If you’ve been following my blog for a while you know that I really enjoy travelling. If you’re new to my blog, WELCOME! I have been very fortunate to travel to lots of cool places including Venice, Amsterdam and Morocco. I’m actually posting this blog right now from Arizona! As much as I have travelled abroad, there are many places I have not visited or explored on my island of Anguilla, which comprises just 35 square miles. I enjoy vacationing and taking holidays, however lately I am really starting to appreciate the value of a staycation. A staycation is basically taking a vacation in your home country rather than going abroad. This might involve a stay at a local hotel or staying at home but visiting different local attractions. How awesome does that sound? As someone who loves to travel but hates flying, a staycation is the perfect compromise. A few weeks ago I got the opportunity to collaborate with Four Seasons Resort and Residences, Anguilla and stay at the property for 3 nights/4 days. Honestly, it felt like I really was on vacation abroad. I had to remind myself several times that I was actually still in Anguilla and that home was just 30 mins away (which was a sweet perk as I could just pop home if I needed anything!). The property includes private rooms, villa and residences options, several restaurants and bars and…
I’ve been back home in Anguilla for about four months now. It has been a similar amount of time since my last travel adventure. I am definitely starting to feel the travel itch, which I satisfy temporarily by browsing through my pictures from my last holiday to Marrakech, Morocco. A guilty pleasure I’ve been indulging in lately is browsing travel instagrams, daydreaming about holidaying in exotic destinations. I have a few potential vacation spots in mind for 2017, however the next step is finding affordable deals. This isn’t always easy when travelling from the Caribbean. I’m super optimistic though, so make sure stay tuned to see where #TBOCtravels this year. Until then I will live vicariously through the travel adventures of others on social media haha. While my 2017 travel plans remain undecided, in 2018 my goal is to travel to Asia, specifically Thailand or Japan. These countries are known for having amazing markets. If you’ve been following my travel blogs, then you know that one of my favourite parts of travelling is visiting local markets. My most recent trip to Morocco I hit the motherload thus far, the markets of all markets. Moroccan souks! Let’s just say that if only I had more money, more time and more luggage space! Haha I learned several great tips for navigating large markets such as Moroccan souks from my holiday in Marrakech and I thought I would share them…
It was just a dream, just a moment ago….”. These lyrics constantly replay in my head when I think about my Moroccan holiday a little under two weeks ago. Visiting Marrakech, Morocco certainly felt like a dream. As I departed easyJet and stepped onto the soil (technically airport runway) of the Motherland for the first time, I wasn’t sure how to feel or what to expect. I experienced a sense of accomplishment mixed with excitement and wonder. I was here…finally! DRESS – PRIMARK (SIMILAR) /SANDALS – FOREVER 21 (SIMILAR)/ NECKLACE – NEW LOOK (SIMILAR) / SUNGLASSES – MATALAN (SIMILAR) / BAG – BOUTIQUE in ITALY (SIMILAR) The first thing I noticed and loved about Marrakech was the attention to design and detail. From the consistency of its salmon pink houses and buildings to its unique interior design featuring beautiful patterned tiles and carpets and chic accent pillows and cushions, one thing was certain, Moroccans definitely have style! Waking up in Marrakech the following morning was dreamlike bordering upon fanciful. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping (literally) and the smell of new and exotic foods permeated the air. Anticipating a day filled with exploration and relaxation in this new environment, I opted for a modest, white flowy off-the-shoulder dress, gold accessories and a simple pair of brown sandals. Perfect for the significantly hot weather in Morocco yet modest enough to be respectful of the traditional Moroccan culture. My mom bought this super chic small black…
“City of Sin or City of Freedom?” Five years ago I visited the captivating city of Amsterdam for the first time. I travelled with my University during my second undergraduate year. It was actually my first trip outside of Europe and it surely was an eye-opening experience for a young girl from the relatively conservative Caribbean. I had never experienced such an openness regarding taboo subjects such as sex and drugs. You can easily walk into a local corner shop or grocery store and buy sex or marijuana paraphernalia. Sex shops are abundant and the term coffee shop takes on a new meaning. In Amsterdam, coffee shops are a casual and safe place to relax with a blunt or enjoy a tasty weed dessert. Depending on who you speak to Amsterdam is either a City of Sin or a City of Freedom. Just last week, I visited Amsterdam once again and like the first time, I spent 48 hours in this amazing city. Unlike the first time where I travelled by coach, stayed in a hostel and partied until the early mornings with friends like a typical 21 year old, the second time around I did things a bit differently. A little older and a little less broke meant no need for communal sleeping arrangements or to spend 8-10 hours on a bus. This time around I flew to Amsterdam with my family and stayed in a lovely hotel. It was a completely different experience…
When it comes to travel, there are some who research their holiday destinations before departure and there are some who just jump on the plane and go. I am definitely the latter. My family has been in town for the last few weeks and aside from spending quality time together we have been using the opportunity to travel a bit within the UK and around Europe. About a month ago, we travelled to Venice, Italy for a short holiday. Venice has always been on my Mom’s wanderlust list and mines so it was great to be able to experience this beautiful city on water together. I really enjoyed my Italian getaway and I wanted to share with you guys some Venetian travel tips and hacks that I picked up along the way. These are all based on my own personal experience. GETTING AROUND The city of Venice is actually made up of a group of small islands separated by canals and connected by bridges. This makes it quite unique and picturesque, however depending on where you are staying, travel can be quite lengthy and expensive. We stayed in the district of Zattere, a waterfront promenade that is only accessible by boat. Public transport is in the form of water buses and you can also book a water taxi if private transport is desired. A one way ticket is approximately 7/8 euros. Given that Venice is connected by…
