive.

Tip: If you want information regarding the neighborhood, safety or whether or not it’s noisy at night, read the reviews. That’s a great place to find out that sort of information if it’s not in the description already.

Amenities and extras: In my Airbnb vs. Hotel post, I mentioned the wide variety of possible Airbnb amenities. Sometimes I’m staying at an Airbnb just to sleep and sometimes I wont leave the Airbnb. Keep in mind what activities you plan to do during your stay and what you want to have access to. If I’m going to be doing water activities, I will probably want to have access to a washer and dryer. If I’m bringing my family, or will have a lot of downtime, I might want a pool or game room. If I’m looking to relax, I might want a nice patio or a porch with rocking chairs. It’s amazing the things you can find on Airbnb. I’ve also chosen listings based off of the availability of kyacks, bikes, outdoor baths and fire pits.

Looks matter: Once I’ve set my basic search filters, the next thing I’m going to be looking for is a beautiful and unique property that I can also create media content from. Keep your eyes open for a space that fits your taste if this is something that matters to you.

House Rules: Since this is someone else’s space, the hosts get to make their own rules and some are not as obvious or reasonable as you would think. Make sure you read the full listing prior to booking to avoid any unexpected surprises. Keep in mind that some Airbnbs allow pets or pets live on the property, so check the listing if you’re looking to bring or avoid an animal friends. Some hosts will not allow smoking of any kind anywhere on the property, while some allow smoking inside and outside. If you are bringing minor children, make sure your listing doesn’t exclude minors or children under a certain age. If you plan to have people over that are not on the reservation, make sure this is allowed to avoid being charged additional fees and receiving a negative review from the host.

Check what’s already provided: If you are planning to cook or do laundry, look into whether or not specific cooking tools or laundry supplies are provided. This is also true for toiletries, a hairdryer, an iron or beach towels. Sometimes, if I know these things are provided, I’ll skip packing my own.

Food & Drink: Some hosts will provide breakfast, coffee, snacks or complimentary adult beverages. This is a great way to save time and money during your stay, but get clear on what is actually offered as sometimes a listing may say that breakfast is provided, but doesn’t say what that actually consists of. For example, in one Airbnb the breakfast that was provided was canisters of cereal with scoops that just seemed unsanitary to me, so I skipped it. Other times, it has been oatmeal packets but I’ve also had a host who was gracious enough to cook me a full breakfast with eggs from their pet chickens.

Parking: Some people can parallel park and then there’s people like me. If there’s not free easily accessible 24-hour parking available on site, I will not book that stay for everyone’s safety!

Read the reviews, especially the most recent: The reviews are going to be your best source to discover the good and the bad about a property. Sometimes it’s not listed that a certain outlet doesn’t work, that the lock box is hard to find or that there’s a nightly goat happy hour on the property – yes, really! It’s nice to know in advance what to stay away from, plan for and what to make sure you don’t miss.

Tip: What if you’ve found the perfect listing but there are no reviews? I personally wouldn’t say at a place with no reviews, but if you’re OK with taking a risk, you may leverage the lack of reviews to get a discount from the host who will be eager to start racking up the positive reviews.

 Last but not least, feel free to contact the host with any questions and if something seems off, skip it! I hope you found this article helpful and you enjoy your next adventure!

Hotels vs. Airbnb - A Pros & Cons List 🏩🏡

So, you’re planning a trip and are wondering where to stay. Your two main options are to rent an Airbnb or book a hotel room. It’s impossible for me to pick a favorite since they both have different pros and cons. In making your decision, there’s a lot to consider. I have compiled a pros and cons list below to help you decide which is the best option for your upcoming trip. If you have any other pros and cons, or disagree with any of mine, please leave me a comment below! I’d love to hear what you think.

Hotels

From my experience, some hotels are nicer and newer than others, but the typical hotel stay is pretty generic and one I think most people are familiar with. You check in at a front desk, they give you a room key, and your room is usually furnished with a bed, tv, desk, mini fridge and a bathroom with some miniature toiletries. Housekeeping refreshes your room, replaces your towels, removes your trash and makes your bed each day. You may order room service, spend time in the gym or by the pool, but you pretty much come and go. Hotel stays are pretty predictable and reliable. You all know what I’m talking about.

Let’s look at some of the pros of renting a hotel vs. an Airbnb:

-      Can be cheaper, especially for a small group, unless you stay in a single-room Airbnb. I am not a hotel snob, don’t tend to hang out on hotel properties and generally can find a hotel for $65-$150 a night almost anywhere I’ve looked. Reward memberships and discounts can also make this a cheaper option as well. I have seen a lot of reviews that say the opposite, but that has absolutely not been the case for me. My only guess is that they are searching in different cities than I have been to, wont stay in a $70 hotel or are splitting the cost of an Airbnb with others.

-     24/7 Access & Assistance: In the event that you need assistance, you will usually have people on property to help troubleshoot whatever comes up. If you need to switch to a different room or something needs to be replaced or repaired, it can usually be handled pretty quickly.

Hotel stay cons:

-     Predictable, reliable, generic: If you like knowing what to expect, this might be a pro to you, however, certainty doesn’t really call to my gypsy spirit.

-       Little to no privacy: I’ve never been the only guest on property at a hotel. There are always people within eye and ear-shot. This can be a con if you’re looking for a romantic dip in the pool, have young children, or want to have a late night get together anywhere other than your own hotel room.

Airbnb:

If you are not familiar with Airbnb, it is simply a website that allows individuals to rent out their properties, rooms, RVs, train cars, treehouses, camp spots etc. to people, short or long term. An Airbnb experience is anything but routine and generic. If you have never used with Airbnb, read through to find out more of what you might expect! I also want to mention, there are several websites similar to Airbnb, and I assume these pros and cons would apply to those types of rentals as well.

Pros:

-     Unique accommodations and amenities: Airbnbs are better known as being more than just a place to shower and lay your head while away from home. I usually seek out Airbnbs when I want more of an experience. Just to give you an idea of what I mean, I have rented a vintage travel trailer with a fire pit, hammocks and outdoor bath for an evening, a yurt treehouse on a goat farm with a hot tub for a romantic getaway, a mother-in-law suite with a pool for a girls’ trip and single rooms in larger, sometimes historic, homes for solo trips. 

-      Personal touches and curated guidebooks: Most of the Airbnbs I have stayed in have had unique personal collections and touches left by the owner. Some will leave out candy, postcards, stickers with the house logo, etc. These little touches just give off a warmer feeling than the note pad and free plastic pen you might find in a hotel. Additionally, I think we all are familiar with the stands in most hotel lobbies full of brochures from local attractions, but in an Airbnb you will most always find a book that not only includes information and history of your location or home, but a well thought-out guidebook to the area. Another personal touch I have found in most Airbnbs is some form of a guestbook or map you can add a note, pin, or Polaroid photo to. I traveled to Savannah and left a Polaroid on a fridge and months later someone recognized us and sent a picture of it to our friend! It’s fun to get to an Airbnb and see what is waiting for you and they are very well known for these thoughtful personal touches.

-     Opportunity to connect with your host or other guests: If meeting other travelers and locals sounds appealing to you, you might enjoy an Airbnb experience over a hotel. Often you can share a home or property with other guests who likely also enjoy the same things as you.

-     Privacy: This is not always the case, but you have better options available if you are seeking privacy if you rent an entire home versus one hotel room of 100.

-     Ideal for families or big rowdy groups: An Airbnb can be better for a big group, family or rowdy bunch when it comes to cost and again, the privacy. An Airbnb also gives you an option for more beds and more bathrooms for your group and some allow or provide extra air mattresses.

-     Experience a place like a local and have a more authentic experience: Airbnb had a campaign called Live There that showcased this exact principle. With Airbnb, you get to live in a location and experience the city from a local’s point of view. For more cultural or foreign locations, this could get very interesting!  

-      Lots of reviews to help you chose the right rental: Scroll through any established Airbnb rental and you will see plenty of reviews from real people who will leave their own pros and cons on a listing. It is usually these reviews that help persuade me to book a specific property. I read every single one once I’ve booked and be sure not to miss anything another guest recommends I see, do, or bring.

-      Wider option of amenities: You can find a wide and often unique range of amenities like a washer and dryer, private pool, kayaks, outdoor baths, hot tubs, fire pits, bicycles, grills, a full kitchen and all you would need to cook, if that’s what you want. You will not find that in a hotel!

Cons:

-     Cleanliness: I hate to put this one on there, but Airbnbs are not always super clean like a hotel is. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve never seen a dirty rental, but since it’s a home, it usually tends to have some dust in places a hotel just wouldn’t or have a less than luxurious bathroom fixtures. Again, no problems, but if you’re a clean freak, Airbnb might not appeal to you anyways.

-      You are the maid! You’re expected to clean up and put everything back where you found it and then they charge you a cleaning fee! I don’t leave anywhere an absolute mess, but in an Airbnb you are expected to make the extra effort to put everything back, do your dishes, clean up all trash, and some even expect you to make the bed before you go.

-      Added fees and costs: Sometimes $100 plus! I already discussed the cleaning fee, but a listing for $40 on Airbnb can easily become $100 plus. Just be aware.

-     No room service and your host might not even be in the same country: Just keep this in mind and be flexible in case the WIFI is out or the a/c breaks.

That wraps up my pros and cons list and comparison of Airbnbs vs. hotels. Which would you chose, or neither and why? I’d love to know!

10 Reasons to Love Solo Travel and How I Ended Up Alone! 🧳🙋🏻‍♀️

Recently, I hit the road for my first solo trip. The Fourth of July was approaching and I had two paid days off from work, so I wanted to take advantage of the four day weekend. I had already been regularly traveling in prior weeks including two weekend trips with my boyfriend, Clearwater and St. Pete with a friend,  Miami with my cousin and Tampa with my parents. It’s was getting harder and harder to find someone whose travel desires, availability and ability could line up with mine.  I got it, but I wasn’t going to let it get in my way!

It was around this time I stumbled upon Allison Anderson’s videos wherein she discussed why she started solo traveling. She said she wrote out a list of places she wanted to visit and if she waited for someone to go with her, she might never see these places. Coincidentally, Allison also shared about her solo Charleston to Savannah trip and that pretty much sealed the deal for me. Savannah is my favorite city and I’ve been there several times so I was familiar enough with the area and drive that I felt comfortable enough to venture that way on my own. So, it was decided, I would take my first solo trip to Savannah and then Charleston. Of course, after I announced it, I had friends who wanted to join me, but I was determined to make this trip alone - and I did! I had a great time and look forward to many future solo trips.

 Here are a few reasons you might love solo travel also:

1. It’s highly meditative and a great time to work on your own personal development and personal discovery journey. Driving on it’s own is highly meditative to me. When I am forced to focus on the road, my mind tends to wander. Spending that much time alone, with little distraction, gave me a lot of time to reflect. I’m really into spirituality and I love to discover new things about myself.  I like to have those ‘ah-ha moments’ and I was lucky enough to have had a lot of those moments on this trip. Additionally, you can use this time to listen to podcasts, Youtube videos or audio books on personal development topics if you choose. Also, if you download Youtube Red you can download videos to listen to even if you’re out of reception.

2. You learn to be resourceful. Traveling solo forced me to do a lot of things I normally depend on someone else to do with me, for example help me navigate with directions while driving or remember what parking garage floor we parked on! It was strangely satisfying to come upon a small obstacle and to be the only one around to solve it.

3.  You get to prove that you can do it. Every once in a while, it’s nice to leave your comfort zone. Most people will be shocked to learn you are adventuring alone and will claim they are not brave or adventurous enough so proving yourself in this way to others, or even yourself, is a tiny little bonus.  I’m a notoriously horrible driver. So, my friends and family were understandably concerned, but I wasn’t. I packed a taser and some mace, got an oil change, filled up my tires with air and I didn’t have any problems.

4. You don’t have to miss out on anything. If you are lucky enough to have the desire and means to travel, you should. You shoudln’t force yourself to miss a trip, concert, or heck even a new movie premiere because you’re afraid to go alone. Go! You will have an amazing vacation all by yourself and the memories you will make and lessons you will learn will be irreplaceable.

5. You get to do what you want to do - and not much else! Sometimes, it’s nice to call all the shots! You will get to do exactly what you want to do, whenever you want to do it. You won’t have to take anyone else into consideration. You won’t have to visit a museum you have no interest in or stop at five bathrooms in two hours even when you don’t have to use it. You wont have to go back to the hotel so someone can rest or eat at a cheap diner instead of a raw bar due to the constraints of someone else’s budget or lack there of. Most importantly, you wont have to have the dreaded “Where do you want to eat” conversation. SOLD!

6. It’s a lot easier to wing it. It’s easier to get into restaurants when you’re just one person. A lot of restaurants in tourist areas will be busy pretty much all of the time, but if you’re just one you can usually walk right in and find a place at the bar. This is also a good place to strike up a conversation with a local or another solo traveler if you’re feeling lonely or feel self-conscious about dining alone. It’s also a lot easier to squeeze in to otherwise sold out or booked up shows or tours when there’s just you.

7. You will have conversations you wouldn’t have otherwise had. When you’re traveling with another companion, that’s who you tend to talk to. Since you will be alone, you will be more likely to talk to the waitress, bar tender, shop owner, Uber driver and other people in general. This is a nice way to learn more about the area also.

8. No whining! As a mom, this one has to go on the list. My man is extremely patient but does your man ever get tired of waiting for you while you’re shopping? No one likes to feel rushed. Better yet, us moms have all had to deal with that crying toddler, dirty diaper or bored older child who is too hot and wants an ice cream ASAP. I promise you, you will not have any of that on a solo trip.

9. It’s easier to be in the moment. When you travel with others, its’s easy to focus on them and miss what is going on around you. When you’re not distracted by another’s company or conversation you can really observe the sights and sounds around you and be in the present moment and there is no better time to be in the now then when you’re exploring a new place.

10. You will come back with an amazing story to tell. Even if you only break way for a night, you will always remember the time you ran off by yourself!

Have you traveled alone? What did you learn? If you’re considering traveling on your own, what questions or concerns do you have?