Looking back, 2019 was a blissful year. It was the first time I had traveled abroad and even though it was only a week-long vacation, visiting Italy felt like the first time I got to experience an entirely different culture.
While the whole trip filled me with joy, a specific day on the Island of Capri remains a vivid blissful day in my memory. If you haven’t read my other blog posts about the entirety of this Italy trip, find them in the Travel section of my site.
On the third day of the trip, I woke up in our quaint Capri villa super excited for the day ahead. It was beach club day, and we were headed to La Fontelina – Capri’s famed beach club where tourists and celebrities alike find themselves basking under the Capri sun. Not too far in the distance you can spot yachts lingering at anchor. Nonetheless, regular old me was excited to feel so posh at an Italian beach club.
To get to La Fontelina, you can walk from Capri’s piazzetta at the center of the island (a 30 min walk) or travel by boat (shuttle or private) which will drop you off right at the “beach” of La Fontelina. I put “beach” in quotes because the coastline is more jagged rock than it is sand, but while it’s not my East Coast understanding of a beach, it was still beautiful.
We walked to the beach club, which took us through winding alleys, shops in town, naturally adorned archways and past a cute juice stand that was home to a lemon bigger than the size of my head. As we got closer to the beach club, the trail took us along side the cliffs giving us spectacular views of the coastline and the boats that dotted the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Eventually, we made it to the Belvedere Tragara viewing point where the view of Capri’s Faraglioni were just spectacular. It was one of those moments where you can’t take in all of what you are seeing at one time. Continuing on, we followed that path as it wound its way down towards the sea, to the real “beachy” driftwood entrance of La Fontelina.
The next few hours we spent there were just awesome. Lounging in the sun with cold cocktails, jumping into the blue water, lounging again, eating lunch with the freshest ingredients and fish caught from the sea – it doesn’t get much better.
It wasn’t until we left the the beach club that I had my true moment of bliss.
As we started back on the long journey we took to get there, an unexpected thunderstorm rolled in. Typically, I hate the rain. Correction – I like rain I just don’t like being in it.
This time, I didn’t care one bit. As the rain poured down, I had the biggest smile on my face. I was in Italy, extremely grateful for the opportunity to even be there. I had booked plane tickets on my own, navigated through a foreign country with my boyfriend for the first time, spent three days on the most magical island and was just so genuinely happy to be living that moment.
Drenched, and drunk with happiness we all laughed and smiled our way back to the villa, the sun was setting when we got there. A freshly poured glass of wine, good company, good conversation ended a day of joy.
After two slow years, business travel is making a steady comeback. The uptick in travel came at the perfect time for me, as I’ve started working on more corporate special events for my job. Recently, this part of my job brought me to Longboat Key, Florida where I was helping execute a 3-day leadership summit that I had helped plan for several months. While this trip was a lot of work, there was also a bit of play, so here’s a recap of the trip that might persuade you to spend time there or in the area yourself!
My trip to Longboat Key was part 1 of a 3-part trip in Florida over the span of 12 days, so stay tuned for recaps from the rest of my trip!
Getting to Longboat Key (LBK)
LBK is located on a barrier island to the west of Sarasota on the gulf side of central Florida. To get there, most of my colleagues (including myself) flew into Sarasota Bradenton Int’l Airport (SRQ) while some flew into Tampa Int’l Airport (TPA). A 25 minute drive from SRQ brought me to Zota Beach Resort where I spent 5 nights.
Where to Stay
Longboat Key is home to many small and unassuming beachfront hotels and inns, as are the other keys in the area (Ana Maria Island, Lido Key, Siesta Key). There are plenty of great places to stay, but I enjoy “resort” style hotels the most and there are a few along the island and in the area, like The Resort at Longboat Key Club, Lido Beach Resort (on Lido Key), and Zota Beach Resort where I stayed.
All of these resorts are part of the Opal Collection of hotels and resorts, with locations across Florida and other regions like New England and the New York Adirondacks (does The Sagamore Resort on Lake George sound familiar?).
Zota Beach Resort is a contemporary luxury resort with stylish accommodations, an expansive outdoor pool, and direct beach access. I stayed in a Premium King Resort View room which was spacious (very helpful for all the event material I had to keep in the room!), with a private balcony and partial ocean views…but mostly overlooked the new build next door.
Aside from experiencing new places, eating is almost certainly my next favorite part of traveling and I was excited to eat A LOT of seafood on this trip. Because I was staying at the Zota Resort for a business meeting, most breakfasts, lunches and one dinner were held there. The resort offers an excellent menu at the Viento Kitchen & Bar for all meals and at Cascades Pool Bar for lunch and smaller bites.
After arriving at Zota Beach Resort, we had to wait a bit for our rooms to be ready, so a few colleagues and I ventured to St. Armands Circle for lunch. St. Armands Circle is a bustling shopping and dining area located on St. Armands Key, removed from the mainland of Sarasota.
Check out the Shore (St. Armands location) for cool vibes, unique seafood dishes, handhelds and salads. I had the Lobster, Shrimp & Cobb Salad which was AMAZING. It was flavorful, filling and was served as a stacked tower which was very interesting. Others tried the Grouper Tacos and loved them too. 10/10!
In the evening, we returned to St. Armands Circle for drinks at Venezia Italian Restaurant and dinner at Columbia Restaurant. Columbia was incredible – a traditional Spanish restaurant with an extensive menu that made it extremely difficult to pick an entrée (in a good way). The original location in Tampa is the oldest restaurant in Florida, which told me they know what they’re doing – and they definitely do. For the table, we ordered a pitcher of the Sangria Tinto and the original Columbia “1905 Salad.” Tossed tableside, the signature award winning salad combines crisp iceberg lettuce, julienned baked ham, natural Swiss cheese, tomato, olives, grated Romano cheese, Lea & Perrins® Worcestershire sauce and their famous garlic dressing.
For an entrée, I spent some time deciding between the Paella, Stuffed Shrimp, Shrimp and Yellow Rice, and the Cannelloni de Langosta. I decided on the Cannelloni de Langosta – three cannelloni pastas filled with Maine lobster meat, shrimp, pan-seared scallops and sautéed shallots blended with a lobster sherry cream reduction, smothered with a lobster sherry Mornay cheese sauce and pieces of lobster. Holy lobster! 10/10
The following day I joined some colleagues on a boat excursion around the bay where we stopped at Tide Tables Restaurant and Marina in Bradenton – a casual seafood eatery overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, with a marina & outdoor tiki bar. Most of us had the Grouper Tacos for a fresh and filling lunch. There’s nothing better than a fresh fish sandwich, chips, and coleslaw after some time on the water – 10/10!
By dinner time on this day, the entire group from my company had arrived and myself/planning group had arranged a group dinner at the Shore (Longboat Key location). Depending on where you stay, the LBK location might be closer than the St. Armands location. Either way, you have an opportunity to try their food without having to go too far.
The Shore LBK is a beautiful location with it’s own dock which is convenient for arriving by boat and for picture ops! This time, our table ordered the Kung Pao Calamari and Ale-Battered Oyster Po’ Boy Sliders for appetizers. I had the Shrimp & Scallops with lemon risotto for an entrée. Everything was fantastic!
The next offsite meal was held at Speaks Clam Bar – an Italian and seafood restaurant in St. Armands Circle. Speaks was OUTSTANDING – we had arranged a cocktail hour with passed hors d’oeuvres which included their Spinach & Crab Dip, Meatballs, Stuffed Mushroom Caps, and Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail. For the first course, we had Drunken PEI Mussels, Calamari Fritti, Eggplant Napoleon and Steamed Middle Neck Clams served family style. We included several entrees on the dinner menu, from which I picked the Lobster Tail Scampi (this is not on their regular dinner menu, but they have tons of fabulous entrée choices).
I was too busy/excited about the food to remember to take photos so here are some mouthwatering choices we had courtesy of Speaks’ Facebook page:
The last restaurant I tried during my time in LBK the Lazy Lobster Longboat Key – a casual seafood restaurant with an excellent menu. I suggest making a reservation, because even on a Wednesday night the place was full when I arrived, so we waited about 10 minutes at the bar before being seated. Lobster Bisque and Coconut Shrimp were delicious appetizers. A whole 1.5lb steamed lobster with drawn butter made for the perfect entrée. This is a a simple, local restaurant with great food!
The last restaurant I tried during my time in LBK the Lazy Lobster Longboat Key – a casual seafood restaurant with an excellent menu. I suggest making a reservation, because even on a Wednesday night the place was full when I arrived, so we waited about 10 minutes at the bar before being seated. Lobster Bisque and Coconut Shrimp were delicious appetizers. A whole 1.5lb steamed lobster with drawn butter made for the perfect entrée. This is a a simple, local restaurant with great food!
Do
Now – what else can you do on Longboat Key besides eat? While I could be a happy clam eating delicious food all day, here are some activities I did and some I would do if I had more time.
Relax
This one is obvious – RELAX! Whether you’re poolside or hanging out on the gulf’s white sandy beaches, there’s nothing like taking the time to yourself or with your family to chill by the water.
Get out on the water
If you’re looking for something a little bit more exciting, Zota Beach Resort offers paddle boards and kayaks to rent, or check out several jet ski rental companies in the area for some fast fun on the water.
If you love being on the water like I do, consider a half or full day boat rental to get an even better gulf experience. Our group rented from Canons Marina on Longboat Key which offered fantastic service. We took the boat up the bay toward Bradenton Beach and the Cortez Bridge where we docked and had lunch at Tide Tables. After lunch, we anchored near sandbars in the bay, hung out, and listened to music for a fantastic day on the water!
Check out the nightlife in Sarasota
While St. Armands Circle is teeming with restaurants and shops, most are closed by 10pm. If you’re looking for a night out, check out Main Street in Downtown Sarasota, one of the intersecting streets that make up Sarasota’s Five Points. Here you’ll find plenty of restaurants, shops, and bars to bar-hop all night long!
For rooftop options in Sarasota, check out Perspective Rooftop Pool Bar at the Art Ovation Hotel or Jack Dusty in the Ritz Carlton.
Some other helpful tips
Don’t forget the bug spray!! Be prepared with bug spray and anti itch ream at all times. Those mosquitos are no joke!
If you plan to explore the area, it might be worth renting a car instead of relying on Ubers and taxis. We found that Ubers were sparse and it was much easier that we had a car to get around.
From the New York Metro area, Newport is a coastal New England city only a few hours away on the coast of Rhode Island.
In the summer, Newport is a popular spot for outdoor recreation, bustling beaches and popular festivals. But in the winter, there is still so much to do, including tours of Newports famed mansions. I’ve rounded up my itinerary recommendations for where to stay and eat, and what to do in this beautiful and historic location in the winter!
Stay
We stayed at the Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina for this two night trip. Located in the heart of downtown, the hotel is in a prime location to enjoy the wharfs, restaurants and shops nearby. Cobblestone streets surround the hotel, inviting you to stroll around the historic wharfs. You are just steps away from experiencing the city by the sea!
A few other hotels I considered:
Newport Marriott
Hotel Viking
Gurney’s Newport Resort and Marina
View from our harbor-side hotel room at Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina
Do
1. Tour the Newport Mansions
No word describes the Newport mansions like “opulence” does.
Newport is home to several incredibly opulent mansions which serve as symbols of the ultra-rich (including the Vanderbilt family) that lived during Newport’s Gilded Age. Newport was the elite’s playground in the 19th century, where they vacationed with their families. Today, many of them are open for public tours, including Newport’s most popular mansions – The Elms, Marble House and The Breakers.
The Breakers, designed for Cornelius Vanderbilt II, is the grandest of the summer “cottages” in Newport. The Vanderbilt family’s prominence and fortune in the railroad industry emanates throughout this estate.
The Breakers seen from the Cliff Walk path
The Elms was the summer dwelling of coal tycoon Edward Berwind and his wife. The interior features a collection of Renaissance ceramics, French and Venetian 18th century paintings and Oriental jades.
To see the full list of Mansions available to tour and buy tickets in advance, visit the Preservation Society of Newport County: https://www.newportmansions.org/explore.
2. Stroll Along the Cliff Walk
Newport’s Cliff Walk is a 3.5 mile easy- moderate walking trail along the eastern shore. It captures the beauty of the scenic shoreline and ocean, plus a look at some stunning homes along the path.
The path starts at the western end of Easton’s Beach, right by The Chanler, and it ends at Bellevue Ave. at Bailey’s Beach. There are major exits at Narragansett Ave., Webster St., Sheppard Ave., Ruggles Ave., Marine Ave., and Ledge Rd.
I suggest starting at Easton’s Beach so you can grab a hot chocolate (in colder months) to-go from TheChanler’sHotChocolate Bar. The artisanal drinks can be a bit pricey, but it’s about the experience right?! This entrance is also much closer to The Breakers if you want to view it from the Cliff Walk.
Be sure to stop at the Forty Steps, located less than a mile from the start of the Cliff Walk, which was once a popular recreation spot of the servants who tended the mansions of Newport during the 19th century.
Aerial view of The Breakers and the Cliff Walk along the shore. Photo credit: Discover Newport
3. Walk the Wharfs
Newport is a coastal city, and with that, comes wharfs and lots of boats. There are several popular wharfs in Newport, which include Bowen’s Wharf, Bannister’s Wharf and Long Wharf, where there are shops and restaurants galore!
Stroll through the wharfs and pick up a gift for someone back at home, or stop into one of many eatery’s for some New England fare.
Bowen’s Wharf Anchor at Christmas time
4. Newport Car Museum
This one if for the car enthusiast in your life. It could be you, but for me, it’s my boyfriend. I’m not a huge car fan but having said that, the Newport Car Museum was pretty darn cool.
Celebrating the “Art of the Car,” the museum displays 85+ cars from a private collection spanning over 70 years of automotive design. From 1960s Muscle Cars from Chevrolet and Pontiac, to the iconic Ford/Shelby collection and supercars from Porsche and McLaren – they have it all.
My favorite car on display
We were lucky to get a sneak peak at the back room where new cars were being housed for an upcoming rotation, including a McLaren that was not yet on display. So cool!
My only wish is that they would let you take one for a test drive. Sigh.
5. Ice Skating at Gurney’s
If you’re looking for a fun winter activity with awesome views, head to Gurney’s resort for some skating by the sea.
Views of the Newport Bridge, Goat Island Lighthouse and the harbor make for a stunning back drop as you enjoy the pop-up ice rink. Sadly, I didn’t get to fit this activity into my trip, but I certainly will next time!
Photo Credit: Discover Newport; @Sarahjkp on Instagram
6. Beavertail State Park
Beavertail State Park is another opportunity for stunning ocean vistas in Newport. The coastline park gives a “world’s end” feeling, and sightseeing can be done from the comfort of your car which is perfect in the winter months. If it’s not too cold, head over to one of the outlooks and stop at The Beavertail Lighthouse Museum to learn about the history of the park, Narragansett Bay and the integral role of the shipping industry in Rhode Island’s history.
Photo Credit: @drone_rhode_island on Instagram
Eat
Newport is not only home to famous mansions and gorgeous coastal views, it’s also home to some incredible eats. My only wish is that there was more time to eat more food!
For breakfast try the Coffee Grinder on Bannister’s Wharf or Belle’s Cafe at the Newport Shipyard.
You can’t go to a New England coastal destination and not have New England Clam chowder. Be sure to try The Black Pearl at Bannister’s Wharf for a bowl of their delicious chowder. It was so good we went back twice!
For lunch or dinner, add La Forge Casino Restaurant, Clarke Cooke House, Red Parrot Restaurant and The Wharf Pub to your list.
Sometimes, you just need to get away. Even if it’s for one night, I find so much joy in packing a bag and experiencing a change of scenery.
Having some time off between Christmas and New Years, my boyfriend and I decided to head to the Catskills for some skiing fun, good food and relaxation. Read on for my recap of our 1-night trip!
Stay
I spent many hours looking for the right “vibe” for this overnight stay. I wanted to feel cozy and disconnected, and like I had really left home for the night. I had a few options on my list that I narrowed down and some that I would have loved to stay at but were unavailable for our dates of travel.
Ultimately, I landed on Full Moon Resort in Big Indian, NY. This location choice was in part due to our plans to go skiing, so I didn’t want to stay too far from the local mountains of Belleayre, Hunter and Windham.
Full Moon Resort typical operates as a wedding venue and retreat location, but they also have a spectrum of lodging options that are available to book on AirBnb. We stayed in one of their Mountain Sky Cottages, which was just what I was looking for! It was secluded, and disconnected from the other cottages, quaint and had a great view of the mountains through a large picture window.
The cottage was clean, simple and inviting with perks like a smart tv, heated floors in the bathroom and a large shower with double shower heads. [Image from AirBnB]
Do
Our activity of choice was skiing, so we hit the road early to get to Hunter Mountain early in the day to get as many hours of skiing in before checking into our cottage (check in was at 3pm).
This was our first time at Hunter – there were about half of the trails open as they hadn’t gotten much snow yet. We bought our lift tickets online and I got my rentals from a ski shop down the road called Snowbird Ski Shop.
There are a few options for skiing in the area – Belleayre Mountain was just 15 min away from our cottage, while Hunter and Windham are around 35-40 min away, respectively.
In addition to skiing – snow tubing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing are other great options for winter fun. The area is popular for hiking, fishing and more in the warmer months.
Ice formations along the Belt Parkway trail (blue) at Hunter Mountain
Eat
One of my favorite parts of getting away is indulging in some good food!
For dinner on our first day, we ate at Woodnotes Grille, part of the Emerson Resort & Spa in Mt. Tremper, about 20 min away. The Emerson Resort was another option I was deciding between for lodging, and would like to stay there one day too! We tried the Braised Short Ribs and the NY Strip Steak, both of which were delicious.
Other dinner options include The Phoenician Steakhouse and Brios in Phoenicia, The Clubhouse at Shandanken Inn, and Peekamoose Restaurant.
For breakfast the next morning we visited the famed Phoenicia Diner. The menu is full of things you want to eat, from pancakes to eggs Benedict for morning eats, and salads and sandwiches for lunch. We both had the Corned Beef Skillet which was beyond tasty. I’d add this spot to your itinerary if I were you!
The “weekend trip” need not be restricted to locations that are within a few hours driving distance. I’ve realized that a few hours of flying distance works just as well. So when a friend of mine told me she was headed to Denver, Colorado to visit family and invited me to join, I jumped on the opportunity!
This was the first time I’ve ventured to the Mountain States region of the United States and was so excited to see its incredible landscape. There is SO much more to do and see, but here’s a recap of my short trip with some itinerary items you might want to include on your next trip!
I will definitely be back, Colorado!
Stay
On this trip I stayed in a hotel in the Cherry Creek area of Denver, located a bit southwest from Downtown. Even though the hotel wasn’t in the heart of the downtown area, I enjoyed being on the outskirts of the city with unobstructed and closer views of the Rocky Mountains. There are many hotels and restaurants in this area, and still plenty to do close by.
The hotel was close to the 285 highway which provides easy access west towards the mountains, and was only a 15 min ride to Downtown Denver. I wouldn’t mind staying in this area again next time, but would also consider staying in the Downtown area to have easier access to activities and restaurants there.
View of Mt. Evans from the hotel room
Do
1. Visit the Denver Zoo
The Denver Zoo has been ranked as one of the best and most ethical zoos in the U.S. and was definitely a great experience. In the few hours spent at the zoo, I pet an array of stingrays (so cool!); saw tigers, lions and bears; watched monkeys play; and saw several animals native to the area like the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep.
2. Explore Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre
Colorado’s famed Red Rocks Park and Ampitheatre is not something to miss. A geological phenomenon, Red Rocks Ampitheatre is the only naturally-occurring, acoustically exquisite amphitheatre in the world. Red Rocks Ampitheatre is one of Colorado’s most masterful and celebrated pieces of architecture, which has attracted enormous crowds to watch and listened to countless artists.
If you’re around on a concert day, it’s worth getting tickets just to hear the acoustics and sound quality. I was lucky enough to be there when crew were performing a sound check for a concert later that day and was amazed by how crisp the sound was and the immersive environment the Ampitheatre creates.
Fun Fact: Millions of years ago, Dinosaurs roamed the foothills of Colorado, leaving footprints and fossils that can be seen today! You can walk along Dinosaur Ridge Trail to see more than 300 dinosaur tracks in Red Rocks Park.
3. See Wildlife at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal
The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is free to visit and boasts 15,000 acres of prairie, wetland and woodland habitats. There are hundreds of wildlife species to see here, including bison which we saw while doing a driving tour of the refuge. This is a great activity to connect with nature and see some of the wildlife the Front Range of Colorado has to offer!
4. Hike St. Mary’s Glacier Trail
This hike was my first taste of western mountain hiking, and it certainly did not disappoint. Just an hour from Denver, this short but brisk hike in Idaho Springs makes for a great day hike with awesome views of the Rocky Mountains to the west.
From the parking area, the hike is uphill and may be difficult for beginners, but experiencing the beauty of the alpine lake and glacier is worth it! I visited in early October, but have heard that this hike is a great one all year round. I recommend reading more about the hike on AllTrails before planning your visit, particularly if you plan to visit in colder weather as equipment like spikes may be needed.
5. Explore Idaho Springs
During the Gold Rush, Idaho Springs was a central part of the region’s local mining efforts. Now, the historical downtown area showcases many buildings that have been preserved from the 19th Century, restaurants, and souvenir shops.
After our St. Mary’s Glacier hike, we stopped in town to eat at Clear Creek Cidery & Eatery where I had the Cider Burger and a flight of their craft hard ciders on tap. Their Hibiscus Session cider was my favorite, and the burger was great too!
5. Explore Downtown Denver
Downtown Denver has a ton to explore! It’s known for its 16th Street Mall, home to street food vendors, restaurants, shops, brewpubs and more. Aside from that, there are many museums in the area, the performing arts center, bike paths and Denver’s popular Larimer Square – where Victorian buildings now house restaurants and boutiques.
Eat
Denver has an incredible amount of restaurants and I’m admittedly sad that I didn’t have time to eat more food (lol).
Try Denver Beer Co.’s (Rosedale location) House Smoked Wings that pair perfectly with their tasty Graham Cracker Porter. They have a few other locations in other areas of Denver too.
Kaos Pizzeria serves up gourmet wood fired pies which is great to order in after a day out exploring. The Wild Mushroom pizza was fantastic!
For breakfast, head to Morning Story near the Cherry Creek area for laid back dining, Einstein Bros. Bagelsfor a quick but filling on-the-go bite, or Snooze for the full breakfast or brunch experience.
If you don’t know what you’re in the mood for, try Avanti which offered a variety of food options, plus a rooftop bar.
If I had more more time
If I had more time on our trip, I would have liked to have spent more time in the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Refuge. Some things I would consider adding to my itinerary are: Denver Botanic Gardens, The Denver Central Market, Larimer Square, and definitely more nature activities! The majestic Rockies are calling!
Recently, my family and I spent a night in Mystic, Connecticut – a village on the southeast shore of Connecticut known for it’s maritime history and historic seaport, as well as in popular culture as the inspiration for the 1988 film, Mystic Pizza, staring Julia Roberts.
Here are a few lodging, dining and activity recommendations for your quick trip to Mystic, CT!
Stay
Our sleeping arrangements were a bit out of the ordinary compared to other trips. On this trip we were meeting up with family who have a camper trailer which they travel often in, and they were staying at a KOA campground in North Stonington, CT. So, we opted to stay there as well and booked one of the cabins at the campground.
The cabin slept 5 people – 3 single beds and one full bed. I wouldn’t call the cabin spacious, but considering we were at a campground, the accommodations weren’t half bad. The cabin was pretty clean and free of bugs. It even came with a mini fridge and small (very small) TV, neither of which we used.
Our cabin also came with its own porch swing and fire pit outside. While the cabin didn’t have a bathroom, this wasn’t a big deal as the campground bathrooms were just a short walk away.
If staying at a campground isn’t your thing, there are are several bed and breakfasts/chain hotels in the area to choose from, which is probably what I’d do next time. The Whaler’s Inn was endorsed by family members.
Do
1. Visit the Mystic Seaport Museum
The Mystic Seaport Museum is the largest maritime museum in the U.S. covering 19 acres of grounds along the Mystic River in Connecticut. The museum is home to hundreds of historic watercraft, a shipyard, a recreated New England village and more.
2. Walk Around Main Street
On Main Street you’ll find plenty of places to shop, dine and explore, including Mystic Pizza and the Mystic River Bascule Bridge. Walking around the charming waterfront district is an attraction on its own!
3. Visit Olde Mistick Village
Olde Mistick Village, a recreated 18th-century New England shopping destination has many restaurants and boutique-style shops to for visitors to dine and browse. The quaint, open air shopping center is right across from the Mystic Diner where we had breakfast (read more in the next section) and near to the Mystic Aquarium as well.
4. Visit the Submarine Museum
Before heading back home, we made a stop at the Submarine Force Library & Museum at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, CT. Visitors can tour historic ship Nautilus and get a feel of life on a submarine. It was very interesting! Admission and parking are also free.
Eat
Since we were only in town for a short trip, we only tried a handful of restaurants in the area. Upon arrival we planned to eat at Ford’s Lobster in Noank for lunch, but the lobster spot was packed and after a long drive we didn’t want to wait. I would like to try Ford’s though if I visit again.
Ford’s Lobster
Instead, we went about a half mile down the road to Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough. This lobster spot doesn’t have formal sit down service, instead, you order at the counter and are free to find a seat at any of their outdoor or indoor tables while you wait for your food. I tried their clam chowder and lobster roll – both of which were delicious! And, it’s right on the water!
For dinner, we had to do the touristy thing (obviously) and eat at Mystic Pizza, the inspiration for the 1980’s film. We waited a little bit to be seated, but once inside, the pizza spot greeted us with tons of memorabilia and the movie playing on screens around the restaurant.
For breakfast the next day we went to Mystic Diner, a popular diner serving all-day breakfast. Nothing like a diner-sized omelette!
If I had more more time
If we had more time on our trip, I would have liked to visit the Aquarium, check out some nature trails in the area, and of course, eat more seafood! Next time!
Traveling to Virginia Beach, VA? Keep reading for Virginia Beach lodging, dining and activity recommendations!
Stay
To start, the goal was to stay on the oceanfront in Virginia Beach, so my research did not include hotels outside of that area, except for one hotel on the the Chessepeak Bay. I also wanted to be away from the busier south end of the boardwalk, so I opted to look on the north side, above 32nd Street. After doing extensive research, I landed on the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
The hotel opened in 2020, so it was pretty much brand new when we stayed in June 2021. It’s located just off the north end of the famous Virginia Beach boardwalk and is a part of The Cavalier Resort, with The Historic Cavalier Hotel just across the street. Realizing that the hotel was just off the boardwalk was very appealing to me because it meant that we’d be able to walk right onto the beach and would not have the bustle of the boardwalk out in front of the hotel. To me, this gave the hotel a more lux resort feel. Not to mention – the palm trees, fire pits, lawn chairs and bocce ball pit certainly added to the vibe.
Aside from it being new, the hotel was beautifully decorated and boasted an organic modern design that really made it feel upscale. I really loved this live plant wall!
We had an excellent stay here, and if you’re a Marriott Bonvoy member and download the app, it makes check in, room access and more such a breeze.
Do
Most of our time was spent hanging around our resort-hotel, but here are a few things we did on our trip!
1. Relax (and go to the beach!)
This one is obvious – but since this was a relaxation vacation, I have to put this activity at the top of the list. Our room reservation came with two complimentary beach chairs and we definitely made good use of them. Whether it’s at the pool, the bay or the beach, relaxation time is a must! Virginia Beach offers 28 miles of public beach, so there’s plenty of room for everyone. I also thought that the beach was very clean and well kept.
2. Visit the Cavalier Hotel
Since the hotel is part of the Cavalier Resort it’s located right across the road from The Historic Cavalier Hotel. We walked over for dinner one night and took some time to look around at the 1920s architecture and glamorous decor. We even stopped to eavesdrop on the movie night the hotel was hosting on the front lawn.
3. Watch the sunrise
If your hotel has an ocean-facing room, you have to get up to watch the sunrise! Even though I’m a morning person, 5:30-6am is a bit early for me. But the watching the sunrise was absolutely worth it. We had the luxury of watching the sunrise from our hotel room and balcony, but if don’t mind getting up early, head to the beach to catch the sunrise. You won’t regret it!
4. Visit Norfolk
Norfolk is a waterfront city in Virginia under a half hour from Virginia Beach. The city is home to Naval Station Norfolk, a massive naval base on the Chesapeake Bay and Nauticus, a maritime museum, as well as several other museums. We went into Norfolk for part of the day to go on a naval base cruise tour (booked through Victory Rover Naval Base Cruises) where we got to see various naval ships at the base. Aside from that, Norfolk is also home to the Norfolk Botanical Garden, Virginia Zoo and Chrysler Museum. We didn’t visit these attractions, but they have excellent reviews!
Eat
The hotel has two dinning spots – Tulu Seaside Barand Grill and Orion’s Roof. We didn’t try Orion’s Roof this time but dined at Tulu for several meals. At Tulu, I recommend the crab-stuffed shrimp, Tulu lean burger and jumbo crab omelet. They also have gluten free and vegetarian menu options.
Becca Restaurant at the Cavalier Hotel was spectacular. We went on a Monday for their burger night special which included your choice of burger, signature side & glass of wine for $15 (what a deal!). I tried the Tarnished Truth Bourbon BBQ Burger- SO good.
For some casual California-Mexican cuisine, we tried Pelon’s Baja Grill. It did not disappoint! Their rolled tacos were reminiscent of Mexican-style tacos I had while in San Diego at a an authentic taqueria – absolutely delish. We also tried the shrimp tacos served in corn tortillas.
I also have to mention Pocahontas Pancake House. We went twice for breakfast and both times it was absolutely packed. It’s definitely a local favorite serving a huge diner style menu and a must-go for a classic diner breakfast!
Our time spent in Capri was amazing, but Rome did not disappoint! We spent three full days in Rome in the last leg of our Summer in Italy vacation.
Day 1
Having left Capri in the morning, we arrived by train to Rome’s Roma Termini terminal – bringing our transportation mix full circle (check out the other posts in this 3-part series to get the inside scoop!).
Instead of taking a taxi, we opted to walk through the streets of Rome to get to our villa near the Spanish Steps, taking in the historic architecture and stopping to take random photos along the way. Rome has so much to offer, so we wasted no time in setting down our bags and getting back into the city to explore. Being that our lodging was right around the corner from the Spanish Steps, that was our first stop.
The Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna were bustling with people, but we were able to take in the beauty of the piazza and Bernini’s Fontana della Barcaccia, a Baroque-style fountain built in the 1600s.
We made our way through the piazza and into the quaint streets, discovering drinking fountains all around the city. Did you know the water from these fountains, called a Nasone (plural: Nasoni), is completely safe to drink? The water comes from mountains above the city and flows through the aqueducts famously built by the ancient Romans! There’s nothing like drinking fresh cold water on a hot Italian day, so feel free to fill up your water bottles from one of these.
After stopping in a small pizzeria for a classic Margherita pizza and wine, we found ourselves at the Trevi Fountain and wow, was it incredible! The gigantic stone fountain was lit up for the night, bringing attention to all the details of the world-renowned sculpted fountain. It was busy (as you could imagine) but we managed to get up to the base of the fountain for photos and to toss our three coins in the water. Before heading back to the apartment, we ended the night in the best way – with gelato, of course!
Day 2
Day two was a big day – we would spend most of the day exploring Vatican City with jaws dropped (seriously) from the stunning architecture and history that exists there. The recollection of this day could probably use it’s own blog post!
Starting in St. Peter’s Square, we took in the grandeur of the plaza, with St. Peter’s Basilica at the back and Bernini’s 140 sculpted saints sitting atop the square’s 280+ columns. We waited shortly on line to enter St. Peter’s Basilica, walking past enormous marble archways with Swiss Guards keeping their posts.
Entering the Basilica, I was taken aback by it’s striking opulence. There was marble everywhere – the floors, the columns, the archways. There was gold everywhere as well, so much so I couldn’t even fathom how much the Basilica is worth. To the right was Michelangelo’s famous Pietà, sculpted from Carrara marble and the only piece of work the Renaissance artist had ever signed. Moving through the center aisle we came to the statue of Saint Peter, his right foot worn down by the thousands of people who have visited the Basilica and who, with tradition, have touched or kissed his foot. The Basilica, named after the the Saint and first Pope of the church, is built atop his tomb.
We continued on, dwarfed by the 94 foot Baldachin (canopy) marking St. Peter’s tomb beneath, as well as the even taller 448 foot gilded ceilings of the Basilica’s dome.
After meandering through the main level and the catacombs beneath the church, we moved on to the Vatican museums, an entirely separate wealth of historical grandeur. In the museums we saw tens upon tens of sculptures and busts, more marble (of course), more gold (duh), enormous tapestries and maps, and even more intricate and gilded ceilings – one of my favorite parts. There was so much to see in there it didn’t even make sense.
And yet, we still had arguably the most impressive part of the tour left to see – the Sistine Chapel. The chapel, built between 1473 and 1481 is decorated by frescoes by several painters, most notably Michelangelo’s The Last Judgement and his work on the chapel’s ceiling depicting scenes from the Book of Genesis. Now, the chapel serves as the location for papal conclaves when a new pope is selected. Being in the room feels like an other-worldly experience and it’s worth finding a seat around the perimeter of the room to take in all the details of the paintings. Taking photos inside the chapel is prohibited (you will be reminded several times while in there), so see a virtual tour here. We ended the day sipping wine on the Spanish steps before heading to dinner. Truly one for the books!
Day 3
We could’ve used another week to tour all the sights in Rome, but sadly this was the last full day in the Eternal City. In the morning we enjoyed some fresh air and and espresso in the Villa Borghese gardens before starting a tour of the Borghese Gallery.
Afterwards, we made our way to the Pantheon and toured inside before then heading towards the Colosseum. Our walk took us through Piazza Venezia, then alongside the excavations of the Roman Forum which felt like we had taken a step back in time.
Finally, the Colosseum came into view! How magnificent it was. We made it just in time to snag a few photos before a rain storm came through the area that left us absolutely soaked. But we didn’t care, we were in Italy! All we could do was appreciate how lucky we were to be a couple of soaked tourists in taking incredible ancient sights in an absolutely stunning country. And to that we said – more gelato!
This was such a fabulous trip, I can’t wait to go back! Be sure to read about the two other legs of this Summer in Italy series: Pompeii and Capri!
Capri, an island off the coast of Naples, is famous for its stunning views and landscape, limoncello, shopping and handmade leather sandals. It’s also the most beautiful place I’ve ever been.
Day 1
We had only been in Italy for a day and a half and I felt like I was living in a fantasy. But there was much more to see and do on our trip, and Capri would not disappoint. After a morning of touring the ruins of Pompeii, our group headed to the Naples marina to travel to our island destination.
The only way to get to Capri is by boat, so this leg of the trip started with a ferry ride from Naples to Capri where we arrived at Marina Grande on the northern side of the island. This is the port where boats from Naples, Sorrento and Amalfi arrive with visitors to the island. The port was bustling with people – locals and tourists.
The Island of Capri actually has two towns you can visit – Capri and Anacapri. The town of Capri, which is closer to Marina Grande, is the more “upbeat” of the two with luxury boutiques, restaurants and nightclubs. Anacapri offers a more laid-back and quiet feel. It’s also at a higher elevation and naturally boasts stunning views. Our lodging was located in Anacapri, so we made our way from the marina to Piazzetta di Capri, the heart of the town of Capri. We took the funicular (a cable railway – our 6th mode of transportation!) to ascend from the marina at sea level to the Piazzetta above. The views from the square were magnificent. I literally had a “pinch me” moment!
A taxi (#7 – are you still counting?) brought us from Piazzetta di Capri to Piazza Vittoria, a quaint town square in Anacapri, where we then walked to the rental house where we would stay for the next three days. The villa and grounds were decked with painted tile flooring, oil paintings, fruit trees and a beautiful pergola with flowers and a large table for dinning also adorned with painted tiles. We made ourselves comfortable before heading out for dinner that night.
Day 2
The next day, we had plans to see the island by boat. A combination of jetlag, slight dehydration and wine from the night before was taking a toll on me. You could say I wasn’t feeling too hot, but I mustered the strength to get down to the marina for the boat tour, because there was no way I was missing it after coming all that way.
I am so grateful I made it on the boat because it was truly a magical day. The boat ride afforded us views of the island that you can only appreciate from the sea. If you ever travel to Capri, this is a must do. We sailed past the sheer cliffs along the coast of the island and saw giant faraglionis, rock formations eroded by waves, floating in the sea. Our captain took us to the famed Grotta Azzurra (the Blue Grotto) and others, and stopped the boat at one point so we could all jump in the turquoise waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Day 3
Our second full day was beach club day! La Fontelina Beach Club to be exact. Before the trip, I had seen pictures of the cliff-side beach club and many celebrities who have frequented it, and I was thrilled to get to experience it too.
To get there, you can walk from the piazzetta in Capri or go by boat from Marina Piccolo, the smaller marina on the southern side of the island. We went on foot through the town and winding streets and stopped to take in the picturesque view from an outlook.
“Beach” is a loose term on this island, as there is no sand or shallow water to wade into as one might imagine when you think of the word “beach.” But, the deep water off the rocks at La Fontelina was perfect for jumping competitions! We enjoyed our fair share of swimming and jumping in the water before having lunch at the club’s restaurant and headed back to the villa. Visiting La Fontelina is another must do, in my opinion.
Day 4
After two and a half awesome days in Capri, it was time to head to our next destination in Italy – Rome! The morning of our fourth day, we got our belongings together and ventured down to Marina Grande to catch the ferry back to Naples, where we would travel by train back to Rome. Before leaving though, we had to stop for prosciutto sandwiches and a Rome-themed coke – until next time, Capri!
This Summer in Italy series starts three weeks before departure when my boyfriend and I realized we had the extremely fortunate opportunity to join his extended family on their trip to Italy. After going back and forth on the idea, the answer was a no brainer – we had to go.
So, we found last minute tickets on Norwegian Airlines for a direct flight to Rome, packed our bags (carry on only) and found ourselves on our first solo trip to another country – the land of painters, Popes and pasta. We were set to meet his family in Pompeii, as the group was headed to Capri the next day. Upon arriving in Rome, we needed to venture to the southern coast of Italy and this required taking the greatest number of modes of transportation I’ve ever taken in one day.
Starting by plane, we landed at Rome’s Fiumicino airport around 1:30 PM leaving us about 6 hours before it started to get dark. We were feeling confident and excited to have arrived, but for me, the anxiety of needing to navigate through a foreign country for the first time on a time restraint had begun set in.
We could’ve hired a car service to take us from the airport to Pompeii, but that would’ve ended up being pretty pricey for us young travelers. So, we had planned ahead of time to go with the more affordable train option. That meant we needed to get from the airport located east of Rome near the coast, to the Roma Termini train station at the center of Rome. Time for our next mode of transportation — the bus.
The bus ride into Rome was exciting and scenic. The 50-ish minute ride took us through roads lined with Cyprus trees and sweeping country views. As we arrived closer to the city, hints of Rome’s ancient architecture started to pop up.
We arrived at Roma Termini were we grabbed a snack and our first Italian espresso. We narrowly made our train after having to figure out the ticket system. Our third transportation vehicle – the Frecciarossa train – would take us on our way to Napoli Centrali in Naples. This stretch of our journey was filled mostly with picturesque countryside along the way.
After arriving at Napoli Centrali, we had one more mode of transportation to take to get to Pompeii – the Circumvesuviana. This train system is separate from other national and regional railway lines and would take us from Naples a little ways south to Pompeii. The Circumvesuviana train reminded me of the New York City subway and as a commuter who uses that system, I felt confident in navigating this one. That is, until we missed our transfer stop and found ourselves at a nearly empty station on the wrong branch of the railway line, trying to relay our situation (in English) to two men working there who only spoke (you guessed it) Italian. Suddenly, I was feeling that “out-of-my-element” anxiety again. Luckily, there was a young man who spoke some English who let us know when the next train was coming which could take us back to the previous stop so we could transfer to the right line and get to our destination.
Finally, after 8 hours of traveling in Italy (plus the 9 hour flight!), we made it to Hotel Vittoria – a lovely hotel located quite literally next to the entrance of the Pompeii Archaeological Park where we were going to do some exploring the next day.
Open staircase in Hotel Vittoria
But first, pizza! And wow was this pizza good – what else would you expect when traveling to Naples, the birthplace of pizza?! We got two pizzas (which are sized for a personal serving in Italy), two plates of buffalo mozzarella and wine for roughly 20 euros – I mean, come on. If that was the pricing in America, I’d be in trouble.
Half-devoured plate of buffalo mozzarella
After a truly satisfying meal, we got some rest for big day of sightseeing and more travel the next day. In the morning, we met up with my boyfriend’s family, had breakfast and set out for a few hours of touring the ruins of ancient Pompeii. It was an incredible and ghostly experience, particularly with Mount Vesuvius ominously looming in the background.
We saw preserved frescoes, remnants of the Pompeii baths, historic cobblestone roads with chariot tracks and fossilized bodies preserved from the ash of Vesuvius’ eruption. We didn’t stay for long, though. Before we knew it we were headed to the marina to catch our fifth form of transportation – a boat!
Danielle Elisabeth CO. 