Don’t you just love the longer days, the gentle breeze, and the fresh air spring has to offer?! Spring is here to stay (with only a few North Carolina fickle weather exceptions, haha). I have been back and forth from NC to Florida quite a bit lately and I’m happy to say that with North […]
travel
Do YOU…everyone else is taken!
You know that quote by Oscar Wilde, “Be yourself, everyone else is taken.” Well, it’s taken me quite sometime to totally come to a full understanding of what this actually means for me. I mean, I know who I am (always growing and changing). What I’ve had a hard time with is, who is the […]
My LA Foodie Favorites!
A half an hour before opening, we were standing in line at The Broad Museum and struck up a conversation with the couple in front of us. One is a LA local and the other a recent college grad from San Diego. The topic of lunch brought about all kinds of excitement! We compared notes […]
LA Livin’ Like a Local!
Every since my travels to Paris, I have made it a point to try to experience life more like a local. That first sip of coffee at a local coffee shop, hearing neighbors chatting on a park bench…that moment a stranger turns into an instant friend over discussing each other’s fur babies (aka puppies). I […]
A Day Away in New Bern, NC.
I recently spent the most wonderful day in the most charming of cities, New Bern, North Carolina! Weekend trips are about all I can plan for the time being. So, I find myself looking for places to explore that are only a short drive away, preferably ones I haven’t been to yet. Not sure why […]
Feeling Like Family in Fairbanks, Alaska!
Have you ever visited a place and somehow felt so comfortable there that you even felt a part of the community? Like a local? Well, that pretty much sums up the sentiments of how I felt in Fairbanks, Alaska when I was there last month to visit a dear friend. Fairbanks is the second most […]
Reindeer Games in North Pole, Alaska!
The North Pole is REAL, you guys! During my recent stay in Fairbanks, Alaska, I was asked if I wanted to pay a quick little visit to meet the man himself, Santa! Um, yes, please! I was transformed to a child like state immediately. Like in the scene in the movie, Elf, when Buddy is […]
Charmed by Charleston, again!
Hello my fellow wander-lusting friends, hope you all are well! Last weekend I went on a spontaneous day trip to Charleston, South Carolina with my husband and wanted to share with all of you some of my favorites. First, I just have to comment on how much I enjoy taking day trips, so much fun […]
Confessions of a travel blogger…detours can be fun, right?!
Where do I even start? I apologize in advance for any confusion I might add to your life by taking the time to read this post. I also apologize for not being the best at posting lately. I’m in a “what the crap am I doing” phase in my life. Ha! Ever been in one […]
How I Afford Travel!
Hello fellow travelers and wander-lusters! I have wanted to write a post on affordable travel for quite sometime, but wasn’t sure how to approach it. Let’s face it, talking about money and how to spend it can be a bit awkward, well, it is for me anyway. I’m going to be completely honest and […]
Things to do in Savannah after the sun goes down!
It was on a late Saturday, morning, my family was finished with breakfast but we were all still in our pajamas when an opportunity arose. Life altered in a way to allow my husband and I to dash off on an unplanned, unexpected short overnight trip somewhere close by. I was completely up for the challenge […]
How to be a Proper House Guest!
I can’t believe it’s only a week away till Christmas!! Most of you are probably getting those last minute details ready, anticipating how each of your friends and family will react to their gifts, and possibly even packing in preparations for holiday travels. During my last travels to visit friends over Thanksgiving, my friend suggested […]
How to spend a Day in Tulsa, Oklahoma!
Hey guys! I hope you all are having the happiest of holidays!! I just recently spent Thanksgiving with friends in Oklahoma and wanted to share a few places worth checking out if you ever find yourself in Tulsa. The weather was just horrible during our visit, however, our friends still showed us around and we […]
Top 3 Places to Eat in NYC (a Foodie’s Paradise)!
food·ie ˈfo͞odē/ noun informal a person with a particular interest in food; a gourmet. Aka: everyone, really!;-) Right?! I don’t know if you’re anything like me, but I like to plan where to eat just as much as I like to plan what to do when traveling. I always have a few restaurants on the […]
Top 5 Places to Explore for Free in NYC!
Places to go in NYC for free! I am so excited to share with all of you my most recent NYC adventures! I recently celebrated my 36th birthday there and turned my dream of exploring NYC in the fall a reality! Today, I’m going to start by sharing my top 5 places to explore for […]
Why Traveling While Young is a Great Idea!
Traveling While Young So, I’m going to start by saying that traveling at any age is great! Please don’t take offense if you don’t fit into this category anymore, it’s okay…really. I kind of feel I’m balancing in between the categories of having freedom to travel more and fulfilling my responsibilities of working and being […]
My first experience with Airbnb hosting, part 2
Hello everyone! As promised, I’m sharing with you the outcome of my first hosting experience with Airbnb. If you haven’t already read my previous post, click on the following link to get up to speed…Airbnb Hosting Part 1! My mind rushed with so many questionable thoughts…”Did they trash the place?” “Did they enjoy their stay?” […]
My first experience with Airbnb hosting!
Airbnb hosting So, you might be thinking…what?! Didn’t she just write about her first Airbnb experience as a guest? Why, yes…yes I did. You can read about it here…My first experience with Airbnb! To explain my life right now would take a bit more time than just this blog post, so let me be brief. […]
Top 5 phrases in 5 different languages every traveler should learn!
Recently, I saw the question, “If you could snap your fingers and be proficient in anything, what would it be?” I found myself answering very quickly… LANGUAGES! I would absolutely love to be fluent in another language, I mean while I’m at it, I might as well say I would love to be a linguistic mastermind, haha! […]
3 Days in the Smokies! Part 2
Laurel Falls and Gatlinburg The second day we were in Tennessee we hiked to a waterfall, Laurel Falls. This waterfall is located in The Great Smoky National Park. If you like hiking but aren’t cut out for a long treacherous journey, this is the hike for you. A paved path guides you along the way, with […]
3 Days in the Smokies!
My family is no stranger to Tennessee and the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. We have been visiting for years. We’ve enjoyed making many memories at the Crowther family cabin (owned by my husband’s grandparents). We spent our honeymoon there, brought our children there at many stages of their childhood (even when I was pregnant […]
The Largest Walk-Through Zoo in the World: North Carolina Zoo
The majestic elephants were roaming and playing with one other, looking as if they had just finished a bath…a mud bath, that is. *winky face* I am always so amazed that these creatures even exist! So massive in size, yet so gentle…graceful, even. I love visiting the North Carolina Zoo located in Asheboro! With over […]
2 Days in Miami, Florida! Day 2
Day 2 We woke up early to catch the sunrise, another great time to see South Beach without crowds of people, and oh, is it beautiful! Who doesn’t love a good sunrise or sunset?! *Travel Tip~If you plan on spending the morning/afternoon in South Beach, arriving early gets you a fantastic parking spot! Plus, the […]
2 Days in Miami, Florida! Day 1
Spontaneous trip? Yes, please! A spontaneous trip to somewhere on a warm beach?! Oh, heck yes!! My husband and I recently took a road trip down to Miami. Both of us were actually born and lived part of our lives in Florida, but for some reason neither one of us have actually seen much of […]
My first Airbnb experience!
Let me be the first to tell you…I am a late adapter! To give you an idea, I haven’t even had my Instagram account for a year yet, haha! Just in case you’re anything like me, let me explain what Airbnb actually is. Airbnb is a website for people to rent out their homes. Who […]
Tour of Italy: Venice
Ahhhh, Venice! This city is quite remarkable! Right away you’ll be taken back by the sites and sounds…gondoliers serenading lovers as they float down small romantic canal ways. So dreamy! By the time we reached Venice, we were pretty exhausted from walking miles and miles exploring Rome and Florence. So, we decided on more of […]
Tour of Italy: Florence
Florence was my favorite place in Italy…the art, the food, the shopping! Even though it had tourists bursting at the seams, I really felt a sense of the local life while in Florence. Maybe it was because we stayed a bit out of the city’s center or ate mainly where the locals eat? I’m not […]
Tour of Italy: Rome
Rome has so many things to offer travelers…famous historical sites, museums, piazza’s, amazing food, even the steps in Rome are famous! I have found that travel is the best way for me to learn about history and culture and traveling to Rome taught me so much! Oh, how I can’t wait to return…good thing I […]
Things to do in the Outer Banks: Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, and Roanoke Island
I have really enjoyed featuring the Outer Banks this month! I have also enjoyed visiting OBX for almost a decade now. Every time I pay a visit, I explore new places and make beautiful memories! In this last post on the Outer Banks, I will be featuring more wonderful things to do and explore. […]
Follow me on Bloglovin’
Travel’s A Dance Away is finally on Bloglovin’! Click on the following link to start receiving our weekly post directly to your Bloglovin’ account. Thanks for following along and let me know about any travel content that you would like TADA to write about in future posts! Happy Traveling:-) Follow my blog with Bloglovin
Things to do in the Outer Banks: Ocracoke Island
Hello my traveling friends! If you missed my last post, I explained that I would be featuring the beautiful Outer Banks this month. Last week, I featured Hatteras Island. This week, I am featuring an island that is full of all the island vibes that you’d expect, but this island also surprises travelers with charming […]
Things to do in the Outer Banks: Hatteras Island
Hello friends! I hope you are all having a great start to the summer season! I am super excited to share with you guys about a place that I have had the pleasure of exploring for many years…the beautiful Outer Banks, aka OBX! This 200 mile stretch of barrier islands is located just off the […]
Things to do in Savannah, Georgia in one day!
Hello my fellow traveling friends! Instead of painting my house and getting it ready to sell, like I should be doing, I’m eating a macaron and writing this blogpost on a little city that has SO much charm and beauty… Savannah, Georgia! I wish I could bottle up the feeling I had while exploring this […]
Top 3 Inspiration Destinations!
Traveling for a yearly vacation or to see relatives can be fun, exciting, memorable, maybe even relaxing?! But! How about traveling for the sole purpose of gaining inspiration. This would be a more purpose-filled journey, if you will. Life can be so hectic, so distracting. It can be hard to find the quiet, to find […]
Liebster Award Nominee!
I had the honor of receiving my first Liebster Award last month by Facades and Nuances, a student blogger that creates beautiful jewelry and writes about life, art, travel, etc. Check out her site on the following link…Facades and Nuances! If you are not exactly sure what a Leibster Award is, your not alone. I […]
Packing Like A Pro! Part 2
Welcome back, my fellow wander-lusters! In the last post, we discussed how to plan a wardrobe (why less is more!), shoes, and accessories. Click on the following link if you missed it…Packing Like A Pro Part 1! In this post we are tackling the subjects of packing toiletries and electronics. So, let’s get right to it […]
Packing Like A Pro! Part 1
When I was asked to write a series of posts about packing like a pro for BeautyBrains.org, I was thrilled! We all would like to pack like globetrotting pros, right?! Well, I wouldn’t say I’ve achieved that status yet, but I do have a few tricks up my sleeve! Whether you enjoy the process of packing […]
Travel to Florida’s Best Kept Secret, Navarre Beach!
The secrets out! (well, at least for those reading this post…so, shhhh!) If you like white sandy beaches with Aqua blue waters, but don’t like all the crowds that usually go along with it, then Navarre Beach, Fl. might be the perfect place for you. Navarre Beach is located on Santa Rosa Island, a barrier […]
The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, North Carolina!
Hello my fellow wander-lusters! I hope you are all having a wonderful week! If you are ready for a relaxing, spa-filled place to stay with all the southern charm and hospitality anyone could ask for, you need to book a stay at The Umstead Hotel and Spa for sure! This place was the perfect getaway for celebrating our sixteen year wedding anniversary! You’ll get the full […]
The Ultimate Guide to Travel Planning!
Planning a vacation can be somewhat overwhelming right? Where to go? When to go? How much is it going to cost? These are some of the questions that we all ask ourselves when it’s time to plan that long awaited trip. Am I right? Here are three simple steps to help you plan a trip […]
Top Ten Things to do while in Bangkok, Thailand
When I asked Angel Deal, our featured guest traveler, what her top ten things to do in Bangkok, Thailand was…here’s what she said! 1. Floating Market at Wat-ta-Kein We were able to experience the floating market, hear students play traditional Thai music, and have a covered and very clean market for food and trinkets. There […]
Let’s Talk Shoes and Travel!
Shoes, shoes, shoes! I simply love shoes! Just to give you an idea of how much, this is a photo that my mom just recently sent me on Facebook! This photo couldn’t be any more accurate about the way I feel. Yes, I’m “that” girl…the girl that will buy the shoes first and then purchase […]
My Top 5 Reasons to Travel
Explore I have found so much joy in exploring the world! There is nothing like roaming in a new city or place you’ve never been before! Discovering new cultures, food, and art are great experiences. Even if you are just exploring a place that you’ve visited many times, there is always something new to find…a […]
Tour of the Biltmore!
Ever since we moved to North Carolina, over ten years ago, I have had the desire to explore the largest home in America located in Asheville, North Carolina. Before I give you a glimpse into this breathtaking French Chateau styled home, let me explain something I’ve learned in life. Timing is everything! If I would […]
Random thoughts from a Travel Blogger…
Okay, you’re probably wondering what I’m going to be writing about in this post because of the title, right? Well, it has been over two weeks since I last posted, and it’s not because I don’t have ideas for more posts. I have started on three other posts about recent travels I’ve had. I have […]
Road Trip Ready!
We take road trips often, and we are about to leave for one soon. I love road trips, but dread the questions “Are we there yet?” and “How much longer?”. Having the right “road-trip checklist” helps to make those long car rides much more comfortable and helps the time fly by quicker too! Here is […]
Top Ten Travel Inspired Gifts on my list!
Are you an avid traveller? Or know someone who is? Here are a few travel inspired gift ideas to help you find that perfect gift or maybe something you could use for yourself! I have had my eye on a few of these, and secretely hope my friends and family read this blog post…my birthday […]
Top 15 of my favorite things while visiting Hong Kong
I had the awesome opportunity to visit Hong Kong for an entire month with my family! While there visiting with friends, we enjoyed Asian culture for the first time. Here is a list of the top 15 of my favorite things: 1. Park Island We were blessed to stay on this beautiful island in a […]
A day trip to Versailles!
There is more to France than Paris! One day I hope to visit more of France, like the town of Giverny, where you’ll find Monet’s house and gardens. Imagine walking through the very gardens that inspired Monet’s most famous paintings! Wouldn’t that be lovely? You can visit the following link to learn more…Monet’s Home and […]
Top 5 of my favorite things to do when visiting Wilmington, NC.
1. The Beach Grab your beach chair and sunscreen because going to the beach is top on my list when visiting Wilmington, NC! There are several surrounding beaches by Wilmington, one of which is Wrightsville Beach. I can’t get enough of the beach! Born and mostly raised in Florida, I feel I have a bit […]
Celebrating in Italy! Lost in Venice Part 2
When you think of Venice, what are the things that come to mind? Probably things like beautiful masks worn for the carnival, amazing gothic architecture, famous bridges, and romantic canals lined with gondolas to name just a few. If you want to learn more than the obvious you have to look a little deeper into […]
A Taste of Venice! Gondola Style
We heard mixed reviews on whether or not to be the “ultimate tourist” and take a personal gondola ride. We went back and forth…should we, shouldn’t we? In the end we decided to just enjoy watching others enjoy their ride down the narrow canals of Venice guided by their personal gondolier! We did enjoy plenty […]
Celebrating in Italy! Lost in Venice Part 1
Getting lost is usually not a pleasant experience at any time for anyone! Getting lost in Venice, however, is wonderful! After our train ride to Venice, we had to figure out where our hotel was and how to get there. No cars! Just boats and gondolas! It was the most fun I have ever had […]
Celebrating in Italy! Florence Part 3
We wondered to ourselves…”What should we do next?” We already had front row seats at the Galleria dell’ Accademia to see the statue of David, climbed many stairs to see panoramic views of the city up the Duomo, roamed through room after room at the Palazzo Vecchio, and saw famous paintings like the birth of […]
Celebrating in Italy! Florence Part 2
Steps, steps, steps and more STEPS!! We walked up hundreds and hundreds of steps while in Italy! No heels, ladies…unless you are a glutton for punishment. Our second day in Italy was filled with walking up, you guessed it, more steps…463 steps to be exact! It was worth the, ever so long, journey up the […]
Celebrating in Italy! Rome Part 3
My last and final blog post for Rome is packed full of pictures! Less talk more photos…you won’t mind, right? Here we are at the Pantheon! The Pantheon The portico and Jason hugging one of the pillars to give you an idea of how big they are! Inside this magnificent building! Raphael, the famous artist, […]
Celebrating in Italy! Rome Part 2
Day Two in Rome was dedicated to Vatican City and a little quaint neighborhood called Trastevere. Vatican City Since the Vatican is in it’s own city, country even, we had to purchase separate tickets for the museum. Our Roma passes could not be used for this museum. So we bought the tickets online the morning […]
Packing for Italy!!
Ever wonder how to make a travel wardrobe with what seems like endless options while only taking up minimal suitcase space??? Well, maybe I can help! I make it my goal to travel light. I don’t like checking on bags for several reasons, but my first reason is that I like to be able to […]
Christmas in New York City
I’ve always wanted to see NYC at Christmas time…well, if I’m honest I’ve also wanted to see it in the spring and the fall as well! This was our second time visiting. The first time was with my husband in the summer…. we had a blast! While we were there, we couldn’t help but find […]