The Amalfi Coast is by far one of the best places to vacation. Time spent here was purely for relaxation. Hubby and I enjoyed every bit of being lazy, eating great food and drinking the best local wine and beer. While there, we enjoyed three local restaurants: Collina, Bruno, and Casa e Bottega. Although there are many great places to eat in the Amalfi Coast, these three are restaurants you must try! They are all in the City of Positano. In addition, the best thing about restaurants in Positano is that you always have a great view. The views are breathtaking! Collina Positano Bakery Collina was one of my favorite places to eat for lunch! It’s located in the center of one of the most characteristic squares of Positano, Piazza dei Mulini. I really enjoyed the pizza and my husband enjoyed a sandwich. The dessert was so delicious. Our waiter wasn’t overly nice, but he was definitely polite and got us our order without any hiccups. If you ever need a place to dine after shopping all day in Piazza dei Mulini, Collina is a great place to get a good meal and tasty desserts! Collina is the Perfect Location Collina is only few steps away from a bus stop, which makes it easy to commute to. After eating lunch, we did some shopping. It’s near a ton of shops. One of the shops I recommend that is near by is Emporio della Ceramica, which is a great ceramic store where I purchased most of our souvenirs. Casa e Bottega Positano Casa e Bottega is such a great place to dine while in Positano. It was a bit different than most of the restaurants in Positano. The decor is so cute and relaxing. If you are opting for healthier options, I would suggest dining here. After a few days of eating pasta, you should recharge with a great dish at Casa e Bottega. The Best Part about Casa e Bottega This restaurant is a total gem. When we got there, it was about a 15 minute wait, so I did a little bit of browsing and found a few items that were great souvenirs. They are a bit pricey but much of the items are handmade by local artists. Either way, you can do a little bit of shopping while you wait to be seated. Ristorante Bruno Bruno is by far my favorite restaurant in Positano. We ate here twice. I could literally eat here daily while in Positano. The views are beautiful, the service is wonderful and the food is delicious. Immediately after checking into our Airbnb, we walked to Bruno and had one of the best pasta dishes ever. My favorite dishes are the calamari and the shrimp spaghetti. The local rose’ was so refreshing! What’s Near Bruno? There are couple of shops near Bruno and there are two bus stops near it as well. Also note that the bus service isn’t always timely, but they do show up. We found ourselves used to the buses being late after our second day there. It didn’t matter to us as we were not on a strict schedule. There is also a small convenient store that we stopped in to purchase a few snacks. We ate dinner pretty early each day and knew we’d get hungry later. Gelato Gelato is everywhere in Positano. I literally had it every single day. A couple of places you should try are: Collina and La gelateria della buca di bacco. There are many small gelato shops along the Coast so you do have plenty to choose from. If you are ever in Positano make your way to one of these restaurants! But also enjoy the beauty that the Amalfi Coast has to offer! Don’t forget to pin it!

Burn Out; a state of mental and physical exhaustion. It’s been a while since my last post, but a lot has happened. I’ve had multiple surgeries, found a new job, and most importantly, a new outlook on life. With so much going on (as I’m typing this, we are in the middle of a pandemic – COVID-19), I’ve been able to sit down and think through some of my experiences and the mental state it’s left me in. I know I’m not alone here. So, without boring you with my own experiences, just sharing 5 signs of burn out and ways to prevent them in the future is probably a bit more helpful. 5 Signs of Burn Out Do you know the signs of burn out? Like so many people, you don’t. Usually, you just push through because of so many reasons; children, parents, spouses, finances, etc. Although there are many signs of burn out, I will talk about the top 5. Lack of motivation. Have you ever been at work (whether it’s working a 9 to 5 or working from home as a business owner or a stay at home mom/dad), had a whole day planned of what you will tackle, but do everything but what’s on your list? If you do this more than not, you might be burned out. Detachment from your responsibilities seems to be the cure for you which isn’t always a good thing. Further, you will find that most of the remaining signs coincide with #1. Increased procrastination. If you are typically on top of everything and now your productivity is much lower due to procrastination, you might be burned out. Emotional exhaustion. If you are always mentally drained and feel stressed more times than not, you might be burned out. There is a book called “The Work/Stress Connection: How To Cope With Job Burnout” by Robert L. Veninga. It outlines the phases of job burnout. Constantly sick/low immune system. If you are always sick, you probably aren’t taking good care of yourself. Having a well-balanced meal is key to addressing lackluster energy. I’ve never heard anyone say that eating healthy makes them sick. Do a mental check and ensure you are eating a well-balanced meal as often as possible and drinking plenty of water. Alienate yourself from family and friends. Some who are burned out tend to want to be alone and avoid outings with family and friends. It is definitely normal to make time alone to recharge, but complete avoidance of others can be a sign of burn out. The signs sound like stress, right? Burn out definitely leads to stress. In most cases, it comes from increased levels of stress and usually, we don’t recognize it as such. Personally, I had to realize that my job was the cause of burn out for me. You might identify other areas in your life that cause burn out. Once you identify that, you will be able to make the necessary changes. Steps To Prevention Burn out doesn’t just happen to those who work a 9 to 5. It happens to entrepreneurs, stay at home moms/dads, and students. The key is being proactive instead of reactive when it comes to your mental health. I find a few things to be helpful in preventing burn out and I hope they do the same for you. Fix your chakras. One of my good friends is a Reiki specialist. Check her out here. Reiki is a form of energy healing that cleanses and balances the energy system in the body and supports mental clarity. Throughout my sessions, I found that I have most of the tools but I did not use them to help myself. Like anything, you have to put in the work. After each session, I take away new tools to implement and over time I began to see a change in my attitude and mental clarity. The goal is here to be proactive. So if you are actively addressing stress, you can avoid burn out. Yoga/Meditation. One of the things I try to do often is practice yoga and meditate. It’s another way I gain mental clarity. I honestly feel my best when I practice yoga and meditate. The minute I feel overwhelmed, I meditate; even if it’s for 2-3 minutes. Meditating in the morning before work and before bed has truly made a difference in my mental wellbeing. Meditation is one of those things you have to practice. When I first started, I got distracted easily. It was very difficult to quiet the mind; analyzing the day, thinking of things I didn’t do but need to do, cringing about events I wish didn’t occur; literally everything. So don’t give up if you can’t seem to focus at first. Like anything, it takes practice. Yoga and meditation help to quiet your thoughts of the past and future; therefore, keeps you focused on the present. I find that journaling helps after meditation. If there is something you can’t quiet during your meditation, journal about it. A list of my favorite yoga and meditation apps are here. Find a Hobby. For me it was photography. Growing up as an only child, I had a vivid imagination. I was very creative. But becoming an adult can cause you to lose sight of your creative side if you aren’t working in the arts. Working a 9 to 5 as an auditor isn’t the most creative job. I, like many, get so lost in the mundane. Therefore, easily losing sight of the things I enjoy. Seek Therapy. Sometimes talking through your thoughts with a professional who is there to literally listen and not judge is a great way to prevent burn out. I found that I am able to talk through a situation and figure out a solution I would not have otherwise figured out had I talked to a friend. No offense to friends (I have great ones and I love them), but they are there to love you and try to fix things when they see you are upset or struggling. And if you suffer from anxiety, like myself, you might even worry that they will judge you in the process (even if you know they won’t). Having a therapist allows you to talk through everything without those concerns. Make time for yourself. This is a big one when trying to prevent burn out. Those who are married, have children, taking care of family members, etc; it can be a daunting task to make time for yourself. I know you are thinking that numbers 1-4 requires making time for yourself. And they do. But, if you don’t particularly enjoy yoga and meditation or reiki sessions, don’t have the resources to attend therapy sessions, and/or don’t have a hobby, you still need to make sure you carve out time for yourself. Even if that means doing absolutely nothing. That is more than enough. You might find that sitting in a tub, finding a quiet spot to enjoy a glass of wine, or reading a great book is the perfect way to make time for yourself and unwind. Be intentional when carving out time. Schedule it weekly. You might find that journaling during this time is helpful as well. Just to get those thoughts out. As you may have already experienced, burnout can cause issues at work, at home, and in life. It is possible to change this. The steps I take aren’t the only steps to preventing burn out, but they do work for me. Many times it takes you experiencing burn out more than once to really make the necessary changes needed to understand it and prevent it. Have you experienced burn out? If so, share how you work through preventing it? I am not a licensed therapist/counselor/life coach professional. These are all opinions of my own and what I have used for myself only.

Our vacation in Cairo, Egypt was quite an adventure. Ultimately, I didn’t know what to expect on this vacation. I did tons of research and still didn’t know what to expect. On this trip, we spent a few days visiting the Pyramids, taking a tour of the museum, and taking a boat cruise down the Nile River. As far as memorable vacations, Egypt is definitely #1. It is a country I know I will never forget. So we stayed at the Four Seasons Nile Plaza during our vacation in Cairo. It was a great location and near the Embassy. I would advise staying here because of it’s convenient location. It’s also a beautiful hotel. Before you Vacation in Cairo, Egypt Be sure to get your Visa during your vacation in Cairo. You will need a Visa but you can get one upon arrival at the airport. Your money will go very far in Cairo, Egypt. I think we had what’s equivalent to $100 which lasted us the whole time (we stayed for 3 nights). As a matter of fact, we still have some left that we will keep as souvenirs. Whenever we travel, we usually get money from the ATM in the country we’re vacationing in. It’s just cheaper to get cash out of the ATM versus converting US dollars to the currency needed. Before booking a vacation to Cairo, be sure to research the culture. Women should dress modestly. Avoid anything too tight, low cut tops, short skirts and shorts. I advise dressing similar to how I mentioned here. Baksheesh is basically “tipping” If it’s your first time vacationing in Cairo, be prepared to tip for everything. It’s often referred to as “baksheesh.” You might be asked by someone who does something as simple as handing you a paper towel in the bathroom (that you didn’t ask for) for baksheesh. The airport is a trap for this so be careful. We found that a few people will ride in the elevator and press the button for you and expect a tip for it. It’s annoying. But I also have to keep in mind that the people of Egypt are hurting financially; the country is hurting financially so they will do whatever it takes to feed themselves and their families. This is probably the most annoying part of the visiting Cairo. Transportation During your Vacation in Cairo Before we booked our vacation in Cairo, we read that car service is the best option as far as transportation to and from the airport. So we scheduled car service for pickup to take us to our hotel. We read that was the best thing to do as negotiating a fair fare can be difficult. Either way, our driver was great! We used Uber to get around the city. It was super cheap but the traffic is horrible. Each day we saw a few accidents, but for the most part, we felt safe. While booking our vacation to Cairo, we also booked car service to take us back to the airport, and it was not a good experience. The car didn’t have working seat belts and she stopped for gas. It was annoying. At some point we weren’t even sure her car would make it to the airport. When Hubby put the bags in her mini SUV, there was barely any room for them because her car was full of stuff. One of our suitcases sat in the front seat. Her attitude was pretty bad as well. Travelers Tip: If you plan to use car service in Cairo, please do really good research. Uber is cheap, and a decent choice as well. If you plan to take a taxi, you need to negotiate prices before riding. Tipping While in Cairo, tip waiters and bartenders 10% of the bill. Please note that the service charge does not go to the workers. Typically, you will tip hotel bellhops 10 Egyptian Pound and tour guides 50 Egyptian Pound. You can tip more, of course, but try not to tip less. Must See the Giza Pyramids While on vacation in Cairo, you must see the pyramids. If you do, visiting the Pyramids in the mornings are best. It isn’t as hot and there are fewer tourists. Our tour guide was booked through Chase.com. His name is Taha Marie. You can find him on Facebook as well. He was the ultimate guide. He took great pictures of us and gave us history of Egypt that we were not aware of. We learned so much. It was definite history overload. We enjoyed every bit of it. Although camel riding was part of the tour package, we decided not to ride them. But it was definitely an option. Must Do the Nile River Dinner Cruise We also took a Nile River Dinner Cruise which was awesome!!! It included a belly dancer and tanoura show along with hotel pick up and drop off. We booked the dinner cruise through Chase.com. The dinner was buffet style which is included in the package. You can also purchase beer, liquor, and wine which was reasonable in price. Our vacation in Cairo, did not break the bank at all. Visit the Museum of Cairo To end our vacation in Cairo, we took a tour of the Museum of Cairo. This famous museum houses the world’s largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts (more than 120,000 items on display) featuring the famous Tutankhamun collection with its beautiful gold death mask and sarcophagus and the royal Mummy room, which houses an additional eleven Pharaonic dignitaries. I can’t remember our tour guide, but she was wonderful. Pick up and drop off was included with Museum package. She provided snacks and water for us as well. Before entering the Museum you had to go through security, but this was common practice in Cairo. Before entering our hotel, all cars are checked before entering the drop-off location. Vacation in Cairo needs to be on your bucket list if it isn’t. Learning about the culture and seeing so many artifacts is something I will never forget. With so much history, you can get overwhelmed, but it’s well worth it. For those who have been to Cairo, what was your best and least thing about it? Was this post helpful? Don’t forget to pin it for later!

If you read my post here, then you know I am a strong believer of living a less stressful life. Because creating new, healthier habits is the first start to living a less stressful life, I felt compelled to share 6 simple things you can do in order to live a less stressful life. I can’t guarantee that all of these will work for you. But I do know I have constantly had to work at them in order to create healthier habits. In addition, if you are having trouble identifying signs of stress, a great article to read is The Warning Signs of Stress: How to Notice Yours. This is a great article that helps to identify warning signs of stress. Sadly, it’s so easy to skip out on creating healthier habits especially if you are currently in a serious rut. We are all different so pick and choose what works best for you and continue to add a healthy habit at a time. The list below is just a start. Continue to work on self-care and making it a part of your daily routine. Here goes: Just Breathe. No, seriously, just breathe. Sometimes we can get so caught up on false or unrealistic expectations of self, that self doubt creeps in. We also worry about things we CANNOT control. First, look at the problem at hand and give yourself a realistic view of what you can and cannot do. Let go of people pleasing and saying YES to everything and everyone especially when it doesn’t feed your soul with goodness. If saying YES to something creates more stress and anxiety for you than not, more than likely it isn’t feeding your soul. Be real with yourself. With that in mind, get rid of self doubt. Self doubt is definitely a confidence killer. Don’t bite off more than you can chew but also don’t beat yourself up if you aren’t always meeting expectations. You might need to revisit whether or not you have realistic expectations. Finally, if it is out of your control, DO NOT worry about it!!! Plain and simple. Life will throw so many things your way. You have heard this a million times but “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” Breathe. Be Gentle to Yourself. Take time out for yourself. Whether it’s taking time out to read your favorite book, getting a massage, having a Reiki session, meditating, taking yourself out to lunch or dinner, taking a cooking class, or just relaxing in your favorite chair catching up on your favorite Netflix shows, just do it! Sometimes your body is screaming for rest. Screaming for you to take better care of it. Feeling stressed is just a reminder that we need to slow down and rest. Ever get so stressed that your body shuts down, your skin breaks out, your hair falls out, or you feel extremely sluggish? I’ve been through all of these. And after all of that, I have learned that paying attention to and being gentle to your self is not a crime, it’s a requirement in order to live a full, healthy life. Get okay with doing less. Don’t feel guilty about doing less. When you are gentle to yourself, as mentioned in #2, it’s okay. You don’t have to be superwoman or superman all the time. Plain and simple. Exercise. Whenever I don’t exercise on a consistent basis I begin to feel extremely sluggish. Exercise can be something as simple as taking a 20 minute walk, doing yoga or pilates, taking a hike or even playing a sport at your local recreation center. Ultimately, it doesn’t have to cost you any money. Use the outdoors as your gym. If you aren’t an outdoorsy person, use apps (I use this one for yoga) or YouTube when you can. There are tons of options on YouTube. Declutter. Declutter your space. Make sure your home is free of unwanted junk. Having a clean and clear space can help you feel so much better. Ever finish cleaning your home and feel so much better about how nice and peaceful everything feels? When my home is organized, I’m less stressed. When I know my home is getting pretty junkie, I tend to get really stressed. Don’t be afraid to let go of clutter. Enjoy life. The one thing my mom always told me was that she wants me to enjoy life. At first, I didn’t get it but as I got older, I realized that one of my goals in life is to enjoy it because it goes by so fast. Soaking up life experiences is simply a treat. Life in itself can be really hard and stressful but you have to try and find joy through it all. Find something you are grateful for each morning as you wake and every night before you fall asleep. Keep a journal and jot down all the different things that you are grateful for as much as you can. Relish in all that life has to offer because you only get one life to do so.

Santorini, Greece is one of my favorite places to vacation. I talk about how much I love the food here. But you can’t go to Santorini without checking about the best wineries they have to offer. I’m a wine girl; I enjoy a great winery. I’m no expert, but I do know a good wine when I taste one. I might do a post on my favorite wines. Either way, with Hubby and I traveling he tries his best, while planning, to include a wine tour like he did in Paris. Wine tours are usually the highlight of the vacation for me. It was a no brainer that we would try a few wineries while in Santorini, Greece. Santorini Half-Day Sunset Wine Tasting Hubby booked the tour through Viator. The Half Day tour is so well worth the price. During the 4 hour island tasting tour, you visit 3 – 4 wineries in Santorini and will be provided local wine (duh) and tapas during the tour. The total price per person includes: Hotel pickup All entrance fees Snacks and Beverages Informative, friendly, and professional guide I can’t remember our tour guide’s name. You will learn over time that I’m horrible with remembering names. But either way, she was awesome. During the tour, the group included 4 people (Hubby, myself and two other women). The women on the tour with us made it even more fun. We weren’t expecting to have a such a fun group! We enjoy traveling because we enjoy meeting people, especially people that are culturally different than us. The two women on the tour with us are best friends. One is from London but currently resides in California and her best friend was from Australia. They had the best stories and were such a joy to be around. Our tour guide literally left us alone at some point because we were having so much fun together. We laughed so much that I didn’t want the evening to end. But enough about that; let me tell you how great these wineries are! The wine tour route includes Estate Argyros, Gavalas traditional winery, and Venetsanos Winery (Sunset views). We savored up to twelve different varieties made from grapes such as the indigenous Assyrtiko, Nykteri, and Vinsanto. We explore the cellars of each winery and saw where the wine is bottled and manufactured. And of course, we enjoyed great pairings such as an assortment of local cheese, meat, and olives. We were very satisfied with the pairings! Estate Argyros Winery Estate Argyros was established in 1903. The winery’s vineyards includes ungrafted original rootstock, phylloxera safe (for some reason I think that is why the taste was unbelievable) plants averaging 70 years old, including some of the oldest vines on the island which are over 200 years old. Out of all three wineries Estate had the best tasting wine, in my opinion. It was where I purchased a couple bottles of white wine and I’m not even a white wine girl. I’m usually seen somewhere sipping on red wine. Estate Argyros is definitely a must see if you visit wineries in Santorini. Gavalas Winery Gavalas ‘s tasting was my least favorite, but still good wine, nonetheless. The Gavalas family has been exclusively engaged in the vinification of the indigenous varieties grown in Santorini, since the end of the 19th century. This winery has 18 acres of vineyard planted with Santorini’s native grape varieties such as Assyrtiko, Athiri, Aidani. I figured out during this tour that I really like “old school” wineries. I like seeing the original machines used to produce the wine and if wineries can fuse the updated look with the old school look, it’s even better. Gavalas is definitely a gem and is definitely a winery you should add to your list of wineries to visit while in Santorini. Venetsanos Winery Venetsanos was the final stop of the tour. This place is gorgeous! Even if you don’t like wine, this place is great to visit simply because of it’s views. It overlooks the magnificent caldera and volcanic islands of Santorini. The winery built in 1947 by Venetsanos family, became the first industrial winery on the island. This winery definitely fuses the updated look with the old school look fabulously. In addition, the winery offers a chance to walk through and discover the history that shows the tradition as well as the new wine making techniques used today. Greece definitely gets it when it comes to wine tours!!!! Save this post for later! Pin it!

The Amalfi Coast is by far one of the best places to vacation. Time spent here was purely for relaxation. Hubby and I enjoyed every bit of being lazy, eating great food and drinking the best local wine and beer. While there, we enjoyed three local restaurants: Collina, Bruno, and Casa e Bottega. Although there are many great places to eat in the Amalfi Coast, these three are restaurants you must try! They are all in the City of Positano. In addition, the best thing about restaurants in Positano is that you always have a great view. The views are breathtaking! Collina Positano Bakery Collina was one of my favorite places to eat for lunch! It’s located in the center of one of the most characteristic squares of Positano, Piazza dei Mulini. I really enjoyed the pizza and my husband enjoyed a sandwich. The dessert was so delicious. Our waiter wasn’t overly nice, but he was definitely polite and got us our order without any hiccups. If you ever need a place to dine after shopping all day in Piazza dei Mulini, Collina is a great place to get a good meal and tasty desserts! Collina is the Perfect Location Collina is only few steps away from a bus stop, which makes it easy to commute to. After eating lunch, we did some shopping. It’s near a ton of shops. One of the shops I recommend that is near by is Emporio della Ceramica, which is a great ceramic store where I purchased most of our souvenirs. Casa e Bottega Positano Casa e Bottega is such a great place to dine while in Positano. It was a bit different than most of the restaurants in Positano. The decor is so cute and relaxing. If you are opting for healthier options, I would suggest dining here. After a few days of eating pasta, you should recharge with a great dish at Casa e Bottega. The Best Part about Casa e Bottega This restaurant is a total gem. When we got there, it was about a 15 minute wait, so I did a little bit of browsing and found a few items that were great souvenirs. They are a bit pricey but much of the items are handmade by local artists. Either way, you can do a little bit of shopping while you wait to be seated. Ristorante Bruno Bruno is by far my favorite restaurant in Positano. We ate here twice. I could literally eat here daily while in Positano. The views are beautiful, the service is wonderful and the food is delicious. Immediately after checking into our Airbnb, we walked to Bruno and had one of the best pasta dishes ever. My favorite dishes are the calamari and the shrimp spaghetti. The local rose’ was so refreshing! What’s Near Bruno? There are couple of shops near Bruno and there are two bus stops near it as well. Also note that the bus service isn’t always timely, but they do show up. We found ourselves used to the buses being late after our second day there. It didn’t matter to us as we were not on a strict schedule. There is also a small convenient store that we stopped in to purchase a few snacks. We ate dinner pretty early each day and knew we’d get hungry later. Gelato Gelato is everywhere in Positano. I literally had it every single day. A couple of places you should try are: Collina and La gelateria della buca di bacco. There are many small gelato shops along the Coast so you do have plenty to choose from. If you are ever in Positano make your way to one of these restaurants! But also enjoy the beauty that the Amalfi Coast has to offer! Don’t forget to pin it!

Santorini, Greece is one of my favorite places to vacation. I talk about how much I love the food here. But you can’t go to Santorini without checking about the best wineries they have to offer. I’m a wine girl; I enjoy a great winery. I’m no expert, but I do know a good wine when I taste one. I might do a post on my favorite wines. Either way, with Hubby and I traveling he tries his best, while planning, to include a wine tour like he did in Paris. Wine tours are usually the highlight of the vacation for me. It was a no brainer that we would try a few wineries while in Santorini, Greece. Santorini Half-Day Sunset Wine Tasting Hubby booked the tour through Viator. The Half Day tour is so well worth the price. During the 4 hour island tasting tour, you visit 3 – 4 wineries in Santorini and will be provided local wine (duh) and tapas during the tour. The total price per person includes: Hotel pickup All entrance fees Snacks and Beverages Informative, friendly, and professional guide I can’t remember our tour guide’s name. You will learn over time that I’m horrible with remembering names. But either way, she was awesome. During the tour, the group included 4 people (Hubby, myself and two other women). The women on the tour with us made it even more fun. We weren’t expecting to have a such a fun group! We enjoy traveling because we enjoy meeting people, especially people that are culturally different than us. The two women on the tour with us are best friends. One is from London but currently resides in California and her best friend was from Australia. They had the best stories and were such a joy to be around. Our tour guide literally left us alone at some point because we were having so much fun together. We laughed so much that I didn’t want the evening to end. But enough about that; let me tell you how great these wineries are! The wine tour route includes Estate Argyros, Gavalas traditional winery, and Venetsanos Winery (Sunset views). We savored up to twelve different varieties made from grapes such as the indigenous Assyrtiko, Nykteri, and Vinsanto. We explore the cellars of each winery and saw where the wine is bottled and manufactured. And of course, we enjoyed great pairings such as an assortment of local cheese, meat, and olives. We were very satisfied with the pairings! Estate Argyros Winery Estate Argyros was established in 1903. The winery’s vineyards includes ungrafted original rootstock, phylloxera safe (for some reason I think that is why the taste was unbelievable) plants averaging 70 years old, including some of the oldest vines on the island which are over 200 years old. Out of all three wineries Estate had the best tasting wine, in my opinion. It was where I purchased a couple bottles of white wine and I’m not even a white wine girl. I’m usually seen somewhere sipping on red wine. Estate Argyros is definitely a must see if you visit wineries in Santorini. Gavalas Winery Gavalas ‘s tasting was my least favorite, but still good wine, nonetheless. The Gavalas family has been exclusively engaged in the vinification of the indigenous varieties grown in Santorini, since the end of the 19th century. This winery has 18 acres of vineyard planted with Santorini’s native grape varieties such as Assyrtiko, Athiri, Aidani. I figured out during this tour that I really like “old school” wineries. I like seeing the original machines used to produce the wine and if wineries can fuse the updated look with the old school look, it’s even better. Gavalas is definitely a gem and is definitely a winery you should add to your list of wineries to visit while in Santorini. Venetsanos Winery Venetsanos was the final stop of the tour. This place is gorgeous! Even if you don’t like wine, this place is great to visit simply because of it’s views. It overlooks the magnificent caldera and volcanic islands of Santorini. The winery built in 1947 by Venetsanos family, became the first industrial winery on the island. This winery definitely fuses the updated look with the old school look fabulously. In addition, the winery offers a chance to walk through and discover the history that shows the tradition as well as the new wine making techniques used today. Greece definitely gets it when it comes to wine tours!!!! Save this post for later! Pin it!

How many of you plan to visit Iceland soon?! Well, look no more as I have a simple travel guide needed to ensure you are completely prepared. This past Spring we took a trip to Reykjavik, Iceland. It is perhaps one of the most beautiful places we’ve visited. Packing for Iceland can be tricky if it’s your first time, so look no more because I have you covered! Simple packing guide to the rescue! What to Pack: Packable Waterproof Jacket Snow boots or Rain Boots Wool Socks Thermals Waterproof Pants Layers (Long sleeve shirts and sweaters) Accessories: Warm hat, Gloves, Scarf, Backpack, Water Bottle, Small Umbrella Snacks Swim wear (swim suit, flip flops, swim cap) Euro travel adapter Waterproof Phone cover (especially if visiting The Blue Lagoon) 1. Packable Waterproof Jacket The most important item to pack is a waterproof Jacket or Coat. Initially, the thought of packing a jacket was dreadful, but luckily we found packable jackets that could fit in a carryon. If you a minimalist packer, having a packable jacket is key. Here are a few packable coats/jackets at Amazon, Athleta, and Northface. 2. Snow Boots or Rain Boots When in doubt, pack rain boots. You will need them. It is cold and rains occassionally throughout the day so both are a must! Hubby and I wore our old faithful L.L. Beans. I have a couple pair, but these 7 inch boots were easy to pack and didn’t take up much space. With as much walking you will do during the tours, you will definitely need a comfortable pair. Although L.L. Bean is my go-to, Hunter and Sperry are great options as well. 3. Wool Socks This should be a no brainer but be sure to pack wool socks. With the cold and wet elements, you will need a good thick pair of socks. I wore L.L. Bean socks as they are the warmest pair I own. But if you get boots with any type of lining in them (mine were not lined), be sure to consider the thickness of your socks. You don’t want your boots too tight (that would make for an uncomfortable trip). Amazon has more budget friendly pairs here. 4. Thermals One item I wish I had brought were a pair of thermals. A couple of times I wore jeans and wish I had a pair of thermals underneath them. So if you plan to wear jeans, I would advise wearing a pair of thermals underneath. A thermal top for layering is a great way to stay warm as well! Amazon has a great selection of them at a reasonable price. 5. Waterproof Pants With many of the sites involving water, waterproof pants are a must have. If you plan to go on any sites, you will need water proof pants. Hubby and I purchased ours from Amazon. 6. Layers You should definitely pack long sleeve shirts and sweaters. For a 4-5 day trip, I would advise taking 3 long sleeve shirts (1-2 if you plan to layer with thermals), 2 sweaters, and 1 fleece jacket. Everlane (here, here, here, and here) and J.crew (here, here, here, and here) have great long sleeve shirts and sweaters. 7. Accessories Packing the right accessories is super important. So be sure you have a warm hat, gloves, a scarf, a water bottle, a small/packable umbrella, and a backpack to carry it all in. Packing the right accessories will save you from spending extra money once you get there. Iceland is very, very expensive so be sure you pack the necessary accessories listed above. Amazon has great hats, gloves, and scarves at a reasonable cost. Also, don’t forget to pack a small umbrella or rain jacket/poncho. It rains off and on throughout the day in Iceland. Amazon has a great selection of reasonably priced umbrellas and rain jacket/ponchos. Literally, a bottle of water costs on average 3-5 USD, so bringing your own bottle and filling it with tap water is definitely a money saver. According to Guide to Iceland, “The tap water is safe to drink and persistent purchasing of plastic bottles of water by tourists is one of the greater aggravations amongst locals because of the fragility of their country’s environment.” So do the locals a favor and bring a water bottle. My post here has a link to a great collapsible water bottle that’s leak proof, BPA free, and FDA approved. 8. Snacks Again, Iceland is super expensive! A meal for two people literally cost us close to 80 USD and we actually shared a dish (it was big enough to feed 2 people). The price includes dessert and 2 beers, but the meal was fish and chips (nothing too fancy). Luckily for us breakfast was included with our hotel stay due to our hotel rewards. Throughout the day you do tend to get hungry so packing snacks are a great idea. Smarter Travel has a list of snacks to pack that are tasty and travel proof. 9. Swim wear If you plan to visit The Blue Lagoon, bringing a swim suit and flip flops is essential. They do provide hair conditioner to protect your hair from the salt water, but I wore a swim cap to protect my hair. Here are a few cute swim caps here, here, and here. 10. European adaptor Basically you need a good adaptor while in another country. I think most hotels will have extra adaptors but to ensure you’re covered, you should bring your own. Here is a cheaper set of adaptors here. We’ve had the same set for a few years. 11. Waterproof phone cover Another item I wish I packed was a waterproof phone cover. I wanted to take pictures while in the Blue Lagoon. I kept it safe in my robe instead. If you do plan to take pictures while sight seeing, having the waterproof phone cover is helpful as it does rain off and on quite a bit in Iceland. Amazon has few reasonably priced options here, here, and here. What Not to Pack Multiple pairs of jeans. I only brought one pair and was perfectly fine. Cotton socks and outerwear. You will need wool socks and waterproof outerwear. Non-waterproof boots/shoes. Anything that can be damaged by water is a no go! LEAVE IT AT HOME!

How many of you plan to visit Iceland soon?! Well, look no more as I have a simple travel guide needed to ensure you are completely prepared. This past Spring we took a trip to Reykjavik, Iceland. It is perhaps one of the most beautiful places we’ve visited. Packing for Iceland can be tricky if it’s your first time, so look no more because I have you covered! Simple packing guide to the rescue! What to Pack: Packable Waterproof Jacket Snow boots or Rain Boots Wool Socks Thermals Waterproof Pants Layers (Long sleeve shirts and sweaters) Accessories: Warm hat, Gloves, Scarf, Backpack, Water Bottle, Small Umbrella Snacks Swim wear (swim suit, flip flops, swim cap) Euro travel adapter Waterproof Phone cover (especially if visiting The Blue Lagoon) 1. Packable Waterproof Jacket The most important item to pack is a waterproof Jacket or Coat. Initially, the thought of packing a jacket was dreadful, but luckily we found packable jackets that could fit in a carryon. If you a minimalist packer, having a packable jacket is key. Here are a few packable coats/jackets at Amazon, Athleta, and Northface. 2. Snow Boots or Rain Boots When in doubt, pack rain boots. You will need them. It is cold and rains occassionally throughout the day so both are a must! Hubby and I wore our old faithful L.L. Beans. I have a couple pair, but these 7 inch boots were easy to pack and didn’t take up much space. With as much walking you will do during the tours, you will definitely need a comfortable pair. Although L.L. Bean is my go-to, Hunter and Sperry are great options as well. 3. Wool Socks This should be a no brainer but be sure to pack wool socks. With the cold and wet elements, you will need a good thick pair of socks. I wore L.L. Bean socks as they are the warmest pair I own. But if you get boots with any type of lining in them (mine were not lined), be sure to consider the thickness of your socks. You don’t want your boots too tight (that would make for an uncomfortable trip). Amazon has more budget friendly pairs here. 4. Thermals One item I wish I had brought were a pair of thermals. A couple of times I wore jeans and wish I had a pair of thermals underneath them. So if you plan to wear jeans, I would advise wearing a pair of thermals underneath. A thermal top for layering is a great way to stay warm as well! Amazon has a great selection of them at a reasonable price. 5. Waterproof Pants With many of the sites involving water, waterproof pants are a must have. If you plan to go on any sites, you will need water proof pants. Hubby and I purchased ours from Amazon. 6. Layers You should definitely pack long sleeve shirts and sweaters. For a 4-5 day trip, I would advise taking 3 long sleeve shirts (1-2 if you plan to layer with thermals), 2 sweaters, and 1 fleece jacket. Everlane (here, here, here, and here) and J.crew (here, here, here, and here) have great long sleeve shirts and sweaters. 7. Accessories Packing the right accessories is super important. So be sure you have a warm hat, gloves, a scarf, a water bottle, a small/packable umbrella, and a backpack to carry it all in. Packing the right accessories will save you from spending extra money once you get there. Iceland is very, very expensive so be sure you pack the necessary accessories listed above. Amazon has great hats, gloves, and scarves at a reasonable cost. Also, don’t forget to pack a small umbrella or rain jacket/poncho. It rains off and on throughout the day in Iceland. Amazon has a great selection of reasonably priced umbrellas and rain jacket/ponchos. Literally, a bottle of water costs on average 3-5 USD, so bringing your own bottle and filling it with tap water is definitely a money saver. According to Guide to Iceland, “The tap water is safe to drink and persistent purchasing of plastic bottles of water by tourists is one of the greater aggravations amongst locals because of the fragility of their country’s environment.” So do the locals a favor and bring a water bottle. My post here has a link to a great collapsible water bottle that’s leak proof, BPA free, and FDA approved. 8. Snacks Again, Iceland is super expensive! A meal for two people literally cost us close to 80 USD and we actually shared a dish (it was big enough to feed 2 people). The price includes dessert and 2 beers, but the meal was fish and chips (nothing too fancy). Luckily for us breakfast was included with our hotel stay due to our hotel rewards. Throughout the day you do tend to get hungry so packing snacks are a great idea. Smarter Travel has a list of snacks to pack that are tasty and travel proof. 9. Swim wear If you plan to visit The Blue Lagoon, bringing a swim suit and flip flops is essential. They do provide hair conditioner to protect your hair from the salt water, but I wore a swim cap to protect my hair. Here are a few cute swim caps here, here, and here. 10. European adaptor Basically you need a good adaptor while in another country. I think most hotels will have extra adaptors but to ensure you’re covered, you should bring your own. Here is a cheaper set of adaptors here. We’ve had the same set for a few years. 11. Waterproof phone cover Another item I wish I packed was a waterproof phone cover. I wanted to take pictures while in the Blue Lagoon. I kept it safe in my robe instead. If you do plan to take pictures while sight seeing, having the waterproof phone cover is helpful as it does rain off and on quite a bit in Iceland. Amazon has few reasonably priced options here, here, and here. What Not to Pack Multiple pairs of jeans. I only brought one pair and was perfectly fine. Cotton socks and outerwear. You will need wool socks and waterproof outerwear. Non-waterproof boots/shoes. Anything that can be damaged by water is a no go! LEAVE IT AT HOME!

24 hours in Singapore? It is definitely doable. We vacationed in Qatar, Bali, and Singapore for a total of 9 days. Singapore was the latter part of the trip, so we were very creative in how we would spend the last 24 hours of our vacation. Singapore is such a beautiful country. Our itinerary included dinner at CE LA Vi, a day tour of the city, and a tour of the National Orchid Garden. We did a ton of walking. Thank goodness for such a wonderful stay at the Four Seasons. As a result, we were able to relax at the end of the day before flying out. Also, be sure to check out What to Wear in Singapore in case you missed it. 24 hours in Singapore First, flying from Bali we landed in Singapore at noon. Ultimately, the fight was pretty quick. As a result of flying Business Class, we had access to the lounge, therefore, we saved money and time by eating in the lounge before heading to the hotel. We were able to get an early check in due to an upgrade and hotel membership. The normal check-in time is 4 pm. After relaxing a bit, we got dressed for dinner. We immediately knew we would have dinner at Ce La Vi. I would advise making reservations because it was extremely packed when we got there. Luckily, we made reservations and was seated pretty quickly. We had a gorgeous view overlooking the Marina Bay. It’s so beautiful at night. The food is delicious as well!!! City Sites in 24 hours The next morning, we ordered room service to avoid finding somewhere locally to eat. That saved us some time. To start our 24 hours in Singapore, we took a Half Day City Tour which was booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards beforehand. Because of time, we decided to get a morning tour. We spent the first half of the day touring the City. We stopped at a couple of temples, the Marina Bay, and a few shops to purchase souvenirs. National Orchid Garden Tour During our 24 hours in Singapore, we took a tour of the National Orchid Garden. It is beautiful and a must-see attraction. Because we didn’t want to waste too much time, we paid for a tour guide so that we could hit the best parts of the Garden. Our tour ended around 1 pm, which gave us enough time to get back to our hotel room and walk to Paragon Shopping Center to grab a bite to eat. There are tons of places to eat there. After lunch, we got back to the hotel to get ready for our flight out. Asking for a late checkout (another perk from having hotel memberships) gave us time to pack and shower. By 4 pm, we checked out and waited for our car in the lobby of the hotel to take us to the airport. Spending 24 hours in Singapore is definitely doable and especially easier when you properly plan. Tips to Follow while in Singapore Stay hydrated. It is extremely hot and humid in Singapore. No matter what time of the year you go. Carry snacks. If you plan to do a lot of walking, I promise you will need snacks. Dress light. Don’t overdress. Because Singapore is hot and humid, it is not the place for fancy attire unless you are there to do a photo shoot. Dress comfortably and light. It’s the best way to go. Check out the best way to stay comfortable during your stay in Singapore here. If I had to do over, I would have worn athleisure. Don’t litter. I mentioned that you should carry snacks, but also remember that Singapore takes littering (includes spitting out gum) very seriously. Throw your paper in the trash bin! First-time offenders can be fined up to $1000 and given community service, while repeat offenders can be fined up to $5,000. Don’t forget to pin this post for later!

How many of you plan to visit Iceland soon?! Well, look no more as I have a simple travel guide needed to ensure you are completely prepared. This past Spring we took a trip to Reykjavik, Iceland. It is perhaps one of the most beautiful places we’ve visited. Packing for Iceland can be tricky if it’s your first time, so look no more because I have you covered! Simple packing guide to the rescue! What to Pack: Packable Waterproof Jacket Snow boots or Rain Boots Wool Socks Thermals Waterproof Pants Layers (Long sleeve shirts and sweaters) Accessories: Warm hat, Gloves, Scarf, Backpack, Water Bottle, Small Umbrella Snacks Swim wear (swim suit, flip flops, swim cap) Euro travel adapter Waterproof Phone cover (especially if visiting The Blue Lagoon) 1. Packable Waterproof Jacket The most important item to pack is a waterproof Jacket or Coat. Initially, the thought of packing a jacket was dreadful, but luckily we found packable jackets that could fit in a carryon. If you a minimalist packer, having a packable jacket is key. Here are a few packable coats/jackets at Amazon, Athleta, and Northface. 2. Snow Boots or Rain Boots When in doubt, pack rain boots. You will need them. It is cold and rains occassionally throughout the day so both are a must! Hubby and I wore our old faithful L.L. Beans. I have a couple pair, but these 7 inch boots were easy to pack and didn’t take up much space. With as much walking you will do during the tours, you will definitely need a comfortable pair. Although L.L. Bean is my go-to, Hunter and Sperry are great options as well. 3. Wool Socks This should be a no brainer but be sure to pack wool socks. With the cold and wet elements, you will need a good thick pair of socks. I wore L.L. Bean socks as they are the warmest pair I own. But if you get boots with any type of lining in them (mine were not lined), be sure to consider the thickness of your socks. You don’t want your boots too tight (that would make for an uncomfortable trip). Amazon has more budget friendly pairs here. 4. Thermals One item I wish I had brought were a pair of thermals. A couple of times I wore jeans and wish I had a pair of thermals underneath them. So if you plan to wear jeans, I would advise wearing a pair of thermals underneath. A thermal top for layering is a great way to stay warm as well! Amazon has a great selection of them at a reasonable price. 5. Waterproof Pants With many of the sites involving water, waterproof pants are a must have. If you plan to go on any sites, you will need water proof pants. Hubby and I purchased ours from Amazon. 6. Layers You should definitely pack long sleeve shirts and sweaters. For a 4-5 day trip, I would advise taking 3 long sleeve shirts (1-2 if you plan to layer with thermals), 2 sweaters, and 1 fleece jacket. Everlane (here, here, here, and here) and J.crew (here, here, here, and here) have great long sleeve shirts and sweaters. 7. Accessories Packing the right accessories is super important. So be sure you have a warm hat, gloves, a scarf, a water bottle, a small/packable umbrella, and a backpack to carry it all in. Packing the right accessories will save you from spending extra money once you get there. Iceland is very, very expensive so be sure you pack the necessary accessories listed above. Amazon has great hats, gloves, and scarves at a reasonable cost. Also, don’t forget to pack a small umbrella or rain jacket/poncho. It rains off and on throughout the day in Iceland. Amazon has a great selection of reasonably priced umbrellas and rain jacket/ponchos. Literally, a bottle of water costs on average 3-5 USD, so bringing your own bottle and filling it with tap water is definitely a money saver. According to Guide to Iceland, “The tap water is safe to drink and persistent purchasing of plastic bottles of water by tourists is one of the greater aggravations amongst locals because of the fragility of their country’s environment.” So do the locals a favor and bring a water bottle. My post here has a link to a great collapsible water bottle that’s leak proof, BPA free, and FDA approved. 8. Snacks Again, Iceland is super expensive! A meal for two people literally cost us close to 80 USD and we actually shared a dish (it was big enough to feed 2 people). The price includes dessert and 2 beers, but the meal was fish and chips (nothing too fancy). Luckily for us breakfast was included with our hotel stay due to our hotel rewards. Throughout the day you do tend to get hungry so packing snacks are a great idea. Smarter Travel has a list of snacks to pack that are tasty and travel proof. 9. Swim wear If you plan to visit The Blue Lagoon, bringing a swim suit and flip flops is essential. They do provide hair conditioner to protect your hair from the salt water, but I wore a swim cap to protect my hair. Here are a few cute swim caps here, here, and here. 10. European adaptor Basically you need a good adaptor while in another country. I think most hotels will have extra adaptors but to ensure you’re covered, you should bring your own. Here is a cheaper set of adaptors here. We’ve had the same set for a few years. 11. Waterproof phone cover Another item I wish I packed was a waterproof phone cover. I wanted to take pictures while in the Blue Lagoon. I kept it safe in my robe instead. If you do plan to take pictures while sight seeing, having the waterproof phone cover is helpful as it does rain off and on quite a bit in Iceland. Amazon has few reasonably priced options here, here, and here. What Not to Pack Multiple pairs of jeans. I only brought one pair and was perfectly fine. Cotton socks and outerwear. You will need wool socks and waterproof outerwear. Non-waterproof boots/shoes. Anything that can be damaged by water is a no go! LEAVE IT AT HOME!

How many of you plan to visit Iceland soon?! Well, look no more as I have a simple travel guide needed to ensure you are completely prepared. This past Spring we took a trip to Reykjavik, Iceland. It is perhaps one of the most beautiful places we’ve visited. Packing for Iceland can be tricky if it’s your first time, so look no more because I have you covered! Simple packing guide to the rescue! What to Pack: Packable Waterproof Jacket Snow boots or Rain Boots Wool Socks Thermals Waterproof Pants Layers (Long sleeve shirts and sweaters) Accessories: Warm hat, Gloves, Scarf, Backpack, Water Bottle, Small Umbrella Snacks Swim wear (swim suit, flip flops, swim cap) Euro travel adapter Waterproof Phone cover (especially if visiting The Blue Lagoon) 1. Packable Waterproof Jacket The most important item to pack is a waterproof Jacket or Coat. Initially, the thought of packing a jacket was dreadful, but luckily we found packable jackets that could fit in a carryon. If you a minimalist packer, having a packable jacket is key. Here are a few packable coats/jackets at Amazon, Athleta, and Northface. 2. Snow Boots or Rain Boots When in doubt, pack rain boots. You will need them. It is cold and rains occassionally throughout the day so both are a must! Hubby and I wore our old faithful L.L. Beans. I have a couple pair, but these 7 inch boots were easy to pack and didn’t take up much space. With as much walking you will do during the tours, you will definitely need a comfortable pair. Although L.L. Bean is my go-to, Hunter and Sperry are great options as well. 3. Wool Socks This should be a no brainer but be sure to pack wool socks. With the cold and wet elements, you will need a good thick pair of socks. I wore L.L. Bean socks as they are the warmest pair I own. But if you get boots with any type of lining in them (mine were not lined), be sure to consider the thickness of your socks. You don’t want your boots too tight (that would make for an uncomfortable trip). Amazon has more budget friendly pairs here. 4. Thermals One item I wish I had brought were a pair of thermals. A couple of times I wore jeans and wish I had a pair of thermals underneath them. So if you plan to wear jeans, I would advise wearing a pair of thermals underneath. A thermal top for layering is a great way to stay warm as well! Amazon has a great selection of them at a reasonable price. 5. Waterproof Pants With many of the sites involving water, waterproof pants are a must have. If you plan to go on any sites, you will need water proof pants. Hubby and I purchased ours from Amazon. 6. Layers You should definitely pack long sleeve shirts and sweaters. For a 4-5 day trip, I would advise taking 3 long sleeve shirts (1-2 if you plan to layer with thermals), 2 sweaters, and 1 fleece jacket. Everlane (here, here, here, and here) and J.crew (here, here, here, and here) have great long sleeve shirts and sweaters. 7. Accessories Packing the right accessories is super important. So be sure you have a warm hat, gloves, a scarf, a water bottle, a small/packable umbrella, and a backpack to carry it all in. Packing the right accessories will save you from spending extra money once you get there. Iceland is very, very expensive so be sure you pack the necessary accessories listed above. Amazon has great hats, gloves, and scarves at a reasonable cost. Also, don’t forget to pack a small umbrella or rain jacket/poncho. It rains off and on throughout the day in Iceland. Amazon has a great selection of reasonably priced umbrellas and rain jacket/ponchos. Literally, a bottle of water costs on average 3-5 USD, so bringing your own bottle and filling it with tap water is definitely a money saver. According to Guide to Iceland, “The tap water is safe to drink and persistent purchasing of plastic bottles of water by tourists is one of the greater aggravations amongst locals because of the fragility of their country’s environment.” So do the locals a favor and bring a water bottle. My post here has a link to a great collapsible water bottle that’s leak proof, BPA free, and FDA approved. 8. Snacks Again, Iceland is super expensive! A meal for two people literally cost us close to 80 USD and we actually shared a dish (it was big enough to feed 2 people). The price includes dessert and 2 beers, but the meal was fish and chips (nothing too fancy). Luckily for us breakfast was included with our hotel stay due to our hotel rewards. Throughout the day you do tend to get hungry so packing snacks are a great idea. Smarter Travel has a list of snacks to pack that are tasty and travel proof. 9. Swim wear If you plan to visit The Blue Lagoon, bringing a swim suit and flip flops is essential. They do provide hair conditioner to protect your hair from the salt water, but I wore a swim cap to protect my hair. Here are a few cute swim caps here, here, and here. 10. European adaptor Basically you need a good adaptor while in another country. I think most hotels will have extra adaptors but to ensure you’re covered, you should bring your own. Here is a cheaper set of adaptors here. We’ve had the same set for a few years. 11. Waterproof phone cover Another item I wish I packed was a waterproof phone cover. I wanted to take pictures while in the Blue Lagoon. I kept it safe in my robe instead. If you do plan to take pictures while sight seeing, having the waterproof phone cover is helpful as it does rain off and on quite a bit in Iceland. Amazon has few reasonably priced options here, here, and here. What Not to Pack Multiple pairs of jeans. I only brought one pair and was perfectly fine. Cotton socks and outerwear. You will need wool socks and waterproof outerwear. Non-waterproof boots/shoes. Anything that can be damaged by water is a no go! LEAVE IT AT HOME!

I ate and drank so many new things on my trip to Qatar, I decided to do a post all about just the beverages! And stay tuned; I'll be blogging all about breakfast, lunch, and supper in the coming weeks! For now, let's get started!

When I initially started my search on what to wear in the Amalfi Coast, the first thing I saw was “what not to wear” while in the Amalfi Coast. Many fashion blogs stated that you shouldn’t look like a tourist. I kept thinking “But, I am a tourist!!” When I’m searching topics like “what to wear in (fill-in the blank)”; for me it’s more about respecting cultures and ensuring I am not wearing anything that could be offensive. I’m not always concerned about dressing provocative (no shade to those who do) or anything, but I do show a little leg every now and again…gotta keep it spicy you know LOL. So making sure that’s okay is important to me. Considering I have been to Italy, I had an idea of what to look for. Hubby and I have vacationed in Rome and we loved it. The food, the wine, and the architecture was so overwhelmingly wonderful. Ultimately, we couldn’t wait for this trip. When it comes to packing the right clothing for our vacations, the most important thing to me is being comfortable. No matter what I wear, I have to feel comfortable. If I have to tug and pull on my clothing, it’s not for me. Basically, during my quest to find these pieces for our vacation (some I wore, some I didn’t), I also found a few pieces that I could wear to brunch or a summer day date. I also found a few pieces in my closet that I had not worn but would be great for this vacation. So here are a few looks that I thought would be great for a spring vacation in Italy. What to Wear in the Amalfi Coast: Dresses Dresses are my go-to. If you are a shoe person, many times you try to find the perfect dress to go with those perfect shoes. I think my shoe collection is pretty versatile, so I rarely worry about what shoes to wear with a dress because I usually have a pair that would go perfectly. The one thing I like about these dresses is that they can be worn with a cute pair of white canvas sneakers if you need to switch it up for comfort but still want to rock a cute dress. It tends to get windy at night near the Coast so I rocked a jean jacket many nights as well as my linen jacket from Zara (shown below); just depending on what I had on. Chicwish has such cute dresses that are great for Italy! Mix it up Some aren’t aware that it can get windy at night on the Coast. Our trip was in May so it was definitely cooler at night. We planned it that way. I’m not a really big fan of really hot weather. The weather in May is great for a vacation in the Amalfi Coast. Although I brought a classic white button down and linen skirt, I didn’t wear either. But I did wear my Zara Rustic Jacket many nights in the Amalfi Coast. I loooove this jacket!!! *The jacket is very light and for cooler spring/summer nights. In addition, I purchased a pair of culottes from Asos. Culottes can be a bit tricky, especially if you are short (I’m 5’4). But these were perfect with a summer sweater and scarf. T-shirts are my staple. I love a good simple tee. I recently embraced the V-neck tee. I usually go for a basic round neck tee. Lately, I have gotten all of my tees from Madewell, Lululemon, and Everlane. So, I’m not big on accessories but I love cute bags and shoes, so of course a cute rattan bag (here and here) and espadrilles (also see post here for great looks for the Amalfi Coast) are my go to for a vacation to the Amalfi Coast. Creams and whites Wearing white in Italy just seems to be “the thing” to do! White sandals, culottes, dresses, and blouses are an easy go to! Sezane and Net-a-Porter have a great collection of all things white! Packing Tips “Flowy dresses should be included in your suitcase. And if that’s all you pack, you’ve mastered more than half the battle. They are easy to pack and are perfect to slip on especially if you plan to eat LOTS of pasta.” The Urban Elle Don’t pack jeans. If you want to wear pants, chinos are the better option. Make sure you pack a light jacket. It gets windy at night and depending on when you vacation in the Amalfi Coast, you will need a jacket during the day. Wear comfortable shoes. Uncomfortable sandals and heels are not ideal for walking around the Amalfi Coast. The rocks and sidewalks can be slippery. Pack at least a pair of canvas sneakers. Your feet will thank you. Like this post? Don’t forget to pin it!

With the rain derailing our plans in the Amalfi Coast, we had to figure out an alternate activity. Ultimately, it included one of the most perfect wineries. With such rave reviews on Trip Advisor, we decided to try the Cantina del Vesuvio Winery. As you all know I love wineries. My favorite ones are here and here. With the weather derailing our boat ride to Capri, thank goodness for Airbnb Experiences. Cantina del Vesuvio Winery popped up as an option. For a last minute booking, the price was right! In addition, the winery provided transportation from the train station which was great. Amalfi Coast Transportation If staying in Positano, the best way to get to the Winery is to take the SITA bus to the Sorrento train station. Next, catch the Circumvesuviana commuter line that runs between Sorrento and Naples approximately every half hour. The train ride is about a 20 minute ride to the Torre Annunziata Oplonti stop (2 stops after Pompeii going towards Naples). A great thing is that the winery provides a shuttle (shuttle is included in the price of the winery package) that picks you up from the station upon arrival. Furthermore, you will need to let them know you have arrived. There was a 10 minute wait for the shuttle. WARNING: Be careful while waiting for the shuttle. Many drivers will stop and offer you a ride. Tell them NO! The winery itself is located 5 minutes from Pompeii, 20 minutes from Naples, and 30 minutes from Sorrento in case you would like to drive there yourself. Sorrento Train Station to the Winery Let me first say that upon our arrival to the Sorrento train station, I was skeptical about using their public transportation. For lack of better terms, it looked scary as hell!!!! And, it was difficult to figure out where the trains were headed. Ultimately, we figured out it was heading in the right direction. The great thing is that fares are pretty cheap; tickets from Sorrento to Torre Annunziata only costs EUR 2.40 as of 2020. Based on the Sorrento website and Rome Tool Kit, you should know the following: “Sorrento Station is the terminus of the line and is situated in the heart of Sorrento just east of the old town and main shopping area. The station forecourt is also used as the main bus terminus for the region although the local town buses do not come into the station itself. The Circumvesuviana trains to Naples are the only trains that use the station.” “You cannot purchase tickets online, but only at the ticket window or one of the newspaper stands in the station. There is no combination train and bus ticket for the Amalfi Coast.” “The news shop at the entrance is open all hours and much more helpful and informative regarding transport and will also sell you train tickets more efficiently and friendly than the official station ticket office.” “Sorrento is the final stop on the line.” “There is an elevator at the Sorrento station, which is located in the center of Sorrento.” “There is no luggage storage area on the train, and no air conditioning.” “SITA buses for the Amalfi Coast depart from right outside the Sorrento train station, and you can purchase tickets at the ticket stand near the bus or at the newspaper stand in the station.” “There’s another option, the Campania Express Schedule: The train line between Sorrento and Naples with air conditioning, guaranteed seating, and luggage storage.” Cantina del Vesuvio Winery Upon our arrival to Cantina del Vesuvio Winery, we tipped our driver (this isn’t required). Initial view of the location is very beautiful. Although it rained that day, we were still able to do a short tour of the vineyards and get some great history behind the family, and their unique processing of the grapes. The Experience The atmosphere is so great with a real homey feel. The wine tasting and accompanying food is excellent. Hubby and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience (Hubby isn’t into wine but still enjoyed himself). Most importantly, the wine is delicious. I love all of their wine, but I recommend the Rose’ Vesuvio Lacryma Christi DOC Black Label. I’m not even a Rose’ kinda girl, but their black label Rose’ is delish!!!! I brought home a few bottles. They have an online store here if you aren’t able to visit this beautiful winery.

In this guide I give you the important details about the best luggage for any budget. Some time ago, when Hubby and I first started traveling (San Juan was our first vacation together), we used the luggage we got as wedding gifts which was London Fog Kensington brand. It did the job and lasted us about 3 years. Before that, I carried whatever affordable brands I could find at TJ Maxx or Ross. Ultimately, we decided to invest in some durable luggage that would last us longer than 3 years. Once we researched different brands that matched our budget and made sense for our traveling needs. We chose Tumi. Mid-High End Luggage Tumi Tumi is considered to be on the higher end. So if you’re lucky, you can find them on sale for a more reasonable price. Furthermore, Tumi luggage is perfect for domestic travel as well international travel. We’ve taken our luggage all over the world. From Europe to Asia to Africa and Middle East without any problems. Most importantly, Tumi luggage has the easy to maneuver wheel system, a luggage tracker and is durable. In addition, Tumi bags are pretty lightweight and spacious. For example, we’ve packed wine bottles, gifts along with our clothing and our luggage is never overweight. Tumi is definitely a great purchase if you travel a lot. Extended Trip Expandable 4 Wheeled Packing Case International Front Lid 4 Wheeled Carry-On Extended Trip Expandable 4 Wheeled Packing Case You can get Tumi luggage pretty much in any department store such as Nordstrom Rack , SaksOffFifth and NeimanMarcus. Prices range from $340-$1,095. Nordstrom Rack and SaksOffFifth usually carries them at discounted prices. I’ve seen them as much as 40% off, if not more. Rimowa Although we love Tumi and will continue to carry our current luggage, we are always looking to upgrade. So when considering upgrading your luggage, you should definitely consider your must haves. Typically, you should consider how lightweight the luggage is and how practical it is. I’ve included a couple of options for mid-high priced luggage. Rimowa is known to be strong, durable, and lightweight. Firstly, I like that your packed items are kept in perfect order during transit with the height adjustable Flex Divider. Obviously, I’m a stickler for an organized suitcase. I also like that this luggage won’t look beat up due to its outstanding resistance. Moreover, it’s easy to maneuver, lightweight and long-lasting. Essential Check-In M Spinner Luggage Classic 22-Inch Wheeled Suitcase Budget Friendly Luggage I love deals. And although most luggage can be found at various discount stores such as TJMaxx, Ross and other Outlet stores, it might be hard to figure out which ones are the most durable, especially for those who plan to do a lot of traveling. So here is a list of budget friendly luggage with pretty good reviews. Samsonite Samsonite is probably one of the best known luggage brands and happens to be reasonably priced. In addition, you can find a 3 -piece set ranging from $300-400 but Macy’s is always running on sale on them for half the price. Basically, you can find great luggage for around $150-$200. Freeform 21″ Carry-On Expandable Hardside Spinner Suitcase Mystique 25″ Check-In Stryde Medium Glider Hardside Suitcase Amazon Basics Amazon Basics gives you the option to look the part without splurging. Moreover, you can find a great 21.7 inch luggage for $55. Additionally, I think these suitcases are great for light travelers and light packers. It’s the perfect carry-on option as well. The pieces below have ratings of at least 4.5 out of 5 so needless to say, these are great options. Belltown, Softside Expandable Luggage Geometric Travel Luggage Expandable Suitcase Hardside Spinner, Carry-On, Expandable Suitcase 4 things to Consider Before your Purchase What is your budget? Certainly, be honest with yourself and figure out what you’re willing to spend. Purchasing luggage can get expensive, be sure you purchase what you can pay cash for. Consider how often you travel. So if you travel a lot for work and/or leisure, you should invest in good luggage. Also, don’t feel like you have to purchase a set. Mix great colors and brands and you can’t go wrong. Consider your needs? If you consider yourself to be a minimalist, a carry on is a great start. You shouldn’t purchase a large suitcase if you will never use it. In contrast, if you are an over packer, purchase a larger size first. Consider a back pack as your carryon if you purchase check-in size luggage. What is your style? For example, think about if you prefer softside luggage or hardside luggage. Basically, narrow down your style after considering your budget. Was this helpful? Don’t forget to pin it!

Some wonder if 2 days is enough to explore the beautiful city of Brussels? Brussels is a really small city so it’s pretty easy to see the city in 1 day, but if you want to relax and shop a little, 2 days is definitely more than enough. Brussels is the capital city of Belgium. It’s also known for fries, beer, waffles, and of course, chocolate! Needless to say, Brussels is another one of my favorite European cities. Before spending 2 days in Brussels, we spent time in Amsterdam. EuroStar Train If you’re already in Europe, Brussels is pretty easy to get to by train. After spending a couple of days in Amsterdam, we took the train to Brussels using Eurostar . For 2 adult tickets, we spent around 100 euros. Prices do vary. From Amsterdam Central to Bruxelles -Midi, the train ride was around 2 hours. It was a pretty easy, comfortable ride. Combining another European country such as the Netherlands is ideal for an extended vacation. Where to Stay in Brussels Hotel While in Brussels, we found that the Hotel Sofitel Le Louise was the perfect place to stay. MetroNaamse Poort metro station is literally 800 feet away from the hotel, a bus stop is 400 feet away, and the hotel is only 20 minutes away from the airport. From the train station, we took an Uber and it was about a 10-15 minute ride. Also, the hotel does provide an airport shuttle. There are plenty of other hotel options such as The Hotel Brussels, Crowne Plaza Brussels, and Pullman Brussels Centre Midi. Airbnb There are also a tons of options through Airbnb. Locations in the Grand Place and Ville de Bruxelles have plenty of options. Airbnb is ideal for those on a budget or have more than 2 people along for the trip. Transportation We used the metro to go everywhere in Brussels. It is very easy to maneuver and the day passes are pretty reasonable in price. Considering the city is pretty small, many of the sites are also walking distance depending on where your hotel is located. What to do in Brussels The best thing to do is to take a Hop-on Hop-off Tour . You can explore the Grand Place, the European Parliament, and the iconic Atomium during the top. Hop on and off as much as you need to see Brussels at your own pace. There are two different routes. We rode the bus all the way through the tour and on the way back we stopped at the sites we wanted to see up close. Iconic Statues During our hop off, we made sure to see the iconic little statues. There are three in total: Mannekin Pis, Zinneke Pis, and Jeanneke-Pis. Be sure to keep an eye out because they are easy to miss. Jeanneke-Pis was definitely hard to find. She was pretty hidden from the main streets. Grand Place Brussels Grand-Place of Brussels is the central square of the City of Brussels. We did admire how aesthetically pleasing the buildings are. The Grand-Place is surrounded by the guild houses, the City Hall, and the Maison du Roi. There are also tons of restaurants to choose from. While there, we enjoyed lunch at Le Roy d’Espagne. Les Galeries Royales Saint Hubert Les Galeries is a great place to walk and window shop some of the cutest boutiques and jewelry stores. You can also enjoy some of the best cafes. One of my favorite cafes in Brussels is Mokafe‘. Comic Strip Walls If you are a fan of comics, Brussels is the birthplace of iconic comics like the Smurfs and Tintin. In addition, you will find comic strip murals all over the city. Start at the Comic Book Centre, and make your way around the comic book route to try to catch them all. Les Enfants D’Edouard and Dinner If you enjoy shopping, then you should definitely spend some time at this luxury consignment shop. I was able to find a number of items for really good prices. It’s also best to Uber here. It’s not very close walking distance to a metro stop. We ended our final night at Colonel for a steak dinner. The steaks here are awesome and you get to choose your own personal slab of meat! The service here is also quick and professional. I recommend this place to all meat lovers. Mistakes to Avoid in Brussels One of the misconceptions of Brussels is that it isn’t a safe place to travel. Overall, it is a safe city. Like anywhere, you must be mindful of your surroundings. Every city has its “bad areas” so you have to use common sense while traveling. Avoid the following and you should be fine. Don’t roam around the neighborhoods near the train station. The train station at Bruxelles-Midi is near an area that’s really sketchy. To be honest I was leery about stepping foot outside of the station to wait on our Uber. There are lots of locals hanging around and watching your every move. If you are traveling alone, you should probably schedule a car to pick you up from the train station in case you don’t want to wait for an Uber. Don’t roam the neighborhoods near the tourist spots. Brussels is a very walkable city but that doesn’t mean you should walk in every area. There are certain areas that you can avoid if you take the metro. If the area looks sketchy, more than likely it is. Don’t risk getting pickpocketed, so stay away from areas where you don’t see a lot of tourists. Avoid restaurants and food stands that are geared toward tourists. The food is usually bad. Don’t be afraid to ask the concierge at the hotel you are staying for restaurant suggestions. If you do any research, it’s probably best to research local bloggers that currently reside in Brussels for restaurant suggestions. Don’t look lost and don’t ask strangers for help. This is something you should already know if you are visiting another country. Identify exactly where you need to go beforehand. If you shop at a luxury store, it might be best to take a taxi or Uber back to the hotel. You don’t want to walk around with luxury bags especially if you have to walk past any sketchy areas. Was this post helpful? Pin It for later!

Vacation in Doha? Don’t worry, this travel guide will help you! I have to be honest, I did not have Doha, Qatar on my bucket list. Qatar is a place I never really thought of adding to our list of places to vacation, but because my Hubby and I initially had a layover there during our travels to Bali and Singapore we added it to our itinerary. Our vacation in Doha turned out to be a great experience. We flew Qatar Airways business class for this vacation. The first impression of Doha is that there is nothing here to do. We managed to take a tour of the city, visit an art museum, go dune-riding, and eat really good food! So, yeah, there is plenty to do in Doha, Qatar. As many of you know, Qatar is a very conservative country so making sure you are properly covered is essential while visiting this country especially touring the museums and sacred grounds. In the museums, if you don’t cover your knees, they provide a scarf for you which was great especially if you weren’t aware of the dress code. Hotel Stay During our Vacation in Doha If you vacation in Doha, Qatar, you should ensure your hotel of choice is a place you don’t mind spending a lot of time in. We did opt for a 5 – star hotel. The great thing about Doha is that you can get a great hotel for much cheaper than you can in the States. Doha is dry so if you enjoy a good drink, you would want to stay at a place with a great Happy Hour. Our hotel stay at St. Regis was wonderful! We had 2 butlers named Wilmer and Nino and they were both wonderful! We also enjoyed the brunch and happy hours hosted at the hotel. St. Regis seems to be one of the happening spots in Doha. So many people from different cultures were there. As I mentioned, Qatar is a dry country but alcohol is served in the hotels. St. Regis Doha is beautiful! Night Out in Doha Our vacation in Doha started our pretty cool. After getting settled in our room, we knew we wanted to get out and try a local spot. Whenever we travel, we try our hardest to get a taste of the local food and culture. We heard so many good things about a local spot called Afghan Brothers. The food was delicious and authentic! I do have to warn you that customer service at local spots is much different here than it is in other countries. We were unsure when we’d be seated. No one greeted us or anything. For us, this isn’t a big deal, but for some, it might be. After about a few minutes, we asked for a table and was eventually greeted by a waiter who escorted us upstairs to be seated. The waiter took our drink order (alcohol is not served in local restaurants). He then brought us back our drinks along with soup and salad. “Travelers Tip: Whenever you are in another country, don’t compare it to your country. Traveling is a cultural experience so take everything in. Note the differences but don’t be overly critical.” The Urban Elle Adventures During our Vacation in Doha, Qatar The next couple of days we took a tour of the city, spent a day sand duning (scary and fun), and spent some time at the museum. Qatar is pretty new to the tourism scene, so things could have gone a bit smoother after our scheduled dune-ride. We booked it through Qatar Airways and it didn’t go as planned. A car did pick us up at the hotel which was great, but after our dune riding adventure (which was great), we were dropped off at the restaurant where we were scheduled to have lunch. No one (including management) knew where we were supposed to be there or if we were even supposed to have lunch there. Ultimately, we were actually in the right area, but the restaurant apparently did not know we were supposed to eat there. After about 30 minutes, we were seated and given our meal. It was frustrating. My husband was so upset. So, if you vacation in Qatar, I would do plenty of research to ensure the tourism aspect of Qatar has improved. After we ate, we literally had to get the manager to call our driver because we could not find him. I must say that once the manager figured out how unorganized everything was, he tried his best to fix it and for that we were grateful. We were just so happy to get back to our hotel. We enjoyed the views and Happy Hour after such a long and frustrating day. When in Qatar, St. Regis hotel should definitely be on your list as a viable option of places to stay. It definitely helped us enjoy this vacation in Doha. Touring the city of Doha We booked our City Tour through Qatar Airways but it was much better than our experience the day prior. We had great tour guides. They gave us the history of Qatar and what the future holds for Qatar. We saw great parts of the city. The architecture was beautiful. We were also able to visit Souq Waqi which is a market in Doha. It was closed when we walked through as the whole city shuts down for Friday service. We were able to walk by a Mosque briefly and see them worship. Hubby and I went back to the market later that evening. If you don’t visit the market, you haven’t seen Doha. You will notice in Qatar that the city is pretty quiet during the day. There were not many people out, but it was lively and full of character during nightfall. Souq Waqif during Mosque (Friday service) is pretty empty in Doha, Qatar Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar The Museum of Islamic Art is beautiful in Doha. There were many pieces of art that just wowed me! The architecture of the building is beautiful. As I mentioned earlier, especially when visiting amazing museums such as the Museum of Islamic Art, respectful clothing is advised. Hijabs are not required but you must ensure your knees and arms are covered. Basically, show respect to local customs, just as you would anywhere else. This isn’t required at hotels. Qatar is still growing its tourist attractions but overall, we enjoyed this trip! If you are open to different cultures, then a vacation in Doha should be added to your list of places to vacation. I think over time Doha will definitely be a regular tourist attraction and a fun place to visit. Traveling Tips “Having an open mind and respecting the culture is key while traveling.” The Urban Elle If visiting the Museum in Doha, be sure your shoulders and knees are covered. They will provide a scarf to cover them if you don’t. Doha, Qatar is dry but the hotels are not. The best time to shop is during the day. There are fewer crowds and the locals are rarely out during the day. The best time to visit the market is during the evening. It’s much lively during the evening. There are plenty of places to eat as well. Ensure you are modest at all times when out in the city. I didn’t always wear dresses that covered my knees but they were very close to my knees. Like this post? Don’t forget to pin it!

Some wonder if 2 days is enough to explore the beautiful city of Brussels? Brussels is a really small city so it’s pretty easy to see the city in 1 day, but if you want to relax and shop a little, 2 days is definitely more than enough. Brussels is the capital city of Belgium. It’s also known for fries, beer, waffles, and of course, chocolate! Needless to say, Brussels is another one of my favorite European cities. Before spending 2 days in Brussels, we spent time in Amsterdam. EuroStar Train If you’re already in Europe, Brussels is pretty easy to get to by train. After spending a couple of days in Amsterdam, we took the train to Brussels using Eurostar . For 2 adult tickets, we spent around 100 euros. Prices do vary. From Amsterdam Central to Bruxelles -Midi, the train ride was around 2 hours. It was a pretty easy, comfortable ride. Combining another European country such as the Netherlands is ideal for an extended vacation. Where to Stay in Brussels Hotel While in Brussels, we found that the Hotel Sofitel Le Louise was the perfect place to stay. MetroNaamse Poort metro station is literally 800 feet away from the hotel, a bus stop is 400 feet away, and the hotel is only 20 minutes away from the airport. From the train station, we took an Uber and it was about a 10-15 minute ride. Also, the hotel does provide an airport shuttle. There are plenty of other hotel options such as The Hotel Brussels, Crowne Plaza Brussels, and Pullman Brussels Centre Midi. Airbnb There are also a tons of options through Airbnb. Locations in the Grand Place and Ville de Bruxelles have plenty of options. Airbnb is ideal for those on a budget or have more than 2 people along for the trip. Transportation We used the metro to go everywhere in Brussels. It is very easy to maneuver and the day passes are pretty reasonable in price. Considering the city is pretty small, many of the sites are also walking distance depending on where your hotel is located. What to do in Brussels The best thing to do is to take a Hop-on Hop-off Tour . You can explore the Grand Place, the European Parliament, and the iconic Atomium during the top. Hop on and off as much as you need to see Brussels at your own pace. There are two different routes. We rode the bus all the way through the tour and on the way back we stopped at the sites we wanted to see up close. Iconic Statues During our hop off, we made sure to see the iconic little statues. There are three in total: Mannekin Pis, Zinneke Pis, and Jeanneke-Pis. Be sure to keep an eye out because they are easy to miss. Jeanneke-Pis was definitely hard to find. She was pretty hidden from the main streets. Grand Place Brussels Grand-Place of Brussels is the central square of the City of Brussels. We did admire how aesthetically pleasing the buildings are. The Grand-Place is surrounded by the guild houses, the City Hall, and the Maison du Roi. There are also tons of restaurants to choose from. While there, we enjoyed lunch at Le Roy d’Espagne. Les Galeries Royales Saint Hubert Les Galeries is a great place to walk and window shop some of the cutest boutiques and jewelry stores. You can also enjoy some of the best cafes. One of my favorite cafes in Brussels is Mokafe‘. Comic Strip Walls If you are a fan of comics, Brussels is the birthplace of iconic comics like the Smurfs and Tintin. In addition, you will find comic strip murals all over the city. Start at the Comic Book Centre, and make your way around the comic book route to try to catch them all. Les Enfants D’Edouard and Dinner If you enjoy shopping, then you should definitely spend some time at this luxury consignment shop. I was able to find a number of items for really good prices. It’s also best to Uber here. It’s not very close walking distance to a metro stop. We ended our final night at Colonel for a steak dinner. The steaks here are awesome and you get to choose your own personal slab of meat! The service here is also quick and professional. I recommend this place to all meat lovers. Mistakes to Avoid in Brussels One of the misconceptions of Brussels is that it isn’t a safe place to travel. Overall, it is a safe city. Like anywhere, you must be mindful of your surroundings. Every city has its “bad areas” so you have to use common sense while traveling. Avoid the following and you should be fine. Don’t roam around the neighborhoods near the train station. The train station at Bruxelles-Midi is near an area that’s really sketchy. To be honest I was leery about stepping foot outside of the station to wait on our Uber. There are lots of locals hanging around and watching your every move. If you are traveling alone, you should probably schedule a car to pick you up from the train station in case you don’t want to wait for an Uber. Don’t roam the neighborhoods near the tourist spots. Brussels is a very walkable city but that doesn’t mean you should walk in every area. There are certain areas that you can avoid if you take the metro. If the area looks sketchy, more than likely it is. Don’t risk getting pickpocketed, so stay away from areas where you don’t see a lot of tourists. Avoid restaurants and food stands that are geared toward tourists. The food is usually bad. Don’t be afraid to ask the concierge at the hotel you are staying for restaurant suggestions. If you do any research, it’s probably best to research local bloggers that currently reside in Brussels for restaurant suggestions. Don’t look lost and don’t ask strangers for help. This is something you should already know if you are visiting another country. Identify exactly where you need to go beforehand. If you shop at a luxury store, it might be best to take a taxi or Uber back to the hotel. You don’t want to walk around with luxury bags especially if you have to walk past any sketchy areas. Was this post helpful? Pin It for later!

How many of you plan to visit Iceland soon?! Well, look no more as I have a simple travel guide needed to ensure you are completely prepared. This past Spring we took a trip to Reykjavik, Iceland. It is perhaps one of the most beautiful places we’ve visited. Packing for Iceland can be tricky if it’s your first time, so look no more because I have you covered! Simple packing guide to the rescue! What to Pack: Packable Waterproof Jacket Snow boots or Rain Boots Wool Socks Thermals Waterproof Pants Layers (Long sleeve shirts and sweaters) Accessories: Warm hat, Gloves, Scarf, Backpack, Water Bottle, Small Umbrella Snacks Swim wear (swim suit, flip flops, swim cap) Euro travel adapter Waterproof Phone cover (especially if visiting The Blue Lagoon) 1. Packable Waterproof Jacket The most important item to pack is a waterproof Jacket or Coat. Initially, the thought of packing a jacket was dreadful, but luckily we found packable jackets that could fit in a carryon. If you a minimalist packer, having a packable jacket is key. Here are a few packable coats/jackets at Amazon, Athleta, and Northface. 2. Snow Boots or Rain Boots When in doubt, pack rain boots. You will need them. It is cold and rains occassionally throughout the day so both are a must! Hubby and I wore our old faithful L.L. Beans. I have a couple pair, but these 7 inch boots were easy to pack and didn’t take up much space. With as much walking you will do during the tours, you will definitely need a comfortable pair. Although L.L. Bean is my go-to, Hunter and Sperry are great options as well. 3. Wool Socks This should be a no brainer but be sure to pack wool socks. With the cold and wet elements, you will need a good thick pair of socks. I wore L.L. Bean socks as they are the warmest pair I own. But if you get boots with any type of lining in them (mine were not lined), be sure to consider the thickness of your socks. You don’t want your boots too tight (that would make for an uncomfortable trip). Amazon has more budget friendly pairs here. 4. Thermals One item I wish I had brought were a pair of thermals. A couple of times I wore jeans and wish I had a pair of thermals underneath them. So if you plan to wear jeans, I would advise wearing a pair of thermals underneath. A thermal top for layering is a great way to stay warm as well! Amazon has a great selection of them at a reasonable price. 5. Waterproof Pants With many of the sites involving water, waterproof pants are a must have. If you plan to go on any sites, you will need water proof pants. Hubby and I purchased ours from Amazon. 6. Layers You should definitely pack long sleeve shirts and sweaters. For a 4-5 day trip, I would advise taking 3 long sleeve shirts (1-2 if you plan to layer with thermals), 2 sweaters, and 1 fleece jacket. Everlane (here, here, here, and here) and J.crew (here, here, here, and here) have great long sleeve shirts and sweaters. 7. Accessories Packing the right accessories is super important. So be sure you have a warm hat, gloves, a scarf, a water bottle, a small/packable umbrella, and a backpack to carry it all in. Packing the right accessories will save you from spending extra money once you get there. Iceland is very, very expensive so be sure you pack the necessary accessories listed above. Amazon has great hats, gloves, and scarves at a reasonable cost. Also, don’t forget to pack a small umbrella or rain jacket/poncho. It rains off and on throughout the day in Iceland. Amazon has a great selection of reasonably priced umbrellas and rain jacket/ponchos. Literally, a bottle of water costs on average 3-5 USD, so bringing your own bottle and filling it with tap water is definitely a money saver. According to Guide to Iceland, “The tap water is safe to drink and persistent purchasing of plastic bottles of water by tourists is one of the greater aggravations amongst locals because of the fragility of their country’s environment.” So do the locals a favor and bring a water bottle. My post here has a link to a great collapsible water bottle that’s leak proof, BPA free, and FDA approved. 8. Snacks Again, Iceland is super expensive! A meal for two people literally cost us close to 80 USD and we actually shared a dish (it was big enough to feed 2 people). The price includes dessert and 2 beers, but the meal was fish and chips (nothing too fancy). Luckily for us breakfast was included with our hotel stay due to our hotel rewards. Throughout the day you do tend to get hungry so packing snacks are a great idea. Smarter Travel has a list of snacks to pack that are tasty and travel proof. 9. Swim wear If you plan to visit The Blue Lagoon, bringing a swim suit and flip flops is essential. They do provide hair conditioner to protect your hair from the salt water, but I wore a swim cap to protect my hair. Here are a few cute swim caps here, here, and here. 10. European adaptor Basically you need a good adaptor while in another country. I think most hotels will have extra adaptors but to ensure you’re covered, you should bring your own. Here is a cheaper set of adaptors here. We’ve had the same set for a few years. 11. Waterproof phone cover Another item I wish I packed was a waterproof phone cover. I wanted to take pictures while in the Blue Lagoon. I kept it safe in my robe instead. If you do plan to take pictures while sight seeing, having the waterproof phone cover is helpful as it does rain off and on quite a bit in Iceland. Amazon has few reasonably priced options here, here, and here. What Not to Pack Multiple pairs of jeans. I only brought one pair and was perfectly fine. Cotton socks and outerwear. You will need wool socks and waterproof outerwear. Non-waterproof boots/shoes. Anything that can be damaged by water is a no go! LEAVE IT AT HOME!

Countless times I have landed in Qatar Airways in Doha and have always said that I have to look at such a city with such an impressive airport! On our trip to Australia, I finally

Switching to clean products for our home is something we began years ago. Now, with years in the game, about 95% of our cleaning products are clean. Over time, we started slowly switching out basic cleaning items such as all-purpose cleaners, toilet cleaners, wood cleaners, and floor cleaners. Now we are slowly transitioning out the 5% of toxic products we have left. Steps to Purge Toxic Products Make a list of the most used cleaners. For each of those, replace them with a cleaner alternative. Trying to change all your products at once can be a total disaster. Take your time. One brand that I think is reasonable in price is Seventh Generation, so this could be a great start. If you want to get rid of all of them before using them up, check your city’s website for any “hazardous waste disposal days,” so you can drop off the cleaners and they can dispose of them correctly. If you have a tight budget, start by making your own products. This can save you some money. Pinterest is a great tool to find recipes for homemade non-toxic cleaners. I included some bloggers who have great mixtures using vinegar below. Don’t feel bad if you still use some toxic products. Purging takes time. Be patient with yourself. As you start to replace mostly used cleaners, you will realize you can use the same products in different areas. For example, a separate scrub for tubs, toilets and kitchen sinks is not needed. You will be able to use the same product for multiple surfaces. Benefits of using Non-Toxic Products Non-toxic products are safe for people with sensitivities. We noticed we no longer sneeze constantly while cleaning as we did while using toxic products. My skin would itch really badly after cleaning. I knew it was time to change how we cleaned our home. I’ve noticed huge differences since we switched. If you have children or pets, non- toxic products are safer. We currently don’t have children but we have a dog and he has serious skin allergies. Non-toxic products keep the air you breathe clean. Non- toxic products can be cheaper, especially if you make your own. Non-toxic products don’t harm the environment. Homemade Non-Toxic Products Firstly, before you spend a ton of money on non-toxic products, make sure you utilize search engines like Google and Pinterest and find ways to create your own. Furthermore, if you are on a serious budget, making your own products is an easy way to switch over to non-toxic products. Pinterest has tons of information regarding how to make your own products. I like Bloggers like Chasing Wish and Organization Obsessed who share DIY vinegar cleansers you can make at home. When I began researching non-toxic products, there were not many sites that had the information I needed. Many brands that claimed to be clean were not clean at all. Mrs. Jones’ Soapbox One brand I was so lucky to find was Mrs. Jones’ Soapbox. I started purchasing her products in 2014 and we still use them today. The products are safe, natural cleaning products. I love that she mixes and crafts the products by hand. As such, my favorite Soapbox product is the All-Purpose spray but I use the Glass and Granite spray and the Wood and Leather spray as well. I now purchase the refills to refill my bottles. I have used the soft cleaning scrub on toilets and shower stalls and it does the job. All-Purpose spray and the Wood and Leather spray Alternative to Homemade Products: Grove Collaborative Grove Collaborative is detrimental to my pockets. This is by far my favorite online store. I joined Grove in 2017. The VIP Membership is $19.99 a year. This includes free shipping, free gifts and early access to new products. You can actually try it for 60 days for free, but be sure to cancel if you don’t want to be charged the $19.99 for the year. Mrs. Meyers dish and hand soaps Some of my favorite products from Grove are the wood cleaners (here and here) bathroom cleaners (here, here and here) and degreaser/kitchen cleaners (here and here) by Method and Mrs. Meyers. Get a free 5-piece Mrs. Meyer’s gift set ($30 value) on your first order from Grove Collaborative using this link!

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Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands is famous for their canals, coffee shops, and tulips. In my opinion, it’s a beautiful place to visit. The locals are pleasant and the city is easy to enjoy. If you enjoy places like London, Paris, and Rome, you will definitely enjoy Amsterdam. Best Time of Year to Visit Amsterdam Spring & Summer Although there isn’t a thing as the best time to visit Amsterdam, as all seasons are great; I personally think Spring is the best time to visit Amsterdam. Spring is when tulips are blooming and the weather is perfect. Based on many travel bloggers, the summer includes countless festivals, many people having picnics in the park, tons of outdoor cinema & art, and locals having a cool drink on sunny terraces. Likewise, we saw this a lot during the Spring as well. The weather is typically an average 71 degrees Fahrenheit. Autumn & Winter During Autumn, the fall leaves are a sight to see and considered the most beautiful then. Additionally, during the Winter pubs are full of people enjoying the company of each other. So no matter when you go, you will have a great time! The weather is typically an average 44 degrees Fahrenheit for winter and 58 degrees Fahrenheit for autumn. Where to Stay The Intercontinental Amstel is conveniently located in the heart of Amsterdam, close to the city centre. The hotel is walking distance to The Royal Carré theatre and the Hermitage Amsterdam museum. You will be able to reach the main attractions like the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Concertgebouw, the Stedelijk Museum, the Anne Frank House, and Amsterdam’s boutique shopping streets within minutes using the transit service. You will not be disappointed with your stay here. Things to See and Do in Amsterdam Firstly, Amsterdam is one of those places where you don’t need a tour guide. Certainly, all you need is a transit card and/or a bike and you can get everywhere you need to go. Our stay at Intercontinental Amstel was walking distance to a transit stop. Furthermore, Amsterdam is truly a walkable city. As such, most major sites are near the city centre. Additionally, we used public transit to get everywhere. According to Amsterdam.info, driving is strongly discouraged within the canal ring. Check out the website for all things transportation. Canal Tour After landing and getting settled at our hotel for a bit, we immediately took a canal cruise. Above all, it was so relaxing and the best way to start our first day in Amsterdam. The weather was perfect. Our tour guide was great! Because our Chase Sapphire card is what we usually use to book our tours, it was a no brainer to use it to book a canal cruise. The tour is through Boat Amsterdam. Further, we chose a 70-minute canal cruise with a live guide (unlimited wine and beer included). For 2 adults we paid $34. If you don’t have a Chase card, you can book a similar tour directly through Viator. Pancakes Amsterdam is known for its pancakes! While there, you must try Het Karbeel. They have delicious pancakes. This place gets very busy so we opted to eat here for brunch instead of dinner. We were able to get in pretty easily. It’s pretty small but has so much character! Museumplein Museumplein means Museum-square in English. The museums are located around the square and is referred to as the Museum Quarter or Museum District. Also, it’s located close to the busy city centre, which is where all tourists in Amsterdam gather. Trying to fit in with the locals, we hung out here and enjoyed a hot dog and people watch for about an hour before entering the Van Gogh Museum. This is a great place to have a picnic and just relax. I AMSTERDAM We also took a few photos of the I AMSTERDAM sign. After 2019, The ‘I AMSTERDAM’ sign has been moved from Museumplein. As of December 9, 2019, there are three locations to spot I Amsterdam: The first set is at Oostpoort in Amsterdam-Oost (in front of Stadsloket Oost). A permanent set is at Schiphol Airport. Outside Arrivals 1. The last one is by the Sloterplas Lake. Some of the letters are upright and others lie flat, making it hard to get that Instagram-perfect picture. Check iamsterdam periodically for updates of where the sign is located. The set of letters are going to be situated at multiple locations throughout the city in the few upcoming years. Van Gogh Museum The Van Gogh Museum is a must-see while in Amsterdam. The museum has a no-photo policy which I loved because it allowed everyone to enjoy the artwork of Van Gogh. There were areas where you could take photos but not of the actual art. We did see a few people taking photos but I advise you not to take that risk. Either way, Van Gogh’s story is pretty interesting and I learned quite a bit about his life and legacy. If you love art and/or history, this is a great place to visit. We did not purchase tickets in advance but I would advise that you do because we had a bit of a wait (1 hour). Luckily for us, we had time to waste. There is a ticket booth outside of the museum, but tickets may not be available for the time you would like, so you should get tickets in advance. Heineken Experience If you are a beer lover then you need to definitely visit the Heineken Experience. You can discover the history of the company, the 4 natural ingredients of the beer, the brewing process, and a tasting room (which is awesome). At the end of the tour, you can enjoy 2 Heinekens. For 2 adults you will pay around 36 euros. Gassan Diamond Experience Tour This tour was very cool to experience. For those looking to purchase diamonds or expensive watches this place is it. The tour includes: Learning more about diamonds, diamond cuts, and the unique GASSAN 121 diamond History of the diamonds and company Access to the large watch and jewelry collections Access to an exclusive in-house Rolex Boutique Tours are 7 days a week, all year round from 9.00 a.m. until 5.00 p.m. You will get to see the diamond polishers at their craft, while the tour guide will tell all about the history of diamonds and the company. The guides will explain the process of transforming a rough diamond, into a dazzling brilliant cut, or the GASSAN 121’ exclusive cut while the diamond polishers show you how it’s done. Don’t forget to Pin It!

So, I don’t think I was mentally and physically ready for the weather in Singapore. Let me first say….It is HOT AND HUMID in Singapore! I wrote about how we spent 24 hours in Singapore here. But lets talk about what you should be wearing while in Singapore. I don’t want you to make the same mistake I made while there. If you hadn’t figured it out or if I haven’t said it enough…Singapore is HOT and HUMID!! It’s very close to the equator. It is always hot and humid (see, I said it again)! I struggled a bit when we first got there because of the humidity. A few hours later, I was much better. Looking back I wish I had more comfortable clothing that wick away sweat because sista girl was SWEATING LOL! Considering it’s so hot, make sure you identify the types of material that you’re comfortable in during the summer months. For example, I know rayon and polyester are two types of fabric I never wear during the summer because they aren’t “breathable” fabrics, in my opinion. Cotton is usually my go to for summer months. Can’t Go Wrong with Lululemon Lululemon is my go-to for athleisure, but I know they can be a bit pricey. But, I do like the fabric they use for their clothing. Pima cotton is my all time favorite fabric during the summer months. So I found a few looks made from Pima cotton which is breathable and soft against the skin. The other fabric is called Flowing fabric which feels smooth against your skin; in my opinion it’s breathable. Lou and Grey in Singapore I don’t know anyone that isn’t into athleisure, but I’m sure there are some out there. If you are still looking for a less athletic look and still want to wear more chic attire with a little bit of casual flare while in Singapore, Lou and Grey never fails. To me, they are reasonably priced and their clothing is super comfortable. I literally leave Lou and Grey feeling like I need the whole store. They have great selections. They have a travel line that I like as well. These are my favorite looks. I really love a cute shirtdress so I put both colors in this post. Oh and anything with pockets!!! I will wear it! Pockets make everything better! So, if ever in Singapore, don’t be afraid to wear more casual clothing. If you love humid and hot weather then you will be fine. But for those like myself who don’t thrive well in humid weather, take it from me. You will want to be comfortable. But, not only are these looks great for Singapore, they are looks that are great for the summer period! And of course, a casual white sneaker goes well with any look whether it’s athleisure or a more casual/chic look. Has anyone been to Singapore? How did you adjust to the humidity? What did you find yourself most comfortable wearing? Like this post? Pin it!

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Countless times I have landed in Qatar Airways in Doha and have always said that I have to look at such a city with such an impressive airport! On our trip to Australia, I finally

Santorini, Greece is one of my favorite places to vacation. I talk about how much I love the food here. But you can’t go to Santorini without checking about the best wineries they have to offer. I’m a wine girl; I enjoy a great winery. I’m no expert, but I do know a good wine when I taste one. I might do a post on my favorite wines. Either way, with Hubby and I traveling he tries his best, while planning, to include a wine tour like he did in Paris. Wine tours are usually the highlight of the vacation for me. It was a no brainer that we would try a few wineries while in Santorini, Greece. Santorini Half-Day Sunset Wine Tasting Hubby booked the tour through Viator. The Half Day tour is so well worth the price. During the 4 hour island tasting tour, you visit 3 – 4 wineries in Santorini and will be provided local wine (duh) and tapas during the tour. The total price per person includes: Hotel pickup All entrance fees Snacks and Beverages Informative, friendly, and professional guide I can’t remember our tour guide’s name. You will learn over time that I’m horrible with remembering names. But either way, she was awesome. During the tour, the group included 4 people (Hubby, myself and two other women). The women on the tour with us made it even more fun. We weren’t expecting to have a such a fun group! We enjoy traveling because we enjoy meeting people, especially people that are culturally different than us. The two women on the tour with us are best friends. One is from London but currently resides in California and her best friend was from Australia. They had the best stories and were such a joy to be around. Our tour guide literally left us alone at some point because we were having so much fun together. We laughed so much that I didn’t want the evening to end. But enough about that; let me tell you how great these wineries are! The wine tour route includes Estate Argyros, Gavalas traditional winery, and Venetsanos Winery (Sunset views). We savored up to twelve different varieties made from grapes such as the indigenous Assyrtiko, Nykteri, and Vinsanto. We explore the cellars of each winery and saw where the wine is bottled and manufactured. And of course, we enjoyed great pairings such as an assortment of local cheese, meat, and olives. We were very satisfied with the pairings! Estate Argyros Winery Estate Argyros was established in 1903. The winery’s vineyards includes ungrafted original rootstock, phylloxera safe (for some reason I think that is why the taste was unbelievable) plants averaging 70 years old, including some of the oldest vines on the island which are over 200 years old. Out of all three wineries Estate had the best tasting wine, in my opinion. It was where I purchased a couple bottles of white wine and I’m not even a white wine girl. I’m usually seen somewhere sipping on red wine. Estate Argyros is definitely a must see if you visit wineries in Santorini. Gavalas Winery Gavalas ‘s tasting was my least favorite, but still good wine, nonetheless. The Gavalas family has been exclusively engaged in the vinification of the indigenous varieties grown in Santorini, since the end of the 19th century. This winery has 18 acres of vineyard planted with Santorini’s native grape varieties such as Assyrtiko, Athiri, Aidani. I figured out during this tour that I really like “old school” wineries. I like seeing the original machines used to produce the wine and if wineries can fuse the updated look with the old school look, it’s even better. Gavalas is definitely a gem and is definitely a winery you should add to your list of wineries to visit while in Santorini. Venetsanos Winery Venetsanos was the final stop of the tour. This place is gorgeous! Even if you don’t like wine, this place is great to visit simply because of it’s views. It overlooks the magnificent caldera and volcanic islands of Santorini. The winery built in 1947 by Venetsanos family, became the first industrial winery on the island. This winery definitely fuses the updated look with the old school look fabulously. In addition, the winery offers a chance to walk through and discover the history that shows the tradition as well as the new wine making techniques used today. Greece definitely gets it when it comes to wine tours!!!! Save this post for later! Pin it!

Vacation in Doha? Don’t worry, this travel guide will help you! I have to be honest, I did not have Doha, Qatar on my bucket list. Qatar is a place I never really thought of adding to our list of places to vacation, but because my Hubby and I initially had a layover there during our travels to Bali and Singapore we added it to our itinerary. Our vacation in Doha turned out to be a great experience. We flew Qatar Airways business class for this vacation. The first impression of Doha is that there is nothing here to do. We managed to take a tour of the city, visit an art museum, go dune-riding, and eat really good food! So, yeah, there is plenty to do in Doha, Qatar. As many of you know, Qatar is a very conservative country so making sure you are properly covered is essential while visiting this country especially touring the museums and sacred grounds. In the museums, if you don’t cover your knees, they provide a scarf for you which was great especially if you weren’t aware of the dress code. Hotel Stay During our Vacation in Doha If you vacation in Doha, Qatar, you should ensure your hotel of choice is a place you don’t mind spending a lot of time in. We did opt for a 5 – star hotel. The great thing about Doha is that you can get a great hotel for much cheaper than you can in the States. Doha is dry so if you enjoy a good drink, you would want to stay at a place with a great Happy Hour. Our hotel stay at St. Regis was wonderful! We had 2 butlers named Wilmer and Nino and they were both wonderful! We also enjoyed the brunch and happy hours hosted at the hotel. St. Regis seems to be one of the happening spots in Doha. So many people from different cultures were there. As I mentioned, Qatar is a dry country but alcohol is served in the hotels. St. Regis Doha is beautiful! Night Out in Doha Our vacation in Doha started our pretty cool. After getting settled in our room, we knew we wanted to get out and try a local spot. Whenever we travel, we try our hardest to get a taste of the local food and culture. We heard so many good things about a local spot called Afghan Brothers. The food was delicious and authentic! I do have to warn you that customer service at local spots is much different here than it is in other countries. We were unsure when we’d be seated. No one greeted us or anything. For us, this isn’t a big deal, but for some, it might be. After about a few minutes, we asked for a table and was eventually greeted by a waiter who escorted us upstairs to be seated. The waiter took our drink order (alcohol is not served in local restaurants). He then brought us back our drinks along with soup and salad. “Travelers Tip: Whenever you are in another country, don’t compare it to your country. Traveling is a cultural experience so take everything in. Note the differences but don’t be overly critical.” The Urban Elle Adventures During our Vacation in Doha, Qatar The next couple of days we took a tour of the city, spent a day sand duning (scary and fun), and spent some time at the museum. Qatar is pretty new to the tourism scene, so things could have gone a bit smoother after our scheduled dune-ride. We booked it through Qatar Airways and it didn’t go as planned. A car did pick us up at the hotel which was great, but after our dune riding adventure (which was great), we were dropped off at the restaurant where we were scheduled to have lunch. No one (including management) knew where we were supposed to be there or if we were even supposed to have lunch there. Ultimately, we were actually in the right area, but the restaurant apparently did not know we were supposed to eat there. After about 30 minutes, we were seated and given our meal. It was frustrating. My husband was so upset. So, if you vacation in Qatar, I would do plenty of research to ensure the tourism aspect of Qatar has improved. After we ate, we literally had to get the manager to call our driver because we could not find him. I must say that once the manager figured out how unorganized everything was, he tried his best to fix it and for that we were grateful. We were just so happy to get back to our hotel. We enjoyed the views and Happy Hour after such a long and frustrating day. When in Qatar, St. Regis hotel should definitely be on your list as a viable option of places to stay. It definitely helped us enjoy this vacation in Doha. Touring the city of Doha We booked our City Tour through Qatar Airways but it was much better than our experience the day prior. We had great tour guides. They gave us the history of Qatar and what the future holds for Qatar. We saw great parts of the city. The architecture was beautiful. We were also able to visit Souq Waqi which is a market in Doha. It was closed when we walked through as the whole city shuts down for Friday service. We were able to walk by a Mosque briefly and see them worship. Hubby and I went back to the market later that evening. If you don’t visit the market, you haven’t seen Doha. You will notice in Qatar that the city is pretty quiet during the day. There were not many people out, but it was lively and full of character during nightfall. Souq Waqif during Mosque (Friday service) is pretty empty in Doha, Qatar Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar The Museum of Islamic Art is beautiful in Doha. There were many pieces of art that just wowed me! The architecture of the building is beautiful. As I mentioned earlier, especially when visiting amazing museums such as the Museum of Islamic Art, respectful clothing is advised. Hijabs are not required but you must ensure your knees and arms are covered. Basically, show respect to local customs, just as you would anywhere else. This isn’t required at hotels. Qatar is still growing its tourist attractions but overall, we enjoyed this trip! If you are open to different cultures, then a vacation in Doha should be added to your list of places to vacation. I think over time Doha will definitely be a regular tourist attraction and a fun place to visit. Traveling Tips “Having an open mind and respecting the culture is key while traveling.” The Urban Elle If visiting the Museum in Doha, be sure your shoulders and knees are covered. They will provide a scarf to cover them if you don’t. Doha, Qatar is dry but the hotels are not. The best time to shop is during the day. There are fewer crowds and the locals are rarely out during the day. The best time to visit the market is during the evening. It’s much lively during the evening. There are plenty of places to eat as well. Ensure you are modest at all times when out in the city. I didn’t always wear dresses that covered my knees but they were very close to my knees. Like this post? Don’t forget to pin it!

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