getaways Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

19 Fun Things to Do on a Mobile Alabama Girl’s Trip

Paula — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 12:16:21 +0000

“Mobile Alabama is like the quirky teacher you had in high school, you know that one who wore mismatched Crocs?” ~ a Mobile resident. Born to Celebrate Born to celebrate is exactly the right tag line for Mobile Alabama. Rarely have I been to a city so exuberant, colourful or tasty. A couple of months ago, I landed in Mobile Alabama on a girl’s trip with three travel writers who are also friends. We arrived via Coastal Mississippi and our Mobile Alabama Girl’s Trip started with seafood at a famed restaurant. I mean, honestly, for me, that just hits a high note right out of the gate. Alabama was the last state we visited on our three state adventure and it was our second last stop on our hosted media trip. We were guests of Mobile Alabama for the two days that we stopped here during our Gulf Coast girl’s getaway. From the food tour that wowed us, to the vibrant art scene, Mobile is a rich spot to explore history and cultural influences in Alabama. Make it a spot to visit before your family cruise, or after a short cruise out of Mobile’s port, or do what we did and add it into a Gulf Coast girl’s trip. What is There to Do in Mobile Alabama? The History Mobile is a combination of funky, artistic destination and a heartbreaking city that has a tragic history. In 1860, buying and selling slaves was still legal, but importing slaves had been illegal for 50 years. The discovery of the last known slave ship, The Clotilde, happened here in Mobile Bay, Alabama. The slave trade in the US is inextricably tied to Mobile and it’s clearly not shied away from in art and history museums. The Culture But, there’s also this playful side that’s clear from the Oyster Art Walk to Mardi Gras and the Moon Pies and secret societies. If they made a movie about Mobile Alabama it would be a genuine blend of drama, comedy and historical biopic. At the start of said movie you might think “Wait, pick one….what are you? There’s too much going on here,” And, yet it works. Let’s Start with Where to Eat in Mobile Alabama Wintzell’s Oyster House Fried, stewed or nude? Google oysters in Mobile Alabama and Wintzell’s Oyster House is sure to pop up. This famous restaurant in downtown LODA’s entertainment district has it all – great food, excellent service and atmosphere in spades. Rumour has it that many celebrities have dined here. Our server, Miss Pinky, shown here, was a genuine southern character. If you want the inside scoop on what to eat and why this place is famous, you need to ask to sit in her section. Our oyster platter had a bit of everything you could imagine. Oysters Rockefeller, Oysters Bienville, and Chargrilled too. YUM. Highly recommend this place. And FYI, Mobile is one of those open carry destinations. So, in fact, we were encouraged to fill up our beverages before we headed off to the Gulf Coast Duck Tour. How awesome is that for a girl’s trip? Old Mobile Evening Tour with Bienville Bites Food Tour The Bienville Bites Food Tour was a highlight of the visit to Mobile Alabama for me. This evening was spectacular starting at Dauphins, located on the 34th floor of the RSA Trustmark Bank Building, with breathtaking views of the 75 nautical surrounding miles. We tasted the Gumbo here and got a tour of the kitchen as well as a private discussion with the chef. From there, we walked throughout Mobile and on to The Cheese Cottage. The guide was knowledgeable and we enjoyed her insider’s insights into the architecture and history of Mobile. Gumbo In fact, I discovered gumbo on this trip through the Gulf Coast. My first ever true gumbo was in New Orleans and I actually had no idea it could vary so wildly. I mean the basic concept is the same, but the flavours and the time spent layering spices for me seems to make the most difference. The gumbo we had at Dauphins was very good, but this stop was mostly about the views and the time spent with the chef. The Cheese Cottage Located on historic “Automotive Alley,” The Cheese Cottage features locally grown cheese and a scrumptious charcuterie not found anywhere else in Mobile. Our tasting featured a special wine and cheese pairing. You’ll be educated on how to taste it and what makes this tasting the “perfect pairing.” Squid Ink for Lunch Squid Ink Eclectic Eats and Drinks is one of Mobile Alabama’s newest restaurants in the downtown core. It’s a fun environment with a great menu. Best meal here was clearly the chicken sandwich Sharon ordered. Dinner at Southern National A sensational new restaurant, Southern National, is blessed with an extremely talented executive chef. Chef Dwayne Nutter, a James Beard award nominee, is right out front at an island cooking table ensuring every plate is perfect. From the decor to the server’s uniforms – denim, leather, utilitarian, everything here was spot on. The seafood stew was rich, locally sourced, fresh and flavourful. I thoroughly enjoyed the dinner and the atmosphere. The Pimento Cheese appetizer featured a hearty helping of my new favourite southern appetizer cheese. This is one spot you need to add to your Mobile Alabama Girl’s Trip itinerary. You owe it to yourself to dine here. Make reservations and go shopping first on Dauphin Street in the downtown Mobile area. Moe’s Barbecue This stop was also on our Bienville Bites Food Tour and it is extremely well known. Also white BBQ sauce? UM, what? That’s a new one for me. Other Food Hotspots: Three Georges – Candy, chocolate…pure yum. Fine southern chocolates since 1917 located on Dauphin Street. A & M Peanut Shop – A Mobile institution also on Dauphin Street. Buy all of the roasted peanuts you can imagine. If you are Things to Do in Mobile Gulf Coast Duck Tour Tour Mobile by land and water. Why? Because it is an amphibious vehicle and totally fun. Also, why not? You will get some great photos on the water, so don’t forget your cameras. Did you know that amphibious vehicles were made during the war? It’s true. Fort of Colonial Mobile Mobile is a super quirky little destination and, because it is a port city, it was also guarded. The Fort of Colonial Mobile guarded citizens for almost 100 years until 1820. It was built by the French and guarded against an attack by the Spanish and British. History Museum of Mobile Spend some time here at the History Museum of Mobile. Well worth it. Permanent exhibit Old Ways New Days 1 takes you back in time to Mobile’s earliest days. The history of Mobile Alabama is rich and this exhibit doesn’t shy away from discussing Mobile’s 300 year history which includes Colonial era, Slavery, WWII, the Civil Rights movement in Mobile, and more. Mobile Community Oyster Trail This is a very informal self guided art walk. But, in 2013 Mobile elected to have 13 large Oyster art pieces installed in various places. They are as quirky and charming as the city itself. This is a project that was initiated by the Mobile Bay Oyster Gardening Program and the trail itself feature four foot Oyster sculptures painted by local artists. Fun to check a few of these out on our Mobile Alabama girl’s trip. The USS Alabama Explore the Mighty A, the USS Alabama which was deployed for 37 months starting in 1942. Located on Battleship Parkway, the tour is self guided. The battleship was one of the lost ships, until a group of school kids collected enough money to have her towed from Washington State to Alabama in 1964/1965. Mobile Mardi Gras Museum Did you know Mobile was the birthplace of Mardi Gras? It was not first celebrated in New Orleans, although New Orleans is synonymous with it now. The Mobile Mardi Gras Museum is a great place to learn all about how Mardi Gras started. The costumes, floats and displays here are stunning. Shop at Urban Emporium LLC My favourite shop in downtown Mobile Alabama. Everything from gorgeous clothing at affordable prices to kid’s clothes and jewellery. The jewellery was super cute and I think we all ended up buying a new top or sweater while here. Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Visit the first Catholic Parish on the Gulf Coast. Alabama Contemporary Art Center Mobile has quite a thriving arts scene. The Alabama Contemporary Art Center is a launching pad for emerging artists to cultivate their practice, hone skills and give a wider audience access to their work. The Moon Pie Shop Find the Moon Pie Shop and stock up on the cutest containers and Moon Pie merchandise. Rumour has it they are also opening a restaurant. YUM! Did you know that Mobile Alabama drops a huge Moon Pie for New Year’s Eve in downtown Mobile? Mardi Gras Park Take a quick stroll in Mardi Gras Park. One of the nights we stayed in Mobile, the tree lighting took place. Such a pretty display. GulfQuest National Marine Museum Stunning new museum that incorporates some gorgeous technology to make marine history of the area real for all who visit. This building is dynamic and exhibits are very much hands on. So, this is also a very family friendly place to add to your trip if you are here with kids. Where to Stay Stay at the Renaissance Riverview Mobile Plaza Hotel. One of my favourite hotels of the entire 12 day trip through the Gulf Coast. The service here during our Mobile Alabama Girl’s Trip was exceptional and honestly the views from the higher floors are amazing. Stay Where We Did Highly recommend the Renaissance Riverview Mobile Plaza Hotel. Great location and even better service. Moon Pies delivered to our door two of the nights we stayed and that was the sweetest touch ever. We had high rooms facing the river and loved the view of the port and park. The guest lounge is open several nights a week, but not on Fridays. Snack on all the Moon Pies!

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A Refreshing Visit to Louisiana Northshore

Paula — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 14:08:10 +0000

So close to New Orleans, and yet a world away in spirit, Louisiana Northshore is a little slice of something spectacular and a very refreshing soft adventure reprieve after our busy 3-day girl’s trip to New Orleans. Across the Shore, a World Apart Louisiana’s Northshore, St. Tammany Parish, is just a 45-minute drive from NOLA. With access to the same fresh seafood, cultural influences and chefs inspired by Acadian cuisine, Northshore Louisiana has a lot in common with The Big Easy, but without the hustle and the raucous streets of New Orleans. This makes the Northshore a charming spot for a soft adventure, romantic getaway or family vacation. I recently took a 12-day girl’s getaway Gulf Coast hosted media fam trip. We started in New Orleans and then drove to Louisiana’s Northshore. North of Your Expectations Louisiana’s Northshore drapes across the coast of Lake Ponchartrian, less than an hour away from the New Orleans French Quarter. New Orleanians have been using the Northshore as a getaway since the 1880s, way back when steamboats were the common mode of transportation leading people across the lake to stay in stately resorts shrouded by tall trees. The air in Northshore Louisiana was cooler and cleaner than it was in New Orleans and the deep-spring water was reputed to cure ills and calm nerves. Northshore Louisiana consists of: Madisonville, Old Mandeville, Lake Ponchartrain, La Combe, and Abiti Springs as well as Folsom, Pearl River, and Sun. Where to Stay in Northshore Louisiana As soon as we arrived in Louisiana Northshore, we checked into the stunning De La Bleau Bed and Breakfast in Old Mandeville. The decor in every room is themed according to colour. I stayed in the orange room which also had a bit of a safari feel with giraffe art on the wall. There was a small seating area, a large, private, well-appointed bathroom and reliable wifi. With a window seat that offered a view of the water from my room, and a very funky handmade headboard, the suites were all about the unique atmosphere. A Bit About this Charming Louisiana Bed and Breakfast De La Bleau was a passion project in retirement for husband and wife team Cindy and Clyde Touchstone. The bed and breakfast is spacious and clean and welcoming, with the sweetest personal touches. Located on Lafitte Street, you can easily walk to the boardwalk and water. Also, the Bed and Breakfast has bikes to borrow. De La Bleau can accommodate weddings and pets can stay in a lower level suite. High ceilings and a gorgeous breakfast bar, with fresh coffee always on hand, makes De La Bleau Bed and Breakfast cheery and bright, even for those who are not morning people. It’s hard to choose just one favourite feature here because it’s clear Cindy, a retired school bus driver, and husband Clyde, who both did some property flipping in their spare time, are genuinely talented at renovations and decorating. The space has character, but it also provides a lot of privacy for those who prefer that kind of stay. However, of all the endearing elements that make this such a great choice for a stay, the most memorable one is the food. The breakfast bacon here in this adorable Bed and Breakfast is worth the visit alone. It is the best bacon you will ever taste. Take a stroll along the water every morning. Grab a bike and go for a ride. A Sunset Pontoon Tour After checking in, we headed out to meet up with Louisiana Tours and Adventures for a pontoon boat tour. While the night was a bit cool when we were there, that pontoon boat ride was a fantastic way to get a good look at some of the prettiest spots on the water. View this post on Instagram We took a pontoon boat out on the Ponchartrain and watched the 🌅sunset, then we spied this swamp bar on the way back and asked the Captain to make a stop. When I came out of the restroom, @downshiftingpro was dancing with a real character. #hosted #lanorthshore #travel #wanderlust #tammanytaste #northofyourexpectations #travelling #canadalovesgulfshores #canadalovesgulfcoast #water #food #fun A post shared by Paula Schuck (@inkscrblr) on Nov 21, 2019 at 7:25am PST As the sun set, on the Tchefuncte River, the captain of the boat, Mike, showed us around and timed the ride perfectly so that we were right in front of the lighthouse as the sun lost its grip on the day. So glorious and appreciated! We spied a couple of our first tiny alligators of the trip out on the water. We had snacks and warm beverages on the boat and then a Northshore Louisiana swamp bar caught our eye. After circling around for a bit our amiable captain and PR guide Christina waltzed right in to T Rivers Bar and Grill with us. Because, when in Louisiana and you see a swamp bar, I mean, how can you resist? I left the room for five minutes and returned to find Margarita Ibbott dancing with a total stranger in a swamp bar in Louisiana. That’s something you don’t see every day. Of course, we had to try the swamp punch too, which was green and, while worth trying, not my kind of drink. I saddled up to the bar, where football was playing on multiple smaller screen TVs fixed to the walls behind the bar and asked for a cocktail. But literally, after running through maybe three possible drinks, I realized that I was clearly at a swamp bar. So, local beer it was then. Pizza Night Later that night, after returning to the shore and thanking Mike for an amazing pontoon ride, we drove to Duman Pizza. I had a wood oven fired pizza featuring shrimp and it was superb. In fact, I ate about four pieces, which for me, is unheard of, so but this point of our girl’s getaway I was all in on the gulf coast shrimp dishes. This would be a theme for me and I committed fully. After I finished some work back at the quiet B and B, I called it a night and woke up in time to meet everyone for breakfast. Liz’s Where Y’AT Diner on Florida Street in Mandeville is a must visit and a winner. The walls are all covered with bright beach colours and the bar, counter area is set up to resemble a Tiki Hut. But the cutest part of the restaurant is all of the fun sayings, quotes and witty anecdotes painted on the walls. The Bennies One of my personal favourite things here was that there’s a breakfast dish where you can mix and match the Eggs Benedict or the Bennies. So I had one crabby Eggs Benedict with Nawlin’s Eggs Benedict on a fried green tomato. The crabby bennies were rich and moist and such a southern Gulf Coast treat. Where Y’At? Are you ever on a trip where the restroom wows you so much that you have to take photos? Liz’s Where Y’at Diner is that kind of place. It’s a neighbourhood diner featuring scratch New Orleans cuisine. The vibe is beach mixed with 60s Hippy Flower Child Surfer Girl Vibe. Service was exceptional. Traveler Tip – > Try the Debris. Also the crabby Eggs Benedict was scrumptious. Debris is beef ends that are scraped off the end of the pot and are extremely flavourful. Grits and scramblers are also popular dishes here. Kayak with Alligators The four of us split up after breakfast. Both Margarita Ibbott and I were keen to try kayaking in the bayou. Again, I felt like how often in life do I have the chance to kayak in a bayou in Louisiana? So, for me it was not even a question. Whenever you have a chance to kayak on the bayou with alligators, embrace that opportunity. The paddling was leisurely and we spied two small alligators as we headed all the way to the lake. While you should always have a healthy fear of alligators, we heard repeatedly here that people and gators coexist. If you don’t feed them and leave them alone, they will leave you alone. Check Out Bayou Adventures Kayaking Bayou Adventures Kayaking, a family-owned business with bait shop and restaurant in the back, is a great place to rent what you need in order to do watersports in the area. They offer bike rentals, stand up paddle boards and kayaks as well as swamp tours. Bayou Adventures Kayaking delivers your kayaks and rental gear to the bayou, making your job the paddling and picture-taking. Take a Tour – Historic Mandeville QR Tours Explore the 31-mile Tammany Trace, on the Rail-to-Trail Hall of Fame project. You might also consider taking a fishing charter. Nuvolari’s In walking distance of De La Bleau Bed and Breakfast, Nuvolari’s is Italian food in a casual fine dining atmosphere on Girod Street, moments away from Lake Ponchartrain. We had dinner here on our second night in Old Mandeville and service was flawless. The oysters appetizer was scrumptious, but the Genoa Shrimp with candied pecans and fettuccini was exceptional. Candied pecans added texture and a dash of something sweet, making the Genoa Shrimp one of the best shrimp dishes I have had ever. Covington Browse the Shops in Covington There are dozens of adorable antique shops, a legendary hardware store, a cute shoe store and a few boutiques in downtown Covington. Founded in 1813, Covington is the seat of the parish of St. Tammany. It’s also quaint and walkable and it’s home to the Southern Hotel. Traveler Tip – Shopping Here in Covington? You will find many of the galleries and shops on Lee Lane and Columbia Street. The English Tea Room WOWZA. From the second we set foot inside this adorable Covington tea room we were all charmed. Sit in the Churchill room, surrounded by gigantic cardboard cutouts of Downton Abbey, and be transported. Order the high tea and by all means ask for suggestions! The servers are incredibly well informed about all of the teas here. It was insane how many different varieties of teas this restaurant had. Crafty DIY Ideas The day we left for Coastal Mississippi we drove over to Hammer and Stain Covington. The perfect Covington girl’s getaway activity for Northshore Louisiana and so affordable too! We spent a good three hours painting our Christmas snow globes. A similar activity costs about $35 each. Of course, there are dozens of projects to choose from at various price points. Hammer and Stain Covington also offers private DIY paint parties and Mini Makers parties too for the younger set. Louisiana Northshore Has A Quiet Southern Charm The northshore is full of character and opportunities for soft adventures. Consider it a quieter alternative to New Orleans, or do New Orleans for a couple of exciting days and then retreat to Louisiana Northshore to relax and start planning your next vacation.

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One of a Kind Saguenay Family Resort with Wolves

Paula — Thu, 24 May 2018 11:26:04 +0000

Waking up to wolves and bison and sled dogs is a bit surreal. But, you need not be a fictional character from a Canadian novel to make this wildlife experience happen. You can entertain your wild side and get spiritual too at a Saguenay Family Resort called Ferme 5 étoiles in Sacre-Couer-Saguenay, Cote Nord Region of Quebec. This family friendly destination in Quebec Nord region is comfortable, unique and open all year long. Recently I stayed there with friends while on a press trip. From the moment we arrived to the second we left we were enamoured with the rescue animals and excited about the prospect of a wolf encounter. Ferme 5 étoiles is a wonderful spot to take family for a relaxing vacation. Many of the rescue animals here have their stories right outside their enclosures to read. There are raccoons orphaned when their mother was run over by a vehicle and two moose that were also orphaned and wouldn’t have survived without help. This family run Saguenay resort is pretty much heaven for a kid and it’s likely to bring out the kid in everyone. It’s a working farm, with indoor area for goats and sheep and all manner of birds, and hares. On arrival you might be greeted by the friendly resident farm dogs living here or the geese that roam freely on the property. You can ask to accompany staff on rounds to feed the animals in the morning too. Camping takes place here in the summer months and there are numerous accommodation options from chalets, to condominiums and yurts. The Sageunay family resort and wildlife observation centre has many trails to walk and explore. Also, Ferme 5 étoiles has the only sugar shack in Saguenay. But of course the Sugar Shack and maple syrup season is extremely short. The accommodations are large and clean. We stayed in a condominium that had a working kitchen, a TV and two bedrooms. One room had two beds and the other had three so you could easily accommodate a family of five at Ferme 5 étoiles. This wonderful little Sageunay family adventure spot and wildlife observation/ sanctuary is just 15 minutes by car from Tadoussac. Take the day and go whale watching in Tadoussac while here, check out the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre too then return for a restful night at Ferme 5 étoiles. A highlight of the stay at Ferme 5 étoiles is the wolf encounter with Jacob. Such a great way to learn about wolves. Jacob is a grey wolf and Luna is an arctic wolf. The farm and animal observation centre has had the wolves for many years. Both are a huge draw for visitors from all over. Be warned though your children must be 12 and over to take part in the wolf encounter. Together we did the wolf encounter as a group and had no idea what to expect. With equal parts excitement and apprehension we sat down together and were given the history and the rundown on what to do and not do when inside the wolf’s habitat. Backs towards the enclosure, in case they jump up on you. No sudden movements and cameras out only when the wolf handler indicates it’s safe. Wolf Facts: Did you know that wolves travel in packs? Okay, so maybe that’s a basic one. How about this: did you know wolves partner for life? The pack chooses one dominant male and one dominant female and only those two breed. They have 1-6 pups per year. When the female is ready to give birth she lactates and the rest of the females in the pack also lactate to feed the babies. 60 % of pups will not make it to the first year. We entered Luna’s habitat first. The gorgeous white arctic wolf is a little intimidating to be honest. Entering an enclosed space with a wolf seems like it could be a once in a lifetime opportunity or a very bad idea. LOL. Luckily Luna and Jacob are friendly and we each have a turn interacting with and petting the wolves. First Luna, who seems smitten with Aeryn Lynne’s shoelaces. Then Jacob. Being able to spend time with wolves in close quarters was something I never expected to be able to do. These animals have such history in Canada and in literature too it’s pretty incredible to be able to get face time with wolves. Although I was honestly a bit worried at first, because wolves are formidable animals, the worries disappeared inside Jacob’s home. He was simply majestic and calm, allowing himself to be petted. I mean, I got to pet a grey wolf. Now, how many people can say that? Other Details: There is a spa on site so book a massage if you wish. Small gift shop on site as well for souvenirs and things you might have forgotten. Restaurant on site offers hearty meals and great service. Food that sticks to your ribs and gives you energy for a day exploring, biking, or whale watching. We had three course meals here both nights when we were visiting. Read Aeryn Lynn’s Post about this visit to the Quebec working farm. If you liked this post don’t forget to read my Tadoussac whale watching post too. I was a guest of Saguenay Lac St Jean and Quebec Maritime while staying in Quebec and I received accommodations, food and activities while visiting in exchange for honest content shared here. This post contains affiliate links to help readers and I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you when a purchase is made. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful.

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Small Ship Cruising Benefits

Paula — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 11:57:02 +0000

Small ship cruising is something that often doesn’t even make the radar when people plan their high seas adventures. With so many commercials featuring the massive amusement park ships, some people might not even KNOW that smaller ships exist, or they might not think of them at all. This is especially true of people who have never been on a cruise before. And while the huge ships can be a ton of fun, there are some major benefits to small ship cruising, as well. Small Ship Cruising can Sometimes be a Better Fit While cruising on a smaller ship may not be on your radar, there are times when it can be the right fit. Neither is better than the other necessarily, and they both offer wonderful cruising experiences. But each style of cruising is different with unique benefits. So let’s take a look at some of the benefits of cruising on a smaller ship, especially for first time cruisers. A Perfect Introduction to Cruising Small ship cruising can be the perfect first time experience. Small ships offer almost all of the amenities of those huge ships but without the ginormous theme park areas. It’s the perfect way to dip your feet into the cruising water and get a feel for the experience. Our first ever cruise was on the Carnival Pride, one of the older Carnival ships at the time. It was ideal for us on our first time at sea. Easier to Navigate When I refer to the large ships we all recognize from commercials as amusement park ships, it’s not an exaggeration. Those ships are absolutely massive. They are cities on the water, and they can be difficult to navigate. First time cruisers or those who are cruising with kids for the first time may find small ship cruising to be less stressful because it is so much easier to navigate the smaller vessels. Less Anxiety I know several people who can ONLY take cruises on smaller ships. The smaller size makes for less anxiety because they are easier to navigate and don’t feel quite so overwhelming. Because of that, they make the perfect cruising experience for people who have anxiety disorder. In fact, recently I noticed a huge difference in my girls. Our last cruise in January was a smaller boat and the kids found it super easy to find their way around and be more independent than they have been on previous cruises. As some of you recall my oldest has anxiety disorder, which sometimes leads to a lot of discomfort in new social situations. That is dramatically less on the smaller ships. A Personal Feel On large ship cruises, like several of the Royal Caribbean ships, it’s easy to feel lost. The sheer number of people can leave you feeling like just another face in a sea of bodies. Small ship cruising offers a much more personal feel. You’ll get to know members of the staff and other cruise members just by virtue of there not being SO MANY people on the boat. Staff to Passenger Ratio That personal feel I just mentioned with small ship cruising can come down to numbers. On a small cruise ship, the staff to passenger ratio can sometimes be smaller. We have always had good service on ships, but on the two smaller Carnival ships we have had exceptional housekeeping and service. Sometimes on smaller ships, it feels like you get to know the staff and the staff gets to know you. Often times, they will end up knowing what you want before you even ask. Our last cruise experience had the most amazing housekeeping ever. Viktor was always nearby. We loved that and appreciated his great suggestions about which meal to choose, or what to see or do in port. A Different Port Experience Small cruise ships can dock in smaller ports. You might be thinking, “big deal”. Well, it can be. Those massive, mega-ships need bigger, deeper ports in order to safely dock. When they don’t have that, they either have to skip that port or they have to ferry passengers from a location further off the coast to the port. Small ship cruising offers an easier port experience at the least and a unique experience you sometimes can’t get with other big ships. Food The food is a huge draw on any cruise. Buffet is important for breakfast and lunch often. Dinners are fancier and typically by reservation or walk in. When you think about the massive number of people who cruise, especially on the huge cruise ships, it’s not hard to imagine the mad lineups at breakfast and lunch. Oh, there are still food lineups even on small ships. But small cruise ships sometimes have the luxury of bringing on better quality food. And if you’re on a European cruise, they have the advantage of bringing on FRESH local ingredients at the various ports. Small Ship Cruising Offers Big Time Benefits I love large and small ship cruising. My family has been on both, and they each offer their own unique benefits. For first time cruisers or cruisers who are sailing with kids for the first time, I recommend small ship cruising as a great introduction. With a smaller, easier to navigate ship, a personal feel, and just a less crushing crowd on the boat, it makes an excellent starter experience. For a video on our latest cruise ship experience click here – Carnival Sensation.

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Our Stay at St Augustine Tryp Hotel by Wyndham #ad #StAugustine

Paula — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 11:23:34 +0000

On the final stop of our girl’s getaway trip to Florida we headed to St. Augustine. None of the four of us had ever set foot in St. Augustine so we were excited to see the city. We were also tired. There was a lot of driving involved in visiting three cities in six days and we were crossing our fingers that St. Augustine would be comfortable and accommodations would be quiet, restful and clean. The St Augustine Tryp Hotel didn’t disappoint. It was a lovely, clean, newer space. Tryp is a brand owned by Wyndham and it is affordable and family friendly. There are numerous locations of Tryp by Wyndham around the world in many popular tourist destinations. A new one is currently being built in Fort Lauderdale too. In the St Augustine Tryp Hotel the rooms are extremely spacious. Lobby is clean and decorated with modern colours and styles. It was located on Ponce DeLeon Boulevard Sebastian St Augustine. Looking out onto a marina, the Tryp Hotel St. Augustine has a nice view out back and ample parking as well. Rooms facing out front lack a view of anything exciting other than the roadway, but if you can overlook that then it’s not that big an issue. Although we faced the road I found it quiet and was able to sleep well for the two nights we were there. Of course the fact that we raced from event to event and toured everything possible meant I was super exhausted at night. For me, St Augustine Tryp hit all the right notes. It was my kind of space, clean, comfortable, affordable and family friendly too. Amenities are what you would expect in a mid level affordable chain – fitness room, pool, hot tub, outdoor patio, restaurant with breakfast (extra) and also a small business centre. Free wifi of course and also bottled water in the rooms. Outdoors, the pool was lovely and a decent size to play in or do some laps. Warning – it was chilly in October actually. Hot tub is clean and on deck near the pool. Ample seating on the patio. Nice view and good location for the pool. Everything here at St Augustine Tryp Hotel is new and clean. That makes me happy. Cleanliness should be the standard for all accommodations in every city in Florida. And while many are, we recently had one negative experience that made us a bit apprehensive. However everything in St. Augustine was exceptional and enjoyable. St Augustine is quite drivable and also easy to get around in. The location is about 10 minutes from downtown by shuttle or driving on your own. There’s a ton of activity and so much to see. Many inexpensive shuttles operate in St. Augustine. Ask the desk how long you need to plan for if you have reservations and then ask them to call the shuttle to get you there. Highly recommend a visit. Tryp Hotel St. Augustine Details and Information: 333 S Ponce De Leon Blvd, St Augustine, FL 32084 Tel. and Fax: 1-904-209-5580 The Tryp Hotel St. Augustine is one hotel I wouldn’t hesitate to return to and stay at again. Great for families or girl’s getaways too. It would even suit multi-generational travel. We were guests of Visit Florida and St Augustine Ponte Verda in Florida’s Historic Coast when we visited the area this past month. All travel costs were paid for and accommodations and meals covered as well. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful.

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