Category: Travel

What to Pack for a trip to Costa Rica?

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle1 Comment

I am super excited. A new addition to the bucket list. I had no idea about Costa Rica. I mean, yeah, it’s a country in the tiny narrow section of Central America. It has great beaches. It’s like any other Central America country. Right? Nope. I was so wrong and am moving Costa Rica up to the top of the list. I am just a plane ticket and one perfectly packed suitcase away from this “Rich Coast” vacation.

El Ocotal, Costa Rica

Located on the north-east coast, El Ocotal, Costa Rica is small beach town with a large beach resort on Ocotal Bay. To enjoy the beauty of this country, I will definitely pack my bathing suit. Costa Rica is known for its beautiful beaches and none are more beautiful than the ones on the Pacific Ocean side of the Spanish-influenced country.

Fortuna, Costa Rica

The interior of Costa Rica is just as fascinating. It’s full of rich tropical rain forest, mountains, and waterfalls. I packed my hiking shoes to traverse the forest and find one of these pockets of tranquility in Fortuna, Costa Rica. Fortuna borders the Volcan Arenal National Park. The 29,000-acre park is two volcanos side by side, both dormant for several thousand years. The park offers several hiking trails carved in the lava fields and forest of the park.

 

Volcan Arenal – Image courtesy of Cindy Baker via Trover.com

Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Further down the west coast is another beautiful beach town called Tamarindo, Costa. The city is a popular tourist destination for Costa Ricans on holiday. I need to pack my surfboard for my visit to Tamarindo. It has some of the best waves on the West coast. Waves reach up to 12 feet in November and December. Once I wear myself out from a day of surfing, I can’t wait to sit back on my surfboard, relax, and watch one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world.

Tamarindo Beach – Image courtesy of Garrett Britton via Trover.com

Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica is a national park near the urban area of Quepos. The scenery is some of the most breath-taking in the world. The 682 hectares is home to several birds, wildlife, and plants, but its most interesting residences are the three different species of monkeys. The beach is considered one of the top 25 beaches in the world, so I will make sure and pack my sunscreen. I’ll be spending a lot of time hanging out on the white sand beaches of Manuel Antonio Park.

 

Image provided by Erika Calvert via Trover.com.

Papagayo, Costa Rica

Located on a peninsula that jets out into the Gulf of Papagayo is Papagayo, Costa Rico. This area of Costa Rica has some of the most amazing resorts. The rich and romantic seek out Papagoya Peninsula for their getaways. I packed my riding boots because I want to see this part of Costa Rica on horseback. Guided tours wind through the hills and valleys and if I’m lucky, I find one of those beautiful waterfalls the country is known for.

Have you been to Costa Rica? 

 

Hipmunk Hotels: Movie and Television Sets in Bar Harbor, Atlantic City, Albany, Ithaca and Stamford

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle3 Comments

I love it when I find items I want to scratch off my bucket list. Even better when they are located in amazing places I’ve never been. Going to the settings of some of my favorite movies and television shows is a bonus when they’re located in great cities, like these.

Bar Harbor, Maine

I had to watch the psychological thriller “Shutter Island” three times to understand all the nuances of this story set in Bar Harbor, Maine. Once I figured out what was real and what was in Leonardo DiCaprio’s character’s imagination, this movie scared me even more. I look forward to staying in the small seaside port and exploring where Leo lost his mind. The city and its weather are prevalent in the plot; in fact, I might consider visiting in the winter. The city offers several great hotels and bed-and-breakfasts, and none, as far as I can see, are like the place they stayed at in the movie, thank goodness.

Image provided by Gizmo Goes West via Trover.com

Atlantic City, New Jersey

I’ve been to Atlantic City, and I liked it. The boardwalk, casinos, and hotels on the Atlantic Ocean were great. I enjoyed it mostly because it was closer than Las Vegas and gave you a hint of the Vegas vibe. After watching it come to life during the Prohibition era in the HBO show “Boardwalk Empire,” I see Atlantic City in a whole new light. The show made the boardwalk, hotels, and nightclubs seem like an adult version of Disney Land. They had so much fun, in between the killing, illegal activity, and other bad stuff.

Image provided by Jackie Grenier via Trover.com

Ithaca, New York

Ithaca, New York, is a great college town. It has beautiful scenery and what you think of when you picture upstate New York. Besides Cornell University, Ithaca was the setting for the 1986 movie “The Manhattan Project.” The movie was about a kid who built an atomic bomb in his garage for a science fair to expose a plutonium plant in the city. I’m sure it is safe to stay in the many hotels and explore the countryside, free from plutonium, now. The unassuming city was the perfect backdrop to this thriller.

Albany, New York

Albany, the capital of New York, is a beautiful place to visit if you have a thing for state capitals, which I do. I plan to visit when the weather is nice. Find a great hotel, get some hiking in to check out the scenery, and then drive up and down Interstate 787 and relive the car chase made famous by Angelina Jolie in the movie “Salt.”

Image provided by Linda via Trover.com

Stamford, New York

I admit, before my research, I thought Stamford was located in Connecticut. It turns out there are two Stamfords. Stamford, New York, is a little village three hours north of New York City that sits between Cooperstown and Albany. It’s part of the Catskills area where movies like “Dirty Dancing,” “War of the Worlds,” “The Bourne Legacy” were shot. Several quaint hotels and B&Bs occupy the area. It’s known for having great hiking, jogging, and scenic walking trails.

Is there a movie set you would love to visit? 

Hipmunk Hotels: Foodie Stops in Ventura, Torrance, Santa Ana, San Mateo, and Oakland

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle2 Comments

Every time I book a trip, I create three “to-dos” at the place I plan to visit: best beach/mountain/lake, best hotel, and best restaurant. If I succeed at visiting two of the three on each list, I’m a happy traveler. To continue my exploration of California, I found some really great restaurants and local foods to get the most of my California vacation.

Ventura, California

Ventura Harbor Village is known as the seaside playground. Located in Ventura, California, the village houses hotels, bars, and amazing local spots for tourists and locals to enjoy. Most of the eateries have an ocean or harbour view, so this location is seaside dining at its finest. You can find casual as well as elegant dining. The restaurants are as diverse as the people. There is Italian, Mexican, Asian, Greek, and American food, all utilizing the local seafood and produce. Brophy Bros Restaurant and Clam Bar is first on my list.

Image provided by Ruth Rieckehoff via Trover.com

Torrance, California

Torrance, California is an oceanside township south of Los Angeles with great ocean view hotel rooms. It houses a famous restaurant with an unlikely speciality on the menu, the Hawaiian Sweet Roll. Opened in 1977, King’s Hawaiian Bakery & Restaurant & Factory is the continental U.S. home to these tasty Polynesian treats.  If you’ve never had one, head out to your local grocery store and pick some up, but make sure you head over to the deli section. This bread is too good to hangout with the other breads. The restaurant features Hawaiian inspired dishes using the famous sweet bread rolls and you can learn about the history of the bread and the family who created it back in 1950 in Hawaii.

Image provided by Rich Barton via Trover.com

Santa Ana, California

Santa Ana is another suburb of Los Angeles that has its own personality and cultural influences. The city’s downtown historic district is the new hot spot for tourists to stay and locals to live. Santa Ana has Spanish influences and several local restaurants use the local seafood in the Spanish cuisine. I look forward to trying the fish taco or shrimp enchiladas that are popular at some of the local spots.

San Mateo, California

San Mateo, California is located in Silicon Valley near San Francisco. It’s no surprise that the food in this region of California is heavily influenced by the large Asian population in the area. Downtown is the best place to stay to sample the many Japanese inspired restaurants and check out the Asian themed Central Park.

Oakland, California

Across the Bay and north of San Mateo is Oakland, California.While Oakland may not get the respect it deserves, the city grew when people from San Francisco relocated during the 1906 earth quake. The San Francisco Bay offers beautiful views from the Oakland side. There are many great southern food restaurants; one of my favorite dishes is chicken and waffles. The House of Chicken and Waffles is my first stop. It’s in the name, I have to try it.

Image provided by Nica F! via Trover.com

Do you have any hidden food gems in California to share? 

Hipmunk Hotels: Bridges and Boardwalks in Wheeling, Gulf Shores, Hunstville, Little Rock, and Kissimmee

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah MichelleLeave a comment

If I took this road trip in order, I would log about 2,000 miles on my car; which I think would be would be worth the mileage. I would be sure to properly explore the bridges and boardwalks in some unlikely spots in these cool southern towns.

Wheeling, West Virginia

Wheeling, West Virginia, sits on the banks of the Ohio River, the largest river that flows into the Mississippi. The suspension bridge is a must see stop in Wheeling. A short walk from many hotels in downtown Wheeling, you can traverse the 1,000 foot bridge and see great views of the river, Wheeling, and Wheeling Island. The bridge has great historical significance. It was the original passage from the New World to the wild, wild, west.  If you’re afraid of heights or old things, prepare yourself. The bridge looks every bit of its 160 years.

Gulf Shores, Alabama

When I think of the Gulf Shores, my mind conjures up the devastating scenes of Hurricane Katrina back in 2005. The homes and attractions destroyed during the storm have popped back up over the years better than ever. Gulf Shores, Alabama is a great beach town with amazing reasonably priced hotels on the beach and fun attractions like the Gulf State Park and Boardwalk. It’s possible to sit out on this boardwalk and stare at the water for hours.

Image provided by Amanda Watson via Trover.com

Huntsville, Alabama

Huntsville, Alabama is a beautiful little city with land on two spots of the Tennessee River. I think the river loved the water so much it curled around another city to have two river coastlines. Ditto Landing is a marina and campground dedicated to preserving the natural resources. The nature reserves are regulated by the government and provide fishing, boat rides, archery, and bow lessons. Ditto Landing is only 10 minutes away from several hotels in Huntsville, but the peaceful surroundings may make a camper out of me, yet.

Image provided by Jennifer Hott-Greenway via Trover.com

Little Rock, Arkansas

I spent a few days in Little Rock, Arkansas, last summer. I didn’t get the chance to see much but the inside of a nice hotel and a few bars downtown. I also saw the Junction Bridge and knew I had to come back and explore. Located outside of Bill Clinton’s Presidential Library, the trails from the library lead you into the woods and over this historical bridge. I can’t wait to check out the views over the Arkansas River.

Kissimmee, Florida

I lived in Florida for years and every time someone came to visit, they wanted to go, stay, and play in Kissimmee–the center of adult and childhood fun near Disney and Universal Studios. However, the adventure side of me always wanted to visit Shingle Creek Regional Park. Located in the Everglades, the President calls Shingle Creek America’s Great Outdoor. On the west trail a pedestrian bridge was constructed to allow hikers, bikers, and nature lovers to explore the Kissimmee lands without disturbing the natural setting.

Image provided by Steve Burns via Trover.com

What are some of your favorite boardwalks, shores and bridges? 

The Best Non-Beach Spring Break Getaways

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle1 Comment

This post was posted by thehipmunk on Hipmunk’s Tailwind Blog on March 16, 2016.

The words “spring break” may conjure images of swimsuited coeds frolicking on the beach, but a truly enjoyable spring break is hardly one size fits all. Everybody has their own preferences, and some folks simply prefer urban, landlocked, or mountainous settings to sandy ones. If you fall into the former category, then don’t let your friends pressure you into yet another sticky spring break on the edge of the ocean. Instead, book a trip to any of these stellar non-beach spring break getaways.

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Austin, TX

Texas’ capitol has earned itself a reputation as the hipster capital of the country—and for good reason. The unparalleled music scene, thriving foodie culture, and laid-back vibes make this city a must-visit for any college student. The wildly popular SXSW festival is held every year in March, so expect hotel rates to rise during the month—but if you make it to the festival, your money will be well spent. The weather is nice and temperate in the spring, so don’t forget to take advantage of the many outdoor recreational opportunities both in and just outside of the city.

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Asheville, NC

If wild parties aren’t your thing, then head to laid-back Asheville for a spring break that won’t disappoint. Located between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville offers gorgeous 360-degree views and easy access to outdoor adventures. The city is also home to thriving arts and foodie scenes, interesting museums, and an abundance of live music—you’re unlikely to find more buskers per capita in any other city. Be sure not to miss the historical Biltmore Estate, the largest privately owned house in the U.S. The grounds also feature a winery, garden tours, and the upscale Antler Hill Village, which offers shopping, dining, and live entertainment.

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Las Vegas, NV

For those who are comfortable with flashing lights and large crowds, Las Vegas is the place to be. From world-renowned casinos to one-of-a-kind performances, raucous pool parties, expansive buffets, and an anything-goes nightlife scene, Las Vegas brings the party at all hours of the day and night. Don’t miss the downtown Fremont Street Experience, which includes a pedestrian mall, concert venues, and various wild attractions such as the SlotZilla Zip Line, which lets adventurous spring breakers fly over the street at a height of more than 70 feet.

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Memphis, TN

If you’ve never been to the birthplace of Rock ‘N Roll, it’s high time you paid it a visit. Whether you’re interested in music or southern heritage, you’ll get a (fun) education anywhere you turn. Head to Sun Studio, where the first ever Rock ‘N Roll record was made, or visit the Center for Southern Folklore or the Pink Palace Museum to learn about southern art, culture, history, and music. And of course, be sure to visitGraceland Museum, home to none other than the one and only Elvis Presley. When you’ve had your fill of educational tours, head to Beale Street (the official “Home of the Blues”) to enjoy great food, live performances, or the jovial nightlife.

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New Orleans, LA

With Mardi Gras over and the summer humidity still months away, spring break is the perfect time to explore New Orleans at a leisurely pace. Thanks to the city’s fusion of Cajun, Creole, French, Native American, and Spanish cultures, awesome architecture, art galleries, food, museums, music, and live performances are a stone’s throw away in any direction. Head to Bourbon Street if you’re looking to party, visit the historic French Quarter to experience a taste of the past, or stroll Frenchman Street to hear some of the best blues, jazz, and rockabilly around.

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San Antonio, TX

What Austin’s cool cousin lacks in beachside access, it makes up for in great weather, artsy shops, award-winning food, interesting museums, gorgeous architecture, and awesome outdoor activities. By day, stroll along the pedestrian Riverwalk, hike to the top of Enchanted Rock, or tour the historic missions, which were recently designated aWorld Heritage Site. At night, take a ghost tour of the city before hitting up the area nightlife or retiring to one of the city’s many budget-friendly hotels.

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